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Daniel Levin #1
Exiles: A Mystery in Paris
Exiles is set in Paris in 1925. The protagonist, Daniel Levin, heads there to become a writer. He must solve a murder among the famous Lost Generation writers such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein. He is aided by Sylvia Beach, the sharp-eyed and sharp-tongued owner of the famed bookstore Shakespeare and Company. Daniel must also deal with the hidden wounds he suffered as a soldier in the First World War and his fatal attraction to one of suspects in the murder.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2016
34 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 15, 2017
The basic premise of this story is about a young man named Daniel that is fresh out of the war, where he saw many horrible things that have forever changed him. After the war he decides to go to Paris to become a writer. Arriving with very little money he luckily meets and become friends with a book shop owner who gives him a job, money and a place to live. Also on his first day in Paris there is a murder of the owner of a local literary magazine, and from this you find out that Daniel is very perceptive and is pushed to solve the crime, but he does not want to because to do so would mean he has to face his worst memory.
When it comes to the story itself, I have to say it is one of the most beautifully written stories I have read in a while. The language is reminiscent to a beloved classic novel by a great author from our past. But just because a novel is beautifully written does it make it worth reading? Personally I find this novel to be just so-so, meaning the plot of the story is good, but the execution not so much. The author mentions how many people go to Paris to write because they know their way around words, but lack the skill to properly write a story, and many times I felt that this statement rang true for this story. The author is very repetitive in the story, with Daniel complaining how he cannot write but does not want to do anything else. Those in the literary community around him try to tell him that he is not good enough to be a writer so he should work with his strengths and investigate the murder, but he does not want to do that he wants to write yet he cannot. Just round and a round and a round. Spoiler though…. He does end up investigating the murder.
The story is also very long, especially considering how little happens in it. So in conclusion, I like the language the author uses and the basic plot, but I wished it was shorter and had more meat to the plot itself and the fat of the repetitiveness cut out. So I would rate this a 2.5 or 3 out of 5.
When it comes to the story itself, I have to say it is one of the most beautifully written stories I have read in a while. The language is reminiscent to a beloved classic novel by a great author from our past. But just because a novel is beautifully written does it make it worth reading? Personally I find this novel to be just so-so, meaning the plot of the story is good, but the execution not so much. The author mentions how many people go to Paris to write because they know their way around words, but lack the skill to properly write a story, and many times I felt that this statement rang true for this story. The author is very repetitive in the story, with Daniel complaining how he cannot write but does not want to do anything else. Those in the literary community around him try to tell him that he is not good enough to be a writer so he should work with his strengths and investigate the murder, but he does not want to do that he wants to write yet he cannot. Just round and a round and a round. Spoiler though…. He does end up investigating the murder.
The story is also very long, especially considering how little happens in it. So in conclusion, I like the language the author uses and the basic plot, but I wished it was shorter and had more meat to the plot itself and the fat of the repetitiveness cut out. So I would rate this a 2.5 or 3 out of 5.
June 9, 2017
Novice writer in Paris
First attempt, it is pretty good. A bit slow. It got good quickly. Once I was able to get a chance it was smooth.
First attempt, it is pretty good. A bit slow. It got good quickly. Once I was able to get a chance it was smooth.
August 22, 2017
I agree with previous readers. Too much repetition of ideas. It looks like the author needs to fill a quota of pages therefore repeating a lot of the same. Could have a been a great story.
January 20, 2017
Exiles: A Mystery in Paris (The Daniel Levin Mysteries Book 1)by Lawrence J. Epstein was a true eye opener. Filled with unforgettable characters and writers of the 1920's in Paris, this is a well written book that pulls the reader in through easy to read language and an unsolved murder at the outset of the novel. Young Daniel Levin has moved to Paris to become a writer and ends up living above a famous bookstore, Shakespeare and Company. The owner of the bookstore, Syliva Beach, has endeavored to support Daniel, albeit breifly, so that he might begin his writing career. Full of great characterizations such as a young Hemingway on the brink of publishing genius, Gertrude Stein and even Fitzgerald, this book embodies the romance and intrique of the famous Lost Generation. Combine that backdrop with a murder opposite the Shakespeare and Company bookstore and you have an amazing reading experience. Not only is Daniel the protagonist, overcoming his recent war experience, but he must also watch his back before getting too romantically involved with one of the suspects. I look forward to reading more from this author in the next installment in the series. Highly recommend.
January 11, 2017
A Good Read
I love the time period. The Paris of American ex-pat writers and artists after The Great War. Gertrude Stein and Alice B Toklas are holding their salons and Hemingway is planning his run with the bulls in Pamplona. The pace is good. The protagonist is compelling. The mystery has interesting twists. There are an alarming number of typos but still, I'd like to read the next Daniel Levin mystery.
I love the time period. The Paris of American ex-pat writers and artists after The Great War. Gertrude Stein and Alice B Toklas are holding their salons and Hemingway is planning his run with the bulls in Pamplona. The pace is good. The protagonist is compelling. The mystery has interesting twists. There are an alarming number of typos but still, I'd like to read the next Daniel Levin mystery.
December 21, 2016
Great read!!
This is an excellent description of Paris in 1925 and the early years of many of the famous writers of the 20s and thirties. In addition itis a gripping story of a young writer who seems better suited to being acrime solver. Charaters come to life. The hero is believable and the authordoesnot waste space in long descriptions or irrelevant biographies.
er
This is an excellent description of Paris in 1925 and the early years of many of the famous writers of the 20s and thirties. In addition itis a gripping story of a young writer who seems better suited to being acrime solver. Charaters come to life. The hero is believable and the authordoesnot waste space in long descriptions or irrelevant biographies.
er
Read
January 21, 2017A new author and an interesting read abut Paris back in the days of Hemingway, and Joyce. A fun read and I will find other books by this author!!
March 28, 2017
An interesting read
Just when you think you know the bad guy, it changes. It's fun to look into the world of now famous authors.
Just when you think you know the bad guy, it changes. It's fun to look into the world of now famous authors.
April 16, 2017
"There is Only There."
Just completed this fantastic book, Exiles: A Mystery in Paris by Lawrence J. Epstein. This clever mystery unfolds in 1925 Paris, France a beautiful city with a dark and evil underbelly. The main character, Daniel Levin, pursues the romantic fantasy of becoming a great writer in this tumultuous historical city. Along the way, he interacts with some of his favorite writers when must solve a murder among the famous Lost Generation writers such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and a few other memorable masters of literature and art. I cannot reveal the whole story, but I must say this clever mystery kept my complete attention and thoroughly enjoyed the golden nuggets of famous quotes and philosophical insights that I found scattered between the covers of this book. I found this to be a fascinating and stimulating read. The author of this great book is, of course, a master of language and emotional expression, and the excellent characters created by him felt real and relevant. Thorough editing and structural story design only made the story stronger and more entertaining. The cover art is a mystery that reveals itself later in the read, ingenious! I didn't previously realize that this excellent writer had completed a series with the main character, Daniel Levin. I will be pursuing more of this talented writer's craftsmanship.
Just completed this fantastic book, Exiles: A Mystery in Paris by Lawrence J. Epstein. This clever mystery unfolds in 1925 Paris, France a beautiful city with a dark and evil underbelly. The main character, Daniel Levin, pursues the romantic fantasy of becoming a great writer in this tumultuous historical city. Along the way, he interacts with some of his favorite writers when must solve a murder among the famous Lost Generation writers such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and a few other memorable masters of literature and art. I cannot reveal the whole story, but I must say this clever mystery kept my complete attention and thoroughly enjoyed the golden nuggets of famous quotes and philosophical insights that I found scattered between the covers of this book. I found this to be a fascinating and stimulating read. The author of this great book is, of course, a master of language and emotional expression, and the excellent characters created by him felt real and relevant. Thorough editing and structural story design only made the story stronger and more entertaining. The cover art is a mystery that reveals itself later in the read, ingenious! I didn't previously realize that this excellent writer had completed a series with the main character, Daniel Levin. I will be pursuing more of this talented writer's craftsmanship.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews