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Aimee Leduc Investigations #6
Asesinato en Montmartre
Al intentar salvar a una amiga de la niñez (ahora policía) de ser acusada de asesinato, Aimée se cruza en el camino de los personajes más curiosos de Montmartre: separatistas corsos radicales, gángsteres, los servicios de seguridad, prostitutas, descendientes de artistas y otros bohemios... Identificar al verdadero asesino acerca a Aimée a la resolución del misterio que rodea la muerte de su propio padre, unos años antes, en una explosión en la plaza Vendôme, una muerte que todavía acecha sus pensamientos. No descansará hasta que descubra quién fue el responsable. Cara Black ha construido una sólida carrera sobre las novelas que narran las aventuras de la detective Aimée, ambientadas en París. En sus páginas se puede disfrutar de la ciudad de la luz como si se paseara por sus calles. Es la serie de la que se habla en toda Europa.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
168 people are currently reading
824 people want to read
About the author
Cara Black
44 books1,349 followersCara Black frequents a Paris little known outside the beaten tourist track. A Paris she discovers on research trips and interviews with French police, private detectives and café owners. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, a bookseller, and their teenage son. She is a San Francisco Library Laureate and a member of the Paris Sociéte Historique in the Marais. Her nationally bestselling and award nominated Aimée Leduc Investigation series has been translated into French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, German and Hebrew. She received the Medaille de la Ville de Paris for services to French culture. She's included in the GREAT WOMEN MYSTERY WRITERS by Elizabeth Lindsay 2nd editon published in the UK. Her first three novels in the series MURDER IN THE MARAIS, MURDER IN BELLEVILLE AN MURDER IN THE SENTIER - nominated for an Anthony Award as Best Novel - were published in the UK in 2008 and MURDER IN THE LATIN QUARTER comes out in the UK in 2010. Several of her books have been chosen as BookSense Picks and INDIE NEXT choice by the Amerian Association of Independent Bookstores. The Washington Post listed MURDER IN THE RUE DE PARADIS in the Best Fiction Choices of 2008. MURDER IN THE LATIN QUARTER is a finalist for Best Novel Award from the NCIBA Northern California Independent Booksellers Association.
She is currently working on the next book in the Aimée Leduc series.
She is currently working on the next book in the Aimée Leduc series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
June 16, 2019
I got this book in a trade thinking it was some sort of translation of a French novel, but it is simply a book set in France by an American author. It becomes plain to see after a while. And of course, I get the sixth book in the series first.
A French woman PI is supposed to meet a friend. The friend is killed, and she has to find the real killer, putting her in the path of Corsican separatists and the French Secret Service, as well as her father's killer.
Not bad, but it doesn't feel authentic.
A French woman PI is supposed to meet a friend. The friend is killed, and she has to find the real killer, putting her in the path of Corsican separatists and the French Secret Service, as well as her father's killer.
Not bad, but it doesn't feel authentic.
August 7, 2010
I had high hopes for this book, a woman author (Cara Black) new to me, set in Paris, atmospheric cover—what's not to like? But the cover didn't carry it for me, nor did the series detective, Aimée Leduc, who seems to be able to run up a sleety, cobbled hill in Montmartre wearing heels. As great as I'm sure she looks, I have to ask: if you're gonna stake out a building at night or chase bad guys, and its winter, why in the world do you wear a short skirt? Visiting Paris was fun, however. Black evokes a cold, uncomfortable, but ultimately attractive Paris winter. This cold summer morning in the Bay Area, I definitely feel like finding my way into a steamy bistro and ordering a croque monsieur, wiping the condensation off the window and watching a flic trudging up the hill, hoping he doesn't see me.
It was great to visit Paris, but I couldn't care about Aimée and her colleagues. Maybe it was some mood I was in, I grant that; maybe I was too tired to take in the relationships or the importance of Corsican separatists. But for me, it seemed that the author had a clear idea of why everyone was doing what they were doing, but just couldn't communicate it. There is an art to motivation; part of it is making the human connection—would we, the individual readers, care if we were in the same situation? Can you get us to feel the same emotion as your characters?—and part of it is technical: how do you drop the cues that help us remember, not just which character is which but also something to re-evoke that motivation. So when we hear that Aimée has to do x because she wants to understand who was responsible for the explosion that killed her father at the Place Vendôme years ago, we need to feel her loss—but what I get is a cardboard cut-out: oops! need a motivation! better trot out dad again.
