Murder in the Bastille

Even though this is the fourth book of the Aimée Leduc Investigations series, for me it was the first Book. The reading fascinated me from the first page. Aimée Leduc is a private investigator together with her dwarf partner René. Actually, they are specialized in computer data crime. In this book, however, quite different things are in the foreground. Aimée is attacked after a meeting with a customer and loses her eyesight. With this handicap, she must not only convict her aggressor but also the murderer of a woman with whom she was confused. Aimée struggles with her blindness, but she meets many helpful people. The story takes place in a small district around the Parisian Bastille. You will be familiar with the old streets, show more backyards, secret places and the historical architecture of this district.
The story is varied, exciting and fast. I will definitv read more of this series. show less

I must have picked up some Cara Black mysteries from the downstairs swap shelves, because I wouldn't have bought them, especially this hard-cover. This one is later in the series than any I've read before, and I had hoped that the style had matured, but it's still rather florid. Maybe if I were familiar with Paris and could imagine myself in the surroundings it would have been more interesting.

I find the Aimee Leduc stories a fun read. I like the local color, the plots are well woven, and Leduc and her partner Rene are especially memorable characters—although Black is qute good at drawing lesser characters as well.

I find the Aimee Leduc stories a fun read. I like the local color, the plots are well woven, and Leduc and her partner Rene are especially memorable characters—although Black is qute good at drawing lesser characters as well.

Murder in the Bastille Is a quick mystery read. The setting is believable, and the investigation of the crime is interesting since the heroine, Aimee Leduc, has become blind since she was attacked in the opening of the book. Since most of the book is written from Aimee's point of view, the reader is frustrated, along with Aimee, at the hindrance that her blindness causes. Innuendo and nonverbal communication is almost completely lost, so the reader and Aimee struggle to make sense of facts and tone of voice alone. Aimee, however, is almost fearless, and her blindness only slows her down instead of stopping her completely.

It is better if the reader understands a bit of French and studies the map of the Bastille included in the book prior show more to reading it. Ms. Black often reminds the reader that the setting is in France by dropping a French word into the dialogue or commentary of the book. Often she explains the word in context; sometimes she does not. This can slow down the read for non-French speaking people. However, the book is still enjoyable. show less

Another good mystery with thrills and chases through Paris with lots of atmosphere.

Great Parisian ambiance - too bad about all the French mistakes...