Murder in the Bastille

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. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

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" (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The Bastille is a neighborhood in the throes of change. Longtime residents like woodworker Mathieu Cavour still ply their trade in studios tucked into dark tunnels like the Passage de Boule Blanc. But the bright new Opera Bastille has brought troops of aristos like publicist Vincent Csarda to dine at the upscale restos that have sprung up nearby. Csarda's dinner companion, private detective AimÉe Leduc (Murder in the Sentier, 2002, etc.), gets a little something extra for dessert: She's attacked outside Mathieu's shop as she waits there to return a cell phone left by the chic blond at the next table. Stubborn detective Loïc Bellan, reluctant to investigate, is distracted among other things by the health problems of his newborn son, who has Down syndrome. Even AimÉe's old friend Morbier seems to be dragging his heels. He blames the attack on serial killer Patric Vaduz, the Beast of the Bastille, who's evidently claimed two new victims between his release on a technicality and his death in a car crash. But AimÉe's not convinced--especially since the other victim turns out to be the owner of the lost cell phone. For all her determination, however, AimÉe's own investigation is difficult because the attack damaged her optic nerve, leaving her dependent on virtual strangers like Chantal and Lucas from Quinze Vingts hospital to help her make her way in a world of darkness, which may or may not be permanent. Black's fourth is her best yet, with complex, appealing characters, a crisp, well-paced mystery, and a setting like no other. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.