mystery, france ( )

This is my least favorite book in a series I have enjoyed. I think the decline started when she became pregnant. At times I didn't think I would finish the book, and if fact wound up skipping several pages at a time. Perhaps due to hormones, Aimee has gone from a hard-assed savvy detective to an emotional, almost frantic person. It just didn't work for me. ( )

I have come to enjoy Cara Black's series. It's been a pleasure to get acquainted with Paris and its history district by district. In Murder on the Champ de Mars, we learn about the history of the gypsies, and it's a tragic one. I've also been looking forward to seeing how Aimée adapts to motherhood because I didn't think it would be an easy transition. I was right. In fact Aimée-as-parent is one of the things that bothered me in this book.

The parenting issue is clouded by the appearance of Chloë's father, and even with his presence in the background, Aimée's good intentions come to naught. In fact she seems to go out of her way to be away from her baby and to put herself in dangerous situations. This is a woman who needs a sharp jolt to force her to face reality. You can't speed like a maniac through Paris, break into buildings, and generally try to act as though you're a super hero when you have a baby depending on you. But Aimée does, simply because it's more important for her to find out who killed her father. She is a woman obsessed.

Another issue was the pacing of this book. At times it moves at breakneck speed, but there are slow intervals when nothing much seems to be going on. Aimée is a character I've never completely warmed up to. She's much more interested in fashion and makeup than I. My interest has always been more focused on her partner René, their part-time employees, and the stories the author weaves. These slow intervals when Aimée is basically spinning her wheels and grasping at straws affected my enjoyment of the book. By the end, I almost felt as though the mystery solved itself and Aimée just happened to be in the vicinity.

Something else that I noticed in Murder on the Champ de Mars is the prevalence of French words and phrases. Much more than I felt necessary. I certainly don't have a problem with it since I can read and speak French, but if other readers can't, they may find this to be distracting and annoying.

All in all, I did enjoy this book. No non-French crime writer can take you through Paris like Cara Black. It's the main reason why I keep coming back for more. However, it's certainly going to be interesting to see if Aimée's parenting skills have improved in the next book. ( )

Ah! the undercurrent of Parisian noir that is Aimee!

Talk about troubles piling up! Aimee Leduc is now mother to young Chloe. Melac, Chloe's father, reappears at the christening six moths after Chloe's birth, with never a word to Aimee in that time, and is talking joint custody. Complications indeed for Aimee. She is furious, I am furious!
No wonder she is contemplating, with the desperateness of an addict taking up smoking her beloved gaulois.
Aimee is confronted once more with her fathers death. This time a mysterious gypsy woman, possibly an informant of her father's, on her death bed has sent for Aimee. Aimee hurries to the hospital only to find the woman gone! Seemingly kidnapped from the ward.
History and hurts collide into an explosive conclusion!
Aimee as detective is managing to live alongside Aimee as mother. This dichotomy is about to be hampered by Aimee as daughter seeking answers to her father's death. Her split focus, the pressure this puts her under is an explosive undercurrent.
I do feel that this volume in the Aimee story is not a good place to start the series. But to any newcomers, don't be put off, start at the beginning of this fabulous series about this feisty, wonderful Parisian. Aimee is driven and edgy, torn between duties and loyalties, outrageous in her vintage courture clothing and Vespa, being a maman in the park, and completely wonderful! Another edgy work overlaid with a definitive Parisian noir mysteriousness.
Little informative gems abound. The mention of Pagoda sent me scurrying to find out more. I will certainly be visiting there!
Renee is as always supportive. His relationship with Aimee as ever on an edge.
Once more Aimee's story enthralled me. Really I adore Aimee! I know, I know some have given up, but Aimee is family.

A NetGalley ARC ( )