You might look into the Arsène Lupin novels. After watching the tv show, I fell in love with the character. The books are on my TBR list but haven’t read them yet.
Oh yes! The Simenon novels are wonderful and if you have time, find the tv series version with Rowan Atkinson. They only made four episodes but he captures the character in a wonderfully original way.
I just listened to Martin Shorts autobiography called I must say. It was great hearing not only the characters he created but hearing how challenging and interesting his childhood was like. I did the audio book which I'm guessing if you were to read it, it would miss the voices and out loud laughter.
Currently snarfing my way through Mick Herron’s “Slow Horses” series and noticed lists of other series by the same publisher sorted by location. Cara Black is there, nice to see the recommendations here!
The first one is Mastering the Art of French Murder. So fun! (She also has a series where Agatha Christie's housekeeper solves murders. Similar hijinks ensue!)
I’m listening to The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse, narrated by Julian Rhind-Tutt, whom I adore. Set in the French Pyrenees between the wars. It’s mysterious. I’m loving it.
I grew up in Florida and Carl Hiaasen's novel are just so on point. I got the hell out just as soon as I could, but his books genuinely make me miss that fucked-up state.
Can't help you with your book hunt, but I have to grab the one set in Thailand. Thanks for the recco.
And to anyone who hasn't read NSFW -- it really does nail a certain side of LA that I love.
I am also a lover of crime novels but don't have a Paris suggestion. However, I did once read the nonfiction book City of Light, City of Poison, and I think reading it while walking around the big historical sites would give you the most fascinatingly morbid context: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35167697-city-of-light-city-of-poison
Not crime fiction … but Between Two Fires was a pleasant surprise. It’s your typical historical horror fantasy novel set during the Black Death … with a disgraced knight, an orphaned teenaged girl who can see angels, and a gay alcoholic priest traveling across France while some fallen angels attempt to start a war with heaven. French tourism of sorts …
I regularly post book reviews on ArtsX.substack.com -- right now the top story is how we know Brigitte Macron is male (for real) and there's a wonderful new book called "My Body Is Paper" by Gil Cuadros, https://artsx.substack.com/cp/146221824 . But no crime in Paris!
They seem to read American crime thrillers! Here's another rec: "Flex" https://artsx.substack.com/p/jinwoo-chongs-flux-book . Sometimes it's nice to read about one's own country when abroad. Have a blast & go to the Picasso Museum.
If you like Agatha Christie, her Poirot novels The Murder on the Links and The Mystery of the Blue Train are both set in France, though not specifically Paris.
You might look into the Arsène Lupin novels. After watching the tv show, I fell in love with the character. The books are on my TBR list but haven’t read them yet.
Good call! I still need to watch that show. I heard it’s great.
I haven’t read any crime novels set in Paris, but Georges Simenon’s books are on my TBR
Am I to assume that Paris is remarkably safe? If you haven’t read a Parisian crime novel, something is up.
Oh yes! The Simenon novels are wonderful and if you have time, find the tv series version with Rowan Atkinson. They only made four episodes but he captures the character in a wonderfully original way.
Not necessarily. But when you go to India, I’ve got you covered.
Nice! No immediate plans to travel to India, sadly.
There are two adaptations of Maigret and I’ve yet to watch either. They look great!
I just listened to Martin Shorts autobiography called I must say. It was great hearing not only the characters he created but hearing how challenging and interesting his childhood was like. I did the audio book which I'm guessing if you were to read it, it would miss the voices and out loud laughter.
I just read the sample and I’m trying not to disturb my neighbors! I loved Marty when I was a teenager. He’s a lot. The funny guys usually are.
I read one of the Aimee Leduc Investigations years ago.
Love Cara Black! Such a gritty writer.
Gonna grab Murder in the Marais.
Currently snarfing my way through Mick Herron’s “Slow Horses” series and noticed lists of other series by the same publisher sorted by location. Cara Black is there, nice to see the recommendations here!
I need to read Slow Horses. Have you seen the show?
You might need to take a little side trip to London, then you could justify reading “Slow Horses” too
Yes, love it! I’m trying to get ahead in the books before starting the next season. Gary Oldman is perfection. The books are brilliant, funny!
