Searchers in Winter: A Novel of Napoleon's Empire

by Owen Pataki

The year is 1806, and a new French Empire is rising from the shadow of the Reign of Terror. The citizens who shouted “Death to Kings” now chant “Vive l’Empereur!” for Napoleon, who is seeking to consolidate his power. While the peace and prosperity he promised is decadently enjoyed in Paris, fear spreads across Europe, and a new coalition has united against him.

In Poland, Andre Valiere’s efforts to serve out his conscription and return home to his family are complicated when he finds himself lured into a plot to seize a hidden fortune. Containing enough riches to bestow glory and wealth upon whoever delivers it to Napoleon, this elusive cache soon draws other, more powerful forces, wishing to claim it.

In Normandy, Sophie Valiere strives to manage the family estate in Andre’s absence, but her efforts are imperiled by an influx of refugees and their growing friction with the local farmers. Amidst the infighting that threatens to unleash chaos on the entire province, she is visited by an intriguing Count returning from exile. It isn’t long before this mysterious nobleman has his sights on a new prize.

In Paris, retired republican lawyer and former revolutionary, Jean-luc St. Clair, finds himself returning to politics. As his fortunes grow so does his list of enemies, and the opulent streets prove just as dangerous as Napoleon’s battlefields.

Inspired by the mysterious origins of the famed Rothschild’s fortune, the bloody battles of the Napoleonic wars, the notorious gangs of nineteenth century Naples, and the real-life mistress who charmed Napoleon into granting Poland a nation-state, Searchers in Winter sets a cast of unforgettable characters—against epic historical events—into thrilling motion from the opening pages.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

416 pages, Hardcover

First published May 18, 2021

About the author

Owen Pataki graduated from Cornell University in 2010 with a degree in history. In 2011, Owen joined the Army and in 2014 was deployed to Afghanistan, serving with the 10th Mountain Division. Following his military service, he attended the MetFilm School in London. His first novel, 'Where the Light Falls', was published in 2017. 'Searchers in Winter' was published in 2021. 'Smoke in the Cypress' is his third novel. Owen now lives in New York where he is working as a screenwriter and filmmaker.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is set during the War of the Fourth Coalition (1806-1807), a tumultuous period when under a new French Empire, Napoleon seeks to consolidate his power.

1806: Colonel Andre Valiere serves his conscription by leading Napoleon’s efforts in Germany and Poland. He is a man of honor, volunteering to serve Napoleon in exchange for not listing the young farmers who work for him and thus saving their lives. While serving his conscription and before being able to return home to his family, his situation gets complicated when he is presented with an offer to help uncover an unimaginable fortune, which would bestow glory and wealth upon whoever delivers it to Napoleon. Will he be lured into a plot to seize a hidden fortune?

1805, France. Jean-Luc St. Clair is a lawyer and widower with two children. He comes to Paris to deliver a message from Mayor Bergasse of Marseille to Joseph Bonaparte. Jean-Luc makes such flattering first impression on Joseph that he is offered a position in Paris. As a lawyer, he is a servant of the State, and as a man he holds himself to the highest standards. But he learns that the message that he delivered in a letter also held another message written in invisible ink. He was warned against the one who reveals that information to him. He is offered a deal of providing certain information when needed in exchange for information necessary for the execution of his daily duties. Is he being deceived? And by whom?

1806, France. Sophie Valerie is left to manage the estate while her husband serves his conscription. She receives an offer from a Count to help her manage it as her estate is overpopulated and farmers are in a state of rivalry. Both estates might profit from mutual friendship and cooperation. But the so-called friend makes also advances on Sophie. Is he honest with offering his help?

As the story alternates among three POVs, it continually builds in suspense and throws small hooks, with intriguing characters who meet challenges and have to make moral decisions. They value humanity against those lusting after power and greed, but you don’t always see clearly who is telling the truth and who is not. The descriptions are animated which are the highlight of the story before progressing it. Humanity is a distinct characteristic of all three main characters whose paths are marked by perseverance against terrible odds.

The historical background which was inspiration for this story brings the mysterious origins of the Rothschild’s fortune, the presence of the “outlanders” on fictional estate who are refugees and combatant from Brittany, and the character of Alicja Jarzyna is loosely inspired by Maria Walewska, “the Polish noblewoman who presented herself before Napoleon and became his mistress while he campaigned in Poland and Prussia,” later leading to creation of the Duchy of Warsaw as Poland did not exist on the map at the time.

This is one of those stories where I thought that the historical background would be very rich, but it doesn’t feel so. It’s more about vivid descriptions of actions, which takes its time and progresses the story slowly. Also, the characters are interesting, but I’d like them to be better developed.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written, with fascinating historical detail and a cast of compelling characters. Set during one of the most tumultuous periods of history, this is an intimate story with a sweeping scope. Highly recommend.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine, if somewhat forgettable. The narrator switched to a fake French accent anytime anyone spoke. Which… why not just hire a French native to narrate in that case? Not that he did a bad job with it, but it was a bit of a distracting choice.

Also would have liked to see this a bit less anti-Napoleon, seeing that the characters are in France. As it is this feels like a novel of Napoleonic France written by an outsider who didn’t like the politics (which is a legit POV, I get it, but everything recently has focused on Napoleon without the positives.) I wish it had been a bit more balanced.

But ultimately this just didn’t grab my attention. In six months I’m not sure I’ll remember a plot point of this.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tried to challenge myself with this book but it was painfully slow for me. The last 1/4 of the book was good but not worth struggling through the dryness of the first 3/4. I should have put it down and walked away.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book as I couldn’t put it down. History comes to life! Real page turner with wonderful descriptions; highly recommended!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had it all: history, drama, fantastic character development. The Napoleonic era itself was incredible and this book brought it to life with depth and poignancy. A sequel to Owen Pataki’s first book on the French Revolution, ‘Where the Light Falls’, this book carries a reader into Napoleon’s Époque, through military campaigns and into his becoming Emperor. Better though, are the life stories of heroic characters struggling not only to survive but to rebuild their great country. I really couldn’t put it down.

[Stephanie Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

**This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review**

Searchers in Winter is the story of war, spycraft, political intrigue, and individual bravery. Clearly written by a lover of history, it is sure to delight anyone fascinated by the Napoleonic wars.

That said, this book was only middle-of-the-road for me.

The author also writes screenplays, which makes a great deal of sense; much of the book feels more like a screenplay than a novel. In some respect this is good: there are many cinematic scenes of action; however, I felt the downsides. Some scenes I can tell would look visually wonderful in a film, but they fall flat in straight prose. The dialogue never fully fit with the characters, as though waiting for some actor to embody the roles and add individual inflection to them (perhaps those interested in reading the book would enjoy it more as an audiobook?).

At times, I felt the author was more interested in delivering twists and turns than in justifying them.

There is much to enjoy in this book: the political intrigue is spicy, the settings are varied and distinct, the history is grounded. I just didn’t get along terribly well with the writing style; others may and certainly will love this book.

[Vielka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Historical Novel

Hi: This is my first novel of Owen Pataki, I eventually will read Where The Light Falls, but I enjoy “ Searchers in Winter. This is a great story and all the personages are awesome. I enjoy the battles and I was cold all the time thinking of the battles in the freezing environment.

This story have everything, love , hate, envy’s, fighting for power, the power of women and much more.

I recommend this book 💯

Thank you Owen Pataki for sharing this great story.

[Paul]

Very good. I don't think is a genre called speculative historical fiction, but if there was this would fit right in. Interesting characters, a well written plot and a page turner. It's hard to tell if a good book will sell well (many don't), but I hope this one does. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the review copy!!

[David Trawinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was quite excited when I was given this book as a gift from my wife, as I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable on the subject of the Napoleonic wars. Especially given that the author is holes of advanced degrees in history, However, I would be very disappointed.

Before I get to the history, I found the structure of the novel to be very difficult. The author uses two main protagonist and storylines that are portrayed in alternating chapters. However, the two protagonists are never really developed, and the characters bleed one into the other to the reader. The storylines jump around quite a bit in time, so much so that it appears to have confused the author himself. Foreign chapters 44 and 46, he calls out the wrong year 1806 instead of 1807 and the chapter headings.

Historically, I found several inaccuracies with the reference history. For instance, calling out Napoleon being in Posen during a given month when he was actually in Warsaw. Also, the overall portrayal of Napoleon was by my reading, very negative, and there is no attempt to balance that out with this period when Napoleon was at the height of his empire. Finally, the war of the fourth coalition had many significant battles between the Russians and the French including the battles of Eylau (fought in a blizzard) and Friedland (where Napoleon defeated Alexander’s army leading to the peace of Tilsit). The author, however, only describes a much more minor battle at Mohrungen.

There were also a lot of minor distractions, including to his reference of the Grand Armee, when the proper term is Grande Armee. And most disappointing of all, is the one character that was loosely based on the Polish Countess, Marie Walewska bore absolutely no historical resemblance to Napoleon’s mistress whatsoever.

I was hoping for a much more interesting story based on this frame of history that was so consequential.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about the Napoleonic era, when modern times began, and this book delivers terrific history. The characters are survivors of the turmoil of the French revolution and the Napoleonic wars and their differring responses, relationships, and life decisions make the story very compelling. The history of the conflict that engulfed Europe is well told and the reader will feel caught up in the challenges of good people just trying to survive.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really loved Where the Light Falls, but found this sequel disjointed and confusing in regards to plot. That said, the author knows his history and did a good job incorporating that and historical figures.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate owen excellent as a writer. the book grips you start to finish. I wish there were fewer characters as the polt is complex - bit it does resolve in the end. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will like this book; although I did look up details of Napolean on google to keep track of things.

[Yolanda Cleveland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book I love history and it was full of it and it was really nice there was a lot of things I didn't know but I really enjoyed the book

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Soc Page]

2 stories that join at the end, but not well