It was great to visit Paris, but I couldn't care about Aimée and her colleagues. Maybe it was some mood I was in, I grant that; maybe I was too tired to take in the relationships or the importance of Corsican separatists. But for me, it seemed that the author had a clear idea of why everyone was doing what they were doing, but just couldn't communicate it. There is an art to motivation; part of it is making the human connection—would we, the individual readers, care if we were in the same situation? Can you get us to feel the same emotion as your characters?—and part of it is technical: how do you drop the cues that help us remember, not just which character is which but also something to re-evoke that motivation. So when we hear that Aimée has to do x because she wants to understand who was responsible for the explosion that killed her father at the Place Vendôme years ago, we need to feel her loss—but what I get is a cardboard cut-out: oops! need a motivation! better trot out dad again.
January 23, 2013
I read two of Cara Black's Aimee Leduc series some years ago, and although I don't have a sharp memory of either one, my general feeling is that they were "pretty good" stories with great atmosphere.
I'm sorry I can't say the same about this one. Too many characters, jumbled all together without clear characterization and those great "refresher" details that allow the reader ro remember them the next time they appear. The plot was far-fetched and improbable, and not all that compelling. I never really came to care about any aspect of the story or any of the characters. Also, Leduc was not convincing as someone who could actually do all the physical acrobatics she was put through. Then came the ending - a very unsatisfactory resolution that left me pleased only to be done with the book.
Someone recently complained that I never do negative reviews (except for WOLF HALL). I hope I'm not over-reacting to that criticism, but I really didn't think much of this book.
I'm sorry I can't say the same about this one. Too many characters, jumbled all together without clear characterization and those great "refresher" details that allow the reader ro remember them the next time they appear. The plot was far-fetched and improbable, and not all that compelling. I never really came to care about any aspect of the story or any of the characters. Also, Leduc was not convincing as someone who could actually do all the physical acrobatics she was put through. Then came the ending - a very unsatisfactory resolution that left me pleased only to be done with the book.
Someone recently complained that I never do negative reviews (except for WOLF HALL). I hope I'm not over-reacting to that criticism, but I really didn't think much of this book.
June 4, 2018
Readable, just.
April 6, 2017
Aimee Leduc gets herself into a whole lot of trouble. Not just once, but in every one of the novels in Cara Black’s redoubtable series about the brilliant young Parisian private detective. She has a real talent for plunging into dangerous situations — and she’s got the scars to prove it. In Murder in Montmartre, the sixth setting in Black’s moveable sideshow through the neighborhoods of Paris, Aimee’s reliable friends all appear — fortunately so, because this time she’s tangling not just with the Corsican mob but with the corrupt upper reaches of the Paris police as well.
Good friends when you need them
Every detective, public or private, needs a circle of friends, if only to open up room for dialogue. For Aimee, there’s Miles Davis, her faithful little dog. Morbier, a commissaire of the Paris police, her godfather. A former partner on the police force of Aimee’s late father, Morbier thinks he’s saving Aimee from her herself. And, of course, Rene Friant, the skillful computer hacker, her business partner in the Leduc Agency. Despite his short stature — he’s a dwarf — Rene proves to be adept at streetfighting as well. More than once, he proves his ability to extricate Aimee from danger.
In every novel in the series, these three characters play featured roles, along with a handful of newly revealed friends and new enemies. Black’s formula, although predictable, is invariably entertaining. Aimee’s adventures are fun to behold. And the author’s ongoing Parisian geography lesson is a treat for Francophiles.
Enduring mysteries in Aimee’s past
The mysteries surrounding Aimee’s parents are another familiar element in Black’s successful formula. Her American mother, a left-wing revolutionary activist, has disappeared, apparently into East Germany. Her beloved father, the former policeman who took over his father’s role in the Leduc Agency, died in a mysterious explosion on a Parisian street. Both parents frequently come back to life in Aimee’s dreams, and she hasn’t yet given up on uncovering the circumstances of her father’s death.
Enduring mysteries, fascinating journeys into the seamy side of French history and society, and an intriguing cast of characters — what’s not to like?
Good friends when you need them
Every detective, public or private, needs a circle of friends, if only to open up room for dialogue. For Aimee, there’s Miles Davis, her faithful little dog. Morbier, a commissaire of the Paris police, her godfather. A former partner on the police force of Aimee’s late father, Morbier thinks he’s saving Aimee from her herself. And, of course, Rene Friant, the skillful computer hacker, her business partner in the Leduc Agency. Despite his short stature — he’s a dwarf — Rene proves to be adept at streetfighting as well. More than once, he proves his ability to extricate Aimee from danger.
In every novel in the series, these three characters play featured roles, along with a handful of newly revealed friends and new enemies. Black’s formula, although predictable, is invariably entertaining. Aimee’s adventures are fun to behold. And the author’s ongoing Parisian geography lesson is a treat for Francophiles.
