Rating: 
Summary: A well plotted and crafted mystery
Review: In April 1994 Paris Computer Security specialist Aimee Leduc tried to explain to Anais that she did not perform spousal investigations. However, her friend's sister, wife of a French government minister, sounds desperate over the cell phone; Aimee reluctantly agreed to meet her as soon as she finishes delivering a network security system. Apparently Anais learned that her spouse was having an affair with someone named Sylvie in the Belleville section of town. Anais decides to confront the mistress just as Aimee arrives. A bomb explodes, killing Sylvie. Aimee makes some quick inquiries of the local, mostly Arab immigrant community, and learns that Sylvie is known here as Eugenie Grandet, allegedly a member of a North African radical group. As Aimee continues to investigate, the group and French government officials agree that they want her to stop what she is doing; though they go about achieving their requests quite differently. MURDER IN BELLEVILLE is an exciting private investigation novel that hooks the reader from start to finish. The story line works not just because of the action, but because of the depth provided by the secondary cast, especially the residents of Belleville. Aimee retains the strength of character she displayed in her debut (see MURDER IN THE MARAIS) and repeat players (her partner and a police officer) augment the reader's understanding of her. Cara Black shows she is not a one-book wonder as her talent surfaces once again with a powerful who-done-it. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Murder in Belleville
Review: In Murder in Belleville, the author skillfully introduces the colorful but little known section of Paris. As in Marais, readers
are offered real time experience of Paris with its smell, sound and vision. It is a rare skill to bring the setting come to life
so vividly. Apparently, author has researched in depth on North African immigrant's experience in France. The plot is bit complicated but readers are rewarded with spine-tingling suspense throughout.
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