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Martine LeDuc #2
Deadly Jewels
Who can you trust when you make an international discovery that’s to die for?
When Martine LeDuc, publicity director for the city of Montréal, is summoned into the mayor's office, she's pleasantly surprised to find the city is due for a PR coup: a doctoral researcher at McGill University claims to have found proof that the British crown jewels were stored in Montréal during WWII.
Martine is thrilled to be part of the excavation project, until it turns out that the dig's discoveries include the skeleton of a man with diamonds in his ribcage and a hole in his skull. Is this decades-old murder leading her too far into the dangerous world of Canada’s neo-Nazi networks, or is there something going on that makes the jewels themselves deadly? Is history ever really completely buried?
With pressing personal issues crowding into her professional life, Martine needs to solve not only the puzzle of the jewels, but some more recent crimes—including another murder, a kidnapping, and the operation of an ancient cult in Montréal—and do it before the past reaches out to silence her for good.
When Martine LeDuc, publicity director for the city of Montréal, is summoned into the mayor's office, she's pleasantly surprised to find the city is due for a PR coup: a doctoral researcher at McGill University claims to have found proof that the British crown jewels were stored in Montréal during WWII.
Martine is thrilled to be part of the excavation project, until it turns out that the dig's discoveries include the skeleton of a man with diamonds in his ribcage and a hole in his skull. Is this decades-old murder leading her too far into the dangerous world of Canada’s neo-Nazi networks, or is there something going on that makes the jewels themselves deadly? Is history ever really completely buried?
With pressing personal issues crowding into her professional life, Martine needs to solve not only the puzzle of the jewels, but some more recent crimes—including another murder, a kidnapping, and the operation of an ancient cult in Montréal—and do it before the past reaches out to silence her for good.
340 pages, Hardcover
First published March 8, 2016
8 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
About the author
Jeannette de Beauvoir
27 books342 followersJeannette de Beauvoir is the bestselling author of the Sydney Riley (Provincetown) mystery series and the Martine LeDuc (Montréal) mystery series. She also writes some historical fiction out of a true love of the past and a desire to make her decades of student loan payments for history degrees make sense.
She always writes about strong and smart female protagonists, perhaps in the hope that one day she'll be more like them.
She lives in a small cottage at the tip of Cape Cod and begins her days with a walk on the beach. Well, most days. February is a little challenging.
She always writes about strong and smart female protagonists, perhaps in the hope that one day she'll be more like them.
She lives in a small cottage at the tip of Cape Cod and begins her days with a walk on the beach. Well, most days. February is a little challenging.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 15, 2016
Wow! When I got to read an advance copy of Jeanette de Beauvoir's first mystery in the Martine Leduc series last year -- Asylum -- I said it was an unexpected treat. And Deadly Jewels -- the second book in the series -- is an even better treat -- although maybe not so unexpected this time. The setting and characters alone predispose me favourably toward this series. The series is set in Montreal, in parts of the city very familiar to me. De Beauvoir really brings out the bilingual multicultural feel of Montreal. And Martine Leduc is smart, strong willed and likeable. In this book, de Beauvoir weaves past and present together, focusing the mystery on an archeological find that dredges up events during WWII and some current neo-Nazi activity in Montreal. The plot strands seem disparate, but end up coming together nicely. When I reviewed de Beauvoir's first book on GR, I commented that although I really liked it, it did feel like a first novel. This one feels like a much more advanced offering. I will definitely read de Beauvoir's future books. I note again that I am susceptible to being completely biased in my views of this book because I love de Beauvoir's depiction of Montreal. But I'll take a chance and recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries with strong smart female protagonists in interesting settings. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
February 27, 2016
Positives:
-historical aspect was interesting and new to me
-Canadian setting
-unique take on Nazi power
Negatives:
-maybe too much going on/too many elements
-characters felt a little stiff, not human enough
-took awhile for me to get into the storyline
Overall, I liked this book but didn't fall head over heels for it. I was sick while reading the majority of it, so maybe that partly influenced my feelings. I just couldn't seem to get below the surface so to speak. It's a second in a series (and i knew that when i requested it) so maybe if I had read the first one before I would've felt more in tune with the characters.
Martine, our amateur sleuth, is a PR official in her city and gets tangled with a grad student doing a story on the crown jewels of England and WWII. There's a mystery, a little history, and few egotistical men thrown in with a couple of teenage kids. It's interesting and different from the usual mysteries with a historical bend that I read.
I think this author has potential, and I would read other books written by her.
