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Aristide Ravel - author's suggested reading order #1
The Cavalier of the Apocalypse
The first Aristide Ravel In the icy winter of 1786, in the final years before the French Revolution, hunger, cold, and seething frustration with the iron grip of France’s absolute monarchy drive poor and rich alike to outright defiance. Slums, fashionable cafés, and even aristocratic mansions echo with discontent and the first warning signals of the approaching turmoil of 1789. Paris’s cemeteries are foul and disease-ridden, but no one, including penniless writer Aristide Ravel, expects to find a man with his throat cut lying dead in a churchyard, surrounded by strange Masonic symbols. Already suspected of subversive activities, Ravel must now clear his name of murder. His search for answers amid the city’s literary and intellectual demimonde—with the aid of friends who may not be all that they seem—leads him into a tangle of conspiracy, secret societies, royal scandal, and imminent revolution, which grows only more complex when the corpse disappears . . .
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
76 people are currently reading
779 people want to read
About the author
Susanne Alleyn
27 books78 followersThe granddaughter of children’s author Lillie V. Albrecht (author of Deborah Remembers, The Spinning Wheel Secret, and three other historicals, all now available for Kindle), Susanne Alleyn definitely doesn’t write for children, unless, like her, they have found guillotines, high drama, and the French Revolution fascinating since the age of ten or so.
Susanne grew up in Massachusetts and New York City. After studying acting and singing, and earning a B.F.A. in theater from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Susanne eventually came to the conclusion that, as an actor, she was quite a good writer, and that sending out manuscripts to editors and agents was still easier on the nerves than going to auditions. (She can, nevertheless, still sing a high C when requested.) Having been unwholesomely fascinated by the French Revolution since she read the Classics Illustrated comic-book version of A Tale of Two Cities, she set out to write about it. Her first novel, A Far Better Rest, a reimagining of A Tale of Two Cities (what else?) from the point of view of Sydney Carton, was published in 2000.
Though a longtime fan, she had never considered writing mysteries, however, until she suddenly found herself creating a historical mystery plot suggested by an actual series of murders committed in Paris in the early 1800s. Police agent Aristide Ravel made his first appearance in Game of Patience and returned in A Treasury of Regrets, both set in Paris in the Directoire period of 1796-97. Susanne is currently at work on a third mystery in the series, a prequel, and intends to cover the entire Revolutionary period in future novels.
She would like to add that she speaks French very badly.
Susanne grew up in Massachusetts and New York City. After studying acting and singing, and earning a B.F.A. in theater from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Susanne eventually came to the conclusion that, as an actor, she was quite a good writer, and that sending out manuscripts to editors and agents was still easier on the nerves than going to auditions. (She can, nevertheless, still sing a high C when requested.) Having been unwholesomely fascinated by the French Revolution since she read the Classics Illustrated comic-book version of A Tale of Two Cities, she set out to write about it. Her first novel, A Far Better Rest, a reimagining of A Tale of Two Cities (what else?) from the point of view of Sydney Carton, was published in 2000.
Though a longtime fan, she had never considered writing mysteries, however, until she suddenly found herself creating a historical mystery plot suggested by an actual series of murders committed in Paris in the early 1800s. Police agent Aristide Ravel made his first appearance in Game of Patience and returned in A Treasury of Regrets, both set in Paris in the Directoire period of 1796-97. Susanne is currently at work on a third mystery in the series, a prequel, and intends to cover the entire Revolutionary period in future novels.
She would like to add that she speaks French very badly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 16, 2020
A walk through the streets of Paris in the 1790's accompanied by Aristide Ravel, a struggling scribbler who can just pay for a coffee or two. He hesitatingly accepts the request from a policeman to act as his subinspector to investigate a murder most heinous. Historical detail is solid even if the events sometimes tilt toward soap opera. But then...that makes it fun. The Masons, disappearing corpse, class struggles, all good stuff.
Astounding price of Nil on Amazon for the kindle for this prequel. I hope to read further.
