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.
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Yria Dane by Julien Kade is a great story that mixes crime and mystery with a strong setting in Annecy, France in 1952. Thirty-nine-year-old private investigator Satordi Biertempfel is hired by a tavern owner, Haulmier Guloe. Guloe claims that his daughter, Ambrielle, has run away, taking with her all the money he’s worked for. When Ambrielle is located, things get even more complicated, because she blames her father for her low life and promiscuity. She escapes to live with her relatives in Bordeaux. But when a box surfaces, with contents that show a link to the murder of Yria Dane a decade ago, everything changes for Ambrielle’s relatives as they begin to die, one after the other. Can Satordi Biertempfel solve the mystery before the next victim?
This is a great story with numerous cliff-hangers and red herrings. The author keeps readers guessing throughout the narrative. Told in a compelling first person voice, the story thrusts readers into an exciting setting to follow strong characters in a tale of crime and mystery. The opening offers so much information about the protagonist, who happens to be the narrator as well, and it doesn't take long for the action to happen. One immediately notices the sense of humor in the narrative from the very beginning of the story, and this adds a lot of flavor to the overall reading experience. While the opening may seem slow, the pace quickens as the reader moves into the story. The story is intelligently constructed and written in elegant prose. Julien Kade’s handling of plot and character is impeccable, and readers will find that there is a lot in this novel to capture their interest. Overall, Yria Dane is a captivating story with great entertainment value.