I just recently ordered Murder in the Marais from Amazon. I'm looking forward to reading it as soon as I finish 44 Scotland Street which I also ordered because of recommendations on Fodor's. Who'd have thought a travel board would be such a good source of fiction recommendations!

Is that embarrassing, or what?

I would NEVER criticise a writer, even if I don't think they're "great". Would that I had the talent, or teh courage.

They're great fun, Cara. More power to you.

And, see, I would recognise that Ruth Rendall has greater literary power, but I can't stand her stuff. And Elizabeth George, whose stuff I read, is not NEARLY so good- dumbed down and she gets quite a lot "wrong" in tone given her transatlantic background.

In the end we read what we like. And long may it be so.

Thanks for the responses!
I like all kinds of different books - I've always enjoyed Ruth Rendell / Barbara Vine (both styles!). I wouldn't say that I am a huge detective fan - it goes in waves, but I gravitate towards detective type stories in the summer it seems, and I always like reading good female characters. I also find the what ordinary people did during Occupation / WW II (I read Suite Francais and The Children's war - Monique Charlesworth )compelling in itself, which I think contributed greatly to enjoying the Murder at the Marais. Right now, I am a year away from our trip to France, so any genre which incorporates Paris and/or France, so I realy liked how the detective story was framed by the "essence of the neighbourhood" descriptions.
So... for what it is worth ... here is my plan. I'm going to read them all, in order, but I am going to alternate - Cara Black mystery - different book, different genre (just started Virgile's Vineyard, as the 3rd and final week of our trip is going to be in Languedoc) - Cara Black mystery.
P.S. is that really the author participating in this thread?

Yes, I did email her to participate. I know many writers but none as nice and/or ego-less as she.

This is going to be my new favorite thread, mysteries and travel all in one. Be still my heart. I'm lucky enough to have recently snagged the Ile Saint-Louis volume at my local library (I've decided to use the library and save dollars for travel).

Don't forget about Donna Leon. She continues to get better and better as she conjures up the spell of Venice while poking truth at the less romantic aspects of life there.

Compliments, Cara, and best wishes for continued success. I don't suppose you'd be interested in visiting Switzerland and setting a few good tales there. No, I don't suppose you would. By the way, your book jackets are what first caught my attention. There is just something about the photo layout, the font, and the chunky size of each book that knocks me out. Off to the library now, J.

that's her photo in the tiny url

Each time I read the Aimee LeDuc mysteries - I am ready to hop on the next plane to Paris. For me, the descriptions of the city make me want to see more and spend more time in Paris.

Carasf - thank you for writing these books. I look forward to each one!

Francesca

One of my new favorites are the Morag Joss mysteries, set in Bath.

Thanks, Sheila!

I'm not a huge fan of mysteries except for older stuff like Daphne du Maurier or Mary Roberts Rinehart, preferring more literary styles but I must admit to loving this series and recommend it whenever I can. Except for Cara Black I don't really read modern-day mysteries. What I love best is her finite attention to detail.

My favorite is still <u>Murder in the Marais</u> since I already feel an affinity for that area; LOVED it when she mentioned rue Caron/Place du March&eacute; Ste-Catherine during a chase scene. I could follow every movement - it was great. I suspect I'll feel the same about <u>Murder on the &Icirc;le St-Louis</u> when I get a chance to read it!!

Mimsy, I love that photo of Cara and glad that you posted it here.

You all might want to read this great story from Metropoleparis.com which goes into detail about how Cara came about writing this story (as StCirq alluded to earlier):
http://www.metropoleparis.com/2005/1043/043clb02.html

And this is Cara's website:
http://www.carablack.com/

Her B&amp;W photos are great - I love the way she captures the essence of Paris in her photos (including the fuzzy ones which give great movement to her photos)! Wish she'd use those for her book covers but the ones currently used are good, too.

Sheila wrote
In the end we read what we like. And long may it be so.

I can't agree more.

And thanks for all the nice comments, Francesca and Beatchick! I'm chuffed, think that's British for kind of amazed. But the Brits might correct me on that.

Speaking of Leo Malet, Mimi, I took out two of his books, new to me, from the Alliance Francaise library - Nestor Burma contre CQFD set in 1942 and Les Eaux Tourbles de Javel set in the 15th arrondissement. Will be a real challenge to my French. Last night at the Alliance Susan Vreeland gave a talk on her new book Luncheon of the Boating Party, a novel based on Renoir's famous painting. She was fascinating and I loved hearing her talk about her research delving into the real lives of the 14 figures in the painting.
Thanks,
Cara

I am reading Murder In Montmarte right now. Disappointed -- the characters and plot are well developed, the historical references are interesting, the writing superb. Not your typical who-done it mystery. Shocking! Will read Murder in the Marais next.

Well said, Sheila.

Besides, who says you can't read Cara Black, Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine, AND Elizabeth George?

Cara, there was a discussion here about
The Boating Party with the same kind of comments here. One poster slammed it and her books.

I own and have read all of the books and love the feel of the locations and the spunky young female detective. Cara's books are my &quot;Paris fix&quot; when I can't get there often enough. Not deep, deep literature, but there's nothing wrong with reading for just plain enjoyment. Love the fact that she is jumping in here at Fodor's.

Yes, I hope she will keep posting and gets more readers . I'd love to see aimee in a film.
We have a regular poster who is also a writer but never met him. Stupower- his book the Wayfarers will be made into a film soon.
I like supporting our posters and friends who write,
I love supporting those who run
B&amp;Bs. I wish Fodors would allow us to acknowledge these places to stay.

I don't usually read mysteries although I've read lots of Grishams for fun. I enjoy Cara Black's books because I learn more about Paris and I think Aim&eacute;e is such a strong woman character. I also like her side kick, Ren&eacute;, the dwarf.

I hope Cara Black will someday do a signing in Birmingham, Alabama so I can meet her. I think it's cool that Mimi invited her to Fodor's and she came!

The author's website is great for Paris trip planning, plus the photos on her blog are like a vicarious Paris visit.

I've read them all in the corret order. Some were more interesting than others. I thought they were fun and easy reading. I was inspired to get off the beaten path after the Belleville book and we went to Park Butte Chaumont. We also rented an apartment off of Rue Montorgieul after I read Murder in the Sentier.I probably enjoyed the last book the most. I have no desire to stay on the Island though. I prefer market streets. Perhaps your next book could be in the Latin quarter. That's a fun place no?

How funny is this? I just today picked up two of Cara's books from my library to read on a weekend trip! I must have seen something about her as an author here (I don't recall), but am looking forward to reading a new author (to me). Good to read all these posts.

http://tinyurl.com/2nptel