What do you think?
Rate this book
Floats the Dark Shadow
Young American painter Theodora Faraday struggles to become an artist in Belle Époque Paris. She’s tasted the champagne of success, illustrating poems for the Revenants, a group of poets led by her adored cousin, Averill. When children she knows vanish mysteriously, Theo confronts Inspecteur Michel Devaux who suspects the Revenants are involved. Theo refuses to believe the killer could be a friend—could be the man she loves. Classic detection and occult revelation lead Michel and Theo through the dark underbelly of Paris, from catacombs to asylums, to the obscene ritual of a Black Mass. Following the maze of clues they discover the murderer believes he is the reincarnation of the most evil serial killer in the history of France—Gilles de Rais. Once Joan of Arc’s lieutenant, after her death he plunged into an orgy of evil. The Church burned him at the stake for heresy, sorcery, and the depraved murder of hundreds of peasant children. Whether deranged mind or demonic passion incite him, the killer must be found before he strikes again.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2012
5 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
Yves Fey
4 books139 followersFloats the Dark Shadow, my award-winning historical mystery, is set in Belle Époque Paris and features a young American artist, a French cop, assorted poets, courtesans, criminals, and a crazed serial killer. Bitter Draughts is book 2 in this Paris Trilogy. The same characters return to deal with murders that take place during the violent riots of the anti-Semitic Dreyfus Affair. Coming in 2024 is the final book of this Paris trilogy, A Harmony of Hells.
Previously I wrote historical romance under my own name of Gayle Feyrer, and as Taylor Chase. I've begun to release these again under my own imprint. My sensibility in both genres is dark and intense.
I've drawn since kidhood, and written since adolesence. I worship cats, chocolate, and cinema. My current obsession has been to design perfumes inspired by the characters and setting of my new books.
Previously I wrote historical romance under my own name of Gayle Feyrer, and as Taylor Chase. I've begun to release these again under my own imprint. My sensibility in both genres is dark and intense.
I've drawn since kidhood, and written since adolesence. I worship cats, chocolate, and cinema. My current obsession has been to design perfumes inspired by the characters and setting of my new books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 12, 2012
My full review on Literary Inklings
Weaving faultlessly through the streets of Paris under a cloud of heaviest darkness, Floats the Dark Shadow puts forth a daring, utterly unforgettable story of the fight between determined good and the most abhorrent evil. With an almost Dickensian theatricality that brings the world of 1890s Paris to astonishing life, author Yves Fey plunges fearlessly into the depth of her story, unveiling the heart of many memorable characters and evoking a suspense-filled experience that readers will find impossible to break away from. Read more...
Weaving faultlessly through the streets of Paris under a cloud of heaviest darkness, Floats the Dark Shadow puts forth a daring, utterly unforgettable story of the fight between determined good and the most abhorrent evil. With an almost Dickensian theatricality that brings the world of 1890s Paris to astonishing life, author Yves Fey plunges fearlessly into the depth of her story, unveiling the heart of many memorable characters and evoking a suspense-filled experience that readers will find impossible to break away from. Read more...
January 5, 2013
Yves Fey’s Floats the Dark Shadow is a very impressive read. This author knows how to write, and does a brilliant job of taking the reader through the streets of Paris, at a time when history was rich in the arts and literature, to connect us with accurate historical detail from the late 1890s; Oscar Wilde & Dreyfus’ imprisonment, the advent of women’s bloomers and bicycle riding, Zola William Butler Yates, Leo Taxil, etc.
The story involves three main characters; Theoroda Faraday, an American transplant to Paris, an artist; her cousin Averill, a romantic interest (albeit unrequited in actuality); and the police inspector, Michel Devaux; who all intertwine with a sub-cast of characters of suspects and victims, children. Herein lies my only disclaimer in that the scenes involving children may not be for every reader and the author does not hold back, but also does not dwell.
The plot starts with the gruesome murder of a young boy, and then takes off into a introduction of characters and subplots, bringing the reader into the dark ways of the occult, the inequities of women in society, the use of a scene involving detail on fire which is excellently depicted, the art world, etc. which weave in and out of more murders of children, as the plot intensifies and tension builds, with everyone suspect.
This is a well crafted, beautifully written, piece of exceptional literature that could very well stand among authors like Mary Shelley and Edgar Allen Poe. The author has made me a fan. Highly recommended.
The story involves three main characters; Theoroda Faraday, an American transplant to Paris, an artist; her cousin Averill, a romantic interest (albeit unrequited in actuality); and the police inspector, Michel Devaux; who all intertwine with a sub-cast of characters of suspects and victims, children. Herein lies my only disclaimer in that the scenes involving children may not be for every reader and the author does not hold back, but also does not dwell.
The plot starts with the gruesome murder of a young boy, and then takes off into a introduction of characters and subplots, bringing the reader into the dark ways of the occult, the inequities of women in society, the use of a scene involving detail on fire which is excellently depicted, the art world, etc. which weave in and out of more murders of children, as the plot intensifies and tension builds, with everyone suspect.
This is a well crafted, beautifully written, piece of exceptional literature that could very well stand among authors like Mary Shelley and Edgar Allen Poe. The author has made me a fan. Highly recommended.
December 24, 2012
If you love the Belle Epoch, you'll love this book. Yves Fey knows her history of Paris in that era. She brings it alive with every page. She recreated the world so well that I went to the internet several times to see if her main characters were also historical. With this historical backdrop is an excellent thriller of a tale, with a well-realized main character.
I'm looking forward to the next offering from Yves Fey, as the absinthe addicts looked forward to their next glass of the green demon liquid.
I'm looking forward to the next offering from Yves Fey, as the absinthe addicts looked forward to their next glass of the green demon liquid.
October 22, 2014
For the full review go to: http://historicaltapestry.blogspot.co....
Floats the Dark Shadow is a beautifully written story that is dark, disturbing and sensual as a tale of love and art against the backdrop of madness and murder. The portions told from the perspective of the killer, believing he is the reincarnation of Gilles de Rais, are beyond chilling and made me feel like I was actually within the mind of a madman. Following Theo and Inspector Devaux as they both try to uncover who is kidnapping, torturing and killing innocent children was thrilling and I can honestly say I did not see the eventual revelation coming!
My only complaint with Floats the Dark Shadow deals with the format and not the story at all, which I loved. I listened to the audiobook version of the story and given the many French names, the accents put on by the narrator and the fact that most of the characters sounded alike made it hard to keep up with the intricate plotlines and differentiate between the characters. Being that this story is a mystery to unravel the killer I found this frustrating and confusing at times.
With this being said, the descriptions of Paris and the surrounding countryside are breathtaking and really transport the reader/listener to Belle Epoque Paris. Theo is by far my favorite character as I found her to be well developed and admirable in her originality, determination and kindness. I believe if I had been reading this story as opposed to listening to it and able to flip back and forth between the pages I would have had less difficulty keeping up with the intricacies of the plot to discover the sadistic murderer and this would have helped with the confusion I experienced. I will also note to those thinking about picking this one up that it is quite graphic at times but, for me, this was needed to highlight the depravity of the participants and the deep-seeded dementia of the killer.
I would recommend this to those who love dark novels set in Paris during this time and those that enjoy a twisted journey to find a murderer and stop him from bringing more children into his web of destruction.
Floats the Dark Shadow is a beautifully written story that is dark, disturbing and sensual as a tale of love and art against the backdrop of madness and murder. The portions told from the perspective of the killer, believing he is the reincarnation of Gilles de Rais, are beyond chilling and made me feel like I was actually within the mind of a madman. Following Theo and Inspector Devaux as they both try to uncover who is kidnapping, torturing and killing innocent children was thrilling and I can honestly say I did not see the eventual revelation coming!
My only complaint with Floats the Dark Shadow deals with the format and not the story at all, which I loved. I listened to the audiobook version of the story and given the many French names, the accents put on by the narrator and the fact that most of the characters sounded alike made it hard to keep up with the intricate plotlines and differentiate between the characters. Being that this story is a mystery to unravel the killer I found this frustrating and confusing at times.
With this being said, the descriptions of Paris and the surrounding countryside are breathtaking and really transport the reader/listener to Belle Epoque Paris. Theo is by far my favorite character as I found her to be well developed and admirable in her originality, determination and kindness. I believe if I had been reading this story as opposed to listening to it and able to flip back and forth between the pages I would have had less difficulty keeping up with the intricacies of the plot to discover the sadistic murderer and this would have helped with the confusion I experienced. I will also note to those thinking about picking this one up that it is quite graphic at times but, for me, this was needed to highlight the depravity of the participants and the deep-seeded dementia of the killer.
I would recommend this to those who love dark novels set in Paris during this time and those that enjoy a twisted journey to find a murderer and stop him from bringing more children into his web of destruction.
