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Hugo Marston #6
The Paris Librarian
Hugo Marston's friend Paul Rogers dies unexpectedly in a locked room at the American Library in Paris. The police conclude that Rogers died of natural causes, but when his girlfriend is also found dead, Hugo is certain mischief is afoot.
As he pokes around the library, Hugo discovers that rumors are swirling around some recently donated letters from American actress Isabelle Severin. Some are being kept secret. The they indicate that the now ninety-year-old had aided the resistance in frequent trips to France towards the end of World War II. Even more dramatic is the legend that the Severin Collection also contains a dagger, one she used to kill an SS officer in 1944.
Hugo delves deeper into the stacks at the American library and finally realizes that the history of this case isn't what anyone suspected. But to prove he's right, Hugo must return to the scene of a decades-old crime.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
As he pokes around the library, Hugo discovers that rumors are swirling around some recently donated letters from American actress Isabelle Severin. Some are being kept secret. The they indicate that the now ninety-year-old had aided the resistance in frequent trips to France towards the end of World War II. Even more dramatic is the legend that the Severin Collection also contains a dagger, one she used to kill an SS officer in 1944.
Hugo delves deeper into the stacks at the American library and finally realizes that the history of this case isn't what anyone suspected. But to prove he's right, Hugo must return to the scene of a decades-old crime.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2016
446 people are currently reading
1994 people want to read
About the author
Mark Pryor
33 books633 followersMark Pryor is a former newspaper reporter from England. He moved to the US in 1995 and subsequently spent 16 years working as a prosecutor with the Travis County District Attorney's Office, in Austin, Texas. He is now a partner at the law firm of Cofer & Connelly, in Austin.
His upcoming book DIE AROUND SUNDOWN is the first in a new series of historical mysteries set in Paris during WW2. It will be published August 16, 2022, by St. Martin's/Minotaur.
Mark is also the author of the Hugo Marston mystery series, set in Paris, London, and Barcelona. The first in the series, THE BOOKSELLER, was a Library Journal Debut of the Month, and called "unputdownable" by Oprah.com, and the series has been featured in the New York Times. Mark also wrote the psychological thrillers, HOLLOW MAN, and its sequel, DOMINIC. As a prosecutor, he has appeared on CBS News's 48 Hours and Discovery Channel's Discovery ID: Cold Blood.
Of his books, reviewers said:
"[G]ood character development, increasing levels of action and suspense, a complex and deranged antagonist, and--once again--appealing Paris settings. The Hugo Marston series now belongs on every espionage fan's watch list."
--Booklist
"Haunting imagery in Père La Chaise cemetery sets the stage for Pryor's chilling sophomore entry, and the City of Light becomes a backdrop for Marston's adventures. The clever antagonist leads him on a merry chase that will keep the reader entertained throughout."
--RT Book Reviews
"Two young lovers make the fatal mistake of sneaking into Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery the same night as a bone-stealing psychopath in Pryor's propulsive second novel starring affable former FBI profiler Hugo Marston.... The engaging characters sweep readers into a suspenseful chase from Pigalle to the Pyrenées."
--Publishers Weekly
The third Hugo Marston novel, THE BLOOD PROMISE, was released in January 2014. It may be his best yet...
"Mark Pryor is one of the smartest new writers on the block. His new novel is a doozy."
--Philip Kerr, author of A Man Without Breath, a Bernie Gunther novel
"Pryor seems to have hit his stride in this series, as he adroitly juxtaposes the light banter between Marston and Green with some scenes of intense emotion.... And, all the while, the suspense ramps up. Top-notch mystery in a skillfully delineated Parisian setting."
--Booklist
Mark is also the author of the true crime book, AS SHE LAY SLEEPING, which is the account of a "cold" murder case he prosecuted. Published in January 2013, Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "compelling" and "riveting."
His upcoming book DIE AROUND SUNDOWN is the first in a new series of historical mysteries set in Paris during WW2. It will be published August 16, 2022, by St. Martin's/Minotaur.
Mark is also the author of the Hugo Marston mystery series, set in Paris, London, and Barcelona. The first in the series, THE BOOKSELLER, was a Library Journal Debut of the Month, and called "unputdownable" by Oprah.com, and the series has been featured in the New York Times. Mark also wrote the psychological thrillers, HOLLOW MAN, and its sequel, DOMINIC. As a prosecutor, he has appeared on CBS News's 48 Hours and Discovery Channel's Discovery ID: Cold Blood.
Of his books, reviewers said:
"[G]ood character development, increasing levels of action and suspense, a complex and deranged antagonist, and--once again--appealing Paris settings. The Hugo Marston series now belongs on every espionage fan's watch list."
--Booklist
"Haunting imagery in Père La Chaise cemetery sets the stage for Pryor's chilling sophomore entry, and the City of Light becomes a backdrop for Marston's adventures. The clever antagonist leads him on a merry chase that will keep the reader entertained throughout."
--RT Book Reviews
"Two young lovers make the fatal mistake of sneaking into Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery the same night as a bone-stealing psychopath in Pryor's propulsive second novel starring affable former FBI profiler Hugo Marston.... The engaging characters sweep readers into a suspenseful chase from Pigalle to the Pyrenées."
--Publishers Weekly
The third Hugo Marston novel, THE BLOOD PROMISE, was released in January 2014. It may be his best yet...
"Mark Pryor is one of the smartest new writers on the block. His new novel is a doozy."
--Philip Kerr, author of A Man Without Breath, a Bernie Gunther novel
"Pryor seems to have hit his stride in this series, as he adroitly juxtaposes the light banter between Marston and Green with some scenes of intense emotion.... And, all the while, the suspense ramps up. Top-notch mystery in a skillfully delineated Parisian setting."
--Booklist
Mark is also the author of the true crime book, AS SHE LAY SLEEPING, which is the account of a "cold" murder case he prosecuted. Published in January 2013, Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "compelling" and "riveting."
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March 2, 2025There is a German word, Scheissbedauern, which means the feelings of regret you have when an experience isn't nearly as awful as you'd hoped. Although I didn't like this book, which I abandoned about halfway through, it was more of a tepid irritation rather than white-hot rage.
Hugo Marston is the Head of Security at the American Embassy in Paris, a job apparently undemanding enough that it allows him to wander off and solve crimes for weeks on end without checking in with his real job. Everybody's eyes are either winking or twinkling. (Honestly: When was the last time someone winked at you? Is it just me or is this a non-existent phenomenon?) And the pandering was off the charts. A murder set in a library! Our main character is a rare book collector!
And like a United Colors of Benetton ad, nearly every character in the book is lesbian, mixed-race, trans and et cetera, for no particular reason except to check the boxes. Well, except for the main character who is actually doing all the work and solving the mystery and is a hetero white guy in his forties.
But the biggest issue is that it's simply boring. If you're gonna set a mystery in Paris, then FFS toss in a few sentences here and there to create some atmosphere. Take a look around. Bring the reader with you. Paris actually has a few notable features. This was just a relentless grind of interviews, paperwork, dead bodies turning up everytwhere and badgering witnesses.
Here's another German word, for real this time: Enttäuschung. Look it up.
Hugo Marston is the Head of Security at the American Embassy in Paris, a job apparently undemanding enough that it allows him to wander off and solve crimes for weeks on end without checking in with his real job. Everybody's eyes are either winking or twinkling. (Honestly: When was the last time someone winked at you? Is it just me or is this a non-existent phenomenon?) And the pandering was off the charts. A murder set in a library! Our main character is a rare book collector!
And like a United Colors of Benetton ad, nearly every character in the book is lesbian, mixed-race, trans and et cetera, for no particular reason except to check the boxes. Well, except for the main character who is actually doing all the work and solving the mystery and is a hetero white guy in his forties.
But the biggest issue is that it's simply boring. If you're gonna set a mystery in Paris, then FFS toss in a few sentences here and there to create some atmosphere. Take a look around. Bring the reader with you. Paris actually has a few notable features. This was just a relentless grind of interviews, paperwork, dead bodies turning up everytwhere and badgering witnesses.
Here's another German word, for real this time: Enttäuschung. Look it up.
March 8, 2017
The Paris Librarian is the first Hugo Marston book I have read, and I probably won't read any more. A dead librarian, Paul Rogers, in a locked room in the basement of the American Library in Paris, killed by curare but without any puncture holes, is/was in charge of the letters and memorabilia donated by Isabelle Severin, an elderly American actress who was formerly called the most beautiful woman in the world and about whom are rumors that she was a spy in WWII, so that many people want to see if they can find the material for a spectacular book. Great material.
Unfortunately the characters are a bit wooden--or just plain uninteresting. The plot is set up well, but ends are left untied, particularly concerning Isabelle's papers; we do find out who committed the three murders and why. The protagonist, Hugo, explains things in good time, there is little suspense or excitement, and the one place where suspense could be developed, Hugo is rescued by a deus ex machina in the form of his lover, Camille. Yes, the scenes in Paris were lovely, and the plot should have carried everything forward, but alas, I was only partially engaged.
Unfortunately the characters are a bit wooden--or just plain uninteresting. The plot is set up well, but ends are left untied, particularly concerning Isabelle's papers; we do find out who committed the three murders and why. The protagonist, Hugo, explains things in good time, there is little suspense or excitement, and the one place where suspense could be developed, Hugo is rescued by a deus ex machina in the form of his lover, Camille. Yes, the scenes in Paris were lovely, and the plot should have carried everything forward, but alas, I was only partially engaged.
October 6, 2023
Hugo Marston is an American working in Paris for the US Embassy. When his friend Paul Rogers dies unexpectedly in a locked room at the American Library in Paris, police presume he died of natural causes.
But…
Hugo thinks otherwise.
As ex-FBI he is prone to suspicion, and he decides to poke around the library and learn more about the rumors that have been swirling around about some secret letters from an American actress and a dagger that killed an SS officer in 1944.
Is someone after the secret letters?
As Hugo delves deeper into the stacks…
What will he learn?
Twists. Turns. Intrigue. Neat and unexpected ending. Fast paced. A little Sherlock Holmes, imperfect hero. 3.5 stars
But…
Hugo thinks otherwise.
As ex-FBI he is prone to suspicion, and he decides to poke around the library and learn more about the rumors that have been swirling around about some secret letters from an American actress and a dagger that killed an SS officer in 1944.
Is someone after the secret letters?
As Hugo delves deeper into the stacks…
What will he learn?
Twists. Turns. Intrigue. Neat and unexpected ending. Fast paced. A little Sherlock Holmes, imperfect hero. 3.5 stars
December 8, 2016
So disappointed. I thought what could be better than a mystery about a librarian in Paris. Wrong. The story begins with Hugo Marston's friend Paul Rogers dying in a locked room at the American Library in Paris. Detective Marston suspects that he does not die from natural causes. Rogers was working on a book revolving around the collection of papers and letters donated from American actress Isabelle Severin. This collection was given to the library, but all characters involved in the story seem to think that there is a mystery here dating back to WWII. Book is so disappointing because the resolution to the mystery has nothing to do with this collection. Did not like the style of writing...wordy and he said, she said.
September 18, 2019
Ok... the book synopsis and the book cover, lead me to think that this was a story about one of my favourite themes: WWII.
But it wasn't.
I am angry about it?
Yep. A little.
Here comes the synopsis:
Hugo Marston’s friend Paul Rogers dies unexpectedly in a locked room at the American Library in Paris. The police conclude that Rogers died of natural causes, but Hugo is certain mischief is afoot. As he pokes around the library, Hugo discovers that rumors are swirling around some recently donated letters from American actress Isabelle Severin. The reason: they may indicate that the actress had aided the Resistance in frequent trips to France toward the end of World War II. Even more dramatic is the legend that the Severin collection also contains a dagger, one she used to kill an SS officer in 1944. Hugo delves deeper into the stacks at the American library and finally realizes that the history of this case isn’t what anyone suspected. But to prove he’s right, Hugo must return to the scene of a decades-old crime.
Although everything, this wasn´t a bad story, it was well written and had good and interesting characters.
But it wasn't.
I am angry about it?
Yep. A little.
Here comes the synopsis:
Hugo Marston’s friend Paul Rogers dies unexpectedly in a locked room at the American Library in Paris. The police conclude that Rogers died of natural causes, but Hugo is certain mischief is afoot. As he pokes around the library, Hugo discovers that rumors are swirling around some recently donated letters from American actress Isabelle Severin. The reason: they may indicate that the actress had aided the Resistance in frequent trips to France toward the end of World War II. Even more dramatic is the legend that the Severin collection also contains a dagger, one she used to kill an SS officer in 1944. Hugo delves deeper into the stacks at the American library and finally realizes that the history of this case isn’t what anyone suspected. But to prove he’s right, Hugo must return to the scene of a decades-old crime.
Although everything, this wasn´t a bad story, it was well written and had good and interesting characters.
June 11, 2017
I was so excited to read a novel titled The Paris Librarian. What more could you want? Set in Paris, in a library and a murder mystery.
So far so good, But then as I read on I lost interest very quickly. The characters are wooden, especially the 'hero' Hugo - what a bore. There is too much boring, anodyne dialogue and worst of all, this could have been set in any city; there is absolutely no sense of place. There are few pat French phrases and boring descriptions of the landmarks of Paris. The whole book lacked depth. I skipped the middle and didn't miss much. What a disappointment. :(
So far so good, But then as I read on I lost interest very quickly. The characters are wooden, especially the 'hero' Hugo - what a bore. There is too much boring, anodyne dialogue and worst of all, this could have been set in any city; there is absolutely no sense of place. There are few pat French phrases and boring descriptions of the landmarks of Paris. The whole book lacked depth. I skipped the middle and didn't miss much. What a disappointment. :(
June 13, 2016
Hugo Marston has a great job. He is in charge of security at the American Embassy in Paris. There's no talk of terrorism, just party planning which makes it pleasant. The book is set in August when Paris basically shuts down as the locals take the month off. The Americans are still toiling away but it's more relaxed. People can work from home and the streets are empty save the tourists. As Hugo walks these streets I can see them too. The author creates a vivid picture of the scene.
Hugo's friend, Paul Rogers, is found murdered in a classic Agatha Christie situation, behind a locked door. As the head of the American Library in Paris, he was cloistered in his office writing a novel. At first ruled suicide, further investigation reveals it's an unusual murder. Then more people start dying and Hugo and his friend, Lt. Camille Lerens, a transsexual working in the division handling major crimes, desperately look to stop the killer.
Isabelle Severin, a famous American actress has donated her papers to the American Library under Paul's care. People are trying to see the papers kept under lock and key because she is suspected of being an American spy in WWII. An author wants to prove this. In the middle of the murder investigation, Hugo also investigates the claims about Severin. Is it connected to the murder?
This is a really pleasant read with a decent story line. I really liked how vivid Paris was and the characters were likable. This is a nice summer read.
Hugo's friend, Paul Rogers, is found murdered in a classic Agatha Christie situation, behind a locked door. As the head of the American Library in Paris, he was cloistered in his office writing a novel. At first ruled suicide, further investigation reveals it's an unusual murder. Then more people start dying and Hugo and his friend, Lt. Camille Lerens, a transsexual working in the division handling major crimes, desperately look to stop the killer.
Isabelle Severin, a famous American actress has donated her papers to the American Library under Paul's care. People are trying to see the papers kept under lock and key because she is suspected of being an American spy in WWII. An author wants to prove this. In the middle of the murder investigation, Hugo also investigates the claims about Severin. Is it connected to the murder?
This is a really pleasant read with a decent story line. I really liked how vivid Paris was and the characters were likable. This is a nice summer read.
July 24, 2016
3.5-4 stars
I love Hugo Marston books – he is a fabulous protagonist. As Head of Security for the American Embassy in Paris, Hugo deals with a variety of issues. This book focused a lot on the American Library in Paris which I knew nothing about so I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. The Paris setting is such a fun part of the Marston series.
While I liked the story, I felt that the characters were a bit all over the place in The Paris Librarian. His friend Tom is well done- he is a good sidekick. I was less enamored of the two women, Miki and Merlyn. The side issue of Isabelle Severin was very entertaining but the resolution was not as developed as I would have liked.
One of my favorite parts of the book was actually the acknowledgements where Mark Pryor gives a shout out to Murder by the Book here in Houston. That is one of my favorite bookstores and how I first discovered Mark Pryor’s books.
Overall, I enjoyed The Paris Librarian and look forward to the next book in the series. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC.