Astounding price of Nil on Amazon for the kindle for this prequel. I hope to read further.
July 10, 2009
Rating:*****
Susanne Alleyn has written a third riveting, well-plotted mystery starring
Aristide Ravel, this one set in Paris shortly before the French Revolution and
I think it is definitely the best yet in the series! For you folks who have not
yet discovered this talented author, and who like to read a series “from the beginning”,
you have the rare chance to begin with “The Cavalier..”, as it is a prequel to
the two prior books featuring Aristide Ravel and gives us a glimpse into
how Aristide is induced, reluctantly, to help the police inspector, M. Brasseur
investigate and ultimately solve murder amidst the turbulent political
unrest and scandals of the time. The earlier two books are set after the
Revolution, but the murder at the center of this book, Aristide’s first
venture into crime-solving, is fascinatingly and deftly linked to one of
the most famous scandals of the time, the Diamond Necklace Affair
involving Marie Antoinette, and the brewing discontent of many
intelligent men of consequence with overweening, corrupt aristocrats and
wretched conditions of the populace.
What I think sets this book above so many historical mysteries is Alleyn’s
ability to strike just the right balance between historical context and
the mystery that drives the plot. Too many times, I’ve read mysteries
of this subgenre in which the story is interrupted by pages and pages
of what are simply unrelated dumps of the author’s research into the
clothing, the food, detailed descriptions of place, etc. that contribute
nothing to the mystery and its solution. I think most of us read mysteries because
we want to follow that story. Alleyn never includes unrelated social
context, even though I learned lots of interesting facts about the period.
She is also very very good at creating characters that ring true and are sympathetic.
Aristide, impoverished, often discouraged and suffering from self-doubt, stubborn
and proud, is enormously appealing - you can’t help rooting for him.
Brasseur, for all his wiliness, has his own gruff appeal and sense of honor.
The other main characters are well-drawn, whether aristocrat or middle class,
along with some unsavory citizens that add spice to the mix.
The story begins with Aristide’s encounter with a mysterious church fire, one
of a string of such, his meeting with Brasseur and his efforts to find
a publisher for his own attempts at writing rather dangerous pamphlets.
Then the discovery of a gruesomely murdered man in a cemetery propels
Aristide into a fast-moving series of events, increasingly dangerous, as
he tries to discern why the man was mutilated, what the strange symbols
mean, and what the connections to a missing aristocrat, a powerful
Cardinal, and certain secretive societies are. I don’t want to give away
too much, so I won’t tell you any more. Read the book. I was hooked
very quickly, and couldn’t put it down. Then, if you haven’t yet, read the
prior two- Game of Patience and A Treasury of Regrets. Let’s hope
Alleyn has many more adventures for Ravel in store for us!
I recommend this book to all those who love a good mystery, an
interesting time and place, and prose so well written that you “fall into
the world” of the book without the slightest effort.
Susanne Alleyn has written a third riveting, well-plotted mystery starring
Aristide Ravel, this one set in Paris shortly before the French Revolution and
I think it is definitely the best yet in the series! For you folks who have not
yet discovered this talented author, and who like to read a series “from the beginning”,
you have the rare chance to begin with “The Cavalier..”, as it is a prequel to
the two prior books featuring Aristide Ravel and gives us a glimpse into
how Aristide is induced, reluctantly, to help the police inspector, M. Brasseur
investigate and ultimately solve murder amidst the turbulent political
unrest and scandals of the time. The earlier two books are set after the
Revolution, but the murder at the center of this book, Aristide’s first
venture into crime-solving, is fascinatingly and deftly linked to one of
the most famous scandals of the time, the Diamond Necklace Affair
involving Marie Antoinette, and the brewing discontent of many
intelligent men of consequence with overweening, corrupt aristocrats and
wretched conditions of the populace.