October 25, 2014
Floats the Dark Shadow is a Gothic and sinister historical mystery set in Belle Epoque, Paris in the late 19th century. The author does an excellent job of bringing to life the sights and sounds of the time. It's easy to get lost in the story and actually feel like you're right there...one of the characters. Even listening to this on audio, I found myself totally engrossed.
Once again, I must credit an author for allowing me to learn something new in history. For the murderer in this book, who is in fact murdering children in the most despicable of ways, believes he is none other than Gilles de Rais reincarnated. And who is Gilles de Rais you might ask? So did I. de Rais was Joan of Arc's lieutenant, who was later burned at the stake by the Church for heresy, sorcery, and the horrific murder of hundreds of peasant children. When I read about this first in the book's blurb, I immediately Googled the name and read up on de Rais. Wow! And so, historical fiction has done it's job once again (well, in addition to telling a great story)...sent the reader on a quest to learn more!
In addition to the above, this book just tells a terrific mystery. We are kept guessing until the end regarding the identity of the murderer. Not only that, but we are also shown how truly vulnerable children were in that era. Children were not cautioned about the dangers in the world back then, as they are now. This made them ripe for the picking. A very tragic reality indeed.
This is a perfectly atmospheric read for this time of the year when things go bump in the night, or for any time you're in the mood for a great historical mystery.
Once again, I must credit an author for allowing me to learn something new in history. For the murderer in this book, who is in fact murdering children in the most despicable of ways, believes he is none other than Gilles de Rais reincarnated. And who is Gilles de Rais you might ask? So did I. de Rais was Joan of Arc's lieutenant, who was later burned at the stake by the Church for heresy, sorcery, and the horrific murder of hundreds of peasant children. When I read about this first in the book's blurb, I immediately Googled the name and read up on de Rais. Wow! And so, historical fiction has done it's job once again (well, in addition to telling a great story)...sent the reader on a quest to learn more!
In addition to the above, this book just tells a terrific mystery. We are kept guessing until the end regarding the identity of the murderer. Not only that, but we are also shown how truly vulnerable children were in that era. Children were not cautioned about the dangers in the world back then, as they are now. This made them ripe for the picking. A very tragic reality indeed.
This is a perfectly atmospheric read for this time of the year when things go bump in the night, or for any time you're in the mood for a great historical mystery.
October 24, 2013
Set in Paris in 1897, Floats the Dark Shadow is a beautifully-written historical mystery. The novel’s heroine, an artist named Theodora, is drawn into the Parisian nightlife by her cousin Averill, a poet with whom she falls in love. Averill is a member of a group of writers called the Revenants, and he and his friends welcome Theo into their clique.
But someone is snatching children off the streets of Paris and killing them, and the Revenants fall under suspicion. Theo, convinced that the killer isn’t a member of the group, begins an investigation of her own. During her investigation she meets Inspector Michel Devaux, who is also on the hunt for the murderer. They’ll have to work together whether they want to or not to stop the killings.
The writing is gorgeous: Fey evokes the sights and smells of Paris with an artist’s eye and a poet’s prose. The characters are fully developed and their dialogue rings with authenticity. The plot (woven around ritual murder and Satanism) moves relentlessly forward at breakneck speed. A lot of research obviously went into this novel, which is full of rich historical details.
Exciting fiction is rarely this literary. Five stars and highly recommended.
But someone is snatching children off the streets of Paris and killing them, and the Revenants fall under suspicion. Theo, convinced that the killer isn’t a member of the group, begins an investigation of her own. During her investigation she meets Inspector Michel Devaux, who is also on the hunt for the murderer. They’ll have to work together whether they want to or not to stop the killings.
The writing is gorgeous: Fey evokes the sights and smells of Paris with an artist’s eye and a poet’s prose. The characters are fully developed and their dialogue rings with authenticity. The plot (woven around ritual murder and Satanism) moves relentlessly forward at breakneck speed. A lot of research obviously went into this novel, which is full of rich historical details.
Exciting fiction is rarely this literary. Five stars and highly recommended.
August 13, 2014
It must be an indication of just how engrossed I was by this book that I used my expired boarding pass to bookmark it as I got ready to disembark – I was reading on my Kindle.
How to start? How does one describe a book that so vividly paints another time, another place? Maybe we should start where it all takes place, Paris in the last few years of the 19th century. The city is a greenhouse of creativity – when has Paris not been that – and poets, painters, musicians, they all converge on the French capital, reinventing the art forms, creating new ones and generally revelling in youth and life – and sin.
Paris is brought to magnificent life. Not only as it stands in the 19th century, but also as it was, with excellent descriptions in passing of one quartier or the other, the history of the Salpetrière, of Montmartre. But Paris is not a kind city, it is a city where the dark stands side by side with the light, and the author does an excellent job of depicting the decay and the poverty against which the glories of Belle Epoque Paris stand in sharp contrast.
I would be willing to bet a substantial part of my salary that Yves Fey paints, how else to explain the author’s vibrant and precise description, from the cherry blossoms on a rainy day, to the Moulin de la Galette in sunset. It is also extremely apparent just how much time and effort our author has invested in researching Paris as it was – and to my delight, this is not restricted to buildings and streets, to anecdotes about the French Revolution or the Paris Commune, but also encompasses painters and, most of all, poets.
In reading Floats the Dark Shadow, I am reintroduced to poets such as Baudelaire and Rimbaud, Moréas and Verlaine. Ms Fey also breathes life into the fascinating – and rather macabre - story surrounding Joan of Arc and one of her most flamboyant captains, Gilles de Rais. This ancient story forms an essential background to the sinister events that unfold during two brief months in the decadent Paris of the late 19th century, and to further spice things up, we have Satanists and dabblers in the occult, we have an angry seething city, with anarchists and revolutionaries calling for death to the bourgeoisie, and then we have Theo.
Theo is a young American woman who, through a series of events, has ended up in Paris where she paints. Through her French cousin, Averill, Theo has become a member of an avant-garde group that calls themselves Les Revenants. Young and driven by passion to change the world, Theo’s companions live right on the edge, drinking absinthe and attending some rather odd events, such as a concert in the catacombs of Paris, the living audience complemented by the thousands upon thousands of skulls that adorn the surrounding walls. (Very evocative, let me tell you)
And then, the children start disappearing. Pretty boys, mostly, now and then a girl. Quite often children no one will miss – or with parents too poor to demand the attention of the police. One of these children is a boy Theo knows. Another of these children is the protégé of one of Paris’ foremost mobsters, and he does have the clout to get the police moving, which is when Michel Devaux enters the scene. Yet another child Theo knows disappears. And another. One of these children – a blind little girl – is discovered gruesomely murdered, and the only link Inspector Devaux finds is that all the children, in one way or the other, have had contact with one or more of Les Revenants.
Floats the Dark Shadow is told mainly through the eyes of Theo and Michel. One is a young woman besotted with her cousin, who now and then worries her absinthe-addicted cousin may be the culprit, the other is a determined officer of the law, a man combating demons of his own. As the book progresses, Theo and Michel grow into complete human beings – especially Michel, a man whose character has been tempered through terrible loss and staggering guilt. Theo is less complex, but this is in keeping with her youth, so it never jars. In many ways, Floats the Dark Shadow is a coming-of-age novel, because by the time the novel ends, Theo has lost her innocence, her basic belief in the goodness of man. Once lost, such innocence cannot be recaptured. “Two months and all of it was gone. The evil destroyed. Love destroyed.”
It is to Ms Fey’s credit that she presents us with a tormented villain. Borderline insane, this modern day Gilles de Rais has lost his way. His atrocious deeds make us shudder, the despair in his actions is evident, and while I condemn him, I also find myself wishing this deformed, cruel soul will find some rest. I was also very impressed by how skilfully Ms Fey wove her plot, keeping the reader in suspense well into the last few chapters. While the book ends on a rather sad tone, it could not have ended otherwise. Besides, there is always hope, there is always a tomorrow, and we leave Theo as she prepares to embrace a new phase of her life, far from the recent horrors she has experienced.
Floats the Dark Shadow is not for the lazy reader. The first few chapters do not immediately hook, and then there are these constant literary references – a delight for those among us who have stumbled upon them before, perhaps a challenge to others. But for those that persevere beyond the first few pages, Yves Fey will prove a fantastic guide into the long-gone Paris of the Belle Epoque. The language is sensuous and rich, it weaves a tapestry of sound and scents, of events and emotions, which transports the reader to those brief weeks a long gone May, when the trees rained cherry blossom from above, while in the darker recesses of the city, evil prowled.
Merci, Mme Fey, pour une expérience inoubliable. I will not, I think, ever forget just how dark the shadow can float.
How to start? How does one describe a book that so vividly paints another time, another place? Maybe we should start where it all takes place, Paris in the last few years of the 19th century. The city is a greenhouse of creativity – when has Paris not been that – and poets, painters, musicians, they all converge on the French capital, reinventing the art forms, creating new ones and generally revelling in youth and life – and sin.
Paris is brought to magnificent life. Not only as it stands in the 19th century, but also as it was, with excellent descriptions in passing of one quartier or the other, the history of the Salpetrière, of Montmartre. But Paris is not a kind city, it is a city where the dark stands side by side with the light, and the author does an excellent job of depicting the decay and the poverty against which the glories of Belle Epoque Paris stand in sharp contrast.
I would be willing to bet a substantial part of my salary that Yves Fey paints, how else to explain the author’s vibrant and precise description, from the cherry blossoms on a rainy day, to the Moulin de la Galette in sunset. It is also extremely apparent just how much time and effort our author has invested in researching Paris as it was – and to my delight, this is not restricted to buildings and streets, to anecdotes about the French Revolution or the Paris Commune, but also encompasses painters and, most of all, poets.
In reading Floats the Dark Shadow, I am reintroduced to poets such as Baudelaire and Rimbaud, Moréas and Verlaine. Ms Fey also breathes life into the fascinating – and rather macabre - story surrounding Joan of Arc and one of her most flamboyant captains, Gilles de Rais. This ancient story forms an essential background to the sinister events that unfold during two brief months in the decadent Paris of the late 19th century, and to further spice things up, we have Satanists and dabblers in the occult, we have an angry seething city, with anarchists and revolutionaries calling for death to the bourgeoisie, and then we have Theo.
Theo is a young American woman who, through a series of events, has ended up in Paris where she paints. Through her French cousin, Averill, Theo has become a member of an avant-garde group that calls themselves Les Revenants. Young and driven by passion to change the world, Theo’s companions live right on the edge, drinking absinthe and attending some rather odd events, such as a concert in the catacombs of Paris, the living audience complemented by the thousands upon thousands of skulls that adorn the surrounding walls. (Very evocative, let me tell you)
And then, the children start disappearing. Pretty boys, mostly, now and then a girl. Quite often children no one will miss – or with parents too poor to demand the attention of the police. One of these children is a boy Theo knows. Another of these children is the protégé of one of Paris’ foremost mobsters, and he does have the clout to get the police moving, which is when Michel Devaux enters the scene. Yet another child Theo knows disappears. And another. One of these children – a blind little girl – is discovered gruesomely murdered, and the only link Inspector Devaux finds is that all the children, in one way or the other, have had contact with one or more of Les Revenants.
Floats the Dark Shadow is told mainly through the eyes of Theo and Michel. One is a young woman besotted with her cousin, who now and then worries her absinthe-addicted cousin may be the culprit, the other is a determined officer of the law, a man combating demons of his own. As the book progresses, Theo and Michel grow into complete human beings – especially Michel, a man whose character has been tempered through terrible loss and staggering guilt. Theo is less complex, but this is in keeping with her youth, so it never jars. In many ways, Floats the Dark Shadow is a coming-of-age novel, because by the time the novel ends, Theo has lost her innocence, her basic belief in the goodness of man. Once lost, such innocence cannot be recaptured. “Two months and all of it was gone. The evil destroyed. Love destroyed.”
It is to Ms Fey’s credit that she presents us with a tormented villain. Borderline insane, this modern day Gilles de Rais has lost his way. His atrocious deeds make us shudder, the despair in his actions is evident, and while I condemn him, I also find myself wishing this deformed, cruel soul will find some rest. I was also very impressed by how skilfully Ms Fey wove her plot, keeping the reader in suspense well into the last few chapters. While the book ends on a rather sad tone, it could not have ended otherwise. Besides, there is always hope, there is always a tomorrow, and we leave Theo as she prepares to embrace a new phase of her life, far from the recent horrors she has experienced.
Floats the Dark Shadow is not for the lazy reader. The first few chapters do not immediately hook, and then there are these constant literary references – a delight for those among us who have stumbled upon them before, perhaps a challenge to others. But for those that persevere beyond the first few pages, Yves Fey will prove a fantastic guide into the long-gone Paris of the Belle Epoque. The language is sensuous and rich, it weaves a tapestry of sound and scents, of events and emotions, which transports the reader to those brief weeks a long gone May, when the trees rained cherry blossom from above, while in the darker recesses of the city, evil prowled.
Merci, Mme Fey, pour une expérience inoubliable. I will not, I think, ever forget just how dark the shadow can float.
February 20, 2014
Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:' Floats the Dark Shadow' by Yves Fey.
Paris is known for its beauty and romance, heralded throughout the world. Yet as with all cities there is a dark and steamy underground, where those who are just a bit more self-indulgent lurk.
In Floats the Dark Shadow by Yves Fey, we are introduced to both the beauty and the darkness that encompasses the soul of the city of love. Beginning slowly and yet just coming to the attention to the authorities, children are going missing. The darkness begins with those who have no one to look out for them, but soon escalates as the heinous darkness of possible cult activity begins to come to light. Where are the missing children and who is behind the disappearances of those most innocent, yet also the most at risk?
Fey has given us a dark mystery, set in a beautiful yet decadent setting. He pairs an unsuspecting artist, a woman who lives on the fringe of the beauty and darkness, and pairs her with a solid and no nonsense Detective Michel Devaux. Theodora Faraday has run across the investigation unknowingly, but is drawn in by circumstance. The clash of temperaments and thought processes of the two who must find a way to work together are dynamic and just a bit intriguing. The poetic mindset of Theo and the insistent solidity of Detective Devaux keep the action both interesting and magnetic.
The darkness and decadence of the perpetrator, has just enough depravity and evil to set the stage for a story of horrible magnitudes. What is happening to the disappearing children, those most at risk in the dark streets of the city? Can Theo and her Detective find the answers before another tragedy occurs?
If you enjoy horror and mystery you will find this a work to look for. Fey gives us both the beauty of Paris but also the darkness and dissolution. The pairing of two totally differing personalities to find the perpetrator of the disappearances is very crafty and inventive.
This would be a great book for a reading or discussion group. There is a great deal of interesting discussion going on within the book that can be taken up by those reading it as well. Fey has taken us into a world of excess, and delivered the goods.
Paris is known for its beauty and romance, heralded throughout the world. Yet as with all cities there is a dark and steamy underground, where those who are just a bit more self-indulgent lurk.
In Floats the Dark Shadow by Yves Fey, we are introduced to both the beauty and the darkness that encompasses the soul of the city of love. Beginning slowly and yet just coming to the attention to the authorities, children are going missing. The darkness begins with those who have no one to look out for them, but soon escalates as the heinous darkness of possible cult activity begins to come to light. Where are the missing children and who is behind the disappearances of those most innocent, yet also the most at risk?
Fey has given us a dark mystery, set in a beautiful yet decadent setting. He pairs an unsuspecting artist, a woman who lives on the fringe of the beauty and darkness, and pairs her with a solid and no nonsense Detective Michel Devaux. Theodora Faraday has run across the investigation unknowingly, but is drawn in by circumstance. The clash of temperaments and thought processes of the two who must find a way to work together are dynamic and just a bit intriguing. The poetic mindset of Theo and the insistent solidity of Detective Devaux keep the action both interesting and magnetic.
The darkness and decadence of the perpetrator, has just enough depravity and evil to set the stage for a story of horrible magnitudes. What is happening to the disappearing children, those most at risk in the dark streets of the city? Can Theo and her Detective find the answers before another tragedy occurs?
If you enjoy horror and mystery you will find this a work to look for. Fey gives us both the beauty of Paris but also the darkness and dissolution. The pairing of two totally differing personalities to find the perpetrator of the disappearances is very crafty and inventive.
This would be a great book for a reading or discussion group. There is a great deal of interesting discussion going on within the book that can be taken up by those reading it as well. Fey has taken us into a world of excess, and delivered the goods.
January 18, 2013
"Floats the Dark Shadow" by Yves Fey is a very skilful and impressive historic novel, set in Paris. It is clearly well researched and gives a very authentic feel of the city ( I have been) - not just in terms of architecture and clothes but in every aspect of the epoch: politics, transport, police work etc etc. The book describes the place and time very much like I would imagine them to have been and it certainly managed to raise my awareness of the times and its living conditions.
Thrown into the plot of a murder investigation are themes like occultism, tarot cards and black magic, discussions of the Oscar Wilde trial and most pressing for the female lead character, Theo, that of personal trust and belief.
There are a few dark themes, like that of the serial child murder, that of course belong into the times and the context of a crime story, but which I found a little disturbing. I still did enjoy the book, there was tension all the way through to the end
Thrown into the plot of a murder investigation are themes like occultism, tarot cards and black magic, discussions of the Oscar Wilde trial and most pressing for the female lead character, Theo, that of personal trust and belief.
There are a few dark themes, like that of the serial child murder, that of course belong into the times and the context of a crime story, but which I found a little disturbing. I still did enjoy the book, there was tension all the way through to the end
June 6, 2013
"Floats the Dark Shadow," Yves Fey's daringly corrupt historical novel, has a lot on its mind. Part mystery, part grand guignol, part travelogue, part theosophical debate of good vs. evil, part love story, it opens with a shocker and slows down only occasionally to let the reader catch his breath. Set in fin de siècle Paris, it follows American expat painter Theo Faraday and French detective Michel Devaux through a netherworld of depravity and decadence as heinous as it is skillfully rendered. Other reviewers have limned the plot and posted caveats about scenes involving pedophilia and child murders. I will not add to their warnings but neither will I detract from their praise. Fey's prose, research and deft recreation of time and place are nothing short of dazzling as she creates a mystery unlike any I've ever read.
April 24, 2018
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"Yves Fey offers quite the insight into the long-gone Paris of the Belle Epoque. The language is sensuous and rich, it weaves a tapestry of sound and scents, of events and emotions,"
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"Yves Fey offers quite the insight into the long-gone Paris of the Belle Epoque. The language is sensuous and rich, it weaves a tapestry of sound and scents, of events and emotions,"
November 8, 2012
French gothic at it's finest! If you love Mary Shelly's Frankstein or Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Norte Dame, then this is a must read.
October 20, 2014
Floats the Dark Shadow is sub-titled ‘A Mystery of Paris’ and that seems apt as Fey has captured the romance and the contradictions of that famous city so well. The novel is set during the supreme decadence of the Belle Époque, the late 1890’s, when Paris having survived the turmoil and bloodshed of the Commune era, stood on the cusp of the modern age.
Theodora Faraday is a young American artist and feminist, living in Montmartre. She spends her days framing Montmartre in oils and pastels as she wanders the Bohemian streets accompanied by the Revenants – a group of poetic-types in search of inner darkness. But be under no illusions, this is not a fluffy romance novel, this is a very dark story of murder and deceit… a serial killer is kidnapping and torturing children, reincarnating an ancient evil that stalks the gas lit streets of Paris. Theodora soon finds that her friends are implicated in the killings and she must work with Michel Devaux of the Sûreté to investigate the crime and bring the killer – or killers – to justice what ever the personal cost.
The first thing that stands out in this work is that Yves Fey knows Paris. Her streets are real – the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere are conjured skillfully. She seems to capture the interleving of the beauty and sophistication of the city with its underlying menace. All of its blood-soaked history and its dirty little secrets mean that violence is never far from the surface in this glittering Fin de siècle metropolis. From the obvious horror of the murders of innocent children, to the political violence of the Anarchists that provides the introduction of Inspector Devaux to the plot, and the gender violence inherent in the tragedy of the Bazar de la Charité (where men fleeing the flames beat down women and children in order to escape – 126 died in total and hundreds were horribly injured). In short – this Paris is not sentimental – it is a world where the weak are not safe and everyone has an agenda.
Fire runs as a theme through this novel, the Killer believes that they are the re-incarnation of Gilles de Rais, right-hand man of Jeanne D’Arc; a man who following her death at the stake, became Frances most notorious child killer and occultist. He is said to have killed between 80 -200 victims and was hanged for his crimes and then burned in 1440.
By the end of the novel – fire has touched everyone.
Throughout the novel Fey succeeds in hiding the killer from the reader, the dark shadow of suspicion fell on several of the characters, but I was still surprised when the killer was unmasked. Like all good crime stories the clues are there if you can spot them…
Where the novel falls down is that the author almost tries to pack too much punch into it. Perhaps showing off her knowledge of the dark side of the nineteenth century a little too precociously for one novel. There are some almost set-piece scenes: there is a trip to the catacombs, the Grand Guignol theatre, and an asylum where a public display of the newly invented vibrator is being given by the one of the characters (in itself a truly disturbing scene). All of these are wonderfully written and observed but I quickly found myself totting up who and what was in Paris in the 1890’s and laying bets on whether they would turn up.
Despite this plethora of hammer horror scenes and famous names from history, at times some of the more prominent characters seemed a little under-written. I would have loved more involvement from the Criminal Mastermind Blaise Dancier, and his interactions with the detective Devaux. However, I suspect Fey will be exploring this relationship further in future novels.
Despite, or even, because of its flaws, I still found myself utterly captivated by this novel. Floats the Dark Shadow succeeds in evoking a dark and menacing yet enticing vision of Belle Époque Paris. Fey has created a cast of memorable characters with plausible back-stories who I hope will be further developed in future stories.
Theodora Faraday is a young American artist and feminist, living in Montmartre. She spends her days framing Montmartre in oils and pastels as she wanders the Bohemian streets accompanied by the Revenants – a group of poetic-types in search of inner darkness. But be under no illusions, this is not a fluffy romance novel, this is a very dark story of murder and deceit… a serial killer is kidnapping and torturing children, reincarnating an ancient evil that stalks the gas lit streets of Paris. Theodora soon finds that her friends are implicated in the killings and she must work with Michel Devaux of the Sûreté to investigate the crime and bring the killer – or killers – to justice what ever the personal cost.
The first thing that stands out in this work is that Yves Fey knows Paris. Her streets are real – the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere are conjured skillfully. She seems to capture the interleving of the beauty and sophistication of the city with its underlying menace. All of its blood-soaked history and its dirty little secrets mean that violence is never far from the surface in this glittering Fin de siècle metropolis. From the obvious horror of the murders of innocent children, to the political violence of the Anarchists that provides the introduction of Inspector Devaux to the plot, and the gender violence inherent in the tragedy of the Bazar de la Charité (where men fleeing the flames beat down women and children in order to escape – 126 died in total and hundreds were horribly injured). In short – this Paris is not sentimental – it is a world where the weak are not safe and everyone has an agenda.
Fire runs as a theme through this novel, the Killer believes that they are the re-incarnation of Gilles de Rais, right-hand man of Jeanne D’Arc; a man who following her death at the stake, became Frances most notorious child killer and occultist. He is said to have killed between 80 -200 victims and was hanged for his crimes and then burned in 1440.
By the end of the novel – fire has touched everyone.
Throughout the novel Fey succeeds in hiding the killer from the reader, the dark shadow of suspicion fell on several of the characters, but I was still surprised when the killer was unmasked. Like all good crime stories the clues are there if you can spot them…
Where the novel falls down is that the author almost tries to pack too much punch into it. Perhaps showing off her knowledge of the dark side of the nineteenth century a little too precociously for one novel. There are some almost set-piece scenes: there is a trip to the catacombs, the Grand Guignol theatre, and an asylum where a public display of the newly invented vibrator is being given by the one of the characters (in itself a truly disturbing scene). All of these are wonderfully written and observed but I quickly found myself totting up who and what was in Paris in the 1890’s and laying bets on whether they would turn up.
Despite this plethora of hammer horror scenes and famous names from history, at times some of the more prominent characters seemed a little under-written. I would have loved more involvement from the Criminal Mastermind Blaise Dancier, and his interactions with the detective Devaux. However, I suspect Fey will be exploring this relationship further in future novels.
Despite, or even, because of its flaws, I still found myself utterly captivated by this novel. Floats the Dark Shadow succeeds in evoking a dark and menacing yet enticing vision of Belle Époque Paris. Fey has created a cast of memorable characters with plausible back-stories who I hope will be further developed in future stories.
May 5, 2014
Mature-Content Rating: R (Graphic visual descriptions and overt sexuality)
There is a world deep seated in history. This world is filled with the flavour of a simpler time, but no problem free society is found. Psychotic killers have a full-time job hunting out their next victims and keeping them under the influence of dark torture until finally releasing them to the Reaper’s scythe. Inspecteur’s are equally busy follow the clues dropped by Grimm and his acolytes: drying fast as blood. Mystery and murder weigh hearts and minds heavier than a judges gavel giving courtesan’s a full-time job relieving such stresses through their secret seductive arts. This world is historical France, and you may have to quit your full-time job so that you can spend as much time as desired reading Floats the Dark Shadow by Yves Fey.
The Good:
Being not a historian myself, I cannot speak to the true accuracy of the facts, locations, and honourable mentions by Yves Fey, but I can say–as a reader–that it feels authentic enough. To me, art is about being drawn into a world and feeling like a character in the story as it unfolds. This, Fey does well. The book is quite character driven, and as a result, the reader is more invested with those involved in the plot than what is actually happening. This is not, however, to say that the plot is flat. By no means! It is, however, over-shadowed by the great characterisation.
Fey uses real French word and phrases speckled throughout to enhance that sense of immersion and add great flavour. This is not to say that one must know French to read the book. Most words are translated or explained through humorous pros with give the great sense of an American living in France (as one of the characters is said import) while appealing to the English speakers who will be reading Float the Dark Shadow.
Said import works as a painter. Normally this character setting would not be worth mentioning in a review, however, watching the story unfold through her eyes is imbued with great colourful flavours, giving a real sense that it is a painter’s eyes the reader is seeing this world through while, at the same time, adding intense pop to the description. Words and worlds come alive when the whole colour pallet it on the tip of your descriptive brush strokes.
The Bad:
I cannot say there is any one thing that bothered me with Yves Fey’s writing in this work. I have not rated it 5 stars because that spot it reserved for those books which leave me in tears, tie my stomach in knots, or make me laugh until it hurts (or all three). I believe such books should have a special place in the review process. Floats the Dark Shadow did none of these for me. Because of this, I say that it lacks a certain amount of emotional attachment between reader and character(s).
My only complaint is that the plot was less developed than it could have been. As has been said, this is a character driven book. The plot does not fall apart, but it simply did not draw me in as a reader. There were very few mysteries in this mystery-focus plot except “who done it,” leaving everything more like one big question mark instead of multiple tiny ones coming to a great exclamatory head at the end.
Conclusion:
Floats the Dark Shadow will draw you in; there is no doubt about that. The prose are flavourfully crafted and the characters are well balanced. Just watching them interact with each other and the world around them is a great treat. The plot is your standard “serial killer on the loose” motif. If you enjoy historical mysteries and like to be drawn into a book through some good word and crafting choices, this book is for you.
There is a world deep seated in history. This world is filled with the flavour of a simpler time, but no problem free society is found. Psychotic killers have a full-time job hunting out their next victims and keeping them under the influence of dark torture until finally releasing them to the Reaper’s scythe. Inspecteur’s are equally busy follow the clues dropped by Grimm and his acolytes: drying fast as blood. Mystery and murder weigh hearts and minds heavier than a judges gavel giving courtesan’s a full-time job relieving such stresses through their secret seductive arts. This world is historical France, and you may have to quit your full-time job so that you can spend as much time as desired reading Floats the Dark Shadow by Yves Fey.
The Good:
Being not a historian myself, I cannot speak to the true accuracy of the facts, locations, and honourable mentions by Yves Fey, but I can say–as a reader–that it feels authentic enough. To me, art is about being drawn into a world and feeling like a character in the story as it unfolds. This, Fey does well. The book is quite character driven, and as a result, the reader is more invested with those involved in the plot than what is actually happening. This is not, however, to say that the plot is flat. By no means! It is, however, over-shadowed by the great characterisation.
Fey uses real French word and phrases speckled throughout to enhance that sense of immersion and add great flavour. This is not to say that one must know French to read the book. Most words are translated or explained through humorous pros with give the great sense of an American living in France (as one of the characters is said import) while appealing to the English speakers who will be reading Float the Dark Shadow.
Said import works as a painter. Normally this character setting would not be worth mentioning in a review, however, watching the story unfold through her eyes is imbued with great colourful flavours, giving a real sense that it is a painter’s eyes the reader is seeing this world through while, at the same time, adding intense pop to the description. Words and worlds come alive when the whole colour pallet it on the tip of your descriptive brush strokes.
The Bad:
I cannot say there is any one thing that bothered me with Yves Fey’s writing in this work. I have not rated it 5 stars because that spot it reserved for those books which leave me in tears, tie my stomach in knots, or make me laugh until it hurts (or all three). I believe such books should have a special place in the review process. Floats the Dark Shadow did none of these for me. Because of this, I say that it lacks a certain amount of emotional attachment between reader and character(s).
My only complaint is that the plot was less developed than it could have been. As has been said, this is a character driven book. The plot does not fall apart, but it simply did not draw me in as a reader. There were very few mysteries in this mystery-focus plot except “who done it,” leaving everything more like one big question mark instead of multiple tiny ones coming to a great exclamatory head at the end.
Conclusion:
Floats the Dark Shadow will draw you in; there is no doubt about that. The prose are flavourfully crafted and the characters are well balanced. Just watching them interact with each other and the world around them is a great treat. The plot is your standard “serial killer on the loose” motif. If you enjoy historical mysteries and like to be drawn into a book through some good word and crafting choices, this book is for you.
June 7, 2014
Synopsis:
Young American painter Theodora Faraday struggles to become an artist in Belle Époque Paris. She’s tasted the champagne of success, illustrating poems for the Revenants, a group of poets let by her adored cousin, Averill. When children she knows vanish mysteriously, Theo confronts Inspector Michel Devaux who suspects the Revenants are involved. Theo refuses to believe the killer could be a friend – could be the man she loves. Classic detection and occult revelation lead Michel and Theo through the dark underbelly of Paris, from catacombs to asylums, to the obscene ritual of a Black Mass. Following the maze of clues they discover the murderer believes he is the incarnation of the most evil serial killer in the history of France – Gilles de Rais. Once Joan of Arc’s lieutenant, after her death he plunged into an orgy of evil. The Church burned him at the stake for heresy, sorcery, and the depraved murder of hundreds of peasant children. Whether deranged mind or demonic passion incite him, the killer must be found before he strikes again.
Floats the Dark Shadow is an incredibly dark and provocative psychological thriller that is set in late nineteenth century Paris. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. It is dark, twisted and very graphic. However, this book is well-written and very much a page-turner. The mystery of the killer’s identity will keep the reader engaged to the very end.
Paris is the perfect setting for this book. It is the perfect blending of darkness and light that makes Paris such a wonderful background. Further, the Belle Époque literary scene contributed heavily to the dark themes of the story. The Revenants, a group of poets who seem to want to wallow in gloom, play a very important part. They gather to share their demons and perpetuate their mission; spreading the darkness of their minds to the world. At the heart of the story, is whether the darkness has completely swallowed one of them. Ms. Fey did a wonderful job laying out the path of who the killer is. That path will keep you guessing at every wicked turn.
The occult runs throughout through the entire book. However, it is not just evil. There are several moments where “white magic” tries to prevail over “dark magic.” It is a constant battle between the two forces with no apparent winner. At the heart of the “white magic” is Theodora Faraday. She is portrayed as the light who attempts to destroy the darkness. She’s caught in the middle throughout this battle. The question is whether she will survive, physically and mentally. Her involvement with the Revenants leads her down a path that will change her life forever.
Gilles de Rais is not a fictional character. He, in fact, was a child serial killer during the fifteenth century. I found that fact to be truly disturbing. Ms. Fey brought him back to life to live in a new century and to find new innocent victims. He was truly a diabolical character. Evil permeated his every action. However, what was interesting is that he truly believed he would be saved by his actions; he would be forgiven and redeemed. It is a thought-provoking paradox that the author presented.
Floats the Dark Shadow is an unusual story that was very hard to put down. Its dark themes may disturb many, but it is well-written and the plot was laid out in way that will keep you thinking. There isn’t a happy ending, but it will leave you knowing that the light will prevail over the darkness.
- See more at: http://www.reddirtreport.com/rustys-r...
Young American painter Theodora Faraday struggles to become an artist in Belle Époque Paris. She’s tasted the champagne of success, illustrating poems for the Revenants, a group of poets let by her adored cousin, Averill. When children she knows vanish mysteriously, Theo confronts Inspector Michel Devaux who suspects the Revenants are involved. Theo refuses to believe the killer could be a friend – could be the man she loves. Classic detection and occult revelation lead Michel and Theo through the dark underbelly of Paris, from catacombs to asylums, to the obscene ritual of a Black Mass. Following the maze of clues they discover the murderer believes he is the incarnation of the most evil serial killer in the history of France – Gilles de Rais. Once Joan of Arc’s lieutenant, after her death he plunged into an orgy of evil. The Church burned him at the stake for heresy, sorcery, and the depraved murder of hundreds of peasant children. Whether deranged mind or demonic passion incite him, the killer must be found before he strikes again.
Floats the Dark Shadow is an incredibly dark and provocative psychological thriller that is set in late nineteenth century Paris. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. It is dark, twisted and very graphic. However, this book is well-written and very much a page-turner. The mystery of the killer’s identity will keep the reader engaged to the very end.
Paris is the perfect setting for this book. It is the perfect blending of darkness and light that makes Paris such a wonderful background. Further, the Belle Époque literary scene contributed heavily to the dark themes of the story. The Revenants, a group of poets who seem to want to wallow in gloom, play a very important part. They gather to share their demons and perpetuate their mission; spreading the darkness of their minds to the world. At the heart of the story, is whether the darkness has completely swallowed one of them. Ms. Fey did a wonderful job laying out the path of who the killer is. That path will keep you guessing at every wicked turn.
The occult runs throughout through the entire book. However, it is not just evil. There are several moments where “white magic” tries to prevail over “dark magic.” It is a constant battle between the two forces with no apparent winner. At the heart of the “white magic” is Theodora Faraday. She is portrayed as the light who attempts to destroy the darkness. She’s caught in the middle throughout this battle. The question is whether she will survive, physically and mentally. Her involvement with the Revenants leads her down a path that will change her life forever.
Gilles de Rais is not a fictional character. He, in fact, was a child serial killer during the fifteenth century. I found that fact to be truly disturbing. Ms. Fey brought him back to life to live in a new century and to find new innocent victims. He was truly a diabolical character. Evil permeated his every action. However, what was interesting is that he truly believed he would be saved by his actions; he would be forgiven and redeemed. It is a thought-provoking paradox that the author presented.
Floats the Dark Shadow is an unusual story that was very hard to put down. Its dark themes may disturb many, but it is well-written and the plot was laid out in way that will keep you thinking. There isn’t a happy ending, but it will leave you knowing that the light will prevail over the darkness.
- See more at: http://www.reddirtreport.com/rustys-r...
October 22, 2014
Originally posted at: http://www.peekingbetweenthepages.com...
Floats the Dark Shadow by Yves Fey is set in Belle Epoque Paris in the 1890’s and the author vividly evokes all the sights and smells of this time in such a way that the reader feels they are walking the darkened streets themselves. This is a time filled with artists, poets, and writers and the author takes full advantage of this in the building of this story. Along with this is the seedier side of Paris full of dark magic and the occult and it is very, very dark and disturbing. Floats the Dark Shadow is a historical mystery that begs the reader to immerse themselves in its darkness, intrigue, and depravity.
Inspector Michel Devaux is investigating the disappearances of several children and this investigation is leading him deeper and deeper into the darker side of Paris. It also leads him to meeting Theo Faraday who is an American artist living in Paris. Their paths cross because of the missing children and Theo is just as determined to find out who is responsible as the Inspector is. Theo loves the city life and even more her cousin Averill who is a poet and introduces her to the wonderful side of Paris. As more children disappear – children that Theo knows – and the investigation deepens the fingers of accusation begin to point at Averill and Theo is devastated. Could it be that Averill is responsible for the horrific acts being carried out against children? Theo can’t accept that – she won’t. Despite being warned by Inspector Devaux to stay out of danger Theo instead throws herself headlong into the darkest of places. Will she survive? Or end up as a sacrifice to this killer who imagines himself a reincarnation of Gilles de Rais who was once in Joan of Arc’s army but later burned at the stake for his crimes against young children?
There is so much more to this novel than I’ve briefly touched on. This is one of those books that you want to take your time with. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Paris and I’m a fan of the darker side of things being a horror fan. The author weaved fact with fiction so effortlessly that it’s hard to tell where the truth ends and the story takes over. This is definitely not a novel for the faint of heart though and there were a few parts that I found disturbing but nevertheless it is a beautifully written and well told story. I had some issues getting into it at first but as the story evolved I was sucked completely in and sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for what would happen next. I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Hollie Jackson and I thought she did a fantastic job of bringing this story alive. I kept listening because I enjoyed her narration and I’m glad I did because ultimately I really enjoyed this novel.
Recommended for those who enjoy literary historical fiction and the mysterious darker side of Paris!
Floats the Dark Shadow by Yves Fey is set in Belle Epoque Paris in the 1890’s and the author vividly evokes all the sights and smells of this time in such a way that the reader feels they are walking the darkened streets themselves. This is a time filled with artists, poets, and writers and the author takes full advantage of this in the building of this story. Along with this is the seedier side of Paris full of dark magic and the occult and it is very, very dark and disturbing. Floats the Dark Shadow is a historical mystery that begs the reader to immerse themselves in its darkness, intrigue, and depravity.
Inspector Michel Devaux is investigating the disappearances of several children and this investigation is leading him deeper and deeper into the darker side of Paris. It also leads him to meeting Theo Faraday who is an American artist living in Paris. Their paths cross because of the missing children and Theo is just as determined to find out who is responsible as the Inspector is. Theo loves the city life and even more her cousin Averill who is a poet and introduces her to the wonderful side of Paris. As more children disappear – children that Theo knows – and the investigation deepens the fingers of accusation begin to point at Averill and Theo is devastated. Could it be that Averill is responsible for the horrific acts being carried out against children? Theo can’t accept that – she won’t. Despite being warned by Inspector Devaux to stay out of danger Theo instead throws herself headlong into the darkest of places. Will she survive? Or end up as a sacrifice to this killer who imagines himself a reincarnation of Gilles de Rais who was once in Joan of Arc’s army but later burned at the stake for his crimes against young children?
There is so much more to this novel than I’ve briefly touched on. This is one of those books that you want to take your time with. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Paris and I’m a fan of the darker side of things being a horror fan. The author weaved fact with fiction so effortlessly that it’s hard to tell where the truth ends and the story takes over. This is definitely not a novel for the faint of heart though and there were a few parts that I found disturbing but nevertheless it is a beautifully written and well told story. I had some issues getting into it at first but as the story evolved I was sucked completely in and sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for what would happen next. I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Hollie Jackson and I thought she did a fantastic job of bringing this story alive. I kept listening because I enjoyed her narration and I’m glad I did because ultimately I really enjoyed this novel.
Recommended for those who enjoy literary historical fiction and the mysterious darker side of Paris!
October 24, 2014
Floats the Dark Shadow is a historical novel in the late 1800's Paris. It is about the decadent art world that includes artists, poets and the dark arts. The background of the story features "Baron de Rais, who was a lord from Brittany, Anjou and Poitou, and a companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc in the 1400's. When Joan of Arc was burned to death it seems that Gilles de Rais loses it and turned to the occult and is later convicted as a serial killer of children, poor peasant children that the police don't think are important enough to even search for.
In this novel it appears that there is someone who is emulating Gilles de Rais and children turn up missing, most not found, but there is one little girl who is found in a cemetery. Theodora Faraday is a struggling American artist who is living with an aunt and uncle in Paris. She is in the same circle as writers, poets and artists in a time in Paris history that it was en-vogue to be in the circles of these people and their lifestyles. Most of these people are dark and brooding and living inside their heads so that their writings reflect their inner torments. Theo's cousin Averill is one of these tortured souls. She finds herself very attracted to Averill. Others in their circle include 'revenants' who Inspecteur Michel Devaux thinks is involved in the disappearance of the children, but which one? Michel Devaux has his own demons to fight along with searching for this despicable killer, but between the efforts of him and Theo hopefully the killer can be found.
I found this story to be well researched and told in such a descriptive way that it was easy to imagine how life was within the artist community. Dark and brooding for the most part but I think that when the occult is involved it certainly isn't rainbows and sunshine. The chapters that involved the killer, I found to be exceptionally chilling and scary. I love scary though so reading this book of a bygone era for me was exceptional. Doesn't hurt that I love reading about the occult either. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the cover of the book is gorgeous and mysterious. I highly recommend it!
In this novel it appears that there is someone who is emulating Gilles de Rais and children turn up missing, most not found, but there is one little girl who is found in a cemetery. Theodora Faraday is a struggling American artist who is living with an aunt and uncle in Paris. She is in the same circle as writers, poets and artists in a time in Paris history that it was en-vogue to be in the circles of these people and their lifestyles. Most of these people are dark and brooding and living inside their heads so that their writings reflect their inner torments. Theo's cousin Averill is one of these tortured souls. She finds herself very attracted to Averill. Others in their circle include 'revenants' who Inspecteur Michel Devaux thinks is involved in the disappearance of the children, but which one? Michel Devaux has his own demons to fight along with searching for this despicable killer, but between the efforts of him and Theo hopefully the killer can be found.
I found this story to be well researched and told in such a descriptive way that it was easy to imagine how life was within the artist community. Dark and brooding for the most part but I think that when the occult is involved it certainly isn't rainbows and sunshine. The chapters that involved the killer, I found to be exceptionally chilling and scary. I love scary though so reading this book of a bygone era for me was exceptional. Doesn't hurt that I love reading about the occult either. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the cover of the book is gorgeous and mysterious. I highly recommend it!
July 12, 2014
WOW!!
If ever I saw Paris as a romantic city filled with lovebirds, I now see different. This book has had me hooked for a long time. I almost never wanted it to end.
When I last visited Paris, I was too young and that fancy city tag stuck. But this book opened a newer and darker underbelly to Paris. It is dark. The book is dark. But how I loved it.
Theodora Faraday finds herself curious with the recent disappearances in Paris, nothing short of unsettling. She finds herself into the investigation along with the brooding detective Devaux. What obstacles do they run into? What macabre comes their way?
I absolutely loved the way the book was written. The way this book captures the dark and spins a wonderous tale around it is astounding. I have never read a book which had dark undertones but yet drew me to the city and had me reading about the city and making travel plans.
Yes, coming back to the story!! This story drew me in. Just like Theo, I was drawn into a world of Black Magic, discussions about Jeanne D'Arc and France. It made me rethink the way I've always thought the French would be. I found the poetry in this book to be astounding and I am usually not a fan of poetry. I enjoyed it in this book.
I found myself drawn into discussions which take place in the book. It is not too often when a book has discussions, especially if they happen to be in a catacomb, at midnight, which totally fascinate the reader and open up an entirely new world. Also, the characters which participated in these discussions often took opposing points of view, much like a debate and it felt like I was watching a debate happen right in front of me. And I watched! Rapt in attention!
This has been a great book! I do recommend this to anyone who would want to read a Historical or a Dark Mystery! Also anyone who perks up when they hear the name 'Paris'!!
Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
If ever I saw Paris as a romantic city filled with lovebirds, I now see different. This book has had me hooked for a long time. I almost never wanted it to end.
When I last visited Paris, I was too young and that fancy city tag stuck. But this book opened a newer and darker underbelly to Paris. It is dark. The book is dark. But how I loved it.
Theodora Faraday finds herself curious with the recent disappearances in Paris, nothing short of unsettling. She finds herself into the investigation along with the brooding detective Devaux. What obstacles do they run into? What macabre comes their way?
I absolutely loved the way the book was written. The way this book captures the dark and spins a wonderous tale around it is astounding. I have never read a book which had dark undertones but yet drew me to the city and had me reading about the city and making travel plans.
Yes, coming back to the story!! This story drew me in. Just like Theo, I was drawn into a world of Black Magic, discussions about Jeanne D'Arc and France. It made me rethink the way I've always thought the French would be. I found the poetry in this book to be astounding and I am usually not a fan of poetry. I enjoyed it in this book.
I found myself drawn into discussions which take place in the book. It is not too often when a book has discussions, especially if they happen to be in a catacomb, at midnight, which totally fascinate the reader and open up an entirely new world. Also, the characters which participated in these discussions often took opposing points of view, much like a debate and it felt like I was watching a debate happen right in front of me. And I watched! Rapt in attention!
This has been a great book! I do recommend this to anyone who would want to read a Historical or a Dark Mystery! Also anyone who perks up when they hear the name 'Paris'!!
Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
October 21, 2014
In Bel Epoque Paris, Inspector Michel Devaux has been given a tip about several missing children. The missing children are all street children, pickpocket, runners, children of the poor. Michel figures the consequences of their lives have simply caught up to them. American artist Theodora Faraday, part of a group of artists known as the Revenants, manages to save a young orphaned girl from a fire one night, only to have her cousin Averill find the girl brutally murdered and arranged in a gruesome artistic display the next day. Michel suspects that the girl might be connected to the other missing children, and now suspects members of the Revenants as the murderers.
A perfect historical mystery for this time of year, dark and intriguing. Floats the Dark Shadow brought me through the underbelly of Bell Epoque Paris, vivid descriptions of the catacombs, occult practices, medical examinations and the teachings of Taxil. I was also immersed into the beauty of the period with the vivid historical details of the buildings, artistry and people of the time which created a contrast for brutality of the murders. That being said, Yves Fey has not held back with the scenes involving the murderer and the chosen children, these scenes are horrific, yet just snapshots into the actions of the murderer. A colorful cast of characters, including many real historical figures, creates a clash between artistry and science as well as heart and mind as Theodora becomes involved with Michel. I loved the point of view of the murderer and actually wish that I could have read more. The murderer's obsession with Joan of Arc and the interwoven theme of fire. As in any well written mystery, Floats the Dark Shadow held me captivated through the end.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
A perfect historical mystery for this time of year, dark and intriguing. Floats the Dark Shadow brought me through the underbelly of Bell Epoque Paris, vivid descriptions of the catacombs, occult practices, medical examinations and the teachings of Taxil. I was also immersed into the beauty of the period with the vivid historical details of the buildings, artistry and people of the time which created a contrast for brutality of the murders. That being said, Yves Fey has not held back with the scenes involving the murderer and the chosen children, these scenes are horrific, yet just snapshots into the actions of the murderer. A colorful cast of characters, including many real historical figures, creates a clash between artistry and science as well as heart and mind as Theodora becomes involved with Michel. I loved the point of view of the murderer and actually wish that I could have read more. The murderer's obsession with Joan of Arc and the interwoven theme of fire. As in any well written mystery, Floats the Dark Shadow held me captivated through the end.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
October 23, 2014
This book's title, "Floats the Dark Shadow," itself makes this book sound dark and it is! The book is set in Paris during the Belle Epoque, which is an exciting and dangerous place. In the story, our main characters, Michel and young American painter Theodora, are faced with solving a series of gruesome crimes. The killer is somebody who fancies himself to be the reincarnation of one of the most famous and dangerous serial killers ever. This book is definitely dark and definitely not for the faint of heart but if you're looking for something exciting that will keep you turning the pages, this just may be a perfect pick so close to Halloween!
While this book took me a little bit of time to get into, it picks up very quickly as Theodora finds herself on the front lines with this most dangerous killer. I thought that it was a really interesting idea that the killer believes himself to be a reincarnation of one of Joan of Arc's lieutenants gone bad. It definitely made for an intriguing storyline!
This book was definitely suspenseful and definitely had a good deal of mystery going on! I liked how the author was able to keep us guessing with how our heroes were going to solve the crime. This definitely kept me on my toes! I also really liked how Paris itself almost becomes a character in this book. This Paris is not the city of lights, it is more like this idea of darkness and depravity. Overall, I ended up really enjoying this book.
While this book took me a little bit of time to get into, it picks up very quickly as Theodora finds herself on the front lines with this most dangerous killer. I thought that it was a really interesting idea that the killer believes himself to be a reincarnation of one of Joan of Arc's lieutenants gone bad. It definitely made for an intriguing storyline!
This book was definitely suspenseful and definitely had a good deal of mystery going on! I liked how the author was able to keep us guessing with how our heroes were going to solve the crime. This definitely kept me on my toes! I also really liked how Paris itself almost becomes a character in this book. This Paris is not the city of lights, it is more like this idea of darkness and depravity. Overall, I ended up really enjoying this book.
April 11, 2017
A dark, atmospheric story set in Belle Époque (1871-1914) fin de siècle Paris in which the city life is described in such depth and detail I was left breathless. Featuring young Theoroda Faraday, an American transplant to Paris from Mill Valley, California and also an artist who struggles to develop her artistic instincts while becoming embroiled in a police inquiry into missing and murdered children victims of satanic rituals. Also, Theodora’s cousin Averill, a romantic interest, and the police inspector Michel Devaux, who suspects the involvement of the Revenants, visible ghosts or animated corpse that are believed to return from the grave to terrorize the living. Chapter after chapter amazes and brings to life Faraday’s life and struggles through vivid little details such as the éclairs, and other offerings in the patisserie on Place du Tertre that had me salivating. The scene in the catacombs and the later description of the horrible fire at the Bazar de la Charite and the rituals of the Black Mass were particularly well drawn. The street argot used throughout the novel is effective, if somewhat confusing, while the occult references where often a distraction. Overall, an impeccably researched, and intriguing historical novel, though not for the faint of heart, with a satisfying ending.
December 18, 2013
This is an outstanding piece of work! I was drawn in to the romantic world of late nineteenth century France.
The scenery is well developed through the characters’ eyes with an artist’s eye for detail. The scenery and characters work well together in this story. Each developing the other in fantastic detail.
Theo spends quite a bit of her time being naïve regarding the world around her. She thinks of herself as a worldly woman. An artist of Paris. Only through her trials and adventures, is she able to see how small and childlike she truly is and overcome these traits.
The cover wasn’t attention grabbing, the grayscale staircase is interesting, but as a whole it simply cries out, “I am a mystery novel.” The artwork is nice and pleasing to look at but, on a shelf in a mystery section of a bookstore, would simply blend in. This, however, is the only flaw I could find for the entire book.
This is certainly worth the read for anyone who appreciates mysteries, talented authors, well written characters, Parisian history, Occultism, or any combination of these.
I am very impressed overall with this entire book. My rating of 5 stars is because, if the only thing I can find lacking in a book is a cover that doesn’t catch my eye at first glance then, this is a book that certainly ranks as a MUST READ on my list.
The scenery is well developed through the characters’ eyes with an artist’s eye for detail. The scenery and characters work well together in this story. Each developing the other in fantastic detail.
Theo spends quite a bit of her time being naïve regarding the world around her. She thinks of herself as a worldly woman. An artist of Paris. Only through her trials and adventures, is she able to see how small and childlike she truly is and overcome these traits.
The cover wasn’t attention grabbing, the grayscale staircase is interesting, but as a whole it simply cries out, “I am a mystery novel.” The artwork is nice and pleasing to look at but, on a shelf in a mystery section of a bookstore, would simply blend in. This, however, is the only flaw I could find for the entire book.
This is certainly worth the read for anyone who appreciates mysteries, talented authors, well written characters, Parisian history, Occultism, or any combination of these.
