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The Rhetoric of Death (Charles Du Luc #1)
by
Judith Rock
Paris, 1686: When The Bishop of Marseilles discovers that his young cousin Charles du Luc, former soldier and half-fledged Jesuit, has been helping heretics escape the king's dragoons, the bishop sends him far away-to Paris, where Charles is assigned to assist in teaching rhetoric and directing dance at the prestigious college of Louis le Grand.
Charles quickly embraces hi
...moreebook, 384 pages
Published
October 5th 2010
by Berkley
(first published September 11th 2010)
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This is the debut of former soldier and novice Jesuit Charles du Luc. His illustrious cousin, the Bishop of Marseilles, has made the horrifying discovery that Charles has been helping Huguenots escape the king’s dragoons and, rather than consigning him to the galleys, the bishop settles for sending him far away---to Paris, where Charles is assigned to assist in teaching rhetoric and directing dance at the college of Louis le Grand.
But no sooner does Charles arrive at the college when the school’...more
But no sooner does Charles arrive at the college when the school’...more
Loved the historical detail, feel that the place and circumstances were very well-researched. Appreciate the long-term plotting the author has done to tie the series together so that not only are there individual story arcs but the main characters have relationships that develop over the course of several books. So what holds me back from "loving" these books? So far, just a couple of things. The hero, in some ways. Tall, handsome, blonde, excellent dancer, noble, former soldier now Jesuit maitr...more
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Judith Rock has certainly led an eventful life. She has been a dancer and choreographer, a police officer in the NYPD and also holds a doctorate in art and theology. You might think it would be difficult to weave ballet, crime and Jesuit theology into one novel, but Judith Rock does it with aplomb.
Her main character, the delightful Charles du Luc, is rather too good looking to stay as a Jesuit priest without encountering romance, and without it causing him problems. He is also blessed with a fie...more
Her main character, the delightful Charles du Luc, is rather too good looking to stay as a Jesuit priest without encountering romance, and without it causing him problems. He is also blessed with a fie...more
The Rhetoric of Death (Berkley 2010) introduces Charles Matthieu Beuvron du Luc, on the path to become a Jesuit priest after a shoulder wound ended his army career. Louis XIV has revoked the Edict of Nantes, denying freedom from persecution to French Protestants, known as Huguenots, and declaring those who help them guilty of treason. When his cousin, the Bishop of Marseilles, learns that Charles has helped his Huguenot cousin Pernelle escape to Geneva, the bishop sends Charles from Provençal to...more
Overall a great first book and I look forward to the next from this author.
Former soldier and Jesuit in training Charles du Lac helps some Protestants (including a former love) escape King Louis XIV’s dragoons. When his cousin the Bishop of Marseilles finds out, he arranges Charles to be transferred to Paris to teach rhetoric and assist in directing dance at the prestigious Louis Le Grand. On his first day one of the dancers leaves class and is later found murdered.
Charles was a likeable protago...more
Former soldier and Jesuit in training Charles du Lac helps some Protestants (including a former love) escape King Louis XIV’s dragoons. When his cousin the Bishop of Marseilles finds out, he arranges Charles to be transferred to Paris to teach rhetoric and assist in directing dance at the prestigious Louis Le Grand. On his first day one of the dancers leaves class and is later found murdered.
Charles was a likeable protago...more
I loved this book! Set in France in the late 17th century, Charles du Lac, a former soldier and now Jesuit who has not yet taken his final orders to become a priest, helps his cousin and first love escape the Hugeunot persecution in France. To protect Charles, his bishop transfers him to a wonderful Jesuit school in Paris where he will teach rhetoric and assist in teaching theater and ballet. Almost as soon as he arrives, Charles is thrust into danger and intrigue when the school's premier danc...more
This is a great first book, with an interesting, conflicted protagonist. We've got a young Jesuit priest with family ties to the Huguenots, sent to Paris after he gets a bit too involved with a Protestant cousin and gets dangerously close to being linked with heretics (this was during the Catholic crackdown by Louis XIV).
Young Charles is a sympathetic character, and the author draws the reader quickly into the world of the Jesuit Parisian school. I didn't know that Jesuits had such an interest i...more
Young Charles is a sympathetic character, and the author draws the reader quickly into the world of the Jesuit Parisian school. I didn't know that Jesuits had such an interest i...more
This debut novel had a few problems, but overall it was a quick and entertaining read with some really great characters. Set in Louis XIV's Paris, at a well known Jesuit school, it features a young, idealistic Jesuit maître who has Huguenot sympathies. Charles is a bundle of internal conflict, yet he remains supremely likable, which is refreshing. I was quite impressed with Rock's integration of historical figures into the fictional plot, and I found myself learning a lot about French (and Engli...more
Good characterization and good period detail make this an engaging read. It's France, 1686, in the middle of Louis XIV's secretly continued persecution of the Protestant Huguenots. Jesuit father-in-training Charles du Lac connives at the escape to Protestant Switzerland of Huguenot cousin (and childhood love) Pernelle. For his -- and their -- own safety fearful relatives hustle him out of southern France to Paris, where he takes up a position at the Jesuit college Louis Le Grand. Trouble follows...more
Pretty good for a first mystery; I don't know if the author intends to build a series around Maitre Charles du Luc and his fellow Jesuits, but I will look for her future books. Interesting premise and period, and one I knew little about - always a draw for fans of historical mysteries/fiction. Also, Rock created some very interesting supporting characters I'd enjoy meeting again in future books. Not to give away spoilers, but Charles' personal life and clerical career were at an interesting poin...more
Jun 20, 2011
LA Carlson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
distinctive readers
Shelves:
fiction
I found this book at the library which is always a wonderful discovery. Judith Rock writes as though she's lived through 17th century Paris. The writing is excellent and nothing feels forced. The main character Charles is sent away by the Bishop of Marseilles to a prestigious school to teach rhetoric and direct dance. A student is found murdered and the mystery unfolds. Distinctive beautiful cover and interesting story line, this book puts all those boring genre books/beach reads to shame.
