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Inspector Henri Lefort #2
The Dark Edge of Night
“Sharp eyed and sharp mouthed police detective”* Henri Lefort, is determined to solve homicides and uncover any German conspiracies threatening France―in Mark Pryor’s newest World War II mystery, The Dark Edge of Night .
Winter 1940: With soldiers parading down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Nazi flags dangling from the Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower defaced with German propaganda, Parisians have little to celebrate as Christmas approaches. Police Inspector Henri Lefort’s wishes for a quiet holiday season are dashed when the Gestapo orders him to investigate the disappearance of Dr. Viktor Brandt, a neurologist involved in a secret project at one of Paris’s hospitals.
Being forced onto a missing persons case for the enemy doesn’t deter Henri from conducting his real job. A Frenchman has been beaten to death in what appears to be a botched burglary, and catching a killer is more important than locating a wayward scientist. But when Henri learns that the victim’s brother is a doctor who worked at the same hospital as the missing German, his investigation takes a disturbing turn.
Uncovering a relationship between the two men―one that would not be tolerated by the Third Reich―Henri must tread carefully. And when he discovers that Dr. Brandt’s experimental work is connected to groups of children being taken from orphanages, Henri risks bringing the wrath of both the SS and the Gestapo upon himself and everyone he loves.
* New York Times bestselling author Cara Black
Winter 1940: With soldiers parading down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Nazi flags dangling from the Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower defaced with German propaganda, Parisians have little to celebrate as Christmas approaches. Police Inspector Henri Lefort’s wishes for a quiet holiday season are dashed when the Gestapo orders him to investigate the disappearance of Dr. Viktor Brandt, a neurologist involved in a secret project at one of Paris’s hospitals.
Being forced onto a missing persons case for the enemy doesn’t deter Henri from conducting his real job. A Frenchman has been beaten to death in what appears to be a botched burglary, and catching a killer is more important than locating a wayward scientist. But when Henri learns that the victim’s brother is a doctor who worked at the same hospital as the missing German, his investigation takes a disturbing turn.
Uncovering a relationship between the two men―one that would not be tolerated by the Third Reich―Henri must tread carefully. And when he discovers that Dr. Brandt’s experimental work is connected to groups of children being taken from orphanages, Henri risks bringing the wrath of both the SS and the Gestapo upon himself and everyone he loves.
* New York Times bestselling author Cara Black
352 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2023
109 people are currently reading
8316 people want to read
About the author
Mark Pryor
33 books634 followersMark Pryor is a former newspaper reporter from England. He moved to the US in 1995 and subsequently spent 16 years working as a prosecutor with the Travis County District Attorney's Office, in Austin, Texas. He is now a partner at the law firm of Cofer & Connelly, in Austin.
His upcoming book DIE AROUND SUNDOWN is the first in a new series of historical mysteries set in Paris during WW2. It will be published August 16, 2022, by St. Martin's/Minotaur.
Mark is also the author of the Hugo Marston mystery series, set in Paris, London, and Barcelona. The first in the series, THE BOOKSELLER, was a Library Journal Debut of the Month, and called "unputdownable" by Oprah.com, and the series has been featured in the New York Times. Mark also wrote the psychological thrillers, HOLLOW MAN, and its sequel, DOMINIC. As a prosecutor, he has appeared on CBS News's 48 Hours and Discovery Channel's Discovery ID: Cold Blood.
Of his books, reviewers said:
"[G]ood character development, increasing levels of action and suspense, a complex and deranged antagonist, and--once again--appealing Paris settings. The Hugo Marston series now belongs on every espionage fan's watch list."
--Booklist
"Haunting imagery in Père La Chaise cemetery sets the stage for Pryor's chilling sophomore entry, and the City of Light becomes a backdrop for Marston's adventures. The clever antagonist leads him on a merry chase that will keep the reader entertained throughout."
--RT Book Reviews
"Two young lovers make the fatal mistake of sneaking into Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery the same night as a bone-stealing psychopath in Pryor's propulsive second novel starring affable former FBI profiler Hugo Marston.... The engaging characters sweep readers into a suspenseful chase from Pigalle to the Pyrenées."
--Publishers Weekly
The third Hugo Marston novel, THE BLOOD PROMISE, was released in January 2014. It may be his best yet...
"Mark Pryor is one of the smartest new writers on the block. His new novel is a doozy."
--Philip Kerr, author of A Man Without Breath, a Bernie Gunther novel
"Pryor seems to have hit his stride in this series, as he adroitly juxtaposes the light banter between Marston and Green with some scenes of intense emotion.... And, all the while, the suspense ramps up. Top-notch mystery in a skillfully delineated Parisian setting."
--Booklist
Mark is also the author of the true crime book, AS SHE LAY SLEEPING, which is the account of a "cold" murder case he prosecuted. Published in January 2013, Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "compelling" and "riveting."
His upcoming book DIE AROUND SUNDOWN is the first in a new series of historical mysteries set in Paris during WW2. It will be published August 16, 2022, by St. Martin's/Minotaur.
Mark is also the author of the Hugo Marston mystery series, set in Paris, London, and Barcelona. The first in the series, THE BOOKSELLER, was a Library Journal Debut of the Month, and called "unputdownable" by Oprah.com, and the series has been featured in the New York Times. Mark also wrote the psychological thrillers, HOLLOW MAN, and its sequel, DOMINIC. As a prosecutor, he has appeared on CBS News's 48 Hours and Discovery Channel's Discovery ID: Cold Blood.
Of his books, reviewers said:
"[G]ood character development, increasing levels of action and suspense, a complex and deranged antagonist, and--once again--appealing Paris settings. The Hugo Marston series now belongs on every espionage fan's watch list."
--Booklist
"Haunting imagery in Père La Chaise cemetery sets the stage for Pryor's chilling sophomore entry, and the City of Light becomes a backdrop for Marston's adventures. The clever antagonist leads him on a merry chase that will keep the reader entertained throughout."
--RT Book Reviews
"Two young lovers make the fatal mistake of sneaking into Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery the same night as a bone-stealing psychopath in Pryor's propulsive second novel starring affable former FBI profiler Hugo Marston.... The engaging characters sweep readers into a suspenseful chase from Pigalle to the Pyrenées."
--Publishers Weekly
The third Hugo Marston novel, THE BLOOD PROMISE, was released in January 2014. It may be his best yet...
"Mark Pryor is one of the smartest new writers on the block. His new novel is a doozy."
--Philip Kerr, author of A Man Without Breath, a Bernie Gunther novel
"Pryor seems to have hit his stride in this series, as he adroitly juxtaposes the light banter between Marston and Green with some scenes of intense emotion.... And, all the while, the suspense ramps up. Top-notch mystery in a skillfully delineated Parisian setting."
--Booklist
Mark is also the author of the true crime book, AS SHE LAY SLEEPING, which is the account of a "cold" murder case he prosecuted. Published in January 2013, Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "compelling" and "riveting."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
April 21, 2025
I'm getting pickier in my old age. However, just as I prefer marginalized stories (I hear "own voices" is over?) told by the groups that represent them, what is the ever present obsession with the French? For a story set in France, and starring French people, this didn't feel French. And trust me, I have a lot of experience.
The English author certainly isn't the first to tell a story set in France, and he won't be the last. There are a plethora of WW2 stories set in France, written by non French people, that I have problems with. We can start with THE NIGHTINGALE. I won't delve any deeper. I just wanted to give a little backstory at my annoyance.
This is the second in a series, but like most mysteries, can be read as a standalone. Henri, to me, just doesn't feel very French. His -isms lend more toward American and British culture. I will blame the author.
The mystery itself is fine. I didn't get pulled in at any point. A brothel was visited frequently for "research." One of the workers has a Chinese background. So much misogyny. So much racism. How come men written by women are so beloved, and yet women written by men are not? You don't have to answer this. I'm just annoyed at this point.
📖 Thank you to Goodreads and Minotaur Books
The English author certainly isn't the first to tell a story set in France, and he won't be the last. There are a plethora of WW2 stories set in France, written by non French people, that I have problems with. We can start with THE NIGHTINGALE. I won't delve any deeper. I just wanted to give a little backstory at my annoyance.
This is the second in a series, but like most mysteries, can be read as a standalone. Henri, to me, just doesn't feel very French. His -isms lend more toward American and British culture. I will blame the author.
The mystery itself is fine. I didn't get pulled in at any point. A brothel was visited frequently for "research." One of the workers has a Chinese background. So much misogyny. So much racism. How come men written by women are so beloved, and yet women written by men are not? You don't have to answer this. I'm just annoyed at this point.
📖 Thank you to Goodreads and Minotaur Books
October 4, 2023
Inspector Henri LeFort is back! If you’re a fan of police procedurals and also like historical fiction, this series is perfect for you. The action takes place in December 1940, in Nazi-occupied Paris. LeFort is a detective with the Paris police force, but everyone now has to answer to the occupying Germans. Once again, he is tasked with solving a case for the Germans, this time a doctor who has disappeared. At the same time, he has other cases to work on: a beating death and some disabled children disappearing from orphanages. Are they connected in any way?
As we know from history, the Nazis did some incredibly awful things. This story highlights an actual program involving children, although the author takes a few liberties with it. (Don’t miss the Author’s Note at the end!) Along with completely fictional characters, we get some real people, such as Princess Marie Bonaparte and journalist/spy Virginia Hall (subject of the book, A Woman of No Importance). We get to see how Parisians were dealing with shortages - of food and many other things. At one point, LeFort realizes he has a hole in the sole of one of his shoes, but getting them resoled is a very difficult task, with leather extremely hard to get, and very expensive if you can get it.
LeFort has something big in his past that he is hiding but he doesn’t tell the readers what it is until the very end of the book. (Readers of the first book may remember his story, but revealing this does help make the book more available to new readers of the series.)
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I was a bit late to it. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The narrator, P.J. Ochlan , did a good job with the various voices and accents.
As we know from history, the Nazis did some incredibly awful things. This story highlights an actual program involving children, although the author takes a few liberties with it. (Don’t miss the Author’s Note at the end!) Along with completely fictional characters, we get some real people, such as Princess Marie Bonaparte and journalist/spy Virginia Hall (subject of the book, A Woman of No Importance). We get to see how Parisians were dealing with shortages - of food and many other things. At one point, LeFort realizes he has a hole in the sole of one of his shoes, but getting them resoled is a very difficult task, with leather extremely hard to get, and very expensive if you can get it.
LeFort has something big in his past that he is hiding but he doesn’t tell the readers what it is until the very end of the book. (Readers of the first book may remember his story, but revealing this does help make the book more available to new readers of the series.)
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I was a bit late to it. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The narrator, P.J. Ochlan , did a good job with the various voices and accents.
August 13, 2023
Return to occupied Paris in the winter of 1940, where Homicide Detective Henri Lefort is tasked by a Nazi officer to find a missing doctor. Or else. Henri is one smart guy and soon he sees that there is something not quite right about the research project going on in the hospital. His job is complicated when he is also assigned a murder case. And his friend and neighbor Mimi is nagging at him about some children being whisked out of care facilities. Where are they being taken?
I enjoy this series with this smart detective and his wise-guy attitude. I like the direction this is headed and look forward to Lefort's further adventures.
I received an arc of this new mystery from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
I enjoy this series with this smart detective and his wise-guy attitude. I like the direction this is headed and look forward to Lefort's further adventures.
I received an arc of this new mystery from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
February 16, 2023
The Dark Edge of Night: A Henri Lefort Mystery
by Mark Pryor is a fantastic historical police procedural that is the second book in this promising series. I loved it.
This book, and series, has it all: mystery, suspense, action, twists, turns, history, well-developed characters, wit, wisdom, and kept me engaged throughout.
It continues where the first book, Die Around Sundown, left off and while you don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one, I do recommend doing so, as it will greatly enhance your understanding and experience with this one.
Paris, December 1940…finds Henri Lefort, French police detective forced to solve a missing persons case by a high-ranking Nazi official…find the missing Dr…or else…
As Henri investigates, more questions, complications, and angles arise, and he needs all the help he can get from Nicola, Mimi, and new acquaintances to solve this high-stakes case…as well as the additional curveballs thrown his way.
Excellent pacing, details, surprises, and plot. I truly love this series, and cannot wait for the next book.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Minotaur Books/ St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/15/23.
by Mark Pryor is a fantastic historical police procedural that is the second book in this promising series. I loved it.
This book, and series, has it all: mystery, suspense, action, twists, turns, history, well-developed characters, wit, wisdom, and kept me engaged throughout.
It continues where the first book, Die Around Sundown, left off and while you don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one, I do recommend doing so, as it will greatly enhance your understanding and experience with this one.
Paris, December 1940…finds Henri Lefort, French police detective forced to solve a missing persons case by a high-ranking Nazi official…find the missing Dr…or else…
As Henri investigates, more questions, complications, and angles arise, and he needs all the help he can get from Nicola, Mimi, and new acquaintances to solve this high-stakes case…as well as the additional curveballs thrown his way.
Excellent pacing, details, surprises, and plot. I truly love this series, and cannot wait for the next book.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Minotaur Books/ St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/15/23.
April 21, 2025
2.5 stars, rounded down for the completely implausible ending.
Plodding, prosaic, and instantly forgettable - a big disappointment after the first in this series (Die Around Sundown), which I enjoyed much more.
Plodding, prosaic, and instantly forgettable - a big disappointment after the first in this series (Die Around Sundown), which I enjoyed much more.
August 10, 2023
Heavy times
It’s 1940 and Paris is in the hands of the Boche. Inspector Henri Lefort is a policeman who’d fought in the first war and remembers the Germans well. They haven’t disappointed this time around. Still arrogant, demanding, bullying and terrifying.
Henri has been commandeered by the Gestapo to find a missing doctor. Not your usual sort of person to go missing. The doctor is found, run over by a train and disfigured beyond recognition.
Here’s the strange thing a second unrelated person has been found with similar injuries. Coincidence or design?
As well, his neighbour and fried, Princess Bonaparte is upset about French disabled children being seized from orphanages, supposedly to work in a munitions factory in Rennes.
All clues are pointing towards Rennes and Henri needs to discover what’s there. When he does he’s appalled. Now how to solve the problem of giving a report to the Nazis that won’t compromise him.
Based on brilliantly handled shocking truths, Henri Lefort looks like quickly joining the ranks of Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther—one of my favorite war time detectives.
Good cop meets immovable fanatic overlords is a great trope and this makes a resounding addition to like works. The noir feel is palpable and I loved it.
A Minotaur ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
It’s 1940 and Paris is in the hands of the Boche. Inspector Henri Lefort is a policeman who’d fought in the first war and remembers the Germans well. They haven’t disappointed this time around. Still arrogant, demanding, bullying and terrifying.
Henri has been commandeered by the Gestapo to find a missing doctor. Not your usual sort of person to go missing. The doctor is found, run over by a train and disfigured beyond recognition.
Here’s the strange thing a second unrelated person has been found with similar injuries. Coincidence or design?
As well, his neighbour and fried, Princess Bonaparte is upset about French disabled children being seized from orphanages, supposedly to work in a munitions factory in Rennes.
All clues are pointing towards Rennes and Henri needs to discover what’s there. When he does he’s appalled. Now how to solve the problem of giving a report to the Nazis that won’t compromise him.
Based on brilliantly handled shocking truths, Henri Lefort looks like quickly joining the ranks of Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther—one of my favorite war time detectives.
Good cop meets immovable fanatic overlords is a great trope and this makes a resounding addition to like works. The noir feel is palpable and I loved it.
A Minotaur ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
September 6, 2023
It's 1940., and the German Occupation of France continues, with the French inhabitants in Paris suffering food shortages, sudden searches and harassment by troops, and unexplained disappearances of some people.
Mistrustful misanthrope and grump, detective Henri Lefort is a victim of his success (in book one). He’s forced by a Gestapo agent into locating a missing German, while also trying to figure out, in a separate case, why a supposed victim of a burglary was disfigured postmortem.
And Nicole is chafing at the restrictions imposed by their secret society of two, or now three (with Marie Bonaporte), as Nicole wants to start a serious relationship with one of Lefort's fellow police officers.
Henri takes his investigation, and his smart mouth, all over, trying to figure what reluctant family members, hospital staff and others, really are saying, and also discovers some dreadful experiments that are taking place in a city that all his cases have in common.
The historical details are great, and one can feel the tension of the Occupation, and the frustration and anger the French would have felt for German troops. Henri remains an intriguing character, with his inability to not say the most sarcastic and inappropriate thing at all times, his extreme sensitivity to sound, and his persistent mistrust of everyone but Nicole and Marie. He's forced to confront a little of his issues, and the ending opens up interesting possibilities for further stories.
Mistrustful misanthrope and grump, detective Henri Lefort is a victim of his success (in book one). He’s forced by a Gestapo agent into locating a missing German, while also trying to figure out, in a separate case, why a supposed victim of a burglary was disfigured postmortem.
And Nicole is chafing at the restrictions imposed by their secret society of two, or now three (with Marie Bonaporte), as Nicole wants to start a serious relationship with one of Lefort's fellow police officers.
Henri takes his investigation, and his smart mouth, all over, trying to figure what reluctant family members, hospital staff and others, really are saying, and also discovers some dreadful experiments that are taking place in a city that all his cases have in common.
The historical details are great, and one can feel the tension of the Occupation, and the frustration and anger the French would have felt for German troops. Henri remains an intriguing character, with his inability to not say the most sarcastic and inappropriate thing at all times, his extreme sensitivity to sound, and his persistent mistrust of everyone but Nicole and Marie. He's forced to confront a little of his issues, and the ending opens up interesting possibilities for further stories.
March 31, 2023
I received this ARC and enjoyed the read. This is the second in a series of books with detective Henri Lefort. When I received an email I would be getting a copy of this book I checked out the first one through my public library. I’m glad I had the look into the characters ahead of this one. Though honestly you don’t have to read the first one to read this one. Set right after the first one Henri is dealing with his emotional scars from WW1. The Nazi’s have taken over Paris and he has to work for them on cases every now and then. This time he has to find a missing Doctor at the same time he is looking into a murder case. All of this as well as dealing with his sister wanting to have a normal romantic relationship with a police officer he works with. To top it all off Mimi (Princess Marie Bonaparte) tells him disabled children are being taken. So Henri has a lot going on while also trying to fight against the Nazi’s without losing his job and more importantly his life. The mystery is good and things are tied up well at the end. I look forward to the next in the series whenever it is released.
May 5, 2023
It's winter in Paris 1940 and Henri Lefort is once again given a hard assignment, Solve the mystery of a missing Nazi doctor or face punishment. The Dark Edge of Night is the second book in this new and great series by Mark Pryor. He has created som fantastic characters and circumstances in which they live. How do you do your work as a policeman when your country is occupied and you don't want to be a collaborator? I suspect that as the war goes on it will be harder and harder and the stories darker and darker. But I do really enjoy the unusual setting and troubles our detective faces. As always the book is very well written and by now the author must know Paris rather well. This is his second series set there. Highly recommended by me and I thank Minotaur Books, Macmillan and Edelweiss for approving me for this advance copy.
August 14, 2023
It is December, 1940 and France has been conquered by the Nazis. Homicide Detective Henri Lefort has been charged by the occupying forces to investigate the disappearance of a doctor who is clearly important to the Nazis. As in the first book in this series, Lefort must succeed in his efforts or face punishment, perhaps lethal. What ensues is a complex story involving the many moving parts in war-torn Paris - the Nazis, the Paris police, and the Resistance.
This is the second book by Pryor featuring Henri Lefort and once again his mastery of the crime genre now couple with historical fiction shines through. A complicated plot given all the interrelationships of the characters in the early days of WWII will keep your interest and keep you guessing. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
This is the second book by Pryor featuring Henri Lefort and once again his mastery of the crime genre now couple with historical fiction shines through. A complicated plot given all the interrelationships of the characters in the early days of WWII will keep your interest and keep you guessing. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
May 28, 2023
The second in the Henri Lefort series finds Henri once again forced to work for the Nazis occupying Paris. He has a week to find a missing German neurologist who is involved in a secret project.
At the same time, his neighbor is demanding he investigate the disappearance of children from care homes and, he has murder to investigate. Can he balance all three?
This is a tightly plotted police procedural that puts Henri in grave danger. The ending is nail-biting as a assassination in the rail station must go exactly as planned.
Thanks to St.Martin's Press and Netgalley for the advanced copy.
At the same time, his neighbor is demanding he investigate the disappearance of children from care homes and, he has murder to investigate. Can he balance all three?
This is a tightly plotted police procedural that puts Henri in grave danger. The ending is nail-biting as a assassination in the rail station must go exactly as planned.
Thanks to St.Martin's Press and Netgalley for the advanced copy.
Read
July 18, 2023Loved the humor in this as a French detective must help the Nazis who have invaded Paris solve a murder. Meanwhile his secret sister is falling for another cop which might endanger their past -‘sprinkled with historical characters this is a fun one
September 10, 2023
Book Review
The Dark Edge of Night
Mark Pryor
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
An atmospheric police procedural catapults into a historical fiction mystery with clues unraveling in the shadowy streets of Paris, filled with jackbooted Nazi bastards. This is the second in a series featuring Inspector Henri LeFort, a righteous and highly scrupled cop with a dogged determination to wade through a morass of twisted clues in spite of Nazi roadblocks and obstacles in his investigation to uncover truth and justice. The setting is December 1940, occupied Paris with blood-red banners festooned with black swastikas staining the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.
In June, the Boche (derisive term used for the Germans, refers to “cabbage heads”) attempted to be polite and respectful to the Parisians. Now, the veneer of decency has cracked and they’ve reverted back to the schoolyard bullies they are. Lately, they have started rounding up those they consider undesirable: Jews, Gypsies, people of color, the crippled, and those with disabilities. Henri vividly recalls his experiences in the previous war, when he killed these Germans and watched his friends perish, but in the end, successfully pushed these Boches back to the Rhineland. Now, he feels humiliated by the ease of France’s surrender. The sardonically humored Henri is called to the office of his boss, Chief Louis Proulx, the head of the murder division at the Prefecture. He was immediately set upon by a Nazi officer, who identified himself as Stefan Becker, and an older man who introduced himself as Dr. Andreas von Rauch. Herr Becker informed Henri that he was to drop whatever he was doing and find the missing Dr. Viktor Brandt, a neurologist. Dr. Von Rauch indicated that he was a colleague but, “it was none of his business what they were working on.” The two of them, along with Dr. Denis Berger, were working at the Bleriot Hospital on a secret project. Dr. Brandt was staying at the posh Ritz Hotel but went missing three days ago.
This gem can be devoured as a standalone, as Pryor skillfully weaves into the narrative any necessary backstory. In the first book, Henri had saved the life of Princess Marie Bonaparte during a robbery. She was the great-grandniece of Napoleon and had studied the science of psychoanalysis with Sigmund Freud. They have developed a warm relationship; in fact, she is now Henri’s downstairs neighbor and takes an active part in the investigation. Other “real” historical figures appear in the narrative, lending this mystery further authenticity. Eric Sevareid, a CBS news journalist, makes Henri’s acquaintance at a cafe along the Left Bank. Photojournalist Virginia Wolf appears and is inserted into the intrigue of the unraveling mystery.
The Gestapo expects a report in a couple of days and a “rapid resolution,” or Henri will be held accountable, probably with his life. Henri must follow the trail of twisted clues from the Ritz Hotel and Bleriot Hospital, leading him down a dark, convoluted trail of bondage and homosexuality. He’s momentarily diverted by another murder. A Frenchman was beaten to death in what appears to be a botched burglary. He was killed with a single stab wound to the back of his brain, and postmortem, his face was obliterated with a hammer. The victim’s brother is a doctor who works at the same hospital as the missing German. Henri doubts this is a coincidence. At the same time, he is made aware that children are being taken from orphanages, never to be seen again.
Mark Pryor crafts an immersive and masterful narrative, creating a riveting twisted string of multiple unexpected reveals that propel this page-turner. Henri will use his powers of observation and deductive reasoning to solve this case. Multiple chapters delve into his World War I experiences, trauma, and secrets that shape his present-day problems and motivations. Vivid prose and evocative descriptions of Paris locales are wonderfully interwoven into this nuanced narrative. A multitude of clues, culprits, and evidence amass as Inspector LeFort searches for truth and justice.
This five-star novel will appeal to aficionados who reveled in the exploits and cases of Georges Simenon’s Inspector Jules Maigret and Philip Kerr’s World War II exploits of Bernie Gunther. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
.... Published at MysteryAndSuspenseMagazine.com.....
The Dark Edge of Night
Mark Pryor
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
An atmospheric police procedural catapults into a historical fiction mystery with clues unraveling in the shadowy streets of Paris, filled with jackbooted Nazi bastards. This is the second in a series featuring Inspector Henri LeFort, a righteous and highly scrupled cop with a dogged determination to wade through a morass of twisted clues in spite of Nazi roadblocks and obstacles in his investigation to uncover truth and justice. The setting is December 1940, occupied Paris with blood-red banners festooned with black swastikas staining the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.
In June, the Boche (derisive term used for the Germans, refers to “cabbage heads”) attempted to be polite and respectful to the Parisians. Now, the veneer of decency has cracked and they’ve reverted back to the schoolyard bullies they are. Lately, they have started rounding up those they consider undesirable: Jews, Gypsies, people of color, the crippled, and those with disabilities. Henri vividly recalls his experiences in the previous war, when he killed these Germans and watched his friends perish, but in the end, successfully pushed these Boches back to the Rhineland. Now, he feels humiliated by the ease of France’s surrender. The sardonically humored Henri is called to the office of his boss, Chief Louis Proulx, the head of the murder division at the Prefecture. He was immediately set upon by a Nazi officer, who identified himself as Stefan Becker, and an older man who introduced himself as Dr. Andreas von Rauch. Herr Becker informed Henri that he was to drop whatever he was doing and find the missing Dr. Viktor Brandt, a neurologist. Dr. Von Rauch indicated that he was a colleague but, “it was none of his business what they were working on.” The two of them, along with Dr. Denis Berger, were working at the Bleriot Hospital on a secret project. Dr. Brandt was staying at the posh Ritz Hotel but went missing three days ago.
This gem can be devoured as a standalone, as Pryor skillfully weaves into the narrative any necessary backstory. In the first book, Henri had saved the life of Princess Marie Bonaparte during a robbery. She was the great-grandniece of Napoleon and had studied the science of psychoanalysis with Sigmund Freud. They have developed a warm relationship; in fact, she is now Henri’s downstairs neighbor and takes an active part in the investigation. Other “real” historical figures appear in the narrative, lending this mystery further authenticity. Eric Sevareid, a CBS news journalist, makes Henri’s acquaintance at a cafe along the Left Bank. Photojournalist Virginia Wolf appears and is inserted into the intrigue of the unraveling mystery.
The Gestapo expects a report in a couple of days and a “rapid resolution,” or Henri will be held accountable, probably with his life. Henri must follow the trail of twisted clues from the Ritz Hotel and Bleriot Hospital, leading him down a dark, convoluted trail of bondage and homosexuality. He’s momentarily diverted by another murder. A Frenchman was beaten to death in what appears to be a botched burglary. He was killed with a single stab wound to the back of his brain, and postmortem, his face was obliterated with a hammer. The victim’s brother is a doctor who works at the same hospital as the missing German. Henri doubts this is a coincidence. At the same time, he is made aware that children are being taken from orphanages, never to be seen again.
Mark Pryor crafts an immersive and masterful narrative, creating a riveting twisted string of multiple unexpected reveals that propel this page-turner. Henri will use his powers of observation and deductive reasoning to solve this case. Multiple chapters delve into his World War I experiences, trauma, and secrets that shape his present-day problems and motivations. Vivid prose and evocative descriptions of Paris locales are wonderfully interwoven into this nuanced narrative. A multitude of clues, culprits, and evidence amass as Inspector LeFort searches for truth and justice.
This five-star novel will appeal to aficionados who reveled in the exploits and cases of Georges Simenon’s Inspector Jules Maigret and Philip Kerr’s World War II exploits of Bernie Gunther. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
.... Published at MysteryAndSuspenseMagazine.com.....
August 21, 2023
The Dark Edge of Night is the second book in the Henri Lefort Mystery series by Mark Pryor. The first book, Die Around Sundown, was easily one of my favorite books of 2023. That one was no fluke; I loved this one just as much. Who wouldn't love a mysterious hero who dares defy Nazis and spit in their eyes? Mr. Pryor skillfully blends fiction with real historical events and people. Start with the first book; it helps explain Henri's background, plus you don't want to miss one single bit of his interactions with his friends AND enemies.
In the winter of 1940, Paris citizens are not in a festive mood. France has surrendered and Paris is occupied by the Nazi invaders. Nazi flags are draped over Paris landmarks and the Eiffel Tower has German propaganda on it. Police Inspector Henri Lefort just wants some peace and quiet, but the Gestapo is once again forcing him to do an investigation for them. Dr. Viktor Brandt, a German neurologist working on a secret project in a Paris hospital, has disappeared, and Henri is forced to investigate. Henri is more concerned with finding the killer of a Frenchman who apparently was murdered in a botched robbery; but when he discovers the victim’s brother is a doctor who worked at the same hospital as the missing Dr. Brandt, things begin to appear sinister. The possible relationship between the two men would be - let's say frowned upon - by the Nazis, so Henri must be careful. And when he discovers that Dr. Brandt’s work is connected to groups of children being taken from orphanages, Henri risks vindictive anger from the SS and Gestapo against himself and all those he cares about.
Henri is such a wonderful character! He has a secret history (which I won't give away in case you haven't read the first book yet) and only those closest to him are privy to it. He suffers from misophonia, which is a condition that causes an atypical emotional response, such as anger, in the affected person hearing certain common sounds. Woe to the person who crunches celery in his presence, or a kid who taps repetitively in a movie theatre! Henri also has a bad habit of speaking before thinking things through, and his sarcastic comments are not appreciated by the SS and Gestapo, as you might well imagine. He's fiercely loyal to those he loves and cares about, especially Nicola Prehn and neighbor Mimi Bonaparte. Henri resents being at the beck and call of Nazis, but doing their bidding is required, or his life is forfeit. All the supporting characters are wonderful; even the evil ones are written well. Daniel Moulin, a police officer and Nicola's beau, has a bigger role in this story, and it's a welcome one. We once again have the pleasure of spending more time with Mimi, who is a wonderful friend to both Henri and Nicola. She may be better known as Princess Marie Bonaparte...yes, she's related to THAT guy! She was a real person, a psychotherapist who was friends with Sigmund Freud. (And who practices her craft on Henri... fictionally, of course!) That's one thing I have particularly loved so far about this series: Mr. Pryor seamlessly blends the historical with the fictional. Other real-life characters include Eric Sevareid (the last U.S. correspondent to broadcast from Paris before France fell to the Nazi invasion), Jean Moulin (a major leader of the French Resistance) and Virginia Hall (a successful US spy). I just loved Henri's reactions to Ms. Hall, who was quite striking in appearance. The story about Aktion T4 was an actual event involving missing orphans, and that event will just rip your guts out. It's horrific what people can do to others under their control. The author's afterward about history and personalities is just as fascinating as the story. I trust we will be seeing many more investigations by Henri Lefort, especially as it seems he has been sucked into the French Resistance!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
In the winter of 1940, Paris citizens are not in a festive mood. France has surrendered and Paris is occupied by the Nazi invaders. Nazi flags are draped over Paris landmarks and the Eiffel Tower has German propaganda on it. Police Inspector Henri Lefort just wants some peace and quiet, but the Gestapo is once again forcing him to do an investigation for them. Dr. Viktor Brandt, a German neurologist working on a secret project in a Paris hospital, has disappeared, and Henri is forced to investigate. Henri is more concerned with finding the killer of a Frenchman who apparently was murdered in a botched robbery; but when he discovers the victim’s brother is a doctor who worked at the same hospital as the missing Dr. Brandt, things begin to appear sinister. The possible relationship between the two men would be - let's say frowned upon - by the Nazis, so Henri must be careful. And when he discovers that Dr. Brandt’s work is connected to groups of children being taken from orphanages, Henri risks vindictive anger from the SS and Gestapo against himself and all those he cares about.
Henri is such a wonderful character! He has a secret history (which I won't give away in case you haven't read the first book yet) and only those closest to him are privy to it. He suffers from misophonia, which is a condition that causes an atypical emotional response, such as anger, in the affected person hearing certain common sounds. Woe to the person who crunches celery in his presence, or a kid who taps repetitively in a movie theatre! Henri also has a bad habit of speaking before thinking things through, and his sarcastic comments are not appreciated by the SS and Gestapo, as you might well imagine. He's fiercely loyal to those he loves and cares about, especially Nicola Prehn and neighbor Mimi Bonaparte. Henri resents being at the beck and call of Nazis, but doing their bidding is required, or his life is forfeit. All the supporting characters are wonderful; even the evil ones are written well. Daniel Moulin, a police officer and Nicola's beau, has a bigger role in this story, and it's a welcome one. We once again have the pleasure of spending more time with Mimi, who is a wonderful friend to both Henri and Nicola. She may be better known as Princess Marie Bonaparte...yes, she's related to THAT guy! She was a real person, a psychotherapist who was friends with Sigmund Freud. (And who practices her craft on Henri... fictionally, of course!) That's one thing I have particularly loved so far about this series: Mr. Pryor seamlessly blends the historical with the fictional. Other real-life characters include Eric Sevareid (the last U.S. correspondent to broadcast from Paris before France fell to the Nazi invasion), Jean Moulin (a major leader of the French Resistance) and Virginia Hall (a successful US spy). I just loved Henri's reactions to Ms. Hall, who was quite striking in appearance. The story about Aktion T4 was an actual event involving missing orphans, and that event will just rip your guts out. It's horrific what people can do to others under their control. The author's afterward about history and personalities is just as fascinating as the story. I trust we will be seeing many more investigations by Henri Lefort, especially as it seems he has been sucked into the French Resistance!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
June 23, 2023
The second thrilling adventure of a French detective caught between a rock and a hard dangerous place namely having to work for the Nazis who have taken over Paris. Henri Lefort has no love for the Nazis running his country and in his mind messing up everything good about Paris. He really has no love for solving this case that involves yet another missing German but he also very much wants to keep living. Somehow this case leads to another that his friend with access to better food and wine, wants him to look into involving missing children. Henri's banter is sharp, his heart is big and his brushes with near death and the gestapo are becoming legendary. Included in the character list are some very real players in wartime Paris and this gives the series a real footprint with a fictional detective. For historical mystery lovers who always root for the underdog! My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
September 24, 2023
Mark Pryor, in THE EDGE OF NIGHT, has started a new series. Henry Lefort is a Paris detective in 1940. The year should give you some idea of the atmosphere and bad guys.
Previous to this, Pryor wrote the Hugo Marston series, set in the present, about an American ambassador's head of security and the various intrigues he gets involved with. I enjoyed most of those novels. I am not too sure about this new series.
I hope Lefort and Occupied Paris become more interesting as the series progresses.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Previous to this, Pryor wrote the Hugo Marston series, set in the present, about an American ambassador's head of security and the various intrigues he gets involved with. I enjoyed most of those novels. I am not too sure about this new series.
I hope Lefort and Occupied Paris become more interesting as the series progresses.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
December 3, 2024
Why aren’t more people talking about this series!! It gives you historical and mystery. Deeply entertaining list of characters. I will continue to read everyone about our lovely detective for as long as Mark write them
August 16, 2023
THE DARK EDGE OF NIGHT is a riveting mystery/procedural that takes place in France during WWII. Detective Henri Lefort is prickling under the current regime and the injustices being committed. However, he is not able to get into them too much for the secrets he is carrying and the job he has been tasked with. He is given two cases by his superiors, one a man murdered in his apartment which, at first glance, looks like a burglary gone wrong, and another a missing doctor who is important to the Germans. He is also given a case by Mimi, a dear friend and princess, who has noticed children being taken away from the orphanage where she volunteers and wants him to look into where they are being taken.
The story sweeps the reader away into this time and these cases, as Henri chases down leads and investigates each one fully. Before too long, it becomes clear that there may be links between them and the truths are more dangerous than he could have expected. His methodical approach to investigating works well in the story with a bit of information revealed at each turn, plenty of dialogue as he interviews potential suspects and witnesses, and steadily paced crime-solving throughout. Amidst the cases, the reader learns more about his personal life and that of those he is close to, such as Nicola and Mimi, keeping the reader hooked on the characters as much as the mystery.
The book does have elements of history that show the prejudices, even with the way Nicola is treated, as well as other women, people of color, and so on. While in the context of the Germans, this is often pointed out as a big problem, the smaller elements of this are also present in Henri's life and not always painted in the negative light they should be. This does seem true to the time, however, and they were mostly presented as being incorrect. Along with that, the story is well-researched with some key historical figures appearing throughout. While they were fictionalized in the story, the backmatter includes facts about the real individuals on which they are based.
While this book is the second in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone with new mysteries to solve and key information about the characters explained along the way. Overall, THE DARK EDGE OF NIGHT is a consuming historical procedural/mystery that will appeal to people who love good, twisty cases and compelling main characters.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
The story sweeps the reader away into this time and these cases, as Henri chases down leads and investigates each one fully. Before too long, it becomes clear that there may be links between them and the truths are more dangerous than he could have expected. His methodical approach to investigating works well in the story with a bit of information revealed at each turn, plenty of dialogue as he interviews potential suspects and witnesses, and steadily paced crime-solving throughout. Amidst the cases, the reader learns more about his personal life and that of those he is close to, such as Nicola and Mimi, keeping the reader hooked on the characters as much as the mystery.
The book does have elements of history that show the prejudices, even with the way Nicola is treated, as well as other women, people of color, and so on. While in the context of the Germans, this is often pointed out as a big problem, the smaller elements of this are also present in Henri's life and not always painted in the negative light they should be. This does seem true to the time, however, and they were mostly presented as being incorrect. Along with that, the story is well-researched with some key historical figures appearing throughout. While they were fictionalized in the story, the backmatter includes facts about the real individuals on which they are based.
While this book is the second in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone with new mysteries to solve and key information about the characters explained along the way. Overall, THE DARK EDGE OF NIGHT is a consuming historical procedural/mystery that will appeal to people who love good, twisty cases and compelling main characters.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
August 6, 2025
We listened to to the audio version of the book as we were on a car trip to Alaska. It was an OK read- not too exciting.
October 8, 2023
Another good mystery for Inspector Henri Lefort but very disturbing
May 10, 2023
Paris 1940, and Detective Henri Lefort is ordered by the Nazi government to find a missing German doctor. He soon finds a few dead bodies. Great historical details, difficult ethical questions, and a complex plot the author brings together well by the end. The second in a series but it works as a standalone read - I actually didn't know there was an earlier book until after I had finished it. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Minotaur for the ARC. #MarkPryor #TheDarkEdgeofNight
August 14, 2023
Detective Henri Lefort returns to solve another mystery in Paris, 1940. The German hold on Paris is tightening and their interference in Parisian law enforcement continues. This time Henri is tasked by a Gestapo official to use his skills to locate a missing doctor involved in some secret project. Henri has few clues to go on and a looming deadline. At the same time his day job reveals another murder that may be linked to the doctor’s whereabouts. For those who have read the previous novel by Pryor, Henri’s support group of his sister and Mimi are once again helping him. Although he sometimes feels that they are creating more problems! Mimi wants him to explore the disappearance of children from a facility and Nicola has a beau who is Henri’s colleague. The best part of the book is Henri’s cynical take on the German occupation and his endeavors to safeguard his secrets while keeping those he cares about safe. Lots of atmosphere, intrigue, a Parisian noir vibe and a dinner party not to be missed. Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this title.
August 2, 2023
The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor
With just the right amount of fun for the reader, this Henri Lefort detective novel by Mark Pryor will delight. It’s 1940 in Paris, and once again, Lefort is commanded by the invading Germans to solve a mystery. His life depends on it. It’s a complex situation with all these dead bodies, but with the help of beautifully written characters, Lefort will do his best to save his neck.
Pryor describes the starkness of the times for the Parisians: disrespect, curfews, very little food, no real coffee, and croissants are forbidden. The SS and Gestapo are everywhere watching their every move. Lefort is very clever though, and outwits the Boche time and again to solve this difficult problem.
With a superb ending, this five star story is perfect for mystery lovers and those interested in WWII France. A tip of the hat and thank you to #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for this ARC.
With just the right amount of fun for the reader, this Henri Lefort detective novel by Mark Pryor will delight. It’s 1940 in Paris, and once again, Lefort is commanded by the invading Germans to solve a mystery. His life depends on it. It’s a complex situation with all these dead bodies, but with the help of beautifully written characters, Lefort will do his best to save his neck.
Pryor describes the starkness of the times for the Parisians: disrespect, curfews, very little food, no real coffee, and croissants are forbidden. The SS and Gestapo are everywhere watching their every move. Lefort is very clever though, and outwits the Boche time and again to solve this difficult problem.
With a superb ending, this five star story is perfect for mystery lovers and those interested in WWII France. A tip of the hat and thank you to #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for this ARC.
August 22, 2023
TL;DR
The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor is a wonderful detective novel set in Nazi occupied Paris. Henri Lefort is an excellent character, and you’ll like him too. Highly recommended.
Disclaimer: The publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Any and all opinions that follow are mine alone.
Review: The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor
Lately, I’ve been lucky to receive review books from Minotaur, which is a mystery/detective imprint. Just in this year, I’ve read more mysteries than ever before, and frankly I’ve loved it. Usually, I’m a science fiction and fantasy reader. Through in the occasional literary fiction, and that’s the genres I stick to. But Minotaur is publishing some excellent mysteries that are excellent stories. My latest read from them is The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor. This is a historical mystery set in World War 2 in the Nazi occupied city of Paris. The Dark Edge of Night is the second book in the Henri Lefort series, and it makes me want to read the first book. The setting, the historical backdrop, the characters, it all comes together to form an excellent follow-up to Die Around Sundown .
Henri Lefort, a French police inspector in German occupied Paris, is no stranger to being threatened by the Nazis. In Die Around Sundown, Lefort had to solve a murder for the SS or lose his life. His prior success means that the Nazi’s are gonna play the same ole tune. In The Dark Edge of Night, he must find a missing German doctor or be hung. Lefort, a veteran of the previous World War, has no love for the Nazis, but he also doesn’t have a death wish. And, as a detective, solving mysteries is kind of his thing. With the help of an assistant, who is secretly his sister, his therapist, Princess Marie Bonaparte (distant relation to Napoleon, himself), and his sister’s beau, who is keeping secrets of his own, Lefort races against time to find the missing doctor. And because the best way to get things done is to give them to busy people, he also receives an assignment to investigate a dead body. As the case proceeds, Lefort uncovers horrors that the Nazi’s wish to keep hidden. Secrets suffuse The Dark Edge of Night, and if Lefort wants to stay alive, he has to figure out which to expose and which to keep.
The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor is a first person, hard-boiled detective novel. Henri Lefort is detective with a secret that if exposed, would get him fired and likely hung. This book is set in World War 2 Paris under German occupation. Croissants have been outlawed, and Parisians are suffering under Nazi occupation. The setting is gloomy, dangerous, and, yet, Parisian.
History
Being set in World War 2 requires a verisimilitude greater than other historical eras. World War 2 is extensively written, researched, and used in all kinds of media. Finding a new way to describe it is difficult but not impossible. Necessarily, similar ground will be retrod, but what matters is how does the setting, how does the history support the book. Pryor, in setting his series in occupied Paris, has chosen to focus, at least in this novel, on the everyday hardships that Parisians had to face. The shortages of food, of wine, of vehicles. Coffee as a delicacy. The need to rebel clashing with the need to survive. Despising collaborators while having to work for the occupiers. Pryor effectively adds this layer to already tense situations. The setting is more a feeling than descriptions of buildings and streets. It’s about the mood of the city and its people. The hardships that Pryor describes are consistent with what I’ve read of Parisian occupation.
At the end of the book, he adds some historical notes that he used in the book. Princess Marie Bonaparte was a real person, and Pryor’s note was quite interesting. I want to look up more about her.
Hardboiled Detective
Henri Lefort is as hardboiled as they come. He’s a jerk to, well, everyone but only means it with some. He pushes with his attitude and his comeback. But he will recognize a need to pull back. He has trouble with authority and suffers from misophonia, also known as sound rage. He smokes; he suspects everyone; and he’s got to protect his own secrets.
Hardboiled detectives can grate on my nerves. It’s a trope that gets leaned on too hard. Pryor, however, achieved the right balance. Lefort is hardboiled but not stupid. He will walk into situations that are dangerous, but he won’t risk himself unnecessarily. He’s observant without being showy. His inner monologue feels real as if we’re reading his thoughts. Lefort is a great detective character.
Secrets Can Overstay Their Welcome
The Dark Edge of Night is a book filled with secrets. Nazi secrets, Lefort’s personal secrets, victims secrets, family secrets, etc. This is unsurprising in a mystery novel. Part of the allure of mysteries is the uncovering of secrets. Skilled authors know how to pace the reveals to keep the reader interested. If a secret is hinted at or discussed for too long without a reveal, it feels frustrating. Pryor falls into this trap on one and only one secret throughout the book. Lefort talks about his secret, one that is large enough to get him fired from his job and possibly hung. The fact that he has such a big secret comes up a lot. While we do get the answer, it comes so late I kind of didn’t care when I found out. It’s good to know, but I was frustrated. The reveal didn’t feel earned or even part of the story. Overall, this is a small complaint, and it’s entirely possible that this is only a me thing. Your mileage may vary, here.
Conclusion
Mark Pryor’s The Dark Edge of Night is a fantastic detective novel. I loved it. Henri Lefort is a wonderful character surviving in a dark yet hopeful setting. If you like historical mysteries, the Henri Lefort series must be on your to be read pile. Highly recommended.
The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor is a wonderful detective novel set in Nazi occupied Paris. Henri Lefort is an excellent character, and you’ll like him too. Highly recommended.
Disclaimer: The publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Any and all opinions that follow are mine alone.
Review: The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor
Lately, I’ve been lucky to receive review books from Minotaur, which is a mystery/detective imprint. Just in this year, I’ve read more mysteries than ever before, and frankly I’ve loved it. Usually, I’m a science fiction and fantasy reader. Through in the occasional literary fiction, and that’s the genres I stick to. But Minotaur is publishing some excellent mysteries that are excellent stories. My latest read from them is The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor. This is a historical mystery set in World War 2 in the Nazi occupied city of Paris. The Dark Edge of Night is the second book in the Henri Lefort series, and it makes me want to read the first book. The setting, the historical backdrop, the characters, it all comes together to form an excellent follow-up to Die Around Sundown .
Henri Lefort, a French police inspector in German occupied Paris, is no stranger to being threatened by the Nazis. In Die Around Sundown, Lefort had to solve a murder for the SS or lose his life. His prior success means that the Nazi’s are gonna play the same ole tune. In The Dark Edge of Night, he must find a missing German doctor or be hung. Lefort, a veteran of the previous World War, has no love for the Nazis, but he also doesn’t have a death wish. And, as a detective, solving mysteries is kind of his thing. With the help of an assistant, who is secretly his sister, his therapist, Princess Marie Bonaparte (distant relation to Napoleon, himself), and his sister’s beau, who is keeping secrets of his own, Lefort races against time to find the missing doctor. And because the best way to get things done is to give them to busy people, he also receives an assignment to investigate a dead body. As the case proceeds, Lefort uncovers horrors that the Nazi’s wish to keep hidden. Secrets suffuse The Dark Edge of Night, and if Lefort wants to stay alive, he has to figure out which to expose and which to keep.
The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor is a first person, hard-boiled detective novel. Henri Lefort is detective with a secret that if exposed, would get him fired and likely hung. This book is set in World War 2 Paris under German occupation. Croissants have been outlawed, and Parisians are suffering under Nazi occupation. The setting is gloomy, dangerous, and, yet, Parisian.
History
Being set in World War 2 requires a verisimilitude greater than other historical eras. World War 2 is extensively written, researched, and used in all kinds of media. Finding a new way to describe it is difficult but not impossible. Necessarily, similar ground will be retrod, but what matters is how does the setting, how does the history support the book. Pryor, in setting his series in occupied Paris, has chosen to focus, at least in this novel, on the everyday hardships that Parisians had to face. The shortages of food, of wine, of vehicles. Coffee as a delicacy. The need to rebel clashing with the need to survive. Despising collaborators while having to work for the occupiers. Pryor effectively adds this layer to already tense situations. The setting is more a feeling than descriptions of buildings and streets. It’s about the mood of the city and its people. The hardships that Pryor describes are consistent with what I’ve read of Parisian occupation.
At the end of the book, he adds some historical notes that he used in the book. Princess Marie Bonaparte was a real person, and Pryor’s note was quite interesting. I want to look up more about her.
Hardboiled Detective
Henri Lefort is as hardboiled as they come. He’s a jerk to, well, everyone but only means it with some. He pushes with his attitude and his comeback. But he will recognize a need to pull back. He has trouble with authority and suffers from misophonia, also known as sound rage. He smokes; he suspects everyone; and he’s got to protect his own secrets.
Hardboiled detectives can grate on my nerves. It’s a trope that gets leaned on too hard. Pryor, however, achieved the right balance. Lefort is hardboiled but not stupid. He will walk into situations that are dangerous, but he won’t risk himself unnecessarily. He’s observant without being showy. His inner monologue feels real as if we’re reading his thoughts. Lefort is a great detective character.
Secrets Can Overstay Their Welcome
The Dark Edge of Night is a book filled with secrets. Nazi secrets, Lefort’s personal secrets, victims secrets, family secrets, etc. This is unsurprising in a mystery novel. Part of the allure of mysteries is the uncovering of secrets. Skilled authors know how to pace the reveals to keep the reader interested. If a secret is hinted at or discussed for too long without a reveal, it feels frustrating. Pryor falls into this trap on one and only one secret throughout the book. Lefort talks about his secret, one that is large enough to get him fired from his job and possibly hung. The fact that he has such a big secret comes up a lot. While we do get the answer, it comes so late I kind of didn’t care when I found out. It’s good to know, but I was frustrated. The reveal didn’t feel earned or even part of the story. Overall, this is a small complaint, and it’s entirely possible that this is only a me thing. Your mileage may vary, here.
Conclusion
Mark Pryor’s The Dark Edge of Night is a fantastic detective novel. I loved it. Henri Lefort is a wonderful character surviving in a dark yet hopeful setting. If you like historical mysteries, the Henri Lefort series must be on your to be read pile. Highly recommended.
September 30, 2024
Fairly generic. Didn't really take advantage of the possibilities provided by the setting. Main character didn't seem like a particularly good detective. I do recommend the book "A Woman of No Importance" by Purnell for those interested in the true exploits of Virginia Hall, who makes an appearance in this story.
April 4, 2023
I received this book as a goodreads giveaway. The book was engaging and kept my attention. I did like the twists and turns. My negatives were it did t read like a ww2 book, and I wish character development old have been better. But definitely a decent enough read.
Read
September 3, 2023This is a very good series. The crimes are intricate. The characters are believable. It is not easy solving crimes when your failure could result in your death.
June 27, 2023
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this mystery that takes place in Occupied France where a cop with secrets is tasked to find a missing doctor working on a mysterious project.
When learning about history or even living it a lot of people don't understand that life, does go on. War is not just battles or even atrocities, it is the small things that people do, and the the bigger things they do to survive. Kids still go to school, fields still need to be harvested, restaurants still need servers, and crime, like rust, never sleeps. Law enforcement is still needed, sometimes co-opted by the government to help in war efforts, sometimes by the occupiers to aid in their draconian tasks. And some just to solve the everyday crimes that still go on. Even in wartime humans rob, kidnap, blackmail and murder. The Dark Edge of Night by the writer Mark Pryor is the second book in a series featuring French policeman Henri Lefort, and his efforts to survive the fall of his country, and the efforts of the Occupiers to bend him to their will.
The time is 1940 in Paris near Christmas. The City of Lights is occupied by the German forces, the war is in a waiting game, food is scarce, as is hope. Henri Lefort and his sister are surviving only with the help of the neighbor the Princess Marie Bonaparte who supplies them with food and for Henri psychological advice for his experiences in the last war. Henir is forced by the Germans, again, to look for a missing doctor, one that is considered critical for the war effort, but Henri is at a loss to why. At the same time Henri is asked to investigate a murder where the victim has suffered horrible wounds after death. As Henri begins to work on both cases he finds that these separate cases have many things in common, which lead to a small suburb outside of Paris, to a hospital that shouldn't exist. The more Henri digs the more groups Henri comes across, Nazis, the burgeoning Resistance, American spies and journalists. And a killer who remains as elusive as peace.
Another very good novel about life in wartime by Mark Pryor. The mystery is very good, touching on real events and incorporating real characters like Marie Bonaparte, the reporter Eric Sevareid, and the remarkable OSS agent Virginia Hall. Henri is an character that Pryor is not afraid to make less than heroic, sometimes even mean to people like his sister, and not afraid of taking all the gifts that the Princess gives him. It is rare when characters especially in series books act less than noble, and it is refreshing. The minor characters are all well developed and in some cases I would like to see a lot more about them. Paris is also a character and Pryor has a very good grasp of what the city is like, from banning croissants, to other little things that really give the reader a sense that they are there, and this is what the times were like. The stakes also seem higher in this boo.There is a lot of darkness, and not much hope in the characters, though it is interesting to see that some of them are really coming back to the fight. Which is reassuring as I would like to read more in this series.
Recommended for history readers as well as mystery readers. Pryor has a really nice writing style that sets the scene and makes a person understand what Paris might have been like. For readers of Alan Furst and J. Robert Janes series about detectives in occupied Paris, the St. Cyr and Kohler mysteries.
When learning about history or even living it a lot of people don't understand that life, does go on. War is not just battles or even atrocities, it is the small things that people do, and the the bigger things they do to survive. Kids still go to school, fields still need to be harvested, restaurants still need servers, and crime, like rust, never sleeps. Law enforcement is still needed, sometimes co-opted by the government to help in war efforts, sometimes by the occupiers to aid in their draconian tasks. And some just to solve the everyday crimes that still go on. Even in wartime humans rob, kidnap, blackmail and murder. The Dark Edge of Night by the writer Mark Pryor is the second book in a series featuring French policeman Henri Lefort, and his efforts to survive the fall of his country, and the efforts of the Occupiers to bend him to their will.
The time is 1940 in Paris near Christmas. The City of Lights is occupied by the German forces, the war is in a waiting game, food is scarce, as is hope. Henri Lefort and his sister are surviving only with the help of the neighbor the Princess Marie Bonaparte who supplies them with food and for Henri psychological advice for his experiences in the last war. Henir is forced by the Germans, again, to look for a missing doctor, one that is considered critical for the war effort, but Henri is at a loss to why. At the same time Henri is asked to investigate a murder where the victim has suffered horrible wounds after death. As Henri begins to work on both cases he finds that these separate cases have many things in common, which lead to a small suburb outside of Paris, to a hospital that shouldn't exist. The more Henri digs the more groups Henri comes across, Nazis, the burgeoning Resistance, American spies and journalists. And a killer who remains as elusive as peace.
Another very good novel about life in wartime by Mark Pryor. The mystery is very good, touching on real events and incorporating real characters like Marie Bonaparte, the reporter Eric Sevareid, and the remarkable OSS agent Virginia Hall. Henri is an character that Pryor is not afraid to make less than heroic, sometimes even mean to people like his sister, and not afraid of taking all the gifts that the Princess gives him. It is rare when characters especially in series books act less than noble, and it is refreshing. The minor characters are all well developed and in some cases I would like to see a lot more about them. Paris is also a character and Pryor has a very good grasp of what the city is like, from banning croissants, to other little things that really give the reader a sense that they are there, and this is what the times were like. The stakes also seem higher in this boo.There is a lot of darkness, and not much hope in the characters, though it is interesting to see that some of them are really coming back to the fight. Which is reassuring as I would like to read more in this series.
Recommended for history readers as well as mystery readers. Pryor has a really nice writing style that sets the scene and makes a person understand what Paris might have been like. For readers of Alan Furst and J. Robert Janes series about detectives in occupied Paris, the St. Cyr and Kohler mysteries.
November 25, 2024
The Dark Edge of Night is the second book in a series starring the French detective Henri Lefort. It is winter of 1940, and Paris is under the boot of the conquororing Nazis. This drives Lefort crazy - he hates the invaders, and sometimes he cannot help but mouth off at them, though this is a dangerous thing to do, for the Germans are quick to reach for their guns and murder civilians. Pryor writes several scenes that depict that burdens of living in Paris while Germans loot, steal and abuse all the civilians. It is not just the constant stress due to fear of violence erupting from the unpredictable, unaccountable soldiers, it also the lack food and resources. There is little to eat, the coffee is thin (if it is really coffee at all), no Frenchman can afford to drive a car, there isn't even shoe leather available to fix the hole in the sole of Lefort's shoe.
Lefort works for the Paris police force. Chief Proulx calls Lefort into the office - there are two Nazis standing there. One is an SS officer, Becker - a sneering bully who demands that Lefort drop all of his current cases and work to find a missing doctor. (In the first book of this series, Lefort solved a murder and the Nazis recall that he actually is a competent detective, even if he is French). Becker insists that the wayward Dr. Viktor Brandt be found quickly, or else "there will be consequences". The second Nazi in the office is the aristocratic Dr. Andreas von Rauch, a cohort of the missing Dr Brandt. von Rauch is more cordial while Becker is threatening and rude. Lefort is working on a murder case - a man was killed in what appears to be a robbery gone bad in a Ritz hotel room - the victim was severely battered in the face, which has Lefort wondering if it really was a bungled burglary.
Lefort is not really interested in finding a missing doctor for the Nazis, but of course everyone he knows will be threatened if he fails. So he tries to work on both finding the Dr. Brandt while also solving the murder. To make matters worse, his downstairs neighbor, Princess Marie "Mimi" Bonaparte, is concerned that "the authorities" have been taking children from the facility where they live - these kids do not return. Could Henri please use his detective skills to look into these disappearances?
Pryor does a good job of manufacturing tension, and placing obstacles in Lefort's way. The clues don't seem to point to any particular person, but of course, since this is a novel, it turns out that both of Lefort's cases are related.
I liked the grim atmosphere of WWII Paris. I liked how Pryor develops the suspicion between characters - for instance, why does the policeman Daniel Moulin seem to show up so frequently at Lefort's crime scenes? Henri argues with his brilliant sister, Nicola, about clues in these cases. I did not give the book five stars because I felt in the end it was a little bit too neat on how Lefort resolves all the mysteries. But I will be on the lookout for the next book in the series.
Lefort works for the Paris police force. Chief Proulx calls Lefort into the office - there are two Nazis standing there. One is an SS officer, Becker - a sneering bully who demands that Lefort drop all of his current cases and work to find a missing doctor. (In the first book of this series, Lefort solved a murder and the Nazis recall that he actually is a competent detective, even if he is French). Becker insists that the wayward Dr. Viktor Brandt be found quickly, or else "there will be consequences". The second Nazi in the office is the aristocratic Dr. Andreas von Rauch, a cohort of the missing Dr Brandt. von Rauch is more cordial while Becker is threatening and rude. Lefort is working on a murder case - a man was killed in what appears to be a robbery gone bad in a Ritz hotel room - the victim was severely battered in the face, which has Lefort wondering if it really was a bungled burglary.
Lefort is not really interested in finding a missing doctor for the Nazis, but of course everyone he knows will be threatened if he fails. So he tries to work on both finding the Dr. Brandt while also solving the murder. To make matters worse, his downstairs neighbor, Princess Marie "Mimi" Bonaparte, is concerned that "the authorities" have been taking children from the facility where they live - these kids do not return. Could Henri please use his detective skills to look into these disappearances?
Pryor does a good job of manufacturing tension, and placing obstacles in Lefort's way. The clues don't seem to point to any particular person, but of course, since this is a novel, it turns out that both of Lefort's cases are related.
I liked the grim atmosphere of WWII Paris. I liked how Pryor develops the suspicion between characters - for instance, why does the policeman Daniel Moulin seem to show up so frequently at Lefort's crime scenes? Henri argues with his brilliant sister, Nicola, about clues in these cases. I did not give the book five stars because I felt in the end it was a little bit too neat on how Lefort resolves all the mysteries. But I will be on the lookout for the next book in the series.
June 15, 2023
The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor is a gripping and unputdownable murder mystery set in the tumultuous era of occupied Paris during World War II. Inspector Henri Lefort, a resolute and principled detective, finds himself caught in a web of secrets, lies, and atrocities as he tackles the daunting task of solving a missing person case involving a Nazi doctor. Pryor's skillful storytelling and evocative writing bring the characters and historical setting to life, immersing the reader in a world filled with danger and intrigue.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent reading The Dark Edge of Night. Mark Pryor's storytelling prowess had me completely engrossed in the plot, eagerly turning page after page to uncover the next revelation. The seamless blend of history, mystery, and compelling characters kept me captivated from start to finish. I was left in awe of Pryor's ability to create such a rich and atmospheric world, where the stakes were high and the tension palpable.
Henri Lefort, a protagonist who despises the Nazis, is a truly fascinating figure, grappling with the challenges of maintaining his integrity in an oppressive regime. The bond between Henri and his sister Nicola, who assists him in his investigations, adds an extra layer of complexity and depth to the narrative. Pryor masterfully weaves together the threads of multiple mysteries, keeping the reader on edge with unexpected twists and turns until the satisfying conclusion.
The Dark Edge of Night seamlessly combines history and mystery, transporting readers to the dark and dangerous streets of occupied Paris. Pryor's meticulous research is evident throughout the novel, as he expertly captures the atmosphere and tension of the era. The book paints a vivid picture of life during that challenging time period, highlighting the resilience of individuals like Henri Lefort who risked everything to fight against injustice. With its blend of suspense, action, and human emotion, this book is a standout in the historical police procedural genre.
Mark Pryor's masterful combination of historical accuracy, intriguing characters, and a tightly woven plot makes this second installment in the Inspector Henri Lefort series a true page-turner. With its ability to transport readers to a dark period in history while keeping them on the edge of their seats, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking an immersive and satisfying reading experience.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent reading The Dark Edge of Night. Mark Pryor's storytelling prowess had me completely engrossed in the plot, eagerly turning page after page to uncover the next revelation. The seamless blend of history, mystery, and compelling characters kept me captivated from start to finish. I was left in awe of Pryor's ability to create such a rich and atmospheric world, where the stakes were high and the tension palpable.
Henri Lefort, a protagonist who despises the Nazis, is a truly fascinating figure, grappling with the challenges of maintaining his integrity in an oppressive regime. The bond between Henri and his sister Nicola, who assists him in his investigations, adds an extra layer of complexity and depth to the narrative. Pryor masterfully weaves together the threads of multiple mysteries, keeping the reader on edge with unexpected twists and turns until the satisfying conclusion.
The Dark Edge of Night seamlessly combines history and mystery, transporting readers to the dark and dangerous streets of occupied Paris. Pryor's meticulous research is evident throughout the novel, as he expertly captures the atmosphere and tension of the era. The book paints a vivid picture of life during that challenging time period, highlighting the resilience of individuals like Henri Lefort who risked everything to fight against injustice. With its blend of suspense, action, and human emotion, this book is a standout in the historical police procedural genre.
Mark Pryor's masterful combination of historical accuracy, intriguing characters, and a tightly woven plot makes this second installment in the Inspector Henri Lefort series a true page-turner. With its ability to transport readers to a dark period in history while keeping them on the edge of their seats, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking an immersive and satisfying reading experience.
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