What I think sets this book above so many historical mysteries is Alleyn’s
ability to strike just the right balance between historical context and
the mystery that drives the plot. Too many times, I’ve read mysteries
of this subgenre in which the story is interrupted by pages and pages
of what are simply unrelated dumps of the author’s research into the
clothing, the food, detailed descriptions of place, etc. that contribute
nothing to the mystery and its solution. I think most of us read mysteries because
we want to follow that story. Alleyn never includes unrelated social
context, even though I learned lots of interesting facts about the period.
She is also very very good at creating characters that ring true and are sympathetic.
Aristide, impoverished, often discouraged and suffering from self-doubt, stubborn
and proud, is enormously appealing - you can’t help rooting for him.
Brasseur, for all his wiliness, has his own gruff appeal and sense of honor.
The other main characters are well-drawn, whether aristocrat or middle class,
along with some unsavory citizens that add spice to the mix.
The story begins with Aristide’s encounter with a mysterious church fire, one
of a string of such, his meeting with Brasseur and his efforts to find
a publisher for his own attempts at writing rather dangerous pamphlets.
Then the discovery of a gruesomely murdered man in a cemetery propels
Aristide into a fast-moving series of events, increasingly dangerous, as
he tries to discern why the man was mutilated, what the strange symbols
mean, and what the connections to a missing aristocrat, a powerful
Cardinal, and certain secretive societies are. I don’t want to give away
too much, so I won’t tell you any more. Read the book. I was hooked
very quickly, and couldn’t put it down. Then, if you haven’t yet, read the
prior two- Game of Patience and A Treasury of Regrets. Let’s hope
Alleyn has many more adventures for Ravel in store for us!
I recommend this book to all those who love a good mystery, an
interesting time and place, and prose so well written that you “fall into
the world” of the book without the slightest effort.
April 23, 2013
Rating 3.5 out of 5*. This book was a rather consistent three from the start and almost until the end. The ending almost tipped it to a four. I must admit I let the author lead me astray every which way she turned. I am also happy about the lack of guillotines in this book. Then again, the events in this crime novel take place about ten years before the French Revolution, so I don't suppose I should be surprised.
Aristide Ravel is a struggling author when he is inlisted to help solve a murder of a man found with his throat slit in a graveyard. The identity of the man is unknown, but he is very well-dressed and Ravel and inspector Brasseur show around his clothes in hope for a lead. While they are chasing down tailors and finding the family, the body gets stolen. The body of the dead man carried Free Mason symbols and Ravel and Brasseur think there might be a connection.
All in all this was quite interesting. I'm glad I read and I will probably read more of this author eventually. Still a bit worried that the rest of the Ravel series plays out during the French Revolution which I tend to avoid reading about if I can help it. Perhaps I'm still suffering from having read Albert Camus "the Stranger" almost twenty years ago or so. Not that the book involved the French Revolution, not at all. Just the guillotine. I don't like death penalty in literature in general, I always think it could be me, in the wrong place, at the wrong time. I don't want my fertile imagination to take me too far down that road, obviously. But I digress. "The Cavalier of the Apocalypse" is a perfectly readable historical murder mystery.
Aristide Ravel is a struggling author when he is inlisted to help solve a murder of a man found with his throat slit in a graveyard. The identity of the man is unknown, but he is very well-dressed and Ravel and inspector Brasseur show around his clothes in hope for a lead. While they are chasing down tailors and finding the family, the body gets stolen. The body of the dead man carried Free Mason symbols and Ravel and Brasseur think there might be a connection.
All in all this was quite interesting. I'm glad I read and I will probably read more of this author eventually. Still a bit worried that the rest of the Ravel series plays out during the French Revolution which I tend to avoid reading about if I can help it. Perhaps I'm still suffering from having read Albert Camus "the Stranger" almost twenty years ago or so. Not that the book involved the French Revolution, not at all. Just the guillotine. I don't like death penalty in literature in general, I always think it could be me, in the wrong place, at the wrong time. I don't want my fertile imagination to take me too far down that road, obviously. But I digress. "The Cavalier of the Apