tonythep's review
3.0
the second Aimee LeDuc mystery from Cara Black is another good read, but does, again, feature a somewhat complex plot and sometimes dizzying array of characters. at times I found myself paging back to clarify a name or some other point in the plot, this time involving Algerian immigrants and car bombings. but Black keeps the tension high, and once she gets things rolling I had a hard time putting it down.
attytheresa's review
4.0
Set in April, 1994, Aimée is asked for help by her best friend's sister, Anaïs, something to do with her husband Philippe's infidelity. Reluctantly, Aimée agrees to meet her and help, only to witness a car bombing that nearly kills her and Anaïs. It does kill Philippe's mistress and embroils Leduc Detective Agency into a complex web of government corruption, illegal arms, the legacy of the Algerian civil wars and the pied-noirs, and ongoing immigration demonstrations and hunger strikes though this time it is the new harsh policies deporting the sans-papiers - those primarily African immigrants with expired visas. All is centered on the 20th Arrondissement, adjacent to the Marais and the Canal St. Martin, brought to vibrant life. This area in the early 90s was just starting to gentrify from a working class immigrant community.
Written in early 2000s incorporating a political climate in France in 1994, it was chillingly similar to the US from 2016 through 2020. It also taught me a lot about the contemporary relationship between Algeria and France, and a tiny bit about Algeria's modern history, just enough to expose my vast sea of ignorance.
This time I rounded my 3.5 star rating up. Black very skillfully carries you along with Aimée, leaving you befuddled at time as Aimée herself as she scrambles to figure out what is happening, who is trying to kill her to stop her investigation, and how this all involves her best friend's sister and also keep her safe. Yet Black pulls it all together by the end in a way that satisfies without all being pretty and tied up with a bow. She also sows a few seeds for the next in series, hopefully far enough in the future for Aimée's latest collection of injuries to heal. After all, there is a high action thriller side to these murders set in Paris.
Written in early 2000s incorporating a political climate in France in 1994, it was chillingly similar to the US from 2016 through 2020. It also taught me a lot about the contemporary relationship between Algeria and France, and a tiny bit about Algeria's modern history, just enough to expose my vast sea of ignorance.
This time I rounded my 3.5 star rating up. Black very skillfully carries you along with Aimée, leaving you befuddled at time as Aimée herself as she scrambles to figure out what is happening, who is trying to kill her to stop her investigation, and how this all involves her best friend's sister and also keep her safe. Yet Black pulls it all together by the end in a way that satisfies without all being pretty and tied up with a bow. She also sows a few seeds for the next in series, hopefully far enough in the future for Aimée's latest collection of injuries to heal. After all, there is a high action thriller side to these murders set in Paris.
bexwat's review
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cheryl6of8's review
3.0
An interesting exploration of Paris and the parts of the city where Algerian and other Muslim peoples live. This is a smidgen dated because it is set in the 1990s, but I bet a lot of the same problems exist. The mystery was good and probably would have been better if I had been able to keep the characters of potential villains safe. And there was at least one aspect of the motivation of people that could have been explained better, because I am still not sure what Yves' was writing his story about. Still, Aimee Leduc remains a great kick-ass heroine and I will continue to follow her adventures and try to better understand the city she calls home.
lisaarnsdorf's review
3.0
For all it's faults, Black kept me reading. I really wanted to know how all of the pieces came together.
However, I was confused through the entire read. The book starts off in the middle of the action and I felt like I had missed the first 20 pages. I needed more background on relations between France and Algeria - I think it was assumed that I would understand the conflicts, politics and factions. I will suggest that anyone who reads this Wikipedia French-Algerian relations first.
Lastly, it's been several years since I read the first Leduc book. I wish Black had recapped the characters and set up. I found myself grasping at straws to remember how all of the people fit together and what their history was.
However, I was confused through the entire read. The book starts off in the middle of the action and I felt like I had missed the first 20 pages. I needed more background on relations between France and Algeria - I think it was assumed that I would understand the conflicts, politics and factions. I will suggest that anyone who reads this Wikipedia French-Algerian relations first.
Lastly, it's been several years since I read the first Leduc book. I wish Black had recapped the characters and set up. I found myself grasping at straws to remember how all of the people fit together and what their history was.
jilliwwatson's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
nonna7's review
3.0
I've been working my way back with several authors including Cara Black. I was rereading some of my posts on this blog. One of the things I said was that I wasn't as fond of Black's writing style as I was of others, but I do love the style and setting. This is the second book in the series. Her writing improved as she wrote which is very common.
This one is interesting because of the story of the Algerians demanding that they be allowed to stay permanently, despite the fact that the French government had only given them temporary asylum. I found this link if the reader is interested: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_for_Equality_and_Against_Racism
Black's books take place in the 90's when computers were still fairly rare and unusual, and there were no smartphones. Aimee Leduc runs a computer security firm with a partner, Rene, a computer savant and fashion guy who happens to be a dwarf. She also is a private investigator. When her friend, Anais, who is married to an important member of the French ministry, is involved in a car bombing, she asks Aimee to investigate the bombing. The woman in the car was, according to Anais, a former lover of her husband.
At the same time the story of a middle aged member of the French ministry who is sent to try to end a hunger strike of Algerians who are being sent back to Algeria after being given a temporary right to stay in France as a result of Algerian uprisings.
It becomes more and more obvious that there is a lot going on. Aimee uses her impressive computer skills and Renee's impressive hacking skills to solve the case after nearly being killed. Her books DO improve with age. This wasn't as well written as the books she wrote later. It was still really interesting.
This one is interesting because of the story of the Algerians demanding that they be allowed to stay permanently, despite the fact that the French government had only given them temporary asylum. I found this link if the reader is interested: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_for_Equality_and_Against_Racism
Black's books take place in the 90's when computers were still fairly rare and unusual, and there were no smartphones. Aimee Leduc runs a computer security firm with a partner, Rene, a computer savant and fashion guy who happens to be a dwarf. She also is a private investigator. When her friend, Anais, who is married to an important member of the French ministry, is involved in a car bombing, she asks Aimee to investigate the bombing. The woman in the car was, according to Anais, a former lover of her husband.
At the same time the story of a middle aged member of the French ministry who is sent to try to end a hunger strike of Algerians who are being sent back to Algeria after being given a temporary right to stay in France as a result of Algerian uprisings.
It becomes more and more obvious that there is a lot going on. Aimee uses her impressive computer skills and Renee's impressive hacking skills to solve the case after nearly being killed. Her books DO improve with age. This wasn't as well written as the books she wrote later. It was still really interesting.
peggyd's review
3.0
This was a fine crime/mystery novel, if a bit convoluted. I just wanted something to breeze through since my ability to focus is not so great at the moment (thanks, Covid-19!) and this fit the bill. I like the female protagonist PI, Aimee Leduc, and her dangerous exploits. I like getting dropped in particular Paris neighborhoods with each new novel, too.
So just fine and just what I needed but a few too many characters to keep track of and few too many cartoonish villains. *shrugs*
So just fine and just what I needed but a few too many characters to keep track of and few too many cartoonish villains. *shrugs*