Murder on the Eiffel Tower

Victor Legris has the potential to be an appealing if somewhat quirky sleuth, if only he spent a little more time chasing down clues rather than chasing his married mistress or pretty young artists (especially the pretty young artists).  Claude Izner's Murder on the Eiffel Tower is the first in a series of historical mysteries set in late 19th century France to be published in the US.  There are already perhaps half a dozen Victor Legris mysteries available in France, though I can't quite gage their popularity there.

Victor Legris is an antiquarian bookseller and amateur photographer, though I think he leaves most of the work to his crime-novel-reading assistant.  He is also involved with a married woman though his interest in her begins to wane when he meets a young, attractive Russian woman.  Tasha is very bohemian and independent.  She's a struggling artist who makes her way in the world by working as an illustrator and cartoonist for a sensationalist newspaper.  The editor of Le Passe-partout would like nothing more than to have Victor write a column for his paper as well.  A business meeting at the Anglo-American bar on the Eiffel Tower with the editor and staff of the newspaper will quickly involve Victor in love and murder.

The 1889 World Exposition in Paris is the backdrop for a series of baffling murders that on the surface don't even appear to be murders.  Victor is witness to what appears to be an unusual death on the newly unveiled Tower.  A woman mysteriously collapses after an apparent bee sting.  When an American naturalist later dies under the same strange circumstances, Victor starts making connections between the deaths and those around him he trusts and loves.  The bodies start stacking up and basing his assumptions on coincidences, Victor suspects not only his new  passion, Tasha, but his long time friend and business partner, Kenji Mori, as being involved in the mess.  I'm not entirely sure the author intended this, but at times it felt like a comedy of manners with each character suspecting (and at times following) the others and wondering what each was up to.

Generally I love historical mysteries, even quirky ones, but Murder on the Eiffel Tower didn't really work for me.  It may be a case of a first time mystery writer (actually in this case the author is in reality two sisters  who happen to be second-hand booksellers) setting the scene and getting the characters in place and then building on to it all later.  The plot felt choppy, the mystery aspect not as developed as it could have been, and to me the characters felt like "types" with no real depth to them.  I don't mind a slightly weak mystery if the characters are strong enough to carry the story, but they didn't really engage me and I was a little incredulous of their actions and behavior a few times.  I will say the feel of 19th century Paris was there, however.  I loved the descriptions and atmosphere, which felt authentic.  It's not surprising as the book blurb mentions the sisters are "experts on 19th century Paris."  So I'm not sure what to think.  I hope I don't sound too harsh, the series has possibilities, but with so many other excellent mysteries out there to read, I'm not sure I'll pick up another Victor Legris mystery.  Perhaps this author is one to check out again via the public library. 

Comments

[Katherine]

I felt the same way as you did about this book. A little too much skirt-chasing for me. Also, the hero was a little too oblivious to the obvious clues.

[OolooKitty]

How disappointing! This one did sound good. I may still have to read it, though, since you thought the treatment of Paris was nicely done; I'm a sucker for atmosphere.

[Danielle]

Katherine--I think it just took too long to get into the mystery/sleuthing part of the story, and by then they had lost me. And the skirt chasing was a bit too much for me, too. I liked the premise, but Victor just didn't win me over.
Oolookitty--Definitely give it a try if it sounds appealing! I never like to turn any reader off a book as what doesn't work for me may very well be a good read for someone else! If you do read it, you'll have to let me know what you think.

[Litlove]

I've seen these books around and wondered about trying them, but I must say I was a bit afraid that they were 'concept' books, a good idea that hasn't been put into production so well. Hmm, probably best to let the author get into his stride, and maybe I'll try the third or so to be published!

[Sarah]

I love a good historical mystery, so am sorry to hear this one is disappointing.

Speaking of historical mysteries, I don't know if you've heard about Hangman blind by Cassandra Clark? I read about at The Gaurdian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/oct/11/fiction2), and as I remember you were looking for a mystery set in medieval times with a female protagonist, thought I'd mention it. I'm looking forward to reading it!

[sherry]

I really, really, wanted to like this book, but still did not. It left me feeling flat and disappointed.

[Dorothy W.]

That's too bad that this one is a disappointment -- it sounds like a nice setting and idea. I'm not sure I'd like a slightly oblivious, woman-chasing hero, though.

[Isabel]

I have a new friend who looooves the E. Tower. I must recommend this book to her!

[Ann (Table Talk)]

Anything that has to do with booksellers is going to attract my attention. I'm going to give at least this first one a go.

[iliana]

Darn, I was hoping this was going to be a really good series. I'll go ahead and leave it on my wish list because the setting appeals to me but we'll see. I just started a new series myself set in England and am loving it! I wish I could travel a lot more often. Thank goodness for books :)

[iliana]

Darn, I was hoping this was going to be a really good series. I'll go ahead and leave it on my wish list because the setting appeals to me but we'll see. I just started a new series myself set in England and am loving it! I wish I could travel a lot more often. Thank goodness for books :)

[iliana]

Darn, I was hoping this was going to be a really good series. I'll go ahead and leave it on my wish list because the setting appeals to me but we'll see. I just started a new series myself set in England and am loving it! I wish I could travel a lot more often. Thank goodness for books :)

[Danielle]

Litlove--That's a very good idea. I liked the premise, but the story needed some work. Maybe a later mystery would be better.
Sarah--I think most of the mysteries I read are historical in nature, so this seemed right up my alley. Sometimes a book just won't click though. Thanks for the link I will definitely look for Clark book--it sounds like just what I was looking for!
Sherry--I was looking forward to it as well and even lucked out by getting an ARC from Library Thing. There were just too many little annoyances for me. I was sort of happy to get through it so I could move on to something else.
Dorothy--Victor was a bit oblivious and it was mostly Kenji that solved the crime. The romance aspect didn't work for me either--he spent too much time obsessing over Tasha. Maybe a later book when the relationships are more worked out and the characters more developed would be better.
Isabel--My favorite parts were the decriptions of the Exposition and of course the Eiffel Tower plays a prominent role!
Ann--Let me know what you think! I think this may actually have been the first mystery featuring a bookseller that I've read, but I wouldn't mind finding others!
Iliana--Yes indeed--armchair traveling is the sort I tend to be doing nowadays!! The series sounds good, but I wasn't too thrilled with this first one. They may get better as they go. I also may be in the minority as I think there were some good reviews on Amazon--so definitely give it a try.

[Smithereens]

Izner series is quite popular here but it never worked for me either... too much cardboard characters I agree. Maybe you would prefer Fred Vargas' quirky 5(but contemporary) mysteries, they're also set in Paris...

[Smithereens]

As to why it's so popular, my husband suggested that people like to read about their neighborhood a century ago, even if it's actually fiction. The historical points are quite true I was told.

[sherry]

If you want mysteries featuring a bookseller, I highly, very, VERY highly recommend the books of Lea Wait. The heroine is an antiquarian print seller. Lots of wonderful books and information, cracking good stories...

[Danielle]

Smithereens--I've been meaning to try Fred Vargas actually--I keep forgetting to order one of her books--thanks for the reminder. I think if I read another of the books my biggest draw would also be to read about Paris in the 1800s. I can see why it would be interesting for Parisians who know all the places Izner writes about--that familiarity in a bookplace is always fun.
Sherry--Thanks--I've not heard of this author, but the books sound like somehting I will like. I will try her out and am glad you've read them and can recommend them!