The Cavalier of the Apocalypse (Aristide Ravel Mysteries)
by Susanne Alleyn
Published by Minotaur Books / Thomas Dunne Books
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Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann
This book is a prequel to two previous Aristide Ravel mystery novels, A Treasury of Regrets and Game of Patience. Ravel, a young struggling “man of letters” in Paris in 1786, comes across a fire set in a church and helps to put it out, later encountering Inspector Brasseur as they muse about the origins and reasons for the fire… and Ravel impresses Brasseur with his analytical mind.
When Brasseur is stumped by an unusual murder in a cemetery involving possible Masonic symbols, a fire, a victim with a slit throat, and arranged bones, he calls on Ravel for help. The two follow the trail of an unusual silk waistcoat, identifying two possible victims, both missing–and then the nearly identified body is stolen from the morgue. Most unusual!
Ravel uses his contacts to investigate the Masons, and the family of the unremarkable murdered man, Saint Landry, along with Saint Landry’s missing friend and fellow Mason, Beaupreau.
Ravel is trying to make a living writing illegal essays critical of French society, royalty, the church, and government–and for a time is a suspect in the killing. Even though he is not comfortable working as an informer for the police, he must work to clear his name.
Alleyn has included several historical characters, and really makes pre-revolutionary Paris come to life: the slums, the people, the intellectual turmoil, the smells, the dark alleys and parks. Le bon travail! Fantastique! Superbe!
Armchair Interviews says: Riveting–a bit gruesome, but historically fascinating 5-star historical mystery.
Author’s Web site: http://www.SusanneAlleyn.com