**Many thanks to NetGalley & St Martin's Press for an advance readers copy**
-historical aspect was interesting and new to me
-Canadian setting
-unique take on Nazi power
Negatives:
-maybe too much going on/too many elements
-characters felt a little stiff, not human enough
-took awhile for me to get into the storyline
Overall, I liked this book but didn't fall head over heels for it. I was sick while reading the majority of it, so maybe that partly influenced my feelings. I just couldn't seem to get below the surface so to speak. It's a second in a series (and i knew that when i requested it) so maybe if I had read the first one before I would've felt more in tune with the characters.
Martine, our amateur sleuth, is a PR official in her city and gets tangled with a grad student doing a story on the crown jewels of England and WWII. There's a mystery, a little history, and few egotistical men thrown in with a couple of teenage kids. It's interesting and different from the usual mysteries with a historical bend that I read.
I think this author has potential, and I would read other books written by her.
**Many thanks to NetGalley & St Martin's Press for an advance readers copy**
December 31, 2015
Deadly Jewels is the second book in the Martine LeDuc series by author Jeannette de Beauvoir. I discovered this series last year with the first book, Asylum, which is an incredible book that was very close to my heart. Deadly Jewels is a fabulous follow up.
Jeannette de Beauvoir has created a fascinating character in Martine LeDuc. The reader is very involved in her personal life as well as her business life. Martine is the PR director for the City of Montreal in the Province of Quebec. It is a lovely historic city that de Beauvoir portrays very realistically.
There is a fantastic mystery in Deadly Jewels. I love history and de Beauvoir takes us back to World War II in flashbacks. I did not know that England's crown jewels spent the war years in Canada. I had not heard that tale before. Very interesting. There is an old murder, a new one, kidnapping, and Nazis. De Beauvoir is a great writer and this mystery kept me glued to the pages. I did not want to put it down. I was completely surprised by the ending!
Jeannette de Beauvoir is one of my new favorite authors! I'm already looking forward to the third book in the series. I highly recommend Deadly Jewels.
Jeannette de Beauvoir has created a fascinating character in Martine LeDuc. The reader is very involved in her personal life as well as her business life. Martine is the PR director for the City of Montreal in the Province of Quebec. It is a lovely historic city that de Beauvoir portrays very realistically.
There is a fantastic mystery in Deadly Jewels. I love history and de Beauvoir takes us back to World War II in flashbacks. I did not know that England's crown jewels spent the war years in Canada. I had not heard that tale before. Very interesting. There is an old murder, a new one, kidnapping, and Nazis. De Beauvoir is a great writer and this mystery kept me glued to the pages. I did not want to put it down. I was completely surprised by the ending!
Jeannette de Beauvoir is one of my new favorite authors! I'm already looking forward to the third book in the series. I highly recommend Deadly Jewels.
April 6, 2016
In Jeannette de Beauvoir's Asylum, I learned about the horrific real life events of the Duplessis orphans while reading a murder mystery set in current day Montreal. In Deadly Jewels she again skillfully uses the technique of blending little-known history into fiction to tell the story. This time it’s the British crown jewels, which were secretly shipped to Montreal for safekeeping during WWII. Deadly Jewels involves the murder of a doctoral student, the tunnels under the city of Montreal, neo-Nazis, the occult, and some Holocaust survivors.
The main character, Martine LeDuc, publicity director for the city, is sympathetic and likeable, but I have to admit I’m developing a bit of a literary crush on her side-kick, the suave détective-lieutenant Julian Fletcher. As with her earlier novel, the city of Montreal actually becomes a living, breathing character, with the author's lively and clear descriptions of the city and its bilingual culture.
This was a fun, interesting read. Although characters from de Beauvoir’s first novel return, you can read Deadly Jewels without having to read Asylum first (although I recommend that book too). 4.5 stars.
The main character, Martine LeDuc, publicity director for the city, is sympathetic and likeable, but I have to admit I’m developing a bit of a literary crush on her side-kick, the suave détective-lieutenant Julian Fletcher. As with her earlier novel, the city of Montreal actually becomes a living, breathing character, with the author's lively and clear descriptions of the city and its bilingual culture.
This was a fun, interesting read. Although characters from de Beauvoir’s first novel return, you can read Deadly Jewels without having to read Asylum first (although I recommend that book too). 4.5 stars.
April 15, 2016
If you are not familiar with the series by this Montreal author, I recommend you read "Asylum" first, although " Deadly Jewels" can stand alone. I scanned parts of "Asylum" again, just to refresh my memory. Both books are based within the historical context of Montreal, with a close link to Boston, where Martine LeDuc's husband is from, and her two stepchildren live most of the time with their mother, although spending alternate weekends and a summer month in Montreal.
More interesting history comes to life, along with evolving human relationships, as Ivan's ex-wife who was a pediatrician, wants to work with Doctors without Borders, meaning the children would live full time in Montreal. There are interlocking stories from WW2, both the British Crown Jewels and billions in wealth being secretly convoyed across the Atlantic and sequestered in a vault under one of Montreal's large insurance companies, and the stories of Jews in Europe and in camps and what follows them to new countries. The threads intertwine through a threat of terrorism, the arcane powers of magic, and the beautiful settings of Montreal.
More interesting history comes to life, along with evolving human relationships, as Ivan's ex-wife who was a pediatrician, wants to work with Doctors without Borders, meaning the children would live full time in Montreal. There are interlocking stories from WW2, both the British Crown Jewels and billions in wealth being secretly convoyed across the Atlantic and sequestered in a vault under one of Montreal's large insurance companies, and the stories of Jews in Europe and in camps and what follows them to new countries. The threads intertwine through a threat of terrorism, the arcane powers of magic, and the beautiful settings of Montreal.
July 13, 2016
The historical context was fascinating & so informative. From the flyleaf you have no idea what the story involves like focus magic, ley lines in North America to the underground city that Montreal is built over. Many interesting facts how the Crown Jewels were dismantled by Queen Elizabeth & her sister as children & smuggled out of England to studies done on 2nd & 3rd generation children of survivors of concentration camps.
July 12, 2016
Jeannette de Beauvoir is a master at keeping the ball in the air. I love this series!
It's awesome to feel so much affection for a character, and Martine LeDuc jumps off the page. I love the way the flashbacks are seamlessly wound into the story. It's going to torture waiting for the next book.
It's awesome to feel so much affection for a character, and Martine LeDuc jumps off the page. I love the way the flashbacks are seamlessly wound into the story. It's going to torture waiting for the next book.
April 26, 2016
It began with wit and charm and a fascinating premise, not to mention locale, for a mystery. But for this reader, it got bogged down by a 'mystical' red herring that I could have done without.
Didn't live up to its promise but was still a likeable read.
Didn't live up to its promise but was still a likeable read.
December 24, 2019
Entertaining crime/mystery fiction based on true events connected to WWII, as well as referential to modern politics.
A Canadian public relations official (Martine LeDuc) happens into crime-solving circumstance by way of historical time-of-war occurrences which lead to the modern intrigue that has potential to shake the public interest as well as the organization she represents.
The story (#2 in the Martine LeDuc series) stands alone, opening with adequate introduction to the main character's basic motivations and everyday environment. Readers receive backstory information regarding LeDuc and her usual peripheral characters, through apt integration of their major life events as the drama unique to Deadly Jewels unfolds.
UK, German, and Canadian locales and interests dominate, with relevant reference to Boston and New York City, as character development takes readers around the world on a plot that spans decades (if not centuries) of real events (the economics of war, primarily); presented—as in life—with a tinge of conspiracy.
While it may be too much for some, fans and followers of occult lore won't be disappointed in the incorporation of that dynamic as it fits into both this fiction account and true events of the past and present.
After reading, I especially appreciated the author's afterword—a detailing of the inspiration, process, and fiction vs. nonfiction elements of the story. (Be sure to save it for last.)
A Canadian public relations official (Martine LeDuc) happens into crime-solving circumstance by way of historical time-of-war occurrences which lead to the modern intrigue that has potential to shake the public interest as well as the organization she represents.
The story (#2 in the Martine LeDuc series) stands alone, opening with adequate introduction to the main character's basic motivations and everyday environment. Readers receive backstory information regarding LeDuc and her usual peripheral characters, through apt integration of their major life events as the drama unique to Deadly Jewels unfolds.
UK, German, and Canadian locales and interests dominate, with relevant reference to Boston and New York City, as character development takes readers around the world on a plot that spans decades (if not centuries) of real events (the economics of war, primarily); presented—as in life—with a tinge of conspiracy.
While it may be too much for some, fans and followers of occult lore won't be disappointed in the incorporation of that dynamic as it fits into both this fiction account and true events of the past and present.
After reading, I especially appreciated the author's afterword—a detailing of the inspiration, process, and fiction vs. nonfiction elements of the story. (Be sure to save it for last.)
January 27, 2025
I liked this book well enough that it disappoints me there are no more Martine LeDuc books to read. At least not yet: what do you say, Jeannette de Beauvoir?) both this book and the previous show us present-day Montreal and its politics plus a somewhat-forgotten incident from the dangerous past that’s having deadly repercussions in the present. They also show the intricacies of a blended, interfaith family with two working parents. I appreciated all that.
The agnosticism about whether Hitler was right to think the British Crown Jewels had some kind of magical power—specifically, to raise the dead—bothered me immensely. The book didn’t need that, and only the fact that nothing in the plot really hinged on it saved the story for me.
The agnosticism about whether Hitler was right to think the British Crown Jewels had some kind of magical power—specifically, to raise the dead—bothered me immensely. The book didn’t need that, and only the fact that nothing in the plot really hinged on it saved the story for me.
June 10, 2017
A fun read. Even learned about Montreal, city undergrounds, Canadian politics. A case where a young woman finds jewels that may be part of he Crown Jewels sent to Canada during WWII, (urban legend?). As PR director Martine Le Duc sets about trying to find out who killed her, along with a city detective. Interesting study of Nazi groups and Jewish isolationists. The plot involves questions about the maternal role and the work relationship where Martine's Assistant Richard is the second in command. Role reversal. The struggle between a calling and being a parent.
The story is fine but the ending was somewhat too formulaic. I'd read another of her.
The story is fine but the ending was somewhat too formulaic. I'd read another of her.
November 11, 2018
Found this at a Dollar Store which should have been a warning. After wading through pages of historical hocus-pocus filler, it finally fizzled to a merciful end. One thought that stayed with me - The ex-wife's decision to shove her two children on her ex-husband and second wife (with her clear statements about not wanting to be a full-time parent) is portrayed as the undeniable and commendable desire for her fulfillment which the Me-Only Me generation understands. So there's no way she can work in Boston and stay with her children?
Thought I had discovered another Louise Penney of the Inspector Gamache novels but not even close.
Thought I had discovered another Louise Penney of the Inspector Gamache novels but not even close.
December 8, 2024
This book follows the shipping of gold, monetary documents and the Crown Jewels from England early WWII to Canada, arriving in Halifax then finally to Montreal.
One story line is the German attempts to steal the jewels by replacing them with artificial ones, and a German agent gets killed - hence the ‘deadly jewels’. The main story line is Montreal’s publicity director Martine Le Duc’s involvement in the investigation of the corpse, along with Detective Lieutenant Julian Fletcher, as in the first book by de Beauvoir, Asylum.
Always interesting to read Canadian and you’ll enjoy this if you know Montreal.
A very good read.
One story line is the German attempts to steal the jewels by replacing them with artificial ones, and a German agent gets killed - hence the ‘deadly jewels’. The main story line is Montreal’s publicity director Martine Le Duc’s involvement in the investigation of the corpse, along with Detective Lieutenant Julian Fletcher, as in the first book by de Beauvoir, Asylum.
Always interesting to read Canadian and you’ll enjoy this if you know Montreal.
A very good read.
August 6, 2018
I thought this book was well done. Adding in real history with fiction, and having an intriguing murder mystery.. perfect combination. The characters were all great. They all had their quirks. I enjoyed the back stories of the characters during war time. Was really neat.
Very much enjoyed this story, and will read again.
Very much enjoyed this story, and will read again.
August 20, 2019
This book was really good. I enjoyed reading this and hope to see more in this series.
April 7, 2021
This is a great mystery steeped in truth involving the Crown Jewels.
May 10, 2024
Entertaining read.
February 27, 2017
2.5 stars. It took awhile for me to get into the book. Once I did, I found it to be a quick read. However, there were a number of errors & discrepancies which detracted from the book. As a native Montrealer, I found these to be annoying. I found the author ended the book a little too quickly & a little far-fetched. Don't think I will read another one by her.
June 22, 2016
Martine LeDuc is a publicity director for the city of Montreal. When Patricia Mason, a doctoral student at McGill University, tells her that the British crown jewels were stored in the Sun Life building in Montreal during World War II, and that some of the gems might have been stolen, Martine has no choice but to investigate to avoid a PR disaster. Soon they find a skeleton and 3 jewels in the underground tunnels beneath the city. Martine decides to ask her friend Julian Fletcher, a police detective, for help, especially since the case turns out to involve murders, death threats, disappearances, and a kidnapping. Will Martine and Julian be able to uncover what happened during the war, as well as where the missing jewels are?
