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The Paris Labyrinth
Vincent, more than anyone, knows what it means to keep a secret. With his troupe of talented craftsmen—the only family he has—he designs hidden compartments for priceless treasures and passageways for undetectable escape routes. The rich and powerful who hire him pay handsomely for his work, and for his discretion—they know only his first name, and his business is strictly word-of-mouth.
As Paris celebrates the 1889 World’s Fair, the city fills with visitors who come to see the controversial new Eiffel Tower with its gravity-defying escalators, to tout their latest inventions, or to scout for prospective investment opportunities. Vincent takes on an urgent mission so secret he doesn’t tell anyone about it. Suddenly, he and his team become the target of assassination attempts. In a race against time, as death licks at their heels, they puzzle over who could be behind the violence. Is it one of their clients trying to erase the secrets they had been hired to conceal? Has their work somehow provoked the dark forces of the occult? Who is this faceless adversary, lurking in the shadows, ready to strike them anywhere, anytime?
Confronted with mysteries uncovered from the past, and a life-or-death challenge that tests the limits of his ability, Vincent will do everything in his power to thwart the menace and protect his friends…if only he can survive. What he is about to discover will shatter everything he thought he knew about the world….
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As Paris celebrates the 1889 World’s Fair, the city fills with visitors who come to see the controversial new Eiffel Tower with its gravity-defying escalators, to tout their latest inventions, or to scout for prospective investment opportunities. Vincent takes on an urgent mission so secret he doesn’t tell anyone about it. Suddenly, he and his team become the target of assassination attempts. In a race against time, as death licks at their heels, they puzzle over who could be behind the violence. Is it one of their clients trying to erase the secrets they had been hired to conceal? Has their work somehow provoked the dark forces of the occult? Who is this faceless adversary, lurking in the shadows, ready to strike them anywhere, anytime?
Confronted with mysteries uncovered from the past, and a life-or-death challenge that tests the limits of his ability, Vincent will do everything in his power to thwart the menace and protect his friends…if only he can survive. What he is about to discover will shatter everything he thought he knew about the world….
DOWNLOAD (Added 46 Days Ago)
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
49 people are currently reading
908 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
October 24, 2019
Je me souviendrai toujours du jour où j'ai découvert la plume de Gilles Legardinier alors que j'étais en vacances à Florence. Sa comédie Demain j'arrête m'avait fait pleurer de rire et cet auteur a toujours eu le don d'offrir des romances où il se met si bien à la place de l'héroïne et où l'intrigue est plus que crédible. Désormais , je découvre cette plume dans des romans intenses dignes des plus grands thrillers. Nous voilà donc plongés dans le Paris du 19ème siècle et ses mystères.
je suis une nouvelle fois conquise par le talent de narrateur et les univers dans lequel nous plonge Gilles Legardinier. C'est brillant, c'est palpitant, c'est intriguant et le lecteur se prête lui aussi au jeu de l'enquête et de cette intrigue qu'on ne peut plus lâcher. Un roman à dévorer de toute urgence
Chronique complète : https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
je suis une nouvelle fois conquise par le talent de narrateur et les univers dans lequel nous plonge Gilles Legardinier. C'est brillant, c'est palpitant, c'est intriguant et le lecteur se prête lui aussi au jeu de l'enquête et de cette intrigue qu'on ne peut plus lâcher. Un roman à dévorer de toute urgence
Chronique complète : https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
February 7, 2020
Rien ne va plus... entre Gilles Legardinier et moi.
Découvert en 2013 avec Demain j'arrête, j'ai enchaîné les romans avec un enthousiasme croissant. Coïncidence ou pas, depuis son changement d'éditeur, ça ne colle plus. J'aime de moins en moins ce qu'il propose (Le premier miracle, Une fois dans ma vie, J'ai encore menti). Bof. Ça me semble lourd, long et redondant.
Ce nouveau titre n'a pas fait exception : l'histoire est confuse et lassante... malgré un programme alléchant. En plein Paris du début du Siècle, qui consacre l'Expo Universelle, on fait connaissance avec une équipe de cerveaux habiles à concevoir des cachettes à trésors et à démêler les énigmes. Dépassés par leur réputation, ils seront hélas confrontés à des personnages peu recommandables et deviendront incidemment des cibles à éliminer.
Un peu d'aventures, un peu d'intrigue criminelle... un peu fourre-tout au final. La lecture est fastidieuse car elle n'accroche pas et retombe facilement sur de vieux acquis. Les discours, les relations, les tours et détours, les rebondissements, les personnages aussi... c'est du déjà vu.
En fait le roman est très inégal : parfois je me surprenais à écouter l'histoire avec intérêt, parfois je me demandais combien de temps encore avant la fin ! ? Bref. Un peu trop sinueux, si vous voulez mon avis. D'où l'ennui et la déception.
Tant pis.
Découvert en 2013 avec Demain j'arrête, j'ai enchaîné les romans avec un enthousiasme croissant. Coïncidence ou pas, depuis son changement d'éditeur, ça ne colle plus. J'aime de moins en moins ce qu'il propose (Le premier miracle, Une fois dans ma vie, J'ai encore menti). Bof. Ça me semble lourd, long et redondant.
Ce nouveau titre n'a pas fait exception : l'histoire est confuse et lassante... malgré un programme alléchant. En plein Paris du début du Siècle, qui consacre l'Expo Universelle, on fait connaissance avec une équipe de cerveaux habiles à concevoir des cachettes à trésors et à démêler les énigmes. Dépassés par leur réputation, ils seront hélas confrontés à des personnages peu recommandables et deviendront incidemment des cibles à éliminer.
Un peu d'aventures, un peu d'intrigue criminelle... un peu fourre-tout au final. La lecture est fastidieuse car elle n'accroche pas et retombe facilement sur de vieux acquis. Les discours, les relations, les tours et détours, les rebondissements, les personnages aussi... c'est du déjà vu.
En fait le roman est très inégal : parfois je me surprenais à écouter l'histoire avec intérêt, parfois je me demandais combien de temps encore avant la fin ! ? Bref. Un peu trop sinueux, si vous voulez mon avis. D'où l'ennui et la déception.
Tant pis.
September 16, 2021
Gilles Legardinier has written a better Dan Brown book than Dan Brown. 1889 Paris meets the Da Vinci Code, with a sprinkling of the comradery of the gang from The Lies of Locke Lamora and some cool references to historical magicians. I’d love to see this as a movie.
Read
January 4, 2026DNF, writing style issue.
June 22, 2021
I discovered The Paris Labyrinth at random in the hardcover section at Barnes & Noble and something about it intrigued me. It was kind of weird that the book had no dust jacket and that the artwork was printed right onto the cardboard cover. You don’t often find books in hardcover like that.
Once I opened it up, my first requirement was that it was written in third-person, past-tense. I also noticed short chapters, which was another big plus. I did have slight reservations because it was translated from French to English so I wasn’t sure how it would pan out in the wording.
As it turns out, this was a fascinating read, well-paced and with the short chapters and scenes, a perfect way to get the point across. The main character was Vincent, who ran a weird business of creating hidden doors and passages and such. He gets involved in a secret society and mayhem ensues.
My only real issue with the writing was that the author head-hopped. While the story was mostly third-limited, the author had no compunction to head hop from one character to the next at will, and that made things a bit annoying at times. Otherwise, the writing was engaging, I liked the characters, and he created an atmosphere that engaged me into Paris at the turn of the 19th to 20th century during the World’s Fair right when the Eifel Tower was first built.
I can say I had a great time right until the mostly satisfying, though still sort of strange conclusion. There was a big loose end left unresolved, but maybe the author is saving it for a sequel. Maybe not. In any case, I came away satisfied enough to be happy. Highly recommended.
Once I opened it up, my first requirement was that it was written in third-person, past-tense. I also noticed short chapters, which was another big plus. I did have slight reservations because it was translated from French to English so I wasn’t sure how it would pan out in the wording.
As it turns out, this was a fascinating read, well-paced and with the short chapters and scenes, a perfect way to get the point across. The main character was Vincent, who ran a weird business of creating hidden doors and passages and such. He gets involved in a secret society and mayhem ensues.
My only real issue with the writing was that the author head-hopped. While the story was mostly third-limited, the author had no compunction to head hop from one character to the next at will, and that made things a bit annoying at times. Otherwise, the writing was engaging, I liked the characters, and he created an atmosphere that engaged me into Paris at the turn of the 19th to 20th century during the World’s Fair right when the Eifel Tower was first built.
I can say I had a great time right until the mostly satisfying, though still sort of strange conclusion. There was a big loose end left unresolved, but maybe the author is saving it for a sequel. Maybe not. In any case, I came away satisfied enough to be happy. Highly recommended.
June 6, 2021
Not a book I ever would have selected myself. Happy I was sent it by Brilliant Books.
It's a lot like The DaVinci Code, but set in 1889 Paris. Never boring. Paced well. Intriguing characters. A good book to read on a plane or at the beach.
It's a lot like The DaVinci Code, but set in 1889 Paris. Never boring. Paced well. Intriguing characters. A good book to read on a plane or at the beach.
January 25, 2020
J'ai été agréablement surprise par cette lecture. J'avais déjà lu des romans de cet auteur avec plus ou moins de plaisir. Autant j'avais aimé et beaucoup ri avec " Demain j'arrête", autant je n'étais jamais allé au bout de " J'ai encore menti" tellement je m'y étais ennuyé.
J'étais donc un peu prudente en commençant cette lecture. Et finalement j'ai passé un bon moment malgré beaucoup de longueurs et de temps morts. L'idée de se servir de l'Exposition Universelle de Paris et de tout ce que cela a pu engendrer comme changements, l'histoire de plusieurs sociétés secrètes qui s'affrontent pendant cette période étaient bien construites.
Ce qui je regrette par contre c'est la fin un peu abrupte où finalement on ne sait pas trop ce que deviennent les protagonistes de l'histoire et surtout Vincent, à peine quelques mots...
J'étais donc un peu prudente en commençant cette lecture. Et finalement j'ai passé un bon moment malgré beaucoup de longueurs et de temps morts. L'idée de se servir de l'Exposition Universelle de Paris et de tout ce que cela a pu engendrer comme changements, l'histoire de plusieurs sociétés secrètes qui s'affrontent pendant cette période étaient bien construites.
Ce qui je regrette par contre c'est la fin un peu abrupte où finalement on ne sait pas trop ce que deviennent les protagonistes de l'histoire et surtout Vincent, à peine quelques mots...
May 10, 2022
This book was enjoyable and mysterious, and had such an intriguing setting surrounding the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. Reminiscent of The Goonies and National Treasure, it was just a really fun read. However, the competing groups that drive the storyline were not well defined, it could be somewhat grandiose and melodramatic, as well as predictable and contrived, the ending was quite abrupt, and several loose ends were not clearly resolved.
June 6, 2020
J’ai été déçue par cet ouvrage historique. Autant j’ai aimé l’auteur dans ses romans humouristiques, autant celui ci, bien que bien écrit, laisse de marbre : les personnages ne touchent pas, manquent de profondeur, alors que l’accent est mis - à tort selon moi - sur l’ambiance. Dommage :/
June 8, 2021
3.5 stars for a fun story, Indiana Jones-like exploration and hijinks, but a rather weak ending and some loose ends never fleshed out.
November 25, 2021
The French Dan Brown of ripping, conspiracy-laden yarns. Actually, I should not say this, as I have never read Dan Brown. However, this book could easily be made into a movie, so there you go.
October 20, 2021
14 novels written in French and finally one translated into English? It is a mystery why Gilles Legardinier has not been more widely translated given his apparent popularity by French speakers. I adored this novel from start to finish. As a fan of historical fiction, the author captured such a vivid description of the day with incredible literary talents, or should I give credit to the brilliant translator, Kate Robinson. I wonder if the author was a fan of Mission Impossible because the novel has many similarities. Our protagonist, Vincent Kavel has assembled a unique small band of secret craftsmen in a strange business of creating hidden rooms or hiding places for documents or expensive objects. However, he gets asked to uncover a secret entrance or figure out how to gain access and so the thrilling adventure begins. I really enjoyed the very short chapter style and how masterfully the author sustains the suspense right up until the last pages. I adored this book and hope more of Monsieur Legardinier’s books will be translated into English.
December 28, 2021
I found this book to be very entertaining and educational. It was written in 2019 by the author in French and translated to English in 2021.
The protagonist is a very interesting character whose prime objective is keeping those he loves safe from any threat, real or imagined. It is set in Paris in the late 1800s when the World's Fair would introduce the Eiffel Tower as it's centerpiece. The plot is full of mystery and intrigue.
The protagonist is a very interesting character whose prime objective is keeping those he loves safe from any threat, real or imagined. It is set in Paris in the late 1800s when the World's Fair would introduce the Eiffel Tower as it's centerpiece. The plot is full of mystery and intrigue.
August 7, 2021
Giving The Paris Labyrinth 3 stars due to a handful of loose ends as well as lack of detail mixed with unnecessary detail that was hard to ignore. But overall I actually did enjoy reading this story. It was reminiscent of National Treasure, just set in turn of the century France.
November 10, 2021
Vincent, more than anyone, knows what it means to keep a secret. With his troupe of talented craftsmen—the only family he has—he designs hidden compartments for priceless treasures and passageways for undetectable escape routes. The rich and powerful who hire him pay handsomely for his work, and for his discretion—they know only his first name, and his business is strictly word-of-mouth.
As Paris celebrates the 1889 World’s Fair, the city fills with visitors who come to see the controversial new Eiffel Tower with its gravity-defying escalators, to tout their latest inventions, or to scout for prospective investment opportunities. Vincent takes on an urgent mission so secret he doesn’t tell anyone about it. Suddenly, he and his team become the target of assassination attempts. In a race against time, as death licks at their heels, they puzzle over who could be behind the violence. Is it one of their clients trying to erase the secrets they had been hired to conceal? Has their work somehow provoked the dark forces of the occult? Who is this faceless adversary, lurking in the shadows, ready to strike them anywhere, anytime?
Confronted with mysteries uncovered from the past, and a life-or-death challenge that tests the limits of his ability, Vincent will do everything in his power to thwart the menace and protect his friends…if only he can survive. What he is about to discover will shatter everything he thought he knew about the world….
As Paris celebrates the 1889 World’s Fair, the city fills with visitors who come to see the controversial new Eiffel Tower with its gravity-defying escalators, to tout their latest inventions, or to scout for prospective investment opportunities. Vincent takes on an urgent mission so secret he doesn’t tell anyone about it. Suddenly, he and his team become the target of assassination attempts. In a race against time, as death licks at their heels, they puzzle over who could be behind the violence. Is it one of their clients trying to erase the secrets they had been hired to conceal? Has their work somehow provoked the dark forces of the occult? Who is this faceless adversary, lurking in the shadows, ready to strike them anywhere, anytime?
Confronted with mysteries uncovered from the past, and a life-or-death challenge that tests the limits of his ability, Vincent will do everything in his power to thwart the menace and protect his friends…if only he can survive. What he is about to discover will shatter everything he thought he knew about the world….
March 31, 2022
a very interesting, fast-paced, page-flipping read that asks very pertinent questions about humanity and progress, consumption and greed, desecration and preservation, and what one would do to protect the ones they love.
vincent is a gifted engineer of secret passages, and he and his team - a family - render their expertise to wealthy clients with secrets to hide. one day, they get caught up in a mysterious job and suddenly they have become the targets of attempted assassinations. as vincent tries to unravel the mysteries of who's got it out for them and of a seemingly-impenetrable secret passage and people who should be dead and cult-like mysticism, we question along with him the lengths one would go to to preserve ancient secrets from modern corruption.
told in short chapters and primarily in vincent's POV, though some chapters are refreshingly told in the POV of the people surrounding vincent - pierre, konrad, henri - this story captures the magic of humanity and love.
some (personal!) gripes i have: the characters and story didn't always feel entirely compelling, and even when stakes are high, they don't always feel high, and some parts border on unresolved absurdity (though i personally can suspend my disbelief enough to not be overly-critical of this and entirely taken out of the story). sometimes i also felt a dissonance between characters and their actions, though that may be due to me feeling not very satisfied with the depths of their characterisations.
vincent is a gifted engineer of secret passages, and he and his team - a family - render their expertise to wealthy clients with secrets to hide. one day, they get caught up in a mysterious job and suddenly they have become the targets of attempted assassinations. as vincent tries to unravel the mysteries of who's got it out for them and of a seemingly-impenetrable secret passage and people who should be dead and cult-like mysticism, we question along with him the lengths one would go to to preserve ancient secrets from modern corruption.
told in short chapters and primarily in vincent's POV, though some chapters are refreshingly told in the POV of the people surrounding vincent - pierre, konrad, henri - this story captures the magic of humanity and love.
some (personal!) gripes i have: the characters and story didn't always feel entirely compelling, and even when stakes are high, they don't always feel high, and some parts border on unresolved absurdity (though i personally can suspend my disbelief enough to not be overly-critical of this and entirely taken out of the story). sometimes i also felt a dissonance between characters and their actions, though that may be due to me feeling not very satisfied with the depths of their characterisations.
March 29, 2025
Truly a fascinating book full of grand mysteries and intrigue. The story takes place during the time of L'Exposition Universelle in Paris, beginning in 1899 and from 14 April to 12 November 1900. As described by the author: "We are on the threshold of a future ruled by the science of men."
The main characters' goal was to save and preserve centuries of knowledge, spirituality, and power that were in danger of being destroyed by the extensive construction and gentrification of Paris. "A massive industrialization of souls" and an "unconscious massacre" caused by urban development were endangering so many hidden secrets. And, of course, the heroes of the story had to fight a group of greedy criminals who are only seeking treasures and wealth with no regard to the history or mystery of Paris!
As my French et un peu rouillé semblable au "Le Clou", I am happy that this book was the author's first book (that I know of) translated en englais! Je pensais que ce livre était très bien écrit. Je suis content de l'avoir découvert dans ma bibliothèque locale!!
The main characters' goal was to save and preserve centuries of knowledge, spirituality, and power that were in danger of being destroyed by the extensive construction and gentrification of Paris. "A massive industrialization of souls" and an "unconscious massacre" caused by urban development were endangering so many hidden secrets. And, of course, the heroes of the story had to fight a group of greedy criminals who are only seeking treasures and wealth with no regard to the history or mystery of Paris!
As my French et un peu rouillé semblable au "Le Clou", I am happy that this book was the author's first book (that I know of) translated en englais! Je pensais que ce livre était très bien écrit. Je suis content de l'avoir découvert dans ma bibliothèque locale!!
December 14, 2025
This book reads like a love letter to Paris, history, and puzzles, and would have been a much more fun read if I wasn't clobbered in the head with every emotion every character was feeling at a given moment and spoon-fed the significance of any event. I think the book could have been halved if you just got rid of all the unnecessary emotions. I will say that some of my issues with the writing I suspect are issues with the translation that led to the story sounding a bit more stilted than I imagine it did in French, but I can only comment on the book that I read.
I think that this book played into tropes a little bit, with the typical ragtag crew of devious masterminds who undercover a secret plot, but they do a rather good job of keeping them actually smart and worthwhile of their fame. This book did not break the mold, but if you’re looking for a light read this book can scratch an itch.
I think that this book played into tropes a little bit, with the typical ragtag crew of devious masterminds who undercover a secret plot, but they do a rather good job of keeping them actually smart and worthwhile of their fame. This book did not break the mold, but if you’re looking for a light read this book can scratch an itch.
August 23, 2024
j'adore gilles legardinier mais ce livre n'a pas été mon préféré. c'est juste le type d'histoire où j'accroche moins et
l'écriture ne pas pas transcendée (alors qu'il a une plume magnifique dans ses autres livres). par contre j'ai adoré les personnages, ils sont tellement attachants! j'ai surtout beaucoup aimé vincent, pierre et henri.
la fin est très belle par contre... le dernier chapitre m'a réconforté avec ce livre; j'ai retrouvé l'émotion et la plume de gilles legardinier. j'ai particulièrement aimé ce passage: "certaines nuits d'été, on murmure qu'un élégant inconnu sans nom et un monstre s'assoient côte à côte sur les marches du sacré-cœur pour contempler la nuit. pour un instant d'éternité." le lien que vincent a créé avec le monstre est magnifique!
je recommande si vous aimez les romans d'aventures!
l'écriture ne pas pas transcendée (alors qu'il a une plume magnifique dans ses autres livres). par contre j'ai adoré les personnages, ils sont tellement attachants! j'ai surtout beaucoup aimé vincent, pierre et henri.
la fin est très belle par contre... le dernier chapitre m'a réconforté avec ce livre; j'ai retrouvé l'émotion et la plume de gilles legardinier. j'ai particulièrement aimé ce passage: "certaines nuits d'été, on murmure qu'un élégant inconnu sans nom et un monstre s'assoient côte à côte sur les marches du sacré-cœur pour contempler la nuit. pour un instant d'éternité." le lien que vincent a créé avec le monstre est magnifique!
je recommande si vous aimez les romans d'aventures!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2025
I read this for book club and thoroughly enjoyed it. The balance of historical fiction, character development, mystery, friendship, imagery, and plot twists is just 👩🍳 💋. I feel like I learned about Paris and life around the Industrial Revolution, and the ending made me cry in the best way. The back of the book also contains historical facts that inspired Legardinier's characters - nerdtastic. If I ever go to Paris, I'll be sure to scan a copy of those facts so I can try to tour the places this book is based on - couldn't have asked for a better first read of the year 🍾📚✨️
September 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up because of the title and how wonderful and smooth the cover felt in my hand..oh, and the summary sounded interesting too. This was a very interesting story. Not a page turner, but there were certainly chapters that kept you wanting more. It definitely had a hint of Da Vinci Code, but was more about secret passages - building, finding, using. Very interesting and enjoyable.
April 17, 2022
This book was a cross between the movie Goonies and The Da Vinci Code. I wish the author had spent more time with the actual mechanics of all the secret passages, but I'm not sure that would be of interest to casual readers. As an engineer, I would have loved to see some more detailed descriptions of the devices and/or drawings or sketches of the designs.
It was still a fun little read, and I liked the hardcover with the artwork printed right on the carboard (instead of a dust cover).
It was still a fun little read, and I liked the hardcover with the artwork printed right on the carboard (instead of a dust cover).
April 23, 2023
Set against the backdrop of the World's Fair in 1889 Paris, the adventures of Vincent, creator of hidden rooms and secret passages for the wealthy, and his friends is a captivating and beautiful story. If this novel is anything to go by, it's a mystery even greater than the one Vincent is trying to solve why more of Gilles Legardinier's books haven't been translated into English! Loved it, and highly recommend.
June 30, 2025
I just picked this one up this afternoon in an independent bookshop on Kiawah Island. My son and I love books and this store curates its collection very well. The opening words of the story - if they are any indication of what's to come - are memorable and certainly mirror this stage of my life: a new beginning and the final chapter. Let nothing go unnoticed, and never back off. Time is the most precious commodity.
January 8, 2022
This books is what happens if you took a Dan Brown story, but give it to a capable author with ADHD. Pros: well written and enjoyable characters. You won’t find any albino monks here. Cons: super short chapters that hop around made it tiring to read. The plot is very Dan Brown-ish, which isn’t enough to hold my attention span for 440 pages.
September 14, 2025
solid three. not what i had anticipated, but still somewhat interesting... i pictured this being more "paris," like the city was more of a presence in the book, but it really didn't. it was kind of dan brownish, i guess. i might have enjoyed this as an engineering book. the descriptions of the traps were pretty cool. i would have liked to see the drawings.
July 7, 2022
Reminded me of a smash between “National Treasure” and “The DaVinci Code”/“Angels and Demons”. I didn’t like how some things played out with passages opening because it was unexplained or too simple, but it was still a fun read and different from books I’ve read recently.
August 31, 2022
Fantastic read. Secret passages, secret rooms, illusions. Paris during the World Fair 1889. Full of surprises inc, I think, alluding to an unexpected character from another famous story. Absolutely enjoyed this historical action mystery.
September 15, 2022
Great story, reminds me of Dan Brown's work. However this book inspires and uplifts. The translation style took a little bit to get used to and the story took a while to really get going. I like that I can recommend it without reservations.
September 16, 2024
Loved the history aspects of the book, but it left me wanting. Very “National Treasure” vibes. Took 200 pages to establish the plot, which felt excessive. Also the word choice was interesting sometimes — wondering if it’s because it was translated from French.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews