This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Richard Prause for Readers' Favorite
In Marcel Marquié's Parisian Detective Tales (Part Two: The Child), we follow Toni Bonnet, a detective whose past and present collide in the shadows of post-World War II France. The story begins with a quiet visit to Rose, Toni's former love, on the eve of her wedding. Their reunion isn’t about romance, though. It’s about a kidnapped child, a mystery obscured by abuse, and the desperation of a mother (Sandrine) who longs to know the truth. As Toni searches for the missing boy, he finds himself thrust into old memories of war, shocking family secrets, and shadowy deals that still poison the streets of Paris. Sandrine’s husband, Jérôme, wasn’t just an abusive man. His choices ripple through every unexpected twist in the narrative, forcing Toni to face harsh truths about justice and loss. Each clue ushers in more pain, but it also brings hope.
Marcel Marquié's Parisian Detective Tales (Part Two: The Child) is a captivating, complex, and thrilling historical crime story. The setting of post-war Paris is well-defined. The city is full of rebuilding, but still reveals shadows of the Occupation. The farms, the butchery, and the homes carry the scars of war and suffering. It is a world still haunted by loss, giving the story a realistic feel. The author's writing style is direct and engaging. The case of the missing child has deep emotional significance for the characters, in particular Sandrine and Toni. They are, in fact, the driving forces of the novel. Toni offers an excellent characterization of a man torn between his role as a detective and his growing closeness to Sandrine. He is an imperfect hero and a man struggling with his sense of duty and his emotions. Each new revelation about the case—each past trauma, abuse, or hidden secret—intensifies the story's buildup and emotional impact. If you're a fan of The Shadow of the Wind or traditional detective narratives, you’ll enjoy this one.
