The Alchemist of Paris

by M.C. Dulac

‘I remembered a word I had heard the monks say, a word spoken with disapproval, a word as bad as a deadly sin. A word that was rich and alluring, a word describing something I knew to be wrong, but which I knew was exactly what lay in the pages before me. Alchemy.’
- Diary of Elise du Bois, Paris, France, 1820

Paris, present day. Research student Ellie Forrest arrives in Paris to find a house for her client, the mysterious Mr. Worth. But the house disappeared from the city records two hundred years before, almost as if someone has been trying to hide it. The only clue to its location lies in a nineteenth-century diary written by a young maid, Elise du Bois.

In 1820, Elise du Bois writes of her arrival in Paris to work for Albert Price, a mysterious scientist and adventurer, who keeps strange hours and shuns daylight. As Elise du Bois crosses the city in search of powders for Price’s experiments, she begins to suspect that her master is an alchemist and soon finds herself caught in a dangerous game of greed, betrayal and deceit.

Just when Elise du Bois thinks she has found the truth, she uncovers a world of alluring secrets, wondrous inventions - and immortal love, spanning the centuries. However with all of Paris in pursuit of the famous alchemist, is Elise too late to stop the disaster that is already in motion?

Back in the present day, Ellie Forrest reaches the end of the diary. Is this fantastical tale true? Could the elixir of life and gold really exist? And who exactly is Mr. Worth, the reclusive scientist, who has sent her on this journey?

Moving between the 21st and 19th centuries, ‘The Alchemist of Paris’ is a story of mystery, adventure and imagination.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Dual Timeline, Ebooks

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2016

About the author

M.C. Dulac lives in Sydney, Australia, where she daydreams far too much. She is the author of The Alchemist’s Passage series, the Unusual Stories (a set of short reads), and The Perfumer's Challenge, the first book in a new series, The Regency Alchemists.
To find out more about M.C. Dulac and her books, please visit http://mcdulacauthor.com
Make sure to sign up for her newsletter to receive free reader guides.
https://mcdulacauthor.com/newsletter/

Reviews

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I am ready, if heaven will have me.“



3.5 Stars I decided to give this book a go after reading the synopsis which I found quite interesting. The story intrigued me from the beginning and ended well, although it did leave me feeling a bit melancholy. If I’m honest - it did drag a little midway making me anxious for something to happen. Being a short story of less than 300 pages - I would recommend it just the same.

[Karina McRoberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read, and I have discovered a brilliant author. Something that does not happen too often.
MC Dulac has created a masterpiece of gothic/gaslight fiction. Intellient, moving, mysterious...delicious escapism. Do enjoy!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dual timeline historical fantasy set in 1840s Paris and the modern day City of Light.

Botanist Ellie Forrest is given a commission to find a rare rose variety by a patron, Mr. Worth. She is able to find the plant in the ruined garden of an abandoned house. She also finds a diary, written by Elise DuBois, about her time working with an infamous alchemist named Albert Price.

It is this diary that takes us into the past. There are some steampunk elements, as Price is working on an engine that can take higher levels of steam pressure than the ones available at the time ... but he's running afoul of Monsieur Cochillon (his secret landlord, who is also an inventor).

There is a lot to unpack in this book. It's well-written and entertaining and, to a certain degree, defies pigeon-holing in just one genre. Some things I could see coming for miles (being fluent in French helped with that), but others were a surprise.

I enjoyed the book well enough, and would recommend it to those who like historical sci-fi/fantasy.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leuk maar ook een beeetje weird

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing tale based on sound research and a highly original plot. Dulac' refined prose will effortlessly lead you by the hand through the lamplit streets of a historical Paris that is vividly returned to life through her touching story of the alchemist.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Alchemist of Paris
✍️M.C Dulac
4⭐️

The Alchemist of Paris was an absorbing gothic style novel by M.C Dulac, taking place across modern day Paris, and Paris of the 1820s. The plot follows Ellie, a botanical sciences researcher who has previously obtained botanical items for a mysterious gentleman. He then asks her to find an old house within Paris based on old maps. Ellie finds the house and a diary of a former servant from the house who details the Alchemist Albert Price and his experiments, and the events that led to Price fleeing Paris amid a terrible fire. I didn’t get a particularly good feel for the modern day characters, however the authors expertise was clearly in the descriptions of the people and places from the past, which was evidenced by the increased detail with Elise’s journal which really did give the reader a feel for the time period, the secrecy surrounding Price and his alchemy experiments and the building sense of doom throughout the book.

[Dawn Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mesmerized

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Read ing the journal portion, I got totally pulled in . . .and couldn't put it down. Loved it.

[Emme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given I am a fan of murder mysteries, the synopsis of this book intrigued me….a story set in Paris two centuries apart. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for a review, and happy I was selected. The Alchemist of Paris was truly a suspenseful mystery. I enjoyed how it started off in modern day Paris then took you back several centuries, ending back in modern day Paris. The book was wonderfully written and kept you turning the pages to see what was in store next for Elise. The book felt like 19th century science fiction, written through the eyes of a housemaid. The ending had an interesting and unexpected twist. I truly enjoyed this book and M. C. Dulac’s writing style. Will definitely look into other books she has written.

[Bill Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and compelling, with a totally unique storyline. The only other book I’ve read that affected me this way was The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

[Laura Furuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a maid named Elise and her employer Albert Price. Price is a scientist and has Elise run errands for him. She begins to wonder what this man is up to. Will Elise find out what her employer is doing in his lab? This story is told from the POV of Elise. The story is well written and a pleasure to read. You will be turning pages to find out what happens next. The characters of Elise and Price will have you believing in true friendship and that everyone needs to have a companion to talk things through. I highly recommend this book as one that should be on your to-be-read list at the top! I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Red Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Alchemist of Paris by M. C. Dulac
This was a great book! I did not want to stop reading it once I started going and was surprised by some of the twists Mr Dulac put into the story line. First time I have seen a story told this way. If you have some time to read, you won't go wrong with his book. Very well done!!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Patricia Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading books that are set in two different time periods. This book caught my interest from the start. The book was well written, and keeps you turning the pages to find out what the outcome is going to be. I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

[Bookfan36 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief synopsis from the book cover:

Paris, present day. Research student Ellie Forrest arrives in Paris to find a house for her client, the mysterious Mr. Worth. But the house disappeared from the city records two hundred years before, almost as if someone has been trying to hide it. The only clue to its location lies in a nineteenth-century diary written by a young maid, Elise du Bois.

In 1820, Elise du Bois writes of her arrival in Paris to work for Albert Price, a mysterious scientist and adventurer, who keeps strange hours and shuns daylight. As Elise du Bois crosses the city in search of powders for Price’s experiments, she begins to suspect that her master is an alchemist and soon finds herself caught in a dangerous game of greed, betrayal and deceit.

Just when Elise du Bois thinks she has found the truth, she uncovers a world of alluring secrets, wondrous inventions - and immortal love, spanning the centuries. However with all of Paris in pursuit of the famous alchemist, is Elise too late to stop the disaster that is already in motion?

Back in the present day, Ellie Forrest reaches the end of the diary. Is this fantastical tale true? Could the elixir of life and gold really exist? And who exactly is Mr. Worth, the reclusive scientist, who has sent her on this journey?

My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:


Mystery and Fantasy



Review:

This is a mystery/fantasy novel. The plot was intriguing with the right amount of mystery and suspense told over a dual time line which added an extra layer and made it more interesting. The book is nicely written and the plot flows well. The characters are interesting their actions are explained with enough detail to make them appear realistic but still with an air of mystery surrounding them. This made the story captivating and appealing.

[Debby Taylor-Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and it certainly kept me turning the pages long after I should have been asleep. It is well written with no editorial errors (which is important to me).

I docked one star for the following: (SPOILER ALERT)
The twenty first century woman is the same as the nineteenth century. I felt cheated when I reached the end and discovered this because there was no foreshadowing in the beginning. Eliie/Elise would have had some reaction when given her own diary to read. She would have recognized the area she was searching and been able to find the house (even behind the wall) without too much trouble, and surely been concerned that someone was trying to find it. When she entered the house there would have been more recognition than "feeling as though she had come home".
The fire survival needed more depth, as did the (back in the twenty first century) ending.
I thoroughly enjoyed the diary but felt the romance was definitely rushed for the era.

The book itself is intriguing and, in spite of the above comments, I do highly recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction/time slip.
I will definitely read the next installment.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman, Ellie Forrest, is searching for an item that eventually leads her to the remains of an old residence in Paris. She finds the diary of a young woman, Elise du Bois, who was originally sent to this home to basically be a maid. Elise ends up being romantically attracted to the handsome and mysterious young scientist and resident, Albert Prince. He is very reclusive, working mostly at night and eventually lets her become his assistant. The book kind of left me hanging and Ellie (in present day Paris) reaches the end of the diary and doesn't know how much truth is detailed in the diary. Although I really enjoyed the read, I feel like there may be more to the story. I enjoyed this author's work very much and hope to read more by them. I am sure my review is subpar and I apologize for that.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and I was hooked even though I pretty much had the story figured out. The ending wasn't exactly like I had thought but close. I loved that this book was set in Paris and it is a story about a man who is studying alchemy and the girl who does all of his daily buying of herbs and powders and such. There is a bit of mystery and some small twists to the story. Most of the books that deal with some aspect of alchemy usually have someone trying to turn metals into gold and failing but to have a book where the alchemy was actually working was very interesting. Also this book has the beginning and the ending in present time and the majority of the book is the past. I love books that flip back and forth between time periods. Recommended.

[Sandra Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting story, different from many other books and, therefore, refreshing. It begins in present time with Ellie searching for an ancient house in Paris for a client. She can find no evidence that the house still exists, but her client Mr. Worth urges her to keep trying. I don't want to give anything away. I will only say that a journal written around 1820 plays a major role in the book and helps to answer many questions of the present time. It was an interesting glimpse of Paris in the early 1800s as well as a bit of mystery about the alchemist. I felt like we weren't always given the full picture, but all is revealed in the end. Some things I figured out, but some things I did not and they were a surprise. As I said, an interesting book!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alchemy - gold, immortality.....1820's France. Elise is sent to Paris to be a maid in the house of a wealthy man. It turns out that he owns multiple houses and the one she is assigned to has a tenant who is rarely visible. She finds written instructions most mornings; they tell her of shops to visit and items to purchase. Sometimes the items are herbs, other times she is to get chemicals. Because she has a lot of free time, she reads the books in the mysterious tenant's study - an assortment of ancient and current texts. Quite a tale (and set in Paris before the Haussmann renovations)

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very unusual but interesting book with an ending that I did not see coming. The story starts with researcher Ellie on a mission to try to find an old house in Paris. She has been hired by a Mr Worth, a man she has never met and knows nothing about. However, most of the book follows Elise in the 1800s. Ellie is using her diary to try to find clues to the location of the house but the diary also contains secrets and very surprising revelations. It was a book that kept me guessing and was a quick read. No sex or profanity.

[Bob Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and enjoyable

When I started this book, I was unsure how long I'd stick with it. It was, however, a very pleasant surprise, as it quickly became a very engaging and entertaining story that kept me hooked throughout. Looking very forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Joyce A Higginbotham]

Everlasting

I enjoyed the intense mystery and wonder of this story as seen through the eyes of innocent Elise. As I got farther into the story I wondered about the identity of Mr Worth, after reading about Price and his youthful voice. I was surprised to learn that Elise had also been given the e!ixer.

[Carole Petranovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and unique plot with charming, well developed characters.

If you like a smidge of mystery and otherworldliness, set in times long past, you might enjoy this book as I did.

Read as a single book, and not as a series, the ending might be a tad disappointing, but I understand that the series of books takes the story further and may make this book more satisfying.

[Gregory Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read which cleverly winds a tale of alchemy in 19th centrury Paris. Lots of twists and turns, expsvially at the end when you think this is purely a time separated story (which it is, but then isn't, since things are connected)!
I understand there are a few more stories involving :ondon, etc, however one alchemy story for now is quite enough, I think.

[Angela Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

This is a great book, I enjoyed it so much! Honestly, I couldn’t stop reading. I love the characters, and the setting. Such an interesting story, and I felt like I was there, very authentic. Thank you for a great read! On to book 2...

[Nancy W. O'Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Enjoyed the suspense of the book began to wonder if price and champillon were the same person. With the knowledge and further reading that they were not I wondered if champillon was against price. Gives you a bit of suspense all the way to the end I enjoyed the book.

[Ruth Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick little bit of escapist reading. I can't say I really learned much, but I enjoyed being transported back to Paris of the early 19th century. The writing style was almost too simplistic - nothing heavy - but the author did a good job of building the tension. I enjoyed the twist at the end.

[Hope Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became so engrossed in the events of Elise's diary that I totally forgot that Ellie was reading it. The twist at the end surprised me. Needless to say, I have purchased the remaining books in the series.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I can just image the streets of Paris during the 1800s and the beautiful hidden for more than 200 years. Gothic vibes. Great read. A little dry towards the middle but picked right back up as it came to a close.

[Tunes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book...all the way until the end. The ending is dumb and unrealistic. It doesn't make any sense given the events at the beginning of the novel. Otherwise, the book was a lot of fun, very suspenseful and mysterious.

[Kathy Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets and imortality

Delightful tale about the alchemists struggling to invent and survive. When a young servant girl comes to assist, she is curios and smart and begins to find his story. Very fascinating story.