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Beyond Revanche: The Death of La Belle Epoque
A gripping historical thriller set in the tumultuous era of the Belle Epoque and World War I.
Nations go to war in a blare of trumpets and glory for high designs like defense of the smaller nation, democracy, and justice. Behind this rhetoric is the pain and anguish of slaughter, misery, starvation, and death so that rich men grow richer. Beyond Revanche exposes the grotesque injustice of a world war within which a small group of French policemen in the Deuxieme Bureau has to come to terms with the reality of destruction.
Stretched to the limit they seek answers to the conundrum of who is actually controlling the war in France and beyond. The conspiracy they unearth threatens their very survival and that of France itself. Politics and injustice, sacrifice and conspiracy, violence and murder stalk the grand boulevards of Paris while the apparent ravings of a madman sheds a completely different light on events in the city and the politics of division. For general trade readers interested in historical thrillers, political intrigue, and character-driven narratives.
Nations go to war in a blare of trumpets and glory for high designs like defense of the smaller nation, democracy, and justice. Behind this rhetoric is the pain and anguish of slaughter, misery, starvation, and death so that rich men grow richer. Beyond Revanche exposes the grotesque injustice of a world war within which a small group of French policemen in the Deuxieme Bureau has to come to terms with the reality of destruction.
Stretched to the limit they seek answers to the conundrum of who is actually controlling the war in France and beyond. The conspiracy they unearth threatens their very survival and that of France itself. Politics and injustice, sacrifice and conspiracy, violence and murder stalk the grand boulevards of Paris while the apparent ravings of a madman sheds a completely different light on events in the city and the politics of division. For general trade readers interested in historical thrillers, political intrigue, and character-driven narratives.
432 pages, Paperback
Published April 7, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 26, 2026
The story plods along pretty well, told via two viewpoints, a cop transplanted into Paris after trouble in Marseille, and a right-wing assassin stooge. Mysterious string-pullers behind the scenes of WW1 with political protection and the Sicilian connection that is somehow linked and never explained. The story just stops. One of those. Overall rather an unsatisfying read, although the background historical bits and bobs are fascinating.
July 24, 2022
An engaging and engrossing read with lots of historical detail. It took a few chapters to get into the story and become familiar with all the characters as there were so many. The story moves at quite a pace and the plot twists and turns. Liked the slant of the book, focussing on internal French politics of the period and international relations.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews