I was inclined to like Mark Pryor’s sixth Hugo Marston mystery from the very beginning. The previous one, The Reluctant Matador, was not my favorite in the series with Hugo out of place in Barcelona. He’s back in Paris with a story revolving around the American Library in Paris, The Paris Librarian. Words that are dear to me, “Paris” and “Librarian”. And, unless you’ve been following my blog for a number of years, you might not know that our friend, Kaye Wilkinson Barley, has a book in the American Library, her Carousels of Paris. So, I had high expectations for this one. Pryor didn’t let me down.
Paul Rogers, Director of the American Library in Paris, calls Hugo Marston to tell him about an upcoming book sale at the library. Rogers knows Hugo collects first editions, signed if possible, and has one that he agrees to set aside for Hugo to examine. Since it’s August, Hugo is working from home more than at the U.S. Embassy, so he has time to stop by the library. In a strange case of timing, though, a young woman from Hugo’s past shows up, accompanying a freelance journalist friend. Miki Harrison is hoping to get access to a collection of papers just donated to the American Library. Miki suspects movie star Isabelle Severin might have been a spy during World War II, and wants to examine the collection.
When Hugo goes to the library to meet Paul, his friend doesn’t show up when he’s supposed to. With help from the staff, Hugo tracks Paul to the room where he writes in the morning, only to find his friend dead. It could be a natural death. But, Hugo is suspicious enough to contact Lieutenant Camille Lerens. Although there’s no proof the man was murdered, Hugo has doubts that his death was natural.
Because Paul Rogers had dual citizenship, American and French, Hugo claims an interest on behalf of the embassy. Together he and Lerens ask questions. Either a couple more deaths are coincidences, or Hugo is on to something.
The Paris Librarian is an intricate mystery with unexpected links to the past. It was a pleasure to re-enter Hugo’s Parisian world of cafes and friends, books and intrigue. Pryor’s books are always clever, deceptive, and, oh so good.
Mark Pryor’s website is http://www.markpryorbooks.com/
The Paris Librarian by Mark Pryor. Seventh Street Books, 2016. 276p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