Oct 07, 2011
Debra
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-thriller-suspense,
historical-fiction
Seventeenth century France comes with a lot of drama for a historical novelist, and Judith Rock tapped into much it with her debut Charles du Luc mystery.
Set in a Jesuit school, Maitre Charles must deal with heresy charges, jealousy, family pressure all while starting a new assignment. When two of his students were attacked, the stakes raised.
Ms Rock creates a very believable world, not just an amusement park type look at a different era. Interesting characters. I will look for her next book.
Set in a Jesuit school, Maitre Charles must deal with heresy charges, jealousy, family pressure all while starting a new assignment. When two of his students were attacked, the stakes raised.
Ms Rock creates a very believable world, not just an amusement park type look at a different era. Interesting characters. I will look for her next book.
Mar 18, 2012
Kristen Schrader (Wenke)
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
france
This is a mystery about a French Jesuit priest who arrives at a new school just as a student is murdered. He ignores orders to leave it alone, and investigates the mystery independently.
This novel was poetic and descriptive, and I identified with the main character. But as a mystery it was very bland. There was only ever 1 suspect. No surprises. And all of the best action or big "aha!" moments in the story happened outside of the narrative. Then a supporting character would inform the protagonis...more
This novel was poetic and descriptive, and I identified with the main character. But as a mystery it was very bland. There was only ever 1 suspect. No surprises. And all of the best action or big "aha!" moments in the story happened outside of the narrative. Then a supporting character would inform the protagonis...more
If you like Ariana Franklin's books you'll love this mystery. I found this book when Borders was closing and I needed the third "Mistress of Death" book. When I saw that Ms. Franklin recommended the book, I was sold. "Rhetoric of Death" is set in France during Louis XIV's reign. Most of the story is set in Paris at a Jesuit school. I hope more people discover this book...it's worth your time.
Loved this glimpse into late 17th century Paris. Charles du Luc, Jesuit priest, has a great career ahead of him as crime solver. I never realized that the Jesuits had such an appreciation for the importance of arts in education. I look forward to reading more about Charles in the next book due out September 2011.
abandoned this one halfway through or so. DULL. just not into the fine details of clothing, the folds of jesuit cassocks, the idea of jesuits dancing ballet (even if they DID do ballets). even the murder mystery which eventually unfolds is dull. the prose is dull, bloated. definitely don't rush to this one.
A well-written historical mystery. The characters and their struggles are believable and pull you in, the narrative voice is strong, without distracting flaws. My one criticism is that I grow tired of the modern tendency to have every religious character in literature give into "temptations of the flesh."
This was an interesting mystery set in 17th century Paris, involving a "heretical" Jesuit, the murder of a ballet student and some political intrigue. While some of the characters are historically accurate, it is essentially the author's imagining of why the dragonnades in France ended when they did.
I think I would've done 3.5 stars if I could. Set in Paris in the 1600s, it follows Charles, a Jesuit teaching master. He teaches at a Jesuit University. On his first day one of the most promising students goes missing and is later found dead. This sets him on a mission to find his killer.
Feb 02, 2012
Jorge
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
my-books,
2012-book-challenge
I had a ton of trouble getting through this one. It's difficult to enjoy a book when you don't enjoy the main character and, for the longest time, Charles was pretty bland. I think the story started integrating aspects of his past way too late to really qualify this as an interesting read for me. I loved the ending, these are the sort of endings I love seeing in a book that's part of a series, you have all the information you need to form a complete narrative and it doesn't act as a "Buy the nex...more
I agree with ______________________ when she says that this debut novel had a few problems, but overall it was a quick and entertaining read with some really great characters. If we could give half stars, I probably would have given it a 3.5. I did enjoy it!
Despite the title, this was an interesting historical mystery, set in a Jesuit school in Paris, during the time of Heugenot persecution. It was quite fun, really, and the author has another book out with the same protagonist. Will he or won't he stay with the Jesuits?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The plot was engaging and the characters were memorable. Judith's writing style is unique and addicting. I would give this book five stars.
An adult historical mystery. My attempt to broaden my horizons. It was all right. It kept me interested, and plenty of plot twists. Just not my genre I'm afraid.
Wonderful sense of time and place, intriguing and believable mystery. I liked the hero's internal dialogues w/ God and his growth as a believer while also being smart and observant.
Exciting first novel with the rich setting of 17th century Paris. This novel sets up those to follow.
First historical mystery novel about the Jesuits in France in middle ages. Plot thickens as you read it.
Better than expected, a fast moving murder mistery set in 17th century Paris. Some history, some suspense... hope to find moreby this author!
Rock rocks (sorry). Galloping good story. Lots of interesting detail about 17th C. Paris.
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Judith Rock has written on dance, art, and theology for many journals, and has been artist-in-residence and taught and lectured at colleges, seminaries, and conferences across the United States and abroad. After years in New York, she and her husband currently split their time between Louisville, Kentucky, and Sarasota, Florida.
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Oct 16, 2011 03:56am