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ladimcbeth's review against another edition
2.0
2015 Reading Challenge - "a mystery or a thriller"
Not terribly mysterious, the culprit became obvious fairly quickly. The sense of place and time was really nice though.
Not terribly mysterious, the culprit became obvious fairly quickly. The sense of place and time was really nice though.
beebliobibuli's review against another edition
4.0
The Setting; Paris, end of the 19th century, two weeks before closing ceremonies of 1889 Expedition Universelle, Jack The Ripper is still fresh news.
When the torso of Virginie Ménard, a dancer at the Moulin Rouge is discovered, the police fears a polemic (Jack The Ripper) and tries to close the case as soon as possible.
Inspector "Achille Lefebvre", head of the invistigation, is a believer in modern investigative technics, he always tries to include new ways to solve the crimes. A fact that will earn him the sobriquet of "The professor". Bearly thirty, this man is very effective and can not be corrupted, wich means trouble for some guys.
Even if it's easy to guess who did it pretty early, the particular thing about this mystery that the other books lack is the journey, the way Mr [a:Gary Inbinder|2750098|Gary Inbinder|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1441640245p2/2750098.jpg] describes "Fin de Siècle Paris", the can-can dancers, the flourishing art and artists, the everyday life of the different characters and the introduction to technics considerd new then is simply amazing!
I liked that book very much, I tried to make the reading last as long as I could, but, good things always come to an end!
Getting to the next on soon!
When the torso of Virginie Ménard, a dancer at the Moulin Rouge is discovered, the police fears a polemic (Jack The Ripper) and tries to close the case as soon as possible.
Inspector "Achille Lefebvre", head of the invistigation, is a believer in modern investigative technics, he always tries to include new ways to solve the crimes. A fact that will earn him the sobriquet of "The professor". Bearly thirty, this man is very effective and can not be corrupted, wich means trouble for some guys.
Even if it's easy to guess who did it pretty early, the particular thing about this mystery that the other books lack is the journey, the way Mr [a:Gary Inbinder|2750098|Gary Inbinder|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1441640245p2/2750098.jpg] describes "Fin de Siècle Paris", the can-can dancers, the flourishing art and artists, the everyday life of the different characters and the introduction to technics considerd new then is simply amazing!
I liked that book very much, I tried to make the reading last as long as I could, but, good things always come to an end!
Getting to the next on soon!
sheltzer's review against another edition
2.0
A dancer from the Moulin Rouge is murdered in the waning days of the Paris Exposition in the late 1800s. The very logical Detective Lefebvre is put on the case, his partner is Rousseau, a not so above board detective, so Lefebvre circumvents the man and works with a network including the artist Lautrec.
I found this book dry. I didn't really find myself caring about any of the characters which made it difficult to want to finish it.
I found this book dry. I didn't really find myself caring about any of the characters which made it difficult to want to finish it.
mbettelheim's review against another edition
4.0
An immersive plunge into 1889 Paris where the who-dunnit is almost incidental to the atmospheric experience of traveling the gritty streets with a curious cast of characters. Solvable before your reach the last page, but still worth the read.
judythereader's review against another edition
4.0
In the waning days of the Paris 1889 World Exposition, a beautiful model disappears. Several artists, including Toulouse Latrec, have painted her or want to. Inspector Achille Lefebvre is nicknamed the Professor. He will be the detective who must find out what happened to Virginie Menard before anyone decides that Jack the Ripper has crossed the channel.
This book is both historical novel, bringing Paris to life, and police procedural. Achille uses the most scientific methods he can to solve this crime, including fingerprints. Fingerprints aren't yet accepted by the courts, but Achille finds them a useful tool in eliminating suspect.
I found this book informative as well as entertaining. It was occasionally too wordy, but otherwise a very good read.
This book is both historical novel, bringing Paris to life, and police procedural. Achille uses the most scientific methods he can to solve this crime, including fingerprints. Fingerprints aren't yet accepted by the courts, but Achille finds them a useful tool in eliminating suspect.
I found this book informative as well as entertaining. It was occasionally too wordy, but otherwise a very good read.
cspiwak's review
3.0
entertaining and well plotted mystery. Felt it was a bit hurried in the end. Enjoyed the setting and the real life characters
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