Who is killing the celebrated bouquinistes of Paris?Max—an elderly Paris bookstall owner—is abducted at gunpoint. His friend, Hugo Marston, head of security at the US embassy, looks on helplessly, powerless to do anything to stop the kidnapper. Marston launches a search, enlisting the help of semiretired CIA agent Tom Green. Their investigation reveals that Max was a Holocaust survivor and later … Holocaust survivor and later became a Nazi hunter. Is his disappearance somehow tied to his grim history, or even to the mysterious old books he sold?
On the streets of Paris, tensions are rising as rival drug gangs engage in violent turf wars. Before long, other booksellers start to disappear, their bodies found floating in the Seine. Though the police are not interested in his opinion, Marston is convinced the hostilities have something to do with the murders of these bouquinistes. Then he himself becomes a target of the unknown assassins.
With Tom by his side, Marston finally puts the pieces of the puzzle together, connecting the past with the present and leading the two men, quite literally, to the enemy’s lair. Just as the killer intended.
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As someone who spent a formative year living in France, I read this book with relish. My enthusiasm was mostly due to the spot-on, evocative descriptions of Paris in winter. Not since I lived there has any description made me feel the damp cold, smell the wet streets and see the gray Seine almost as keenly as I did when I lived there, years ago. That said, the story is a well-written mystery, and the prose is lovely. I look forward to reading every book in the series.
I’m so glad I picked this book up. The author makes me feel like I’m in Paris and hunting for a killer. Great characters!
Loved this book. Interesting characters, region, and subject matter, with a little suspense.
I’ve fallen for Mark Pryor. He is a wonderful author, and I love the main character, Hugo Marston.
It was okay. Hugo Marston watches his friend book seller friend, Max get abducted. Hugo doesn’t like how the investigation is being handled. Then two other book sellers are found dead. In the meantime he hooks up with a beautiful young woman. He and his old FBI friend reunite to solve the crime. I enjoyed it but I didn’t love it.
The references of French landmarks, cuisine and such sends the reader to Paris. The story line is drag and current. Good read.
A good read interesting subject matter and location(paris).
Mark Pryor has written a great novel of mystery and intrigue highlighting the bouquinistes along the Seine River in Paris and the ever-present drug trade in the city. His descriptions of the bouquinistes and the type books they sell, the city street scenes and his descriptions of the Parisian lifestyle, as well as his understanding and ability to describe (without boring the reader) on the inner workings of an ambassador’s office with the local police are absolutely outstanding.
His characters were totally real, and I found myself caring about what happened to them. I made the mistake of starting this book late in the day and stayed up until 6 a.m. the following morning to find out what happened to Max. Claudia’s father was also a mystery to me throughout a large part of the book, as well as several of the French police.
Let me just say, this book is a page-turner, and I totally recommend that you read it! Looking forward to more novels from Mark Pryor and adventures with Hugo and Tom!
This was the first book I read by Mark Pryor, and it hooked me. I am now on his 3rd book. I really like the protagonist, Hugo Marston, and the other characters he works with: García, the policeman; his good friend & CIA agent, Tom Green; the female reporter he has an attraction to. The setting is interesting also, being in Paris. Just an unusual cast. And great narrator also, since I am listening to the audio books. Can’t wait for his next book.
I have read all the books in this series. Following the main character is like spending an afternoon with a good friend. This book takes place in Paris and the authors descriptions take you there.
First time reading this author. Will read again. Good whodunit with enough action to keep you turning the pages.
Excellently written and plotted
This book was very well written, keeps your interest, has characters that are believable, just a great story!
I love this series. I flew thru them all. I also love Paris and the references I could visualize easily. Great characters!