In the turbulent Parisian summer of 1893, Victor Legris has vowed to give up the dangerous hobby of amateur sleuthing to concentrate on selling books. But a murderer is at large in Paris, intent on revenge for events that took place many years before during the Commune. And when a bookbinder friend of Victor's becomes the latest victim of the mysterious killer, the young bookseller feels impelled to resume his detective work and uncover the identity of the Batignolles predator.

"- - PRAISE FOR THE VICTOR LEGRIS MYSTERIES" - -

"A clock-beating thriller" - Financial Times

"Witty and creepy... a seamless translation captures the novel's many period charms" - Independent

"An extremely satisfying traditional mystery with lots of suspects and panache. Izner writes in a witty, breezy style, which conjures up the Paris of 1889 and the huge sprawl of the exhibition. The plot is terrific, and who can't enjoy another good time in the City of Light..." - Providence Journal-Bulletin

"Fans of quality historical will welcome Izner's debut. The taut pacing and vivid period detail will have readers eagerly turning the pages" - Publishers Weekly

"The energetic curiosity of the hero dovetails nicely with the readers' interest in a fascinating era. The colorful supporting cast lays a solid foundation for Victor's further exploits" - Kirkus Reviews

"A charming and amusing whirl around a time of rapid social an intellectual change" - Morning Star

"Izner combines a sparkling puzzle (reminiscent of one of Agatha Christie's most famous novels) with complex characters and appealing descriptions of Paris... A well-executed beginning to a series with great potential" - Richmond Times Dispatch

"A charming journey through the life and intellectual times of an era" - Le Monde

"Evokes the electric atmosphere of 1889 Paris" - Le Nouvel Observateur