I love Hugo Marston books – he is a fabulous protagonist. As Head of Security for the American Embassy in Paris, Hugo deals with a variety of issues. This book focused a lot on the American Library in Paris which I knew nothing about so I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. The Paris setting is such a fun part of the Marston series.
While I liked the story, I felt that the characters were a bit all over the place in The Paris Librarian. His friend Tom is well done- he is a good sidekick. I was less enamored of the two women, Miki and Merlyn. The side issue of Isabelle Severin was very entertaining but the resolution was not as developed as I would have liked.
One of my favorite parts of the book was actually the acknowledgements where Mark Pryor gives a shout out to Murder by the Book here in Houston. That is one of my favorite bookstores and how I first discovered Mark Pryor’s books.
Overall, I enjoyed The Paris Librarian and look forward to the next book in the series. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC.
November 11, 2017
Quem me conhece sabe que o género policial não é um dos meus géneros favoritos. Aliás, há uns bons anos que não lia nenhum. Mas a editora Clube do Autor teve, ao longo do mês de outubro, a gentileza de deixar na minha caixa do correio três miminhos e um deles foi esta obra que é protagonizada por Hugo Marston, chefe de segurança da embaixada norte-americana em Paris, e que alguns leitores poderão conhecer da obra O livreiro, também publicada sob a chancela da editora Clube do Autor.
Parti para esta leitura sem qualquer expectativa, sabendo apenas aquilo que me contou a sinopse e tirando algumas ilações da imagem da capa. A trama inicia-se com a morte do diretor da Biblioteca Americana de Paris que acontece aparentemente de causas naturais. Contudo, o que à partida parece ser um óbito causado por um ataque cardíaco acaba por revelar-se um assassinato que é seguido de outras mortes não menos estranhas. Com a ajuda de uma inspetora da Polícia Francesa, Hugo Marston, amigo do diretor da biblioteca assassinado, seguirá um rasto de pistas complexas e desencontradas para poder finalmente encontrar o assassino.
Mesmo não sendo grande apreciadora do género, a leitura desta obra foi muito agradável e encaixou na perfeição num início de mês caótico a nível profissional.
Continua em:
http://osabordosmeuslivros.blogspot.p...
Parti para esta leitura sem qualquer expectativa, sabendo apenas aquilo que me contou a sinopse e tirando algumas ilações da imagem da capa. A trama inicia-se com a morte do diretor da Biblioteca Americana de Paris que acontece aparentemente de causas naturais. Contudo, o que à partida parece ser um óbito causado por um ataque cardíaco acaba por revelar-se um assassinato que é seguido de outras mortes não menos estranhas. Com a ajuda de uma inspetora da Polícia Francesa, Hugo Marston, amigo do diretor da biblioteca assassinado, seguirá um rasto de pistas complexas e desencontradas para poder finalmente encontrar o assassino.
Mesmo não sendo grande apreciadora do género, a leitura desta obra foi muito agradável e encaixou na perfeição num início de mês caótico a nível profissional.
Continua em:
http://osabordosmeuslivros.blogspot.p...
July 15, 2017
Picked this up hoping for a light summer read, and perhaps another good series set in France. Sadly, the writing is pretty weak, the story completely predictable, and the author (or perhaps, his editor) has an annoying habit of putting French phrases into the dialog, and then translating each and every one, no matter how common or obvious to any half-wit reader. Very disappointing - if you want a good mystery set in France, try the Inspector Bruno stories by Martin Walker.
September 1, 2017
I enjoyed the setting and the plot as well as the main characters - Hugo, Claudia and Tom - but the librarians themselves were less real to me. Hmmm...
January 28, 2021
I really enjoyed this sixth book in the Hugo Marston series, but must admit I skipped over a number of books in the series...but will soon backtrack. It was accidental.
The city of Paris plays a minor role as does the American embassy. One can barely recognize Hugo has a job there as head of security as that doesn't factor into this plot. Hugo has a friend who works at the American Library in Paris who calls him to advise him of a book sale coming up and after discussion it is agreed that a first edition book from Truman Capote will be set aside for Hugo's purchase.
When Hugo arrives at the library to see his friend he finds he is in a locked room and there is no response to his knock. So we start with a locked room murder mystery.
There are quite a few intersecting murders, buried secrets and many colorful characters to track. Will Hugo be up to the job? The conclusion plays out with great drama, and I was rewarded with another fine conclusion.
Loan from a Friend - Thank You!
February 4, 2017
I picked up this book from the public library because it was about a librarian and as a former librarian I was intrigued. The plot was clever but I did not find the primary protagonist all that interesting. He had his charms but it lacked the humor in some of my favorite mysteries. it could have used a bit more of Montalbano's wit and intensity.
December 16, 2019
Good read!! I did not figure this mystery out... the author had to spell it out for me. I am still enjoying Hugo, Claudia & Tom... and, oh yes, Inspector Levens!! Some of the other characters felt a little thin, but that did not interfere with my enjoyment!
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 ⭐️
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 ⭐️
April 7, 2019
Paris! A library! Frenchwomen! A locked-room mystery! How could there by a detective novel better designed for this particular seedy old reader?
Oh, well . . .
Hugo Marston is security head at the American Embassy in Paris; he also does some detectiving on the side with the friendly cooperation of the flics. When his friend Paul Rogers, head of the American Library, dies in unusual circumstances in a small room in the library's basement, Hugo suspects murder, even though the autopsy reveals nothing awry.
More murders follow, and they seem to be connected with the library's recent acquisition of some secret papers belonging to the legendary but reclusive actress Isabelle Severin. Do those papers contain long-concealed details regarding Severin's activities during World War II, when she reputedly charmed her way for espionage purposes into the upper echelons of the Reich, even going so far as to murder a Gestapo officer?
Hugo's hypothesis that the librarian was murdered faces another obstacle aside from the autopsy's unfruitfulness. CC cameras trained on the door of the little room where Rogers died seem to indicate that no one went near him during the vital time period. It was about here that it occurred to me, to the accompaniment of an unwelcome intestinal lurch, that an obscure South American poison could solve quite a few of the murderer's logistical challenges . . . and, sure enough, onto the scene swept curare, almost as if this were a mystery novel from the 1930s or 1940s. The purported use of curare indeed produced various necessary explanations; the trouble was, I didn't find myself actually believing any of them. Yes, I'm sure you could kill someone using curare in that particular fashion, but why bother with the elaboration?
The portrayals of the Frenchwomen -- let's get our priorities right -- by and large satisfied my expectations, including the refreshingly straightforward depiction of a trans cop as a normal human being rather than some kind of freak; maybe the book's cover should bear a trigger warning for the benefit of Mike Pence. But the other characters -- including, crucially, Hugo Marston himself -- didn't rise from the pages for me: I was constantly having to pause to remind myself who people were when their names turned up. I had the same sense about the Parisian settings: I'm sure they were all accurate enough, but the details on the page never conveyed to me any great feeling of place -- I was reading descriptions rather than seeing the sights, hearing the sounds or smelling the smells of the various Parisian locales. Again, despite various invocations of antiquarian books and the antiquarian book trade, I was reading about the allure of bibliophilia rather than experiencing it.
I went into this novel with high hopes and came away just a bit disappointed. Pryor's Hugo Marston series is, I know, very popular, so I'm perfectly prepared to admit this may just have been a matter of my own mood. Perhaps I'll try another in the series in due course.
Oh, well . . .
Hugo Marston is security head at the American Embassy in Paris; he also does some detectiving on the side with the friendly cooperation of the flics. When his friend Paul Rogers, head of the American Library, dies in unusual circumstances in a small room in the library's basement, Hugo suspects murder, even though the autopsy reveals nothing awry.
More murders follow, and they seem to be connected with the library's recent acquisition of some secret papers belonging to the legendary but reclusive actress Isabelle Severin. Do those papers contain long-concealed details regarding Severin's activities during World War II, when she reputedly charmed her way for espionage purposes into the upper echelons of the Reich, even going so far as to murder a Gestapo officer?
Hugo's hypothesis that the librarian was murdered faces another obstacle aside from the autopsy's unfruitfulness. CC cameras trained on the door of the little room where Rogers died seem to indicate that no one went near him during the vital time period. It was about here that it occurred to me, to the accompaniment of an unwelcome intestinal lurch, that an obscure South American poison could solve quite a few of the murderer's logistical challenges . . . and, sure enough, onto the scene swept curare, almost as if this were a mystery novel from the 1930s or 1940s. The purported use of curare indeed produced various necessary explanations; the trouble was, I didn't find myself actually believing any of them. Yes, I'm sure you could kill someone using curare in that particular fashion, but why bother with the elaboration?
The portrayals of the Frenchwomen -- let's get our priorities right -- by and large satisfied my expectations, including the refreshingly straightforward depiction of a trans cop as a normal human being rather than some kind of freak; maybe the book's cover should bear a trigger warning for the benefit of Mike Pence. But the other characters -- including, crucially, Hugo Marston himself -- didn't rise from the pages for me: I was constantly having to pause to remind myself who people were when their names turned up. I had the same sense about the Parisian settings: I'm sure they were all accurate enough, but the details on the page never conveyed to me any great feeling of place -- I was reading descriptions rather than seeing the sights, hearing the sounds or smelling the smells of the various Parisian locales. Again, despite various invocations of antiquarian books and the antiquarian book trade, I was reading about the allure of bibliophilia rather than experiencing it.
I went into this novel with high hopes and came away just a bit disappointed. Pryor's Hugo Marston series is, I know, very popular, so I'm perfectly prepared to admit this may just have been a matter of my own mood. Perhaps I'll try another in the series in due course.
January 1, 2018
This is the first Mark Pryor novel I have read having stumbled across ‘The Paris Librarian’ at a recent book sale in Melbourne. What a great way to start my reading options for 2018! The mystery set in Paris provided me with pleasant recollections of this beautiful city and at the same time presented a narrative that was fully engaging- a veritable page turner for me to start the holidays. It was a brief concern that the concluding pages might be a bit too slickly resolved, but I am pleased there was the reference to impending danger emerging from the reemergence of a previous case that tempered any disappointment in that regard and whet my appetite to read more by this writer. The novel introduced me to the protagonist and crime solver, Hugo Marston, and I am now keen to read more of the crime series that involve him. Always good to discover new authors, Mark Pryor is on my radar for the year ahead. Sean Duffy still remains my preferred crime character but he may have a new rival in 2018. Stay tuned.
July 7, 2020
A book with Paris and libraries? I can't pass that up, even if it is a mystery (I can never figure mysteries out).
My husband loves mysteries. A sign of a good mystery is that you can only figure a little bit of it out. If that's true, then this is a good mystery. I figured out the bad guy, but I didn't figure out the reasons.
It's the story of Hugo Marston who works in Paris as security for the embassy. One of his friends dies unexpectedly in a locked room at the American museum where he works. Hugo gets involved.
Good fun.
My husband loves mysteries. A sign of a good mystery is that you can only figure a little bit of it out. If that's true, then this is a good mystery. I figured out the bad guy, but I didn't figure out the reasons.
It's the story of Hugo Marston who works in Paris as security for the embassy. One of his friends dies unexpectedly in a locked room at the American museum where he works. Hugo gets involved.
Good fun.
March 1, 2017
Was disappointed with this book
March 8, 2018
First Sentence: The note sat beside his coffeemaker, the elegant handwriting unmistakable.
A friend of Hugo Marston asks him for a favour. Her friend, a journalist, wants to write a book about a famous actress who was allegedly a spy during WWI. Her collection of papers has been donated to the American Library in Paris. When Hugo goes to meet his friend in charge of the collection, he finds the friend’s dead body inside a locked room in the basement. Although ruled natural causes, Hugo is suspicious, and all the more so when another person dies. Who is really behind these deaths and what is the motive?
Coming late into a series, one appreciates an author who quickly, and naturally, provides details about the protagonist, their job, and their relationships. Pryor does that very well and in an economical fashion. However, the best thing we discover about Marston is his passion for rare first editions. Pryor captures perfectly the feeling book lovers have—“Hugo had often thought libraries were akin to places of worship, his version of church, where reverence and peace enveloped him like a blanket.”
The diversity of the characters is refreshing, as is the matter-of-fact way in which they are handled. Hugo’s observations and deductions are fun and remind us how much is evident if we take the time to observe—“Hugo winked. “Elementary, my dear Tom. Those pictures of him online, he’s wearing nice clothes, expensive ones. And three different watches, all more than I can afford. But for a journalist his work is sparse and not very high-profile, so he has disposable income but isn’t married and isn’t a big shot.” “Hence, family.”
It is rather fun the way Pryor makes reference to his fellow Seventh Street Books authors Terry Shames and James Ziskin. As well as being a bit of a marketing ploy, it does add a touch of veracity to the story.
There is an excellent insight about war—“In a real war, in that real war, the truth was more complicated. People did what they had to do to survive. People did things they were later ashamed of, but at the time maybe they had no choice.” We are given several small truths such as—“A colleague of his at the FBI had once told Hugo that if all you had were questions and no answers, you were looking in the wrong direction, seeding the wrong thing.”--and—“Anytime an accident turns out to be murder, well, you wonder if you’ve discovered a moment of evil.”--which provide insight both to the character and to the author himself. For those who have not read previous books in the series, there is a nice summary of Hugo’s history with the FBI that explains some of his skills.
There is also humor, delightfully wry humour and very good dialogue—“…when Hugo slipped into the front seat he was surprised to hear the man introduce himself in English. “Paul Jameson. Nice to meet you, sir.” Hugo shook his hand. “You’re English?” “God no,” Jameson said with a wink. “Scotsman.” “Hugo laughed. “Sorry for the offense.” “Just don’t let it happen again,” Jameson said.”
Pryor incorporates French phrases with their English translations throughout the story. Not only does that, along with the mention of famous streets and landmarks, establish the sense of place and add veracity to the book. The phrases also provide a bit of a French language lesson, n'est-ce pas? Being in Paris, there is also food, tantalizing food such as puff pastry filled with fois gras.
“The Paris Librarian” is a well-done mystery with skillful red herrings and one of the best rescue scenes ever.
THE PARIS LIBRARIAN – G+
Pryor, Mark – 6th in series
Seventh Street Books – Aug 2016
A friend of Hugo Marston asks him for a favour. Her friend, a journalist, wants to write a book about a famous actress who was allegedly a spy during WWI. Her collection of papers has been donated to the American Library in Paris. When Hugo goes to meet his friend in charge of the collection, he finds the friend’s dead body inside a locked room in the basement. Although ruled natural causes, Hugo is suspicious, and all the more so when another person dies. Who is really behind these deaths and what is the motive?
Coming late into a series, one appreciates an author who quickly, and naturally, provides details about the protagonist, their job, and their relationships. Pryor does that very well and in an economical fashion. However, the best thing we discover about Marston is his passion for rare first editions. Pryor captures perfectly the feeling book lovers have—“Hugo had often thought libraries were akin to places of worship, his version of church, where reverence and peace enveloped him like a blanket.”
The diversity of the characters is refreshing, as is the matter-of-fact way in which they are handled. Hugo’s observations and deductions are fun and remind us how much is evident if we take the time to observe—“Hugo winked. “Elementary, my dear Tom. Those pictures of him online, he’s wearing nice clothes, expensive ones. And three different watches, all more than I can afford. But for a journalist his work is sparse and not very high-profile, so he has disposable income but isn’t married and isn’t a big shot.” “Hence, family.”
It is rather fun the way Pryor makes reference to his fellow Seventh Street Books authors Terry Shames and James Ziskin. As well as being a bit of a marketing ploy, it does add a touch of veracity to the story.
There is an excellent insight about war—“In a real war, in that real war, the truth was more complicated. People did what they had to do to survive. People did things they were later ashamed of, but at the time maybe they had no choice.” We are given several small truths such as—“A colleague of his at the FBI had once told Hugo that if all you had were questions and no answers, you were looking in the wrong direction, seeding the wrong thing.”--and—“Anytime an accident turns out to be murder, well, you wonder if you’ve discovered a moment of evil.”--which provide insight both to the character and to the author himself. For those who have not read previous books in the series, there is a nice summary of Hugo’s history with the FBI that explains some of his skills.
There is also humor, delightfully wry humour and very good dialogue—“…when Hugo slipped into the front seat he was surprised to hear the man introduce himself in English. “Paul Jameson. Nice to meet you, sir.” Hugo shook his hand. “You’re English?” “God no,” Jameson said with a wink. “Scotsman.” “Hugo laughed. “Sorry for the offense.” “Just don’t let it happen again,” Jameson said.”
Pryor incorporates French phrases with their English translations throughout the story. Not only does that, along with the mention of famous streets and landmarks, establish the sense of place and add veracity to the book. The phrases also provide a bit of a French language lesson, n'est-ce pas? Being in Paris, there is also food, tantalizing food such as puff pastry filled with fois gras.
“The Paris Librarian” is a well-done mystery with skillful red herrings and one of the best rescue scenes ever.
THE PARIS LIBRARIAN – G+
Pryor, Mark – 6th in series
Seventh Street Books – Aug 2016
May 19, 2017
Texan (by way of Hertfordshire, England) Mark Pryor adds a locked room murder mystery to top all locked room mysteries to the latest in his Hugo Marston series with The Paris Librarian. Wealthy American ex-patriate Paul Rogers has a posh Paris apartment, a beautiful girlfriend, and a cushy job as head of a private library, where he’s holding a special book from the library’s sale for the benefit of his bibliophile friend, Hugo Marston.
Marston also happens to be head of security for the American Embassy and an ex-FBI agent. When Rogers fails to turn up with the book, is it Hugo’s cop instincts or booklust that push him to force an opening of the locked room in the library’s basement where Rogers has spent the morning writing?
The book is forgotten, however, when Rogers’ assistant produces his own key, to find Rogers dead. With no signs of violence, the initial presumption is that Rogers succumbed to a possible heart attack. But to Hugo’s eyes, something doesn’t look right. At least he can plead unfamiliarity with the French requirements for reporting death long enough to call the one person who’s always helped him in the past when dealing with the deaths of fellow countrymen on French soil – Lieutenant Camille Lerens.
Camille, however, works for the Brigade Criminelle, the police division responsible for investigating the city’s most serious crimes. It takes all Hugo’s charm to persuade her to visit the scene of what seems most likely to be a natural death. Fortunately for Hugo’s and Camille’s friendship – and their professional reputations – an investigation reveals that the actual cause of Rogers’ death was an exotic poison – curare.
Unfortunately for Hugo’s reputation, the poison is only toxic when introduced into the victim’s blood stream, and there’s no mark on Rogers’ body that would have allowed the poison to penetrate his system.
Worse, the library’s security cameras reveal that no one other than Rogers himself entered the locked, windowless room in which he was found. True, his assistant left a book Rogers had requested for research in his writing outside the room, but the ever-helpful security cameras show only Rogers opened the door to retrieve the book, and then only after the assistant’s departure. The police briefly consider the possibility of a bizarre suicide, but the absence of punctures or scratches on the body rules out even that. So how did Paul Rogers die?
For a brief while, it appears that the library is dogged with bad luck, when a janitor also suffers a heart attack, but is revived by a helper’s knowledge of CPR. That's one of the many red herrings that swarm through Pryor’s tale, the best being a journalist’s pursuit of an aging actress who served as a spy during the World War II occupation of France, and is rumored still to possess the dagger she used to silence a too-persistent Nazi officer.
Hugo’s friendship with the comely journalist – and her equally comely girlfriend – as well as a lovely French girlfriend of his own, give Pryor’s hero a chance to revel not only in Paris but other regions of the French countryside, which Pryor visits frequently to keep his knowledge of settings up to date. Otherwise, he divides his time between writing and his own crime-fighting duties as an assistant district attorney for Travis County, Texas.
Shades of Agatha Christie-like poison know-how, a dash of intrigue and psychological insight added to Pryor’s knowledge of his locale add up to a fun add up to a cozy with just enough gore to satisfy the more hardcore mystery fans. But why, ow why, didn’t anybody talk to the janitor? And will Hugo ever stop playing coy about what he does with the gun he is believed to carry?
Marston also happens to be head of security for the American Embassy and an ex-FBI agent. When Rogers fails to turn up with the book, is it Hugo’s cop instincts or booklust that push him to force an opening of the locked room in the library’s basement where Rogers has spent the morning writing?
The book is forgotten, however, when Rogers’ assistant produces his own key, to find Rogers dead. With no signs of violence, the initial presumption is that Rogers succumbed to a possible heart attack. But to Hugo’s eyes, something doesn’t look right. At least he can plead unfamiliarity with the French requirements for reporting death long enough to call the one person who’s always helped him in the past when dealing with the deaths of fellow countrymen on French soil – Lieutenant Camille Lerens.
Camille, however, works for the Brigade Criminelle, the police division responsible for investigating the city’s most serious crimes. It takes all Hugo’s charm to persuade her to visit the scene of what seems most likely to be a natural death. Fortunately for Hugo’s and Camille’s friendship – and their professional reputations – an investigation reveals that the actual cause of Rogers’ death was an exotic poison – curare.
Unfortunately for Hugo’s reputation, the poison is only toxic when introduced into the victim’s blood stream, and there’s no mark on Rogers’ body that would have allowed the poison to penetrate his system.
Worse, the library’s security cameras reveal that no one other than Rogers himself entered the locked, windowless room in which he was found. True, his assistant left a book Rogers had requested for research in his writing outside the room, but the ever-helpful security cameras show only Rogers opened the door to retrieve the book, and then only after the assistant’s departure. The police briefly consider the possibility of a bizarre suicide, but the absence of punctures or scratches on the body rules out even that. So how did Paul Rogers die?