Enduring mysteries in Aimee’s past
The mysteries surrounding Aimee’s parents are another familiar element in Black’s successful formula. Her American mother, a left-wing revolutionary activist, has disappeared, apparently into East Germany. Her beloved father, the former policeman who took over his father’s role in the Leduc Agency, died in a mysterious explosion on a Parisian street. Both parents frequently come back to life in Aimee’s dreams, and she hasn’t yet given up on uncovering the circumstances of her father’s death.
Enduring mysteries, fascinating journeys into the seamy side of French history and society, and an intriguing cast of characters — what’s not to like?
January 30, 2021
This is a book by an US author who likes France and used to live there. Her heroine is Amee Leduc, a PI parisien. And this is where the problems begin. In order to conjure some sort of parisien atmosphere, the author frequently uses French words In italics. So, “flics” are cops, I know that much. How about “mec”? Kindle doesn’t have a clue, but Google Translate says- guy, dude. OK, sorted. But this is a tedious way to read a book. And how about “procureur general”? Attorney general or public prosecutor? Well, Google translate says both, so I am no wiser.
One can, as I did for a while, treat it partly as tourist book and find every street, church, metro station, cafe etc. mentioned on Google map, see the photos or even follow the streets, as you can on Google map. Rue Saint - Rustique is the oldest street in Montmartre and Eglise Saint - Pierre the oldest chapel. Pont Marie is a beautiful, intimate bridge on the Seine. This is enjoyable for a while but slows the reading and you forget the characters and the plot.
So, the heroine Amee is likeable, the writing and the plot are not. I doubt I will read another book by this author. But, you never know, n’est - ce pas?
One can, as I did for a while, treat it partly as tourist book and find every street, church, metro station, cafe etc. mentioned on Google map, see the photos or even follow the streets, as you can on Google map. Rue Saint - Rustique is the oldest street in Montmartre and Eglise Saint - Pierre the oldest chapel. Pont Marie is a beautiful, intimate bridge on the Seine. This is enjoyable for a while but slows the reading and you forget the characters and the plot.
So, the heroine Amee is likeable, the writing and the plot are not. I doubt I will read another book by this author. But, you never know, n’est - ce pas?
June 5, 2021
Laure, Ainee's police officer friend is accused of her partners shooting. Aimee Leduc in typical fashion is climbing about everywhere with her stiletto heels and fishnet tights. She helps to uncover a plot to sell arms to separatists and finds out more about her father and his life in the police.
The characters are good enough although the action sequences are somewhat unbelievable. Some good descriptions of the Montmartre district. Good enough read but undecided about continuing with the series.
3 stars
The characters are good enough although the action sequences are somewhat unbelievable. Some good descriptions of the Montmartre district. Good enough read but undecided about continuing with the series.
3 stars
February 10, 2021
Aimee Leduc is back. Her friend, Laure, is a cop. She is found shot and her partner killed on the rooftop of a building. All the clues point to Laure being the shooter. But is she? Aimee doesn't believe it. This issue in the series is set against a background of Corsican gang members. So a little historical information also. I'm really enjoying reading a series that has a strong female character.
August 22, 2017
I need to stop reading these for a while. They aren't bad, but the never ending stereotypical Parisian-ness is grating. How many pairs of Prada shoes can one person find at the flea market?
May 21, 2012
I didn't like this 6th book in Cara Black's Aimee Leduc series as well as the ones that came before but still enjoyed reading it.
Private detective Aimee Leduc attends a retirement party for a flic (cop) who used to work with her father when he was on the Paris force. Her good friend Laure who she had known since childhood (their dads were both cops) is now a flic. Laure and her partner Jacques have a spat at the restaurant before he asks her to go with him as backup to meet an informant.
Before the night is over, Jacques is dead of gunshot wounds on a roof, Laure is found nearby unconscious with gun powder residue on her hands, and they are found by Aimee who gets hauled to jail.
The story features a lot of weird stuff as usual with Aimee trying to help a disinterested young lawyer to get a comatose Laure off the hook for murder which leads her to bluffing her way into the very center of police (under an assumed name), her partner Rene (the dwarf computer genius) getting on the roof with a 9 year old boy while passing as a famous artist, Aimee landing under the sheets with a homeless Corsican musician the police think is a terrorist and the usual evil cops and mecs on the street. The women are always dysfunctional in these books and this is no exception. The case suddenly drops Aimee closer to finding out the truth about her father's corruption case.
