Review of Parisian Detective Tales, a Trilogy

[Jaituni Sanghavi]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Parisian Detective Tales, a Trilogy" by Marcel Marquié.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Novels that have an atmospheric feel to them, and especially those of a noir, historical, post-war atmosphere, are a treat to read, provided they are executed well. Marcel Marquié's Parisian Detective Tales, a Trilogy: Part One: Two Sisters is one such atmospheric novel that brings out a beautiful story that is a mix of deception, murder, and personal dilemmas.

The story begins by introducing us to our cynically observant protagonist, Toni, a detective by profession who is not the typical fearless or sharp-shooting hero found in most crime novels. It happens so that Toni takes on a routine case of infidelity and begins to work on it immediately only to find out that the case is much deeper than it appears on the surface! It is, in fact, a mystery that involves hidden pasts and family secrets, and the more he uncovers, the more secrets he finds, which are far greater than marital complications. Side by side, we also see Toni navigating the city’s political landscape and his own lingering regrets. Where will the novel take us at the end? What mysteries does Toni uncover? Read this crime novel and find out for yourself.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, as there was never a dull moment. I also admired the character sketch of Toni, which is very much in contrast to those hardboiled American detectives. In this story, Toni is neither shown as brave nor tough, and this is exactly what makes him stand out and makes him refreshingly human. He fumbles, gets injured, and even lets his emotions get in the way, which is rarely observed in typical detectives of crime novels.

I also adored the way Toni's relationship with Rose, his former love, was tackled by the author. Even the interactions he had with Sandrine and Claudine, the two sisters (after whom part one of the trilogy is named), were wonderfully portrayed, and it had an emotional quotient.

There were several parts within the book that stood out to me, such as the moment of the final confrontation with the sisters, where they revealed their motives, and all the crucial moments that Toni missed due to some random reasons like falling asleep in the car (it added to the tension and worked well on the thrill front). Even the end of the novel, where Toni receives a letter from Rose, was something that warmed my heart and broke it at the same time. Multiple instances like these sprinkled throughout the book made the novel a great and entertaining read for me.

The writing style of the author is worth appreciating as well because he literally brought Paris alive on paper, be it the smoky cafés, the war-recovering city, or the overall vibe it carried. It was spectacular! The dialogue felt authentic, and the novel has a slow-burn quality to it, which worked well for me. Yes, there is an influence of American noir, but it is blended well with French sensibility, which makes it melancholic yet elegant. Thus, considering all of these factors, I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars without any reservation. I did not find anything to dislike in the book. The editing as well is top-notch, and I could not find a single error throughout, which is spectacularly rare.

I would recommend this book to readers who appreciate textured stories with historical and post-war settings and a book that has a flawed but fascinating protagonist. This book is a must-read for readers who like these attributes in a novel.

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Parisian Detective Tales, a Trilogy
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[Gabriela Contreras Gonzalez]

This is an incredible review, I cannot wait to read this book, as soon as I finish the one I am currently reading. I appreciate the fact that Toni is not the typical brave and fearless detective, as sometimes this makes us dislike the book, as no real person would act like those detectives.

[Mark Lazarus]

It sounds like a wonderfully atmospheric read, with a flawed and relatable protagonist navigating the complexities of a post-war setting. I really enjoy stories where the city becomes a character of its own, and the way Paris is brought to life here seems captivating. The mix of personal dilemmas, political undertones, and family secrets makes it feel layered and immersive. I also like that the detective isn’t your typical fearless hero — that human vulnerability can add so much depth. This one definitely seems like a book I’d be interested in checking out.

[NetMassimo]

I don't read much historical fiction but this novel seems to have a peculiar look&feel connected to Paris and is written with a personal style. The mix of murder and personal dilemmas creates an interesting plot and the protagonist seems well-developed. Thank you for your great review!