GROUP A BOOKS 2023-2024: 14 Nominated books. Vote for no more than 7.
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A9 Type: Police Procedural (Cop-FBI-Sheriff-GameWarden) The Bookseller by Mark Pryor, 2012 /
MVLC: 17 |
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Basics ·
Protagonist:
Hugo Marston, head of
security at the US embassy. ·
Setting: Contemporary Paris, France. ·
Context:
This the 1st in a series of 9 books.
The author has a few other books in addition to this series. ·
%
of Amazon readers giving 5-star ratings: 45% ·
Combined
% of Amazon readers giving either 4 OR 5-star ratings: 81% · Total all Amazon ratings this book: 2,323 Long
Form Who
is killing the celebrated bouquinistes (booksellers) of Paris? Max —an
elderly Paris bookstall owner— is abducted at gunpoint. His friend, Hugo
Marston, head of security at the US embassy, looks on helplessly, powerless
to do anything to stop the kidnapper. Marston launches a search, enlisting
the help of semiretired CIA agent Tom Green. Their investigation reveals that
Max was a Holocaust survivor and later became a Nazi hunter. Is his
disappearance somehow tied to his grim history, or even to the mysterious old
books he sold? On
the streets of Paris, tensions are rising as rival drug gangs engage in
violent turf wars. Before long, other booksellers start to disappear, their
bodies found floating in the Seine. Though the police are not interested in
his opinion, Marston is convinced the hostilities have something to do with
the murders of these bouquinistes. Then he himself becomes a
target of the unknown assassins. With Tom by his side, Marston finally puts
the pieces of the puzzle together, connecting the past with the present and
leading the two men, quite literally, to the enemy's lair. Just as the killer
intended. ------- “[A] well-crafted debut
novel. Mark Pryor creates a new hero full of intelligence and charm which
mixes well with the ever twisting plot of the story. Each turn of the page is
a new piece of the complex puzzle that readers will enjoy fitting together. A
leaf out of a classic Agatha Christie novel, mixed with the modern world of
crime, is a suspenseful adventure waiting to happen.” –Portland Book Review “This is enjoyable French investigation in
which Paris as seen through Hugo’s eyes comes to life. Hugo is a solid hero
though his inquiry may make him persona non grata and expelled from France.
Although the violent abductions and homicides are somewhat muted, the
storyline is fast-paced from start to Hugo and Tom confronting their
adversary who expects their visit.”
–The Mystery Gazette "Stylish,
suspenseful, and smart, Mark Pryor's The Bookseller conveys the reader
expertly through a puzzle of missing Nazi hunters and drug deals. Fans of
Alan Furst will find much to love. As strong and
welcome as a hot coffee on a chilly Paris morning. Bibliophiles,
Francophiles, and mystery addicts rejoice! The debut of Hugo Marston is one
you don't want to miss." –Steven
Sidor, author of Pitch Dark This book
was recommended by Ed, and it looks like an original plot and fun to read. –Dick No
Awards for this Book from the 15 awarding groups as reported by SYKM. |