Deadly Jewels is the second book in the Martine LeDuc series. It is a fast-paced mystery and an engrossing historical fiction at the same time. Most of the story is told in the present from Martine’s point of view, but at the end of each chapter, there are flashbacks happening during World War II, and dealing with Hans Peterson, a German spy in Montreal, and Elias Kaspi, a Jewish jeweler in Europe. Historically speaking, the book is really interesting, and I especially liked the details about Operation Fish (the secret transfer of British wealth to Canada during WWII), and the connection between the Nazis and the occult. Jeannette de Beauvoir must have done a lot of research, and it shows.
However, one aspect of the story felt overlooked, as the disappearance of Marcus Lévigne, a police captain and expert on Nazism, doesn’t seem to worry Julian and Martine too much. In addition, there were some inconsistencies in the book: for example, in chapter 32, Ivan leaves a note saying he’s at the casino, but Martine looks at his sleeping form a few pages later. This might be due to the fact that I had an advanced reading copy of the novel. Hopefully, these kinds of errors have been fixed in the final edition.On the whole though, this was an enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series.
Deadly Jewels was sent to me for free in exchange for an honest review.
To read the full review, please go to my blog (Cecile Sune - Book Obsessed).
Deadly Jewels is the second book in the Martine LeDuc series. It is a fast-paced mystery and an engrossing historical fiction at the same time. Most of the story is told in the present from Martine’s point of view, but at the end of each chapter, there are flashbacks happening during World War II, and dealing with Hans Peterson, a German spy in Montreal, and Elias Kaspi, a Jewish jeweler in Europe. Historically speaking, the book is really interesting, and I especially liked the details about Operation Fish (the secret transfer of British wealth to Canada during WWII), and the connection between the Nazis and the occult. Jeannette de Beauvoir must have done a lot of research, and it shows.
However, one aspect of the story felt overlooked, as the disappearance of Marcus Lévigne, a police captain and expert on Nazism, doesn’t seem to worry Julian and Martine too much. In addition, there were some inconsistencies in the book: for example, in chapter 32, Ivan leaves a note saying he’s at the casino, but Martine looks at his sleeping form a few pages later. This might be due to the fact that I had an advanced reading copy of the novel. Hopefully, these kinds of errors have been fixed in the final edition.On the whole though, this was an enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series.
Deadly Jewels was sent to me for free in exchange for an honest review.
To read the full review, please go to my blog (Cecile Sune - Book Obsessed).
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May 2, 2016Deadly Jewels is a gem.
Jeannette de Beauvoir’s second novel in the Martine LeDuc series combines mystery, politics, history, and step-children in a finely woven tale. There are a number of unexpected twists that enhance what would be an intriguing story in its own right: the transport and storage of Great Britain’s assets during the Second World War. Among these displaced treasures are the Crown Jewels, whose presence in Canada is the subject of speculation.
A grisly discovery decades later sets numerous forces in play, and Martine is the perfect narrator as the story unfolds. She’s savvy, compassionate, and politically astute. One of her most attractive attributes is how easy it is to identify with her whether you are male or female. She’s concerned with family, committed to her job, and troubled by the inequities and injustices she sees around her. It’s not until you examine all the expectations she handles with such apparent ease that you realize that even when there no murder to be solved, this lady is a powerhouse. In a character with less humanity, this could be a tiresome trait that might make her seem sanctimonious. For Martine, because she’s so beautifully drawn, and so very, very human, it’s a wellspring of affinity.
The plot is intricate and elegant. I’m hesitant to say anything more in fear of giving things away. This is a book to be savored from start to finish as each new development urges you on. The imagery is captivating, whether the beauty and culture of old Montréal or the underground tunnels and streams that hide more than one secret. Ms. de Beauvoir’s love of the city and painstaking research round out a story that will hold your attention and leave you surprised and eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Jeannette de Beauvoir’s second novel in the Martine LeDuc series combines mystery, politics, history, and step-children in a finely woven tale. There are a number of unexpected twists that enhance what would be an intriguing story in its own right: the transport and storage of Great Britain’s assets during the Second World War. Among these displaced treasures are the Crown Jewels, whose presence in Canada is the subject of speculation.
