The Paris Winter: A Novel
The Paris Winter: A Novel book cover

The Paris Winter: A Novel

Paperback – February 2, 2016

Price
$8.02
Format
Paperback
Pages
368
Publisher
St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1250074447
Dimensions
5.43 x 1.04 x 8.27 inches
Weight
11.2 ounces

Description

“Once the seeds of intrigue are planted, the scope of the book is expanded to encompass murderous plots, shady Parisian undersides, upper-class dealings, gems of history and gems – as in jewels. The women are heartwarming as friends and delightfully effective as crime fighters. With a twisty, well-crafted plot, this novel is rich in historical detail and robust with personality.” ― Kirkus, starred review “I must have breathed while reading THE PARIS WINTER, but I could not say when. Robertson's dark tale in the City of Light will haunt the reader long after closing its pages.” ―Erika Robuck, Bestselling Author of Hemingway's Girl“Rich as a ripened red wine, The Paris Winter intoxicates and satisfies the reader's darkest desires to be mysteriously entranced. With dazzling Belle Époque detail and nail-biting plot, Robertson stylishly paints a historical thriller of intrigue and treachery that will have you staying up late to the very last page drop. A compulsive read. I couldn't put it down . ” ―Sarah McCoy, author of the international bestseller The Baker's Daughter“Imogen Robertson has written an enthralling novel. With its beguiling characters, deliciously twisted storyline, and setting in a city that is sometimes seductively glamorous, sometimes shivery with menace, The Paris Winter is an absolute treat for lovers of historical fiction.” ―Margaret Leroy, author of The Soldier’s Wife“Deliciously chilling and dangerous. The plot and characters are absolutely mesmerizing, drawing you in to their world like the opium itself.” ― Karen Maitland, author of Company of Liars “The Paris Winter is a wonderful novel, an utterly transportive and richly detailed amalgam of historical fiction and spellbinding thriller. Imogen Robertson brings Belle Époque Paris vividly to life in all its light and shadow, beauty and squalor, glory and treachery.” ― Jennifer Chiaverini, author of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker “Dramatic and teeming with intrigue, The Paris Winter is a richly detailed historical novel that both thrills and satisfies.” ― Shelf Awareness “Both a romantic novel and a thriller, in the best possible ways . ” ― Spencer Daily Reporter “Paints a dark, evocative portrait of the turbulent era, highlighting the limits placed on women . . . instead of centering on a conventional love story like similar historical works, the dramatic, intriguing, richly detailed historical novel is held together by the tensile strength of the women's friendship.” ― Shelf Awareness for Readers, starred review “Robertson is skillful at conjuring up not only a twisty, gripping plot, but also compelling characters . . . these multidimensional characters and Robertson's descriptions of Belle Epoque Paris – even of rats in ancient, flooding cellars – make the reader want to visit, even for a day.” ― BookPage IMOGEN ROBERTSON directed for TV, film, and radio before becoming a full-time author. She is the author several novels, including the Crowther and Westerman series. Imogen was shortlisted for the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Award 2011 and for the CWA Dagger in the Library Award 2012. The Paris Winter was partially inspired by Imogen's paternal grandmother, a free-spirited traveler who set off through Europe with money sewn into her skirts.

Features & Highlights

  • Maud Heighton came to Lafond's famous
  • Academie
  • to paint, and to flee the constraints of her small English town. It took all her courage to escape, but Paris, she quickly realizes, is no place for a light purse. While her fellow students enjoy the dazzling decadence of the Belle Epoque, Maud slips into poverty. Quietly starving, and dreading another cold Paris winter, she stumbles upon an opportunity when Christian Morel engages her as a live-in companion to his beautiful young sister, Sylvie. Maud is overjoyed by her good fortune. With a clean room, hot meals, and an umbrella to keep her dry, she is able to hold her head high as she strolls the streets of Montmartre. No longer hostage to poverty and hunger, Maud can at last devote herself to her art. But all is not as it seems. Christian and Sylvie, Maud soon discovers, are not quite the darlings they pretend to be. Sylvie has a secret addiction to opium and Christian has an ominous air of intrigue. As this dark and powerful tale progresses, Maud is drawn further into the Morels' world of elegant deception. Their secrets become hers, and soon she is caught in a scheme of betrayal and revenge.Revealing a side of the city that few see, Imogen Robertson's
  • The Paris Winter
  • plunges into the darkness that lies beneath this glittering city of light.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(227)
★★★★
25%
(189)
★★★
15%
(113)
★★
7%
(53)
23%
(173)

Most Helpful Reviews

✓ Verified Purchase

Speedy service

Outstanding service. Product is as advertised.
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Great book but AVOID THE AUDIO

The book is lovely and compelling - you really will not want to put it down.
But the audio version, as recorded by Rebecca Night, is a total MISS. She has a lovely British accent,but she is a terrible reader, and makes constant and annoying gulping, smacking noises which totally disconcerts the listener. Why wasn't she provided with water and breaks while recording to spare the listener from a miserable listening experience? Where was the producer of this audio recording? Why couldn't the smacking noises been edited out?

So - 5 stars for the book, 0 stars for the audio recording.
✓ Verified Purchase

Underwhelming

I enjoyed the Paris and historical setting. The writing was ok, but most of the characters lacked individuality and were uninteresting. The plot was drawn out and sometimes boring, especially when it no longer focused on the art school.
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Underwhelming

I enjoyed the Paris and historical setting. The writing was ok, but most of the characters lacked individuality and were uninteresting. The plot was drawn out and sometimes boring, especially when it no longer focused on the art school.
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A Wispy Pencil Sketch of Edwardian Paris

The first half of "The Paris Winter" is frisky and engaging, with a trio of talented and lively "new" young women artists. Then suddenly, about half way through, the plot veers off into unconvincing melodrama totally out of character with the first half. Our three protagonists are well drawn and likeable and I believed in their fervent friendship. However, one villain is paper-thin and unconvincing and the other, despite his crimes, somehow sympathetic. The whole ramshackle second half of the book drowns the charming beginning just as the famous flood drowns Paris. The" City of Lights" in this novel is a wispy pencil sketch - no juice and no joy. What a shame.
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Five Stars

Excellent insight into Paris of 1910....especially role of women in the artist community.
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Absorbing and atmospheric study of betrayal and revenge set in 1910 Paris

Greed, deception, betrayal, revenge - these were the things Maude learned the most about when she came to Paris in 1910 to study art. After a bit of a slow start, I loved everything about this story. The characters are rich and multi-faceted, the plot is intriguing and original. Even the chapter titles describing anonymous works of art from the DeSevrais collection tie into the story at the end. Highly recommend.
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Slow Start, but Worth Sticking with It

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical mystery. It is set in Paris in 1909/1910 among the artists. There is a mixture of the “poor starving artists” and the higher class clientele. Young, naïve Maud Heighton came to Paris’ Academie to study painting and to get away from her small town life. Maud soon falls into poverty. She comes upon a golden opportunity. Christian Morel hires her to teach his sister Sylvie English. She can board with them and earn a generous salary. However she soon learns that the Morels are not who they claim to be. Maud is soon drawn into the dark, dangerous underworld of Paris. Friendships are tested, lives are endangered.

I found the book to have a very slow start (hence the four stars, instead of five). I almost gave up on it but am very glad I did not. Once it got going (around page 142) it kept me engrossed. I love the characters – derelict Yvette, aristocratic Tanya, the Countess. It was a delightful blend of personalities. I could easily envision these very different personalities interacting. It is the perfect blend of female friendships, love, greed, and especially revenge.