For a brief while, it appears that the library is dogged with bad luck, when a janitor also suffers a heart attack, but is revived by a helper’s knowledge of CPR. That's one of the many red herrings that swarm through Pryor’s tale, the best being a journalist’s pursuit of an aging actress who served as a spy during the World War II occupation of France, and is rumored still to possess the dagger she used to silence a too-persistent Nazi officer.
Hugo’s friendship with the comely journalist – and her equally comely girlfriend – as well as a lovely French girlfriend of his own, give Pryor’s hero a chance to revel not only in Paris but other regions of the French countryside, which Pryor visits frequently to keep his knowledge of settings up to date. Otherwise, he divides his time between writing and his own crime-fighting duties as an assistant district attorney for Travis County, Texas.
Shades of Agatha Christie-like poison know-how, a dash of intrigue and psychological insight added to Pryor’s knowledge of his locale add up to a fun add up to a cozy with just enough gore to satisfy the more hardcore mystery fans. But why, ow why, didn’t anybody talk to the janitor? And will Hugo ever stop playing coy about what he does with the gun he is believed to carry?
November 26, 2021
Primeira vez que leio Mark Pryor e... ups comecei pelo 6º livro da saga...
Leitura bastante acessível e cativante cujo o palco de ação é uma Biblioteca Americana em Paris!
Há muito mistério por detrás de uns documentos da 2GM e um a coleção irá ser vendida na biblioteca, mas um dos responsáveis pela documentação é encontrado morto na cave, com grande indícios de suicídio.
Embora adore o género nunca consigo detetar quem é o criminoso por mais que me esforce ahah algumas passagens do livro fiquei um pouco confusa, mas foi devido a haverem referências aos livros anteriores, mas nada que estrague o mistério que temos em mão.
Gostei bastante da forma como o autor nos agarra, fazendo capítulos curtos que nos ajudam a entrar na manhã de ser só mais um e damos conta do livro num instante! Para quem está aprender francês irá encontrar bastante expressões traduzidas que fazem com que entremos no ambiente parisiense mais facilmente!
*Livro requisitado na biblioteca municipal.
Leitura bastante acessível e cativante cujo o palco de ação é uma Biblioteca Americana em Paris!
Há muito mistério por detrás de uns documentos da 2GM e um a coleção irá ser vendida na biblioteca, mas um dos responsáveis pela documentação é encontrado morto na cave, com grande indícios de suicídio.
Embora adore o género nunca consigo detetar quem é o criminoso por mais que me esforce ahah algumas passagens do livro fiquei um pouco confusa, mas foi devido a haverem referências aos livros anteriores, mas nada que estrague o mistério que temos em mão.
Gostei bastante da forma como o autor nos agarra, fazendo capítulos curtos que nos ajudam a entrar na manhã de ser só mais um e damos conta do livro num instante! Para quem está aprender francês irá encontrar bastante expressões traduzidas que fazem com que entremos no ambiente parisiense mais facilmente!
*Livro requisitado na biblioteca municipal.
February 18, 2022
I accidentally read this book because my book club was reading “the Paris library,” which it turns out is decidedly different than “the Paris librarian.” Alas. The whole time I was thinking “man this is an underwhelming book, I wonder why my book club chose this.” Sadly the character development felt gimmicky and unrealistic (e.g. FBI and CIA guys wouldn’t be talking about “their work” so candidly and in public). Also didn’t find out much about the Severin papers or what the heck Tom is referencing at the end regarding the criminal brothers in on parol. From the other reviews it seems this is part of a series so those outstanding questions will be answered in subsequent books, but it’s definitely not a satisfying stand alone story.
March 28, 2024
3.5 rounded up. This book was quite enjoyable. The one was nice and I liked the storyline. Some chapter transitions were clunky but I could look past that. I also didn’t know this was book 6 of a series but the story was independent of the others. There were some callbacks to previous books but you didn’t need to know the story behind it. My big issue was the ending. The motive was out of left field which I always fear will happen with mysteries. The enjoyment of the rest of the story makes up for it.
January 2, 2018
This was a great Christmas present; already read and enjoyed and now I'm off to check out the others from the public library (had already read The Bookseller earlier). I (unlike other friends who've read this author) find his plots interesting and the library/bookseller/reader setting an intriguing one. To each his or her own, no doubt. Reminds this retired librarian of Ranganathan and his five rules for libraries.
February 10, 2021
Good mystery. Easy to read and interesting characters. I figured it out long before the end but I usually do. When I started it, I didn't realize it was 6th in a series. Now I have to go and read the others. Things will make sense after that I'm sure. You can read this on its own and enjoy it though.
May 19, 2017
i loved this book. very sherlock like and surprisingly for a detective novel there is no swearing!!
August 7, 2020
I have two more in the series and one prequel to read before I get caught up with what has been published so far, I think. I find this series to be a perfect distraction in the time of covid and horrible political news. It's as addictive to me as binge-watching some series on TV.
November 29, 2020
I enjoyed this, but didn't love it. I like the Paris setting, and of course it's always fun to have a locked room murder in a library. But somehow it wasn't a page turner for me. I'll probably give this author another chance though.
July 19, 2025
A classic American detective novel set in Paris. Part of a series but I haven't read any of the proceeding but that's not super inportant
The reveal is good but no big shocks or twists throughout
The reveal is good but no big shocks or twists throughout
October 29, 2018
The Paris LIbrarian is a pleasant, enjoyable read. I don't feel as if I got to know the characters very well, although this is not the first book in the author's series. Perhaps a little more backstory would help me engage with them. I felt as if I'd been dropped into the middle of several relationships without understanding where the participants came from, which isn't a very fulfilling experience.
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