Cara Black is the author of sixteen books in the New York Times bestselling Aimee Leduc series. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and visits Paris frequently.
PI Aimee Leduc is in the dark not only figuratively but literally after a mysterious attack leaves her blinded at the start of her fourth absorbing Paris mystery (after 2002's Murder in the Sentier). Aimee and her partner, computer expert Ren Friant, face dual dilemmas as a client's recalcitrance to comply with a court request coincides with Aimee's misfortune. The diminutive Ren must become the eyes of the team while Aimee makes do as best she can with her other senses. Meanwhile, with her attacker still on the loose and the police off on a wrong scent chasing a serial killer, Aimee remains a vulnerable target. Black loads her plot with Eastern European thugs, aggressive developers and other familiar villains, but she compensates the reader with the rich ambiance of Paris as well as a realistic and moving account of Aimee's coming to terms with her new condition. Some readers may be annoyed by the use of French words and phrases not obvious from context, but for the rest of us these authentic touches will be as welcome as the fresh butter on our morning croissant. (Apr.) Forecast: Blurbs from Val McDermid, Stuart M. Kaminsky and Linda Fairstein will help corral mystery buffs, but the one from Alan Furst, stressing the Frenchness of this series, will draw Francophiles. Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.
PI Aimee Leduc is back in Black's excellent, gritty series, set in contemporary Paris. Here, Aimee reveals her stuff after having been blinded by a mysterious attack in the Passage Boule Blanche near the Bastille. The attack seems to have been a case of mistaken identity-Aimee assumes that the intended victim was a woman she spotted in a restaurant wearing an identical silk jacket. But before the book reaches its neat conclusion, shady developers, Eastern European thugs, a panicky antiques dealer, and dangerous drugs all become involved. Computer partner Ren Friant again helps Aimee out, and she is given an additional boost by the hint of a relationship with her doctor. Perhaps not as gripping as others in the series-it can be frustrating to have Aimee in the dark-this is nevertheless affecting in its psychological portrayal and a darn good read. Recommended for all mystery collection.-Barbara Hoffert, "Library Journal" Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Praise for Murder in the Bastille "Cara Black books are good
companions, and Murder in the Bastille especially so. Fine
characters, good suspense, but, best of all, they are
transcendently, seductively, irresistibly French. If you can't go,
these will do fine. Or, better, go and bring them with you."
--Alan Furst "Charming . . . Aimee is one of those blithe
spirits who can walk you through the city's historical streets and
byways with their eyes closed."
--Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review "Paris is
one of my favorite cities in all the world; Black's books are a
fine way to revisit it."
--The New Orleans Times-Picayune
"Black infuses her stories with all the sensory elements--autumn
rain, smoking chimney pots, the aroma of roast chestnuts--that make
Paris the perfect locale for a murky murder mystery."
--The Raleigh News & Observer "Atmosphere triumphs and is matched
by a sleek intricate yarn . . . the skillful, elaborate plot
reveals a fiendishly elegant solution."
--The Providence Journal "Black's fourth is her best yet, with
complex, appealing characters, a crisp, well-paced mystery, and a
setting like no other."
--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review "[The] authentic touches
will be as welcome as the fresh butter on our morning
croissant."
--Publishers Weekly
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