Private detective Aimee Leduc attends a retirement party for a flic (cop) who used to work with her father when he was on the Paris force. Her good friend Laure who she had known since childhood (their dads were both cops) is now a flic. Laure and her partner Jacques have a spat at the restaurant before he asks her to go with him as backup to meet an informant.
Before the night is over, Jacques is dead of gunshot wounds on a roof, Laure is found nearby unconscious with gun powder residue on her hands, and they are found by Aimee who gets hauled to jail.
The story features a lot of weird stuff as usual with Aimee trying to help a disinterested young lawyer to get a comatose Laure off the hook for murder which leads her to bluffing her way into the very center of police (under an assumed name), her partner Rene (the dwarf computer genius) getting on the roof with a 9 year old boy while passing as a famous artist, Aimee landing under the sheets with a homeless Corsican musician the police think is a terrorist and the usual evil cops and mecs on the street. The women are always dysfunctional in these books and this is no exception. The case suddenly drops Aimee closer to finding out the truth about her father's corruption case.
July 23, 2019
A friend of Aimee Leduc gets involved in a shooting that kills her police partner and the friend gets blamed.
This pulls Paris based Private Eye into the case involving Corsican Terrorism, possible police corruption and the world of Montmartre of now and before. It is what a girl does when her boyfriend takes of with ""Doctors without frontiers".
My first experience with this writer or her work, not withstanding that I have five or six of her books and this was the first one I read. I am still on the fence what I am thinking about this writer and series, this one was entertaining but not convincing.
But I do look forward to the next one.
This pulls Paris based Private Eye into the case involving Corsican Terrorism, possible police corruption and the world of Montmartre of now and before. It is what a girl does when her boyfriend takes of with ""Doctors without frontiers".
My first experience with this writer or her work, not withstanding that I have five or six of her books and this was the first one I read. I am still on the fence what I am thinking about this writer and series, this one was entertaining but not convincing.
But I do look forward to the next one.
May 4, 2010
I passed more time wandering through Paris with Aimee - although it was really more like running through Paris. Black doesn't flesh out anything. She relies far too much on trying to tantalize you with Paris venues rather than develop strong characterizations or ingenious plot lines. The Leduc mysteries are for lazy reading - clearing your mind from a hard day, one eye and ear on the television. Go to Benjamin Black for thoughtful investigations.
June 17, 2025
A total plod. Now I haven't read the previous episodes, so I have no investment with these characters, and I can't speak to how this book moves the series forward. What I can speak to is just how unreadable and incoherent this particular novel is. Perhaps the greatest fault of this novel is that it uses the laziest method of to locate the action in Paris. Rather than have the characters inhabit Paris and have the action derive from where it happens, the book instead continually reminds us of where we are through sudden bursts of patois and a croissant. Nothing signals a lazy author so well as pages of description and dialogue in standard English, then out of nowhere arrives une oui. These injections of French are always italicized, so they stand out, they are always unnecessary and it really peeved me that italics were also used for English words that were emphasized, also words that are the same in both languages were italicized to remind us where the action is taking place.
The worst offender is the repetition of flic(s). Oh golly, you can't flick a page without striking many many flics.
So beyond these stylistic flaws, what did I find? Well, the narration is chaotic, the blocking of the murder scene is confusing, the plot is slow moving and low stakes, and I disliked Aimée as a protagonist. I understood none of her motives and her internal dialogue was tedious and off point, frequently drifting off to muse on her stupid breakup.
I found nothing to like. Just boring .
The worst offender is the repetition of flic(s). Oh golly, you can't flick a page without striking many many flics.
So beyond these stylistic flaws, what did I find? Well, the narration is chaotic, the blocking of the murder scene is confusing, the plot is slow moving and low stakes, and I disliked Aimée as a protagonist. I understood none of her motives and her internal dialogue was tedious and off point, frequently drifting off to muse on her stupid breakup.
I found nothing to like. Just boring .
November 5, 2016
Spielerei
Während der Verabschiedung eines Kollegin wird die junge Streifenpolizistin Laure von ihrem Partner Jaques sie zu einem Informanten zu begleiten. Kurze Zeit später macht sich ihre Freundin Aimée Leduc auf die Suche nach Laure. Aimée findet ihre Freundin verletzt auf einem Baugerüst, ihr Kollege wurde angeschossen und es gelingt Aimée nicht, ihn zu retten. Laure steht unter Verdacht, ihren Partner ermordet zu haben. Wegen ihrer schweren Kopfverletzungen kann sich Laure nicht zu dem Geschehen äußern. Ihr gelingt es lediglich, Aimée um Hilfe zu bitten. Die Privatdetektivin für Computersicherheit Aimée Leduc ist auch in Mordfällen in ihrem Element, besonders wenn es darum geht, ihrer Freundin zu helfen.