A grisly discovery decades later sets numerous forces in play, and Martine is the perfect narrator as the story unfolds. She’s savvy, compassionate, and politically astute. One of her most attractive attributes is how easy it is to identify with her whether you are male or female. She’s concerned with family, committed to her job, and troubled by the inequities and injustices she sees around her. It’s not until you examine all the expectations she handles with such apparent ease that you realize that even when there no murder to be solved, this lady is a powerhouse. In a character with less humanity, this could be a tiresome trait that might make her seem sanctimonious. For Martine, because she’s so beautifully drawn, and so very, very human, it’s a wellspring of affinity.
The plot is intricate and elegant. I’m hesitant to say anything more in fear of giving things away. This is a book to be savored from start to finish as each new development urges you on. The imagery is captivating, whether the beauty and culture of old Montréal or the underground tunnels and streams that hide more than one secret. Ms. de Beauvoir’s love of the city and painstaking research round out a story that will hold your attention and leave you surprised and eagerly awaiting the next installment.
April 7, 2016
In the darkest hours of WWII when invasion of Britain by the Nazis was expected, Winston Churchill decided to send the wealth of the nation from harm's way. This included the Crown Jewels which the Royal family hand removed from their settings and placed in hat boxes. Fast forward to present time and a graduate student has discovered not all of the jewels were returned to England at the end of the war. A body is also discovered with the jewels and the remainder of the book goes back and forth between the war and today, telling the stories of the people involved in the deceit and those who lives are impacted by the discovery.
It is interesting how the inter-generational webs are handled as each family involved is touched by the mystery. The family dynamics in present time are really well done and keeps the reader on his or her toes.
It is a good solid story with some historical inaccuracies but they are well forgiven in the greater scheme. There is just enough fact to make the reader wonder:. I know there were unexpected twists to the story that caught me off-guard including the revelation of the murderer and the reason why.
For those who enjoy historical fiction, this should be on your reading list.
It is interesting how the inter-generational webs are handled as each family involved is touched by the mystery. The family dynamics in present time are really well done and keeps the reader on his or her toes.
It is a good solid story with some historical inaccuracies but they are well forgiven in the greater scheme. There is just enough fact to make the reader wonder:. I know there were unexpected twists to the story that caught me off-guard including the revelation of the murderer and the reason why.
For those who enjoy historical fiction, this should be on your reading list.
August 30, 2016
During WW2, it is rumored that the English royal family stored the crown jewels in Montreal....or a cave in Wales, with great secrecy from the Germans and the English people. Based in part on a true story as well as true rumors. This novel plays on the idea that it was Montreal where the jewels were stored, dismantled and sent in hatboxes. Martine LeDuc, directoire of publicite for the City of Montreal is summoned to a meeting with various officials and a PhD student who believes she has found the jewels, stored in the tunnels under the city. They go and indeed, they find some jewels and a skeleton, obviously shot in the head.
Martine is also experiencing some cracks in her near perfect marriage to the almost perfect man (annoying in the first book, better in this one) that need her attention. As she works through the problem presented to her, she also is concerned with the growing menace from this discovery...when another murder occurs and the reputation of the city is at stake.
Very good book, good technique, interesting history, and a rather endearing minor character.
Martine is also experiencing some cracks in her near perfect marriage to the almost perfect man (annoying in the first book, better in this one) that need her attention. As she works through the problem presented to her, she also is concerned with the growing menace from this discovery...when another murder occurs and the reputation of the city is at stake.
Very good book, good technique, interesting history, and a rather endearing minor character.
May 2, 2016
Martine LeDuc is knee deep in a murder mystery, and once again the pieces of this puzzle will have you guessing until the final moments of the book. De Beauvoir uses the past and present flashbacks to keep the reader, as well as Martine and her sidekick Julian on their proverbial toes as the search for the true story behind the crown jewels emerges. While traversing up and (mostly) down Montreal, for the clues to this decades-long mystery, secrets emerge that--perhaps--were best kept hidden. Bravo for another rollicking time with Martine and a hopes for another adventure soon!
November 8, 2016
4.5 stars
April 29, 2016
It was ok but got drawn out in the last fifty pages.
December 13, 2016
Story was ok liked the historical facts
Want to read
March 11, 2016i want no read this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2017
This is an amusing mystery with a fresh, exciting setting. I could use to read a lot more mysteries set in Montreal. While I like the protagonist, Martine le Duc, I find her police collaborator, Julian Fletcher, supercilious and annoying. While the lost Crown Jewels made an interesting plot point, the occult subplot of ley lines and conspiring Nazis and dates on calendars seemed old hat. I also weary of the device the author seems to love of switching between Martine's viewpoint in the present and some character's thoughts in the past. I think that well has run dry.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews