Paris, 1900. The height of the Belle-Époque: decadence, wealth, hedonism…and murder.Homicide investigator Guillaume Devré stands for the silenced victims, bound to seek justice as he makes his way from the wide boulevards frequented by the tout-Paris to the narrow byways of Montmartre, to the shadow of the Tour Eiffel and the lush elegance of Maxim’s.When the most famous courtesan in Paris … Maxim’s.
When the most famous courtesan in Paris becomes the prime suspect in the death of a wealthy young man, Inspector Devré is reluctantly drawn into the opulent parlors and witty manners of high society. As the investigation unfolds, he must contend with a bloodthirsty press and the outrageous behavior of his suspect…as well as his own prejudices and unfulfilled needs.
Devré soon realizes that solving this murder could expose him and his darkest secret.
Murder on the Champs-Élysées is the first in a new series featuring Inspector Guillaume Devré, a homicide detective from la Sûreté who lives a secret life on the fringes of respectable society, the powerful courtesan known as La Balise—with secrets of her own—and the gruff but brilliant American pathologist Dr. Jackson.
“Mandon creates a gay lead character in a mainstream mystery, with refreshing and ingenious insight!…[The] characters are so human and absorbing they will follow you past the solution of this compelling and cleverly unique detective novel. This book consumed me, and though I read it weeks ago, I am still unable to let it go.”
—Kathryn Lynn Davis, New York Times bestselling author
“Alex Mandon sets this forward-thinking mystery in a lush historical setting that unveils all the opulence of the era. Tightly plotted and evocative!”
—Tanya Anne Crosby, New York Times bestselling author
more
A mystery that keeps you guessing till the end. The belle epoque Parisian courtesan and gay detective make a unique team. But, this book is not for everyone. I’m not keen on the gay love scenes (very minimal), but I assume there’s an audience for that has been long ignored. Complex characters that still have secret pasts to reveal. I’d like to see how this partnership develops, and will follow until and unless the gayness become too much for me.
I picked this book up expecting something like the movie Gigi — stylish, hedonistic, and frothy. The reality was quite different — this is the Belle Epoque seen from behind the scenes, behind the elegant facade. I was expecting champagne, but got a very good demitasse of espresso — deep, dark, and concentrated.
It’s a good book — well-written, interesting plot, and even the bare wisp of a love story, of a very convoluted sort. It left me feeling a bit unsatisfied, however — because I felt like I was just getting to know the major characters and wanted a much deeper acquaintance with them. I was disappointed to discover the planned sequel is not yet available — this is a world I definitely want to revisit.
I like historical mysteries, but I found the writing pedestrian and the plotting uninspired. As an introduction to La Belle Epoque, it is lacking. I found the courtesan, the detective, and the forensic pathologist to be uninteresting and flat. If the period interests you, you might try picking some books from the list of early 20th century mysteries at http://brerfox.tripod.com/lbe.html
Pros: Author evokes the Belle Epoque of Paris.
Cons: The detective (main character) doesn’t even solve the mystery; he walks in when the perpetrator is detailing the crime to someone after the detective has wrongly accused another character. Implausible situations: the detective engages in an indiscreet affair with a possible suspect with the flimsiest and most unlikely set-up, the supposedly curmudgeonly forensic investigator easily gives away information about the crime to a random person who is actually one of the suspects, clues at a hanging are overlooked by the detective yet easily pointed out by a bystander. One of the main characters has something in her background that she is trying to hide yet it never figures in the plot and is left unresolved at the end. There is no apparent plot reason for the main detective to be gay.
Original premise in an interesting setting and era.
this was not particularly enjoyable, but enough that i finished it
This read was a surprise. I did not see the development coming as to the subject. It is a world unknown by me so much was revealed. The French customs and trysts were reflected in this read. While I did finish it for the killer identity, it became somewhat of a labor.
Not what I was expecting from the description!
Learn about a place and time that is fascinating. I love this author
There’s more going on in this book than solving the murder and not all of it is resolved. The two major characters have a lot going on in their lives and, while there are difficulties related to that, it is handled sensitively and with humanity. It would be interesting to see these two solve more crimes together.
There were many twists and turns in this story that really kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. The Inspector was like a Victorian Columbo – always seeing something that others didn’t quite grasp and recognizing the importance. I’d love to read more with this Inspector Duvre.
This was one of the most repetitive books I have ever read. Why say something once when you can say it a dozen times throughout the book? The characters were not well realized and the plot just plodded on forever.
I loved it! Wonderful characters, settings and good solid writing. Humor was will done and the plot was great.
Intriguing but I wish it had been better. Author’s agenda gets in the way of the plot. Well written.
Fun
It just didnt hook me!
Amusing, some of the characters are well drawn.