You had me at Gary Oldman
Beat me to it! I read Murder in the Marais in this series! Really enjoyed it.
Nice, it seems like Cara Black is the crowd favorite so far.
"the Day of the Jackal" seemed to have some Paris flavor but i may be wrong....rivetting anyways
also it may not be in fictional form but the backstory of "Pappilion" as a petty street criminal might be of some interest
i assume you know about Jean Valjean so....🤣😉
Edward Fox is awesome as The Jackal! I love 70s thrillers!!
and i like audrey hepburn 😉
I think you're right about Day of the Jackal... read it years ago. And yes, I'm familiar with Jean Valjean :)
Colleen Cambridge has a new series with Julia Childs helping solve crimes in Paris. Super fun!
Wow, that sounds awesome!
The first one is Mastering the Art of French Murder. So fun! (She also has a series where Agatha Christie's housekeeper solves murders. Similar hijinks ensue!)
I’m listening to The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse, narrated by Julian Rhind-Tutt, whom I adore. Set in the French Pyrenees between the wars. It’s mysterious. I’m loving it.
Oooh. Sounds very interesting.
Alas it is not in Paris. It starts in Toulouse.
Also not a crime novel per se.
That's Ok. I'm pretty liberal when it comes to what counts as a crime novel, and the fact that it's French puts it on the list.
I grew up in Florida and Carl Hiaasen's novel are just so on point. I got the hell out just as soon as I could, but his books genuinely make me miss that fucked-up state.
Can't help you with your book hunt, but I have to grab the one set in Thailand. Thanks for the recco.
And to anyone who hasn't read NSFW -- it really does nail a certain side of LA that I love.
Thank you for the kind words about NSFW, Eric! And enjoy the Sonchai Jitpleecheep series, I think there are five or six books.
I am also a lover of crime novels but don't have a Paris suggestion. However, I did once read the nonfiction book City of Light, City of Poison, and I think reading it while walking around the big historical sites would give you the most fascinatingly morbid context: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35167697-city-of-light-city-of-poison
Erika, that book looks fascinating! Thank you!
Cara Black, especially Murder in the Marais.
Just picked up a copy, thanks!
This isn't Paris but it is French and very noir: Marseilles Noir, a collection of stories that are set in Marseilles by different and very wonderful writers. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jun/17/marseille-crime-fiction-rose-sang
Nice! Marseilles seems ripe for noir, perhaps Paris is a little too romantic to be gritty.
Not crime fiction … but Between Two Fires was a pleasant surprise. It’s your typical historical horror fantasy novel set during the Black Death … with a disgraced knight, an orphaned teenaged girl who can see angels, and a gay alcoholic priest traveling across France while some fallen angels attempt to start a war with heaven. French tourism of sorts …
At first I read this as Between Two Ferns, the Zach Galifianakis series. Then I reread it. Thanks for the rec!
I regularly post book reviews on ArtsX.substack.com -- right now the top story is how we know Brigitte Macron is male (for real) and there's a wonderful new book called "My Body Is Paper" by Gil Cuadros, https://artsx.substack.com/cp/146221824 . But no crime in Paris!
Seems strange that a city with such a great literary tradition hasn't produced that many crime novels.
They seem to read American crime thrillers! Here's another rec: "Flex" https://artsx.substack.com/p/jinwoo-chongs-flux-book . Sometimes it's nice to read about one's own country when abroad. Have a blast & go to the Picasso Museum.
You need to download Charade and watch it on the trip. It’s in the public domain.
And I mean the 1963 version for those in the back. :)
Is this your first trip to Paris?
Nope. I’ve been before, about 25 years ago. It’s my wife’s first trip.
Go to the Musee D’Orsay if you like museums.
If you like Agatha Christie, her Poirot novels The Murder on the Links and The Mystery of the Blue Train are both set in France, though not specifically Paris.
The Belgian detective gets around.
Also omg enjoy Paris! If you need coffee recommendations, I worked in a coffee shop there and have approximately 100 recommendations!