I am very impressed overall with this entire book. My rating of 5 stars is because, if the only thing I can find lacking in a book is a cover that doesn’t catch my eye at first glance then, this is a book that certainly ranks as a MUST READ on my list.
October 17, 2014
Every October I try to read something dark, creepy and mysterious, just my small way to celebrate Halloween. Figured this book would fit the bill perfectly. I knew going into this book that there were scenes of violence. Taking place in Paris in the 1890's this book was not a fast read, but rather one that I needed to really concentrate on. The days are dark in Paris, children are missing and being murdered. Yves Fey definitely knows her way around this city and time period, she told a chilly tale full of suspense, mystery and the occult. Her descriptions of the city were so vivid with the sights and smells that I had no problem visualizing what was going on. Her character building was spot on, there was depth and intrigue with each of them.
This book was an audio for me and I think that I might have enjoyed it more if I had read the book. If I let my mind wander I missed something (and need to rewind, which happened a couple times). My problem with the audio was the pacing, the readers voice was fine but I found it way too slow. This is a 340 page book and came in at 17 hours and 44 minutes (which imo was too long), I upped the speed a little and it was fine after that.
It was definitely not a genre that I read often, but I am glad that I did, it kept me on my toes and glued to my iPod. This is the authors debut and she is off to a great start.
This book was an audio for me and I think that I might have enjoyed it more if I had read the book. If I let my mind wander I missed something (and need to rewind, which happened a couple times). My problem with the audio was the pacing, the readers voice was fine but I found it way too slow. This is a 340 page book and came in at 17 hours and 44 minutes (which imo was too long), I upped the speed a little and it was fine after that.
It was definitely not a genre that I read often, but I am glad that I did, it kept me on my toes and glued to my iPod. This is the authors debut and she is off to a great start.
March 12, 2014
I read this book while sitting on a beach in Mexico and should probably mention that it's not really a beach read ;)
This is a dark story, very dark in fact. It's also incredibly intriguing and hard to put down. The atrocities that are being committed to abducted children are unthinkable and can truly only be committed by an absolute monster. The central character, Theo, realizes it has to be one of her friends and then you really start wondering. How could a group of 20 something well to do artists have one of their own being involved in such horrific acts?
Theo sets about to do her own investigating, all the while being very worried that it could be her darling cousin who's she's completely in love who could be the culprit.
Set in old school Paris - think horse & carriage and no such thing as DNA - catching this killer requires old school police work, solid instincts and a lot of bravery.
I found it very difficult to put this book down once I got into it because I just HAD to know who the murderer was. I recommend this for any lover of a mystery but prepare yourself for some gruesome scenes. It's not for the faint of heart.
This is a dark story, very dark in fact. It's also incredibly intriguing and hard to put down. The atrocities that are being committed to abducted children are unthinkable and can truly only be committed by an absolute monster. The central character, Theo, realizes it has to be one of her friends and then you really start wondering. How could a group of 20 something well to do artists have one of their own being involved in such horrific acts?
Theo sets about to do her own investigating, all the while being very worried that it could be her darling cousin who's she's completely in love who could be the culprit.
Set in old school Paris - think horse & carriage and no such thing as DNA - catching this killer requires old school police work, solid instincts and a lot of bravery.
I found it very difficult to put this book down once I got into it because I just HAD to know who the murderer was. I recommend this for any lover of a mystery but prepare yourself for some gruesome scenes. It's not for the faint of heart.
May 30, 2014
Floats the Dark Shadow is a mystery set in the Belle Epoque era in France. Theodora Faraday is an American artist living in France. Children she knows begins to go missing, and she is very afraid that her cousin, Averill, or one of the other Revenants is involved.
Inspector Michel Devaux is suspicious of the Revenants. Over the course of time, Theo and Michel team together to solve the mystery and uncover a darkness in Paris that stands in stark contrast to the beauty of the era.
This story was one that was hard to put down. The characters are fully drawn and believable, and the mystery kept me guessing up to the last few pages. I loved the descriptions of the city and the period, and while the scenes involving the children were hard to read, they were also well-done (maybe that's why they were so hard to read!) I especially liked the way the relationship was changing between Devaux and Theo. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and seeing where the author takes these two oh-so-different people next.
Inspector Michel Devaux is suspicious of the Revenants. Over the course of time, Theo and Michel team together to solve the mystery and uncover a darkness in Paris that stands in stark contrast to the beauty of the era.
This story was one that was hard to put down. The characters are fully drawn and believable, and the mystery kept me guessing up to the last few pages. I loved the descriptions of the city and the period, and while the scenes involving the children were hard to read, they were also well-done (maybe that's why they were so hard to read!) I especially liked the way the relationship was changing between Devaux and Theo. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and seeing where the author takes these two oh-so-different people next.
June 10, 2014
I am so excited... I have just found a new series and I love it! If you are a fan of Caleb Carr's The Alienist or like Anne Perry's Inspector Monk series, give this new series a try.
Children have gone missing and there seems to be a link between them and the Revenants. Theo Faraday and Inspector Michel Devaux form an alliance to try to solve these murders--Theo, because she hopes to prove that it's not her cousin that's behind them.
The book is not only beautifully written, evoking the beauty of Paris, it's also a darn good mystery. The reader right with the main characters as they work through the clues. And, there is more than one mystery to solve so the clues have to be carefully sifted to see where they belong.
One of the reasons I really liked this book is that the characters are just wonderfully rich. They both have full back stories that are slowly brought out by the author and that explain their present. There is growth in them and they develop a respect for each other. I'm looking forward to further books in this series to see more interaction between these two.
Children have gone missing and there seems to be a link between them and the Revenants. Theo Faraday and Inspector Michel Devaux form an alliance to try to solve these murders--Theo, because she hopes to prove that it's not her cousin that's behind them.
The book is not only beautifully written, evoking the beauty of Paris, it's also a darn good mystery. The reader right with the main characters as they work through the clues. And, there is more than one mystery to solve so the clues have to be carefully sifted to see where they belong.
One of the reasons I really liked this book is that the characters are just wonderfully rich. They both have full back stories that are slowly brought out by the author and that explain their present. There is growth in them and they develop a respect for each other. I'm looking forward to further books in this series to see more interaction between these two.
April 25, 2014
If I'm gonna talk honestly I wasn't expect nothing for this book. I totally have no idea how did I started to reading this book but I did.. Last week I lost my grandma and I have to go her village immediately with my family. Yesterday I came back to my home. And I started to read my emails and opened my mails.Anyways lets started to disscuss the book.
Like I said I wasn't expect anything. Because it was a kind of new genre to me. I usually don't read Horror with Mystery or Historical or both but I read. I think I like it. I like it when you came to Paris to become an Artist. But there something going on and you twisted to Sherlock Holmes right away.. The End was surprised me but it's fitting the story. Also in the same time I'm sad that Averill not happy. I wished him happy :/
All Art,sacrifices,mystery and others made me realized different things. Yves Fey did a great job on this book. I'm glad to reading this one.
April 21, 2014
Once I began reading Floats the Dark Shadow, I was so immersed in Belle Époque Paris that I felt I could see the dark streets, smell the perfumes, and taste the gritty air. Yves Fey's writing is authentic and lyrical, using masterful strokes much as Theo, the main character of her book, does with her art.
The story opens with the crime. Children are disappearing from the streets of Paris, and not much is being done to find out what's happening to them. Inspector Michel Devaux gets involved in the case, and as he works to find the criminals, the reader is led into a dark underground society.
Part history, part mystery, and part occult, this novel will keep you reading late into the night.
I was lucky enough to get to a copy of this award winning book in exchange for an honest review.
The story opens with the crime. Children are disappearing from the streets of Paris, and not much is being done to find out what's happening to them. Inspector Michel Devaux gets involved in the case, and as he works to find the criminals, the reader is led into a dark underground society.
Part history, part mystery, and part occult, this novel will keep you reading late into the night.
I was lucky enough to get to a copy of this award winning book in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2013
A lot of care went into making this story believable and I think it was accomplished extremely well. The author had a gift for very accurately capturing the scenes and settings of Paris. It started a little slow but before you knew it you were thrown into a mystery with of course some good and shady characters. At times I wasn't always sure who I could trust so it made for some fun guessing. It was pretty fast paced, and as a historical fiction fan it was always fun to see references littered throughout. The ending summed it all up quite nicely to leave a pleasant taste in my mouth oover this one.
November 3, 2013
Floats the Dark Shadow by Yves Fey is a very good read. I found it very suspenseful and I loved the mystery element to it! The characters are well developed and I found myself falling in love with their characters even the bad ones. I found no noticeable grammar or spelling errors which to me is a big plus. I absolutely love the book cover as well. It pulled me in by just looking at it. I think this author did a very good job and I would love to read any of her other works. I would recommend this book to any of my friends who liked mystery or thrillers in general.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews