From the New York Times bestselling author of Labyrinth-“a rich brew of supernaturalism and intrigue.”(Kirkus Reviews) In 1891, young Léonie Vernier and her brother arrive at the home of their widowed aunt in Rennes-le-Bains, in southwest France. But nothing is as Léonie had imagined. Their aunt is young, willowy, and beautiful, and the estate is a subject of local superstition. Villagers claim … of local superstition. Villagers claim that Léonie’s late uncle died after summoning a demon from the old Visigoth sepulchre on its grounds…
More than a century later, Meredith Martin, an American graduate student, arrives in Rennes-le- Bains while researching the life of Claude Debussy. Haunted by a Tarot reading she had in Paris-and possessing the mysterious deck of cards-she checks into a grand old hotel built on the site of a famous mountain estate destroyed by fire in 1896. There, the pack of Tarot cards and a piece of 19th-century music known as Sepulchre 1891 hold the key to her fate-just as they did to the fate of Léonie Vernier.
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An ensorcelling read full of intrigue, murder, and mysticism spread across time and space. A historical fiction that will leave you with an urge to visit Paris and have your fortune read. 🙂
4 stars to Sepulchre by Kate Mosse, the second in the “Languedoc” historical fiction (maybe a little fantasy) series. After I read the first book, I had to follow through on this one. And recently, I learned the third one was published a few years ago. I didn’t know there was another… but I will definitely finish this series. It takes place in the French mountains, how could you not love it?
The story is very complex, but very strong. The characters are memorable. The struggle between the past and the present drives this story. It is historical fiction, for a large part of it, so you have different time periods to focus on. But it’s handled well. Add in some ghosts, a little fantasy, mystery and suspense over the 100 year gap between the two time periods, and you’ve got a good story. You will keep trying to guess all the connections and be happy when you find out.
You should read at least the first two… and I’ll let you know whether the last one is important or not, once I read it! The connection between the first two books is surprising, so I am curious how the third one fits in.
It crosses a few genres without being too explicit in any specific one. For me, it’s the characters and the plot which kept me focused. I’d recommend taking a chance on it, but look at other reviews. Some folks didn’t care for it, finding it a bit messy and unfocused. Not me tho! And to them, I say: To Hell With It
Set in Paris in 1891, the book begins with a funeral in Montmartre – but we don’t know whose. The story moves forward a few months to Leonie Vernier who is standing on the steps of the opera house waiting for her brother Anatole to join her. The action follows Anatole and Leonie
Next, we shoot forward to Paris in 2007 and we meet Meredith Martin who is researching the life of Debussy who lived in the same apartment building as the Vernier’s in Paris when he was alive – so there is an instant connection to the past, the Verniers and the earlier part of the story.
Kate Mosse expertly weaves the story backwards and forwards in time with the characters of Leonie and Meredith becoming more and more intertwined across time.
it is a riveting read, very atmospheric, well planned and for me having travelled extensively in France the locational and historical detail is absolutely spot on. At over 700 pages it is a big book, but it is worth the time to get to the end.
Excellent ancient mystery – It is suspenseful and thrilling!