Die Autorin Cara Black lebt in San Francisco, ihre Lieblingsstadt ist allerdings die französische Hauptstadt. Und dorthin reist sie so oft wie möglich und immer in ihren Büchern um die Privatdetektivin Aimée Leduc. Auf Englisch hat Aimée bereits ungefähr fünfzehn Fälle gelöst, während auf Deutsch erst dieser dritte Band erschienen ist, bei dem es sich nicht um den dritten Teil der Reihe handelt. Sollte man die Reihe also ab Beginn kennenlernen wollen, müsste man auf die englischen Originale ausweichen, die wie es scheint nicht so leicht zu bekommen sind. Glücklicherweise stört die Unkenntnis der Vorgängerbände nicht bei der Lektüre des aktuellen Bandes. Aimée gerät hier eher durch Zufall und ihre Freundschaft zu Laure in diesen Fall eines Polizistenmordes. Mit Bravour überschreitet sie ihre Kompetenzen, einfach weil sie weiß, dass Laure nie einen Partner umbringen würde, der ihr jetzt am Beginn ihrer Laufbahn geholfen hat.
Im Jahr 2003 erstmalig veröffentlicht und im Jahr 1995 angesiedelt entführt einen der Roman in ein Paris, das gleichzeitig nah und fern scheint. Wieder liest man von Terror, jedoch in ganz anderem Zusammenhang als heutzutage. Und diese zeitliche Nähe und Ferne macht den Reiz dieses Buches aus. Es ist noch nicht so lange her und doch scheint es schon eine längst vergangene Zeit zu sein, die aufersteht. Probleme, die damals das Tagesgeschehen beschäftigten, erscheinen in der heutigen Lage der Welt eher niedlich. Hinzu kommen einige Termini, an die man sich selbst erinnert und die ein Gefühl des Wiedererkennens und ein sich heimisch fühlen auslösen. Der eigentliche Mordfall entwickelt dabei eine besondere und packende Dimension, die einen ins Paris der 1990er eintauchen lässt.
Eine Reihe, die es durchaus verdiente, auch auf Deutsch vollständig veröffentlicht zu werden.
Während der Verabschiedung eines Kollegin wird die junge Streifenpolizistin Laure von ihrem Partner Jaques sie zu einem Informanten zu begleiten. Kurze Zeit später macht sich ihre Freundin Aimée Leduc auf die Suche nach Laure. Aimée findet ihre Freundin verletzt auf einem Baugerüst, ihr Kollege wurde angeschossen und es gelingt Aimée nicht, ihn zu retten. Laure steht unter Verdacht, ihren Partner ermordet zu haben. Wegen ihrer schweren Kopfverletzungen kann sich Laure nicht zu dem Geschehen äußern. Ihr gelingt es lediglich, Aimée um Hilfe zu bitten. Die Privatdetektivin für Computersicherheit Aimée Leduc ist auch in Mordfällen in ihrem Element, besonders wenn es darum geht, ihrer Freundin zu helfen.
Die Autorin Cara Black lebt in San Francisco, ihre Lieblingsstadt ist allerdings die französische Hauptstadt. Und dorthin reist sie so oft wie möglich und immer in ihren Büchern um die Privatdetektivin Aimée Leduc. Auf Englisch hat Aimée bereits ungefähr fünfzehn Fälle gelöst, während auf Deutsch erst dieser dritte Band erschienen ist, bei dem es sich nicht um den dritten Teil der Reihe handelt. Sollte man die Reihe also ab Beginn kennenlernen wollen, müsste man auf die englischen Originale ausweichen, die wie es scheint nicht so leicht zu bekommen sind. Glücklicherweise stört die Unkenntnis der Vorgängerbände nicht bei der Lektüre des aktuellen Bandes. Aimée gerät hier eher durch Zufall und ihre Freundschaft zu Laure in diesen Fall eines Polizistenmordes. Mit Bravour überschreitet sie ihre Kompetenzen, einfach weil sie weiß, dass Laure nie einen Partner umbringen würde, der ihr jetzt am Beginn ihrer Laufbahn geholfen hat.
Im Jahr 2003 erstmalig veröffentlicht und im Jahr 1995 angesiedelt entführt einen der Roman in ein Paris, das gleichzeitig nah und fern scheint. Wieder liest man von Terror, jedoch in ganz anderem Zusammenhang als heutzutage. Und diese zeitliche Nähe und Ferne macht den Reiz dieses Buches aus. Es ist noch nicht so lange her und doch scheint es schon eine längst vergangene Zeit zu sein, die aufersteht. Probleme, die damals das Tagesgeschehen beschäftigten, erscheinen in der heutigen Lage der Welt eher niedlich. Hinzu kommen einige Termini, an die man sich selbst erinnert und die ein Gefühl des Wiedererkennens und ein sich heimisch fühlen auslösen. Der eigentliche Mordfall entwickelt dabei eine besondere und packende Dimension, die einen ins Paris der 1990er eintauchen lässt.
Eine Reihe, die es durchaus verdiente, auch auf Deutsch vollständig veröffentlicht zu werden.
July 14, 2017
I found this book in a Little Free Library on the way into what was sure to be a boring series of meetings. Every time I could, I snuck a peek at it. This was about a year ago, and I just decided to pick up the book and finish it.
Overall, this was a very fun mystery. My favorite part, of course, was the location. The author has a very intimate knowledge of Paris. It surprised me that she wasn't French. Also she has a really good understanding of French politics and different cultures that make up the Paris neighborhoods. This book educated me about Corsica, actually. Though I've been to France 5 times and researched a bit about it, I didn't know anything about Corsican history and the colonization (knew more about Algeria). I adored that it was set in the '90s, too -- that really added to it for me as a '90s kid.
I hadn't read any other books in the series, but I was still able to follow the story and get a flavor for Aimee's character. She's a bit of an archetype in a way. She reminded me of a more tech-savvy Jessica Jones. Sassy, but sad inside, with a bit of a self-destructive streak.
I thought the pacing of the book was great. I don't have a lot of time to read, so it was great to read a fast-paced book with a lot of action and characters packed in, and a great setting to boot. It definitely was more enjoyable than the last book I read, which was like 800 pages of people reading in archives and then dodging a vampire every 200 pages or so.
My only complaint was that there were times where the writing maybe... pandered to an audience who just wanted to have the characters' emotions told to them, or who wanted a symbol explained. When Aimee sees plastic bags blowing around but not getting anywhere, the narrator makes sure we know that's how she feels inside, which is a lot of hand-holding for a more apt reader. Not everyone is a writer/English teacher, but I don't like it when nuances of character emotion or symbolism are rolled out too obviously.
If I found another one of these books, preferably the first one, I would read it. Thanks to Cara Black for a well-researched mystery!
I put the book back in a Little Free Library for the next person to enjoy :)
Overall, this was a very fun mystery. My favorite part, of course, was the location. The author has a very intimate knowledge of Paris. It surprised me that she wasn't French. Also she has a really good understanding of French politics and different cultures that make up the Paris neighborhoods. This book educated me about Corsica, actually. Though I've been to France 5 times and researched a bit about it, I didn't know anything about Corsican history and the colonization (knew more about Algeria). I adored that it was set in the '90s, too -- that really added to it for me as a '90s kid.
I hadn't read any other books in the series, but I was still able to follow the story and get a flavor for Aimee's character. She's a bit of an archetype in a way. She reminded me of a more tech-savvy Jessica Jones. Sassy, but sad inside, with a bit of a self-destructive streak.
I thought the pacing of the book was great. I don't have a lot of time to read, so it was great to read a fast-paced book with a lot of action and characters packed in, and a great setting to boot. It definitely was more enjoyable than the last book I read, which was like 800 pages of people reading in archives and then dodging a vampire every 200 pages or so.
My only complaint was that there were times where the writing maybe... pandered to an audience who just wanted to have the characters' emotions told to them, or who wanted a symbol explained. When Aimee sees plastic bags blowing around but not getting anywhere, the narrator makes sure we know that's how she feels inside, which is a lot of hand-holding for a more apt reader. Not everyone is a writer/English teacher, but I don't like it when nuances of character emotion or symbolism are rolled out too obviously.
If I found another one of these books, preferably the first one, I would read it. Thanks to Cara Black for a well-researched mystery!
I put the book back in a Little Free Library for the next person to enjoy :)
January 17, 2018
One of the things that I enjoy about the Aimee Leduc books is that they take place against a backdrop of significant historical episodes in France. In this case, Corsican demands for independence. When a childhood friend, Laure, a police officer is accused of killing her partner, she appeals to Aimee for help. Aimee and her partner, Rene, run a computer security business, and this takes away from her time in the business. She still has her PI license and uses it though, much to Rene's annoyance.
I've read her recent books, but had not read the older ones, so once again, I am delving back into the stacks so to speak.
Laure's father was Aimee's father's partner. After her father was killed in an explosion, he accused Aimee's father of charges that were untrue. Aimee has not been as close to Laure since that, but she can't say no to her.
This was an interesting read with a lot of action. Aimee gets herself into a lot of scrapes but uses her self defense training very effectively. One of my favorite scenes is her dressing up in a Goth style black lace dress complete with black hair extensions in order to find an important witness. The description of the club was almost TOO vivid. I can't imagine setting foot in one of them. She asks for a Belgian beer with raspberries, something that was a fairly recent addition in the USA, but was, apparently, very common in Paris in the 90's. Definitely a fun book.
I've read her recent books, but had not read the older ones, so once again, I am delving back into the stacks so to speak.
Laure's father was Aimee's father's partner. After her father was killed in an explosion, he accused Aimee's father of charges that were untrue. Aimee has not been as close to Laure since that, but she can't say no to her.
This was an interesting read with a lot of action. Aimee gets herself into a lot of scrapes but uses her self defense training very effectively. One of my favorite scenes is her dressing up in a Goth style black lace dress complete with black hair extensions in order to find an important witness. The description of the club was almost TOO vivid. I can't imagine setting foot in one of them. She asks for a Belgian beer with raspberries, something that was a fairly recent addition in the USA, but was, apparently, very common in Paris in the 90's. Definitely a fun book.
February 15, 2021
After reading the first six books in the Aimee Leduc series, I have a few observations. First, the books are fast moving. Second, the only character who is fleshed out is Aimee herself. Third, there are a lot of characters in her books. Fourth, most of these characters will never appear in another book and those that do will only appear once or, maybe, twice. The exceptions to this rule are Rene, Morbier and Aimee's dog, Miles Davis. Fifth, she is obsessed with her father's death and her mother's disappearance. Sixth, every case is a crisis, usually involving a friend and usually unpaid.
Important characters in this book that appeared in other stories include Laure Rousseau, introduced in "Clichy," perhaps because she was going to be important in this book, "Montmartre," and a Corsican, Lucien Sarti, who looks like he might return for another book.
This book followed the pattern established in the first five books, which I mostly enjoyed. If I'm going to continue to enjoy these stories, I need to space them further apart.
Important characters in this book that appeared in other stories include Laure Rousseau, introduced in "Clichy," perhaps because she was going to be important in this book, "Montmartre," and a Corsican, Lucien Sarti, who looks like he might return for another book.
This book followed the pattern established in the first five books, which I mostly enjoyed. If I'm going to continue to enjoy these stories, I need to space them further apart.
July 20, 2019
After a rather lengthy hiatus, I went back to Cara Black and her Parisian investigator Aimée Leduc. I think I missed a few of the books in order. So picking up Murder in Montmartre meant I had to catch up on some things. But in reality, I am not sure it made much difference. Characters that are introduced as main players in the mystery are a bit difficult to discern and then when someone who really isn't as much a focus ends up as the perpetrator, well, I get confused and not the least bit frustrated. I love reading about Paris and find myself practicing how to say words. Have visited Montmartre and the book was fun for that alone. But I keep finding Aimée whiney. Stubborn but whimpering. Not sure I would want to hang out with her. That's not a good sign! I suppose I'll give Murder on the Ile Saint-Louis a try but not particularly soon.
August 27, 2017
Definitely one of the best of the series. Aimee can see, is with her eye doctor who saved her sight, and is determined to just be a computer investigator. But how quickly all that goes down the drain because of her cop friend Laure and her partner on a cold winter night who just step away briefly from a party....
This episode in Aimee's life moves rapidly and develops more of Aimee's partnership with Rene' her partner, traverses all parts on Montmontre and introduces the Corsican culture to the reader. And a musician to Aimee' as The doctor Guy leaves for Doctors without Borders to get over Aimee' and her hard-headed ways....
And in this tale, Aimee' only has a mild injury to deal with in her arm and a potential new love interest???
This episode in Aimee's life moves rapidly and develops more of Aimee's partnership with Rene' her partner, traverses all parts on Montmontre and introduces the Corsican culture to the reader. And a musician to Aimee' as The doctor Guy leaves for Doctors without Borders to get over Aimee' and her hard-headed ways....
And in this tale, Aimee' only has a mild injury to deal with in her arm and a potential new love interest???
December 30, 2019
Parisian P.I. Aimée Leduc strives to clear the name of a childhood friend, now a policewoman, who's charged with shooting her partner, Jacque. Aimee Leduc encounters many adventures again in this book; terrorists, prostitutes, a painter's stepdaughter and a crooked Corsican bar owner. She learns of "Big Ears" which records electronic communications for security services. Solving Jacques' murder brings her closer to solving her father's death which still haunts her. Read these books if you love Paris. They are full of adventure and the setting is just as interesting as the characters in the book. 3.5
October 8, 2020
If you've ever been to Paris, this book will refresh your memory of the many streets, buildings, nooks, and crannies. You'll also read a suspenseful story. Ms. Leduc can't believe that her friend, and policewoman, Laure could possibly have killed her partner Jacques while on a stakeout. Yet, she is accused and arrested, and evidence points in her direction. Aimee is determined to find evidence that proves otherwise, while Laure is in a hospital, in a coma, having suffered injuries during the fight that killed Jacques. Depressed by the break-up with her boyfriend Guy, Aimee travels the seedy and high end streets of Paris, while being followed by men who want her to stop her investigation. With the help of her partner, Rene, she uncovers witnesses who tell a different story and also engages with a Corsican on the run, who is also wanted by the police. This is my first time reading a book in this series and I would enjoy reading more. It wraps up a bit too neatly, but satisfying. A real page turner.
August 8, 2021
Oh, I've got to stop reading these. I just don't care! Aimee goes through the same motions in every mystery- she gets thrust into the middle of a dramatic circumstance which only she, Aimee Leduc can possibly understand. No one else believes her! Or cares! Or listens to her! And she ignores her own business, the feelings of others, and occasionally the law in her quest for the justice that only she can deliver.
She does this all while complaining how poor she is, whilst dressed to the nines and being effortlessly chic at all times.
I think this series and I are not meant to continue our acquaintance.
She does this all while complaining how poor she is, whilst dressed to the nines and being effortlessly chic at all times.
I think this series and I are not meant to continue our acquaintance.
March 31, 2018
I read this because it was set in Montmartre and Black does deliver in that regard, she knows the streets of Paris like the back of her hand, and if you know Paris too Black will revive your memory, step by step, corner by corner, cafe by cafe. Otherwise, this type of murder mystery is like a mediocre sitcom - a mildly entertaining way to waste time - implausible situations, hollow dialogue and it's hard to care about the characters who aren't ever fully developed.
June 4, 2025
Interesting character, interesting plot.
however the action was difficult to follow, too many good things happen..a woman where 👠 heels running on cobblestones?
too many ideas that work out perfectly.
the writing is good, and the French tossed in too much.
I kind of enjoyed it, but in hindsight I don't I would reach for another one.
other reviewers said this one was not as good others in the series... so if it shows up ..
however the action was difficult to follow, too many good things happen..a woman where 👠 heels running on cobblestones?
too many ideas that work out perfectly.
the writing is good, and the French tossed in too much.
I kind of enjoyed it, but in hindsight I don't I would reach for another one.
other reviewers said this one was not as good others in the series... so if it shows up ..
March 10, 2019
Adequate. This is highly atmospheric, but the plot doesn’t add up. Worth reading if you are already a fan of Aimee LeDuc, bit mot a good place to start this series.
This is highly atmospheric but the plot doesn’t add up. Book is OK if you’re a Aimee LeDuc fan but not a good place to start the series.
This is highly atmospheric but the plot doesn’t add up. Book is OK if you’re a Aimee LeDuc fan but not a good place to start the series.
April 22, 2022
One of Aimee's childhood friends is a police officer. At a retirement party, the friend's partner tells her to come with him. He is murdered and the friend, Laure, is accused although Aimee found her comatose from a head injury when she went looking for her. This one deals with the Corsican separatist movement. And further elaborates what led to Aimee's father's death in a bomb explosion.
November 27, 2022
I especially love old Montmartre in Paris and the expansive city views from the top of the hill...oh la la! Cara Black really took me there, forcing me to absorb the eccentric, artistic, mysterious surroundings of the quartier as Leduc traversed its winding, narrow, cobblestoned streets. A great read all the way to the end.
April 19, 2025
The back story in this sixth book in the Aimée Leduc series reveals more information on the murder of her father in an explosion in the Place Vendôme. I love this review: the quirkiness of Hiassen, the sense of place of Rankin and the heroics of Paretsky. I have read all of these authors and agree.
February 7, 2018
3.5 stars. I still have a hard time keeping up in the action scenes, I can't quite see everything in my mind how things are going. But I think the stories are getting more intriguing. I enjoyed this one more than her others and I am excited to see what comes next.
January 14, 2019
A fun murder mystery recommended by by French teacher. A police officer is killed, his partner and Aimee's friend suspected of murder, Corsican separatists somehow involved along with the French Security Service. What is most appealing is Ms. Black's description of Montmartre.
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