The Panda Theory by Pascal Garnier

Gabriel drifts from town to town.  He makes friends easily, as he emphasizes with their problems and is always willing to do anything he can to help. His cooking skills are legendary and there is nothing he enjoys more than cooking for new friends.   He doesn't get emotionally involved, though.  That is the line he will not cross.

In this new town he finds himself in, he quickly makes friends.  The receptionist at the hotel is lonely and stuck in a dead-end job.  The owner of the café is facing a difficult life with his wife getting ill and unable to care for their children.  A young couple is in love but can't seem to make things work.  Each turns to Gabriel for help and emotional support.

But Gabriel has secrets.  Terrible secrets from his past that slowly evolve.  When they do, each person will realize they never knew Gabriel at all.

Pascal Garnier is a well-known French writer.  He is known for his noir style, and is often compared to Georges Simeon.  Readers will find his style slyly revealing and a bit dark.  He slowly peels back the layers of an individual's character and shows that no one is easily known.  This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.