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 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
I see you've already received some excellent tips! (Highsmith, Arsene Lupin, Rowan+Simenon books to echo a few) I can't believe no title comes to mind even though I know the French have great "polar" tradition -- that is the French description for some excellent detective/thriller writing to my knowledge, but then again, those will probable not be translated in English). And you will be on my continent! And not to sound manic or strange or creepy, but I would have loved to have met up with you two (to meet the famous Christina who always says such wise things :-) since I quite often travel through Paris by train, but unfortunately my October trip is already planned and I have a very short transit window (from one train station in Paris to another, but I digress quite needlessly).
If I think of a novel not to be missed, I will let you know later! And I hope you have a wonderful trip and that Paris treats you well!!
Thank you for this lovely note! Would've loved to have met you too. Christina's last job took her (and sometimes me) to Amsterdam quite a bit. This is just a vacation, but hoping her new job will also take her to Europe soon.
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.
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.
Same experience -- the books are fabulous
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.
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 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!
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....🤣😉
I think you're right about Day of the Jackal... read it years ago. And yes, I'm familiar with Jean Valjean :)
and i like audrey hepburn 😉
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!)
Last year after watching the Lupin series on Netflix I read The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsene Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar by Maurice Leblanc:
The Lupin books are an early French 20th century series.
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!
I see you've already received some excellent tips! (Highsmith, Arsene Lupin, Rowan+Simenon books to echo a few) I can't believe no title comes to mind even though I know the French have great "polar" tradition -- that is the French description for some excellent detective/thriller writing to my knowledge, but then again, those will probable not be translated in English). And you will be on my continent! And not to sound manic or strange or creepy, but I would have loved to have met up with you two (to meet the famous Christina who always says such wise things :-) since I quite often travel through Paris by train, but unfortunately my October trip is already planned and I have a very short transit window (from one train station in Paris to another, but I digress quite needlessly).
If I think of a novel not to be missed, I will let you know later! And I hope you have a wonderful trip and that Paris treats you well!!
Thank you for this lovely note! Would've loved to have met you too. Christina's last job took her (and sometimes me) to Amsterdam quite a bit. This is just a vacation, but hoping her new job will also take her to Europe soon.
Les Misérables is set in Paris and has things that could be considered crimes. If you're feeling grave, you could consider Les Misèrables instead.
Moi, I can't read on an airplane. I just pop on some Wagner. You might almost get through one of his operas by the time you arrive in Europe.
Cara Black, especially Murder in the Marais.
Just picked up a copy, thanks!
Gigi Pandian’s “The Accidental Alchemist” goes from Paris to Oregon and back again. Absolutely delightful and some of the books are on sale now. https://www.gigipandian.com/books/the-accidental-alchemist-mysteries
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.