Customer Reviews

Paris Requiem

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The premise of this story is intriguing. James Norton, a young attorney from Boston has been sent by his domineering mother to Paris, where his newsman brother and ailing sister are living as ex-pats and he is to make them return home. James's brother is deep in grief over the recent, violent death of his fiancee, an actress from a Jewish immigrant family. The plot delves into illicit medical research, racial prejudice, dysfunctional family relationships, and investigative journalism, and its depiction of turn of the century Paris is fascinating. The characters, however, are strangely flat, and I never really grew to care about any of them. It was also easy to solve the crime by the midpoint of the book. Worth a look, but certainly not "gripping", "lavish", or "chilling", as promised on the cover notes.

Paris Requiem is a superbly well-written psychological mystery set in Paris in 1899. The author uses the politics and social ills of the time period as a backdrop for her story. James Norton is sent from Boston to Paris by his mother to bring home his wayward brother Raphael and sister Ellie. When he arrives however, Raphael's lover, a Jewish actress has died under mysteriosu circumstances and the sister, Ellie, is ill, unable to leave her room. James helps his brother investigate what really happened to his lover Olympe and tries to nurse his sister back to health.

The writing itself is graceful and lyric, creating a vivid picture of the Paris underbelly the brothers are investigating. You also delve deeply into Jame's mind and how he feels about his family and their past and into some of Ellie's troubles. You don't get too much insight into Raphael. He seems to be charming, but not necessarily likable. There is a lot going on and many characters to keep track of. In fact, the mystery seems to go round and round at times and part of the resolution is not completely satisfying. The other part is not a surprise when revealed. The book could have been shortened and certain parts cut out to make it a tighter story, but in the end, Paris Requiem will keep you reading and wondering about the Norton family.

Beautifully written, suspensful, colorfully describes Paris in 1899, its political climate and the treatment of different classes of people, especially women and immigrants. Surprising ending! Highly recommended. (One her other novels "The Dead of Winter" is also excllent, the writing style being somewhat different.) The author knows how to cleverly reel you into a world of intrigue surrounding the lives of fascinating people.

This book does not give much information about Paris, apart from a mention of Expo and the Eiffel Tower. The characters are flat and dull.

The language strays too often into 2006, and the little details that should add to the tale are cliched and unconvincing.

Not worth the price of admission.