I have very mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, the story was interesting, the main character, Aimee Leduc, was engaging and a reasonably reasonable detective, and the setting in Paris was enchanting. On the other hand, the supporting cast was difficult for me to track, the constant barrage of French-in-italics was distracting, and the incessant descriptions of locations, buildings, characters and Aimee's thoughts were just a touch overwrought. Taken as a quick, vacation read, this could be quite enjoyable. ( )

Book number three in the Aimée LeDuc Investigations mystery series. This time it’s personal. A woman contacts Aimee and promises information about Aimée’s mother, who disappeared when Aimee was very young. The woman says she knew Aimée’s mother when they were in prison together, a revelation to Aimee. For the next week, Aimée will ignore the press of usual business, and the pleas of her partner, René, in order to focus on finding out the truth of her mother’s past and where she might be today.

I like Aimée as a lead character. I like that she is intelligent, independent, resilient, strong, and more than capable when it comes to defending herself. But I was not a great fan of this storyline. While I appreciate getting to know more about Aimée’s background, and issues that drive her forward in the present, I didn’t really connect with the politics of this storyline. There were so many twists and turns that I had difficulty keeping things straight.

And I really want more of René. He’s such an interesting character … or I think he is. I hope that he gets a chance to shine in future episodes of the series. ( )

Volume three in the Aimee Leduc series. The book opens when beautiful young PI Aimee Leduc receives an unexpected and mysterious visit. A woman, just released from 20 years in prison claims to have been a radical compatriot and jail cellmate of Leduc's disappeared mother. In exchange for a large sum of cash, the woman will hand over notebooks and writings left behind by the mother. Just as they are to meet again, the woman is shot and killed. As the bodies and danger pile up, Leduc races across the Sentier district of Paris, trying to solve the crime, learn more about her mother and keep her business afloat. A fast read. I have been taking the series out of order as they become available through the library. Hasn't been a problem for me, but others might want to read these in order. ( )

Parisian PI searches for information on her 70s terrorist mother (her father was a policeman). The protagonist does amazing things in high heels that I couldn't even do in running shoes! Highly recommended. ( )

The Sentier, is as much a character as is young private investigator Aimee Leduc, in this gritty murder mystery.
Author Cara Black is adept at describing the sights, smells, and rich history of the Garment District along with the mysteries it hides. ( )