Floats the Dark Shadow is a Gothic and sinister historical mystery set in Belle Epoque, Paris in the late 19th century. The author does an excellent job of bringing to life the sights and sounds of the time. It's easy to get lost in the story and actually feel like you're right there...one of the characters. Even listening to this on audio, I found myself totally engrossed.

Once again, I must credit an author for allowing me to learn something new in history. For the murderer in this book, who is in fact murdering children in the most despicable of ways, believes he is none other than Gilles de Rais reincarnated. And who is Gilles de Rais you might ask? So did I. de Rais was Joan of Arc's lieutenant, who was later burned at the stake by the Church for heresy, sorcery, and the horrific murder of hundreds of peasant children. When I read about this first in the book's blurb, I immediately Googled the name and read up on de Rais. Wow! And so, historical fiction has done it's job once again (well, in addition to telling a great story)...sent the reader on a quest to learn more!

In addition to the above, this book just tells a terrific mystery. We are kept guessing until the end regarding the identity of the murderer. Not only that, but we are also shown how truly vulnerable children were in that era. Children were not cautioned about the dangers in the world back then, as they are now. This made them ripe for the picking. A very tragic reality indeed.

This is a perfectly atmospheric read for this time of the year when things go bump in the night, or for any time you're in the mood for a great historical mystery.
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In 1897, painter and feminist Theodora Faraday has lived for a year in Paris. Encouraged by her poet cousin Averill Charron, Theo passes time with the Revenants, a group of poets and artists who focus on death and darkness. In other chapters, we see a character who believes himself to be the re-incarnated soul of Gilles de Rais, Jeanne d'Arc's knight who turned to the devil after her martyrdom and began to rape and murder innocent children. Inspector Michel Devaux of the Sûreté is asked to investigate the kidnapping of children in Paris; often their disappearances are accompanied by the mark of a black cross with wings, which Devaux eventually learns is the mark of medieval murderer Gilles de Rais. Many of those being abducted are children Theo knows, and she works with and against Devaux: One of the inspector's prime suspects is Averill, who Theo is in love with and cannot believe would harm children. We readers know the murderer could be Averill, but he could just as well be Averill's father, or any of the Revenants, and suspicion cleverly moves among the group like a dark fog.
The mystery is gripping, the crimes loathsome, and the suspense intense. The sexual assault and torture of children are illustrated in detailed bits and scattered throughout the novel, hard to read, but effective in their psychological portrait of the villain. Fey's writing is gorgeous—she evokes the sights and smells of Paris and poetically presents the darkness and horror that plague tormented souls. ( )

Floats the Dark Shadow is a historical novel in the late 1800's Paris. It is about the decadent art world that includes artists, poets and the dark arts. The background of the story features "Baron de Rais, who was a lord from Brittany, Anjou and Poitou, and a companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc in the 1400's. When Joan of Arc was burned to death it seems that Gilles de Rais loses it and turned to the occult and is later convicted as a serial killer of children, poor peasant children that the police don't think are important enough to even search for.

In this novel it appears that there is someone who is emulating Gilles de Rais and children turn up missing, most not found, but there is one little girl who is found in a cemetery. Theodora Faraday is a struggling American artist who is living with an aunt and uncle in Paris. She is in the same circle as writers, poets and artists in a time in Paris history that it was en-vogue to be in the circles of these people and their lifestyles. Most of these people are dark and brooding and living inside their heads so that their writings reflect their inner torments. Theo's cousin Averill is one of these tortured souls. She finds herself very attracted to Averill. Others in their circle include 'revenants' who Inspecteur Michel Devaux thinks is involved in the disappearance of the children, but which one? Michel Devaux has his own demons to fight along with searching for this despicable killer, but between the efforts of him and Theo hopefully the killer can be found.

I found this story to be well researched and told in such a descriptive way that it was easy to imagine how life was within the artist community. Dark and brooding for the most part but I think that when the occult is involved it certainly isn't rainbows and sunshine. The chapters that involved the killer, I found to be exceptionally chilling and scary. I love scary though so reading this book of a bygone era for me was exceptional. Doesn't hurt that I love reading about the occult either. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the cover of the book is gorgeous and mysterious. I highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review. ( )

In Bel Epoque Paris, Inspector Michel Devaux has been given a tip about several missing children. The missing children are all street children, pickpocket, runners, children of the poor. Michel figures the consequences of their lives have simply caught up to them. American artist Theodora Faraday, part of a group of artists known as the Revenants, manages to save a young orphaned girl from a fire one night, only to have her cousin Averill find the girl brutally murdered and arranged in a gruesome artistic display the next day. Michel suspects that the girl might be connected to the other missing children, and now suspects members of the Revenants as the murderers.

A perfect historical mystery for this time of year, dark and intriguing. Floats the Dark Shadow brought me through the underbelly of Bell Epoque Paris, vivid descriptions of the catacombs, occult practices, medical examinations and the teachings of Taxil. I was also immersed into the beauty of the period with the vivid historical details of the buildings, artistry and people of the time which created a contrast for brutality of the murders. That being said, Yves Fey has not held back with the scenes involving the murderer and the chosen children, these scenes are horrific, yet just snapshots into the actions of the murderer. A colorful cast of characters, including many real historical figures, creates a clash between artistry and science as well as heart and mind as Theodora becomes involved with Michel. I loved the point of view of the murderer and actually wish that I could have read more. The murderer's obsession with Joan of Arc and the interwoven theme of fire. As in any well written mystery, Floats the Dark Shadow held me captivated through the end.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ( )