Review of Parisian Detective Tales, a Trilogy

Post by **Jaituni Sanghavi** » 05 Mar 2025, 10:57

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Parisian Detective Tales, a Trilogy" by Marcel Marquié.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Novels that have an atmospheric feel to them, and especially those of a noir, historical, post-war atmosphere, are a treat to read, provided they are executed well. Marcel Marquié's Parisian Detective Tales, a Trilogy: Part One: Two Sisters is one such atmospheric novel that brings out a beautiful story that is a mix of deception, murder, and personal dilemmas.

The story begins by introducing us to our cynically observant protagonist, Toni, a detective by profession who is not the typical fearless or sharp-shooting hero found in most crime novels. It happens so that Toni takes on a routine case of infidelity and begins to work on it immediately only to find out that the case is much deeper than it appears on the surface! It is, in fact, a mystery that involves hidden pasts and family secrets, and the more he uncovers, the more secrets he finds, which are far greater than marital complications. Side by side, we also see Toni navigating the city’s political landscape and his own lingering regrets. Where will the novel take us at the end? What mysteries does Toni uncover? Read this crime novel and find out for yourself.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, as there was never a dull moment. I also admired the character sketch of Toni, which is very much in contrast to those hardboiled American detectives. In this story, Toni is neither shown as brave nor tough, and this is exactly what makes him stand out and makes him refreshingly human. He fumbles, gets injured, and even lets his emotions get in the way, which is rarely observed in typical detectives of crime novels.

I also adored the way Toni's relationship with Rose, his former love, was tackled by the author. Even the interactions he had with Sandrine and Claudine, the two sisters (after whom part one of the trilogy is named), were wonderfully portrayed, and it had an emotional quotient.

There were several parts within the book that stood out to me, such as the moment of the final confrontation with the sisters, where they revealed their motives, and all the crucial moments that Toni missed due to some random reasons like falling asleep in the car (it added to the tension and worked well on the thrill front). Even the end of the novel, where Toni receives a letter from Rose, was something that warmed my heart and broke it at the same time. Multiple instances like these sprinkled throughout the book made the novel a great and entertaining read for me.

The writing style of the author is worth appreciating as well because he literally brought Paris alive on paper, be it the smoky cafés, the war-recovering city, or the overall vibe it carried. It was spectacular! The dialogue felt authentic, and the novel has a slow-burn quality to it, which worked well for me. Yes, there is an influence of American noir, but it is blended well with French sensibility, which makes it melancholic yet elegant. Thus, considering all of these factors, I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars without any reservation. I did not find anything to dislike in the book. The editing as well is top-notch, and I could not find a single error throughout, which is spectacularly rare.

I would recommend this book to readers who appreciate textured stories with historical and post-war settings and a book that has a flawed but fascinating protagonist. This book is a must-read for readers who like these attributes in a novel.

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Parisian Detective Tales, a Trilogy
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06 Mar 2025, 15:12

This is an incredible review, I cannot wait to read this book, as soon as I finish the one I am currently reading. I appreciate the fact that Toni is not the typical brave and fearless detective, as sometimes this makes us dislike the book, as no real person would act like those detectives.

Mark Lazarus · Post by **Mark Lazarus** » 26 Mar 2025, 15:17

It sounds like a wonderfully atmospheric read, with a flawed and relatable protagonist navigating the complexities of a post-war setting. I really enjoy stories where the city becomes a character of its own, and the way Paris is brought to life here seems captivating. The mix of personal dilemmas, political undertones, and family secrets makes it feel layered and immersive. I also like that the detective isn’t your typical fearless hero — that human vulnerability can add so much depth. This one definitely seems like a book I’d be interested in checking out.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 27 Mar 2025, 15:03

I don't read much historical fiction but this novel seems to have a peculiar look&feel connected to Paris and is written with a personal style. The mix of murder and personal dilemmas creates an interesting plot and the protagonist seems well-developed. Thank you for your great review!

Post by **Rebecca De Figueiredo** » 21 Jul 2025, 08:38

Just like the reviewer, I like pre and post-war stories, especially set in Europe. This Parisian novel seems promising as I read the first few pages. There’s something g romantic and historical about them…

Marinttoe Baeza · Post by **Marinttoe Baeza** » 21 Jul 2025, 08:39

Parisian Detective Tales, a Trilogy: Part One: Two Sisters takes placed after World War 2.
France is in the process of recovering. Toni Bonnet is a detective, a butcher hires him thinking his wife is cheating on him, but later Toni finds out that the butcher's wife had a baby by a German officer and her baby has disappeared. I like the way it is written, it fits the time the novel is developed.

Post by **Bertha Jackson** » 21 Jul 2025, 08:51

I enjoy reading crime thrillers that have flawed characters, such as Toni falling asleep in the car, because it makes them more realistic. Thank you for your informative review.

tarafarah7 · Post by **tarafarah7** » 21 Jul 2025, 08:52

Set in post WWII Paris, today's BOTD is a detective novel that follows ex-POW, Toni Bonnet, on a routine infidelity case that leads him to a web of secrets involving two sisters, wartime betrayals, and a missing child. Fans of mystery and historical fiction are in for a treat with this one! Thank you for the helpful review and keep up the great work!

Alex Sapountzis · Post by **Alex Sapountzis** » 21 Jul 2025, 09:31

A lengthy and well written review is always a good way to get us hyped for a possible new read and discovery. Looks like this one is worth it!

Allon Scll · Post by **Allon Scll** » 21 Jul 2025, 10:13

This was such a thoughtful and insightful review—thank you for it!

I especially appreciated your take on Toni Bonnet as a very different kind of detective. He’s not fearless or flashy—he’s just a tired man trying to stay afloat in a Paris still recovering from the war. That detail you mentioned about him usually sticking to low-risk infidelity cases really shows how unprepared he is for the complicated situation he ends up in with the two sisters. It makes the story more believable and grounded.

And that part about the missing child—heartbreaking. I liked how you framed it as more than just a mystery to solve, but something that represents the emotional and moral confusion left behind by the war. It’s not just about secrets—it’s about survival and shame, too.

María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda · 21 Jul 2025, 10:13

I love historical novels, and Paris is the perfect backdrop for pretty much any novel. And I like when writers stray from stereotypes, as in this case with Toni. Nuanced characters are much more relatable.
Great review!

Post by **Mr Benj** » 21 Jul 2025, 10:20

Parisian Detective Tales, a Trilogy" by Marcel Marqui&eacute, a book that features murder, dilemma, and deception . It will be interesting to read about the detective was able to survive and carry out his work in this story.

Cake Maiden · Post by **Cake Maiden** » 21 Jul 2025, 10:25

This book sounds refreshing compared to the books I've read before, in the same genre. How you defined Toni as not a typical detective is definitely surprising for me, I will definitely give this a read!

Post by **Sanju Lali** » 21 Jul 2025, 10:31

One can find a structured story with historical essence and post war settings by reading the book "Parisian Detective Tales, a Trilogy" by Marcel Marqui&eacute. The story is a mix of deception, murder, and personal dilemmas.

Post by **Moisés Alcántara Ayre** » 21 Jul 2025, 10:48

What an outstanding review! Two sisters and a detective (who is not the typical hero) has convinced me to read this amazing story whose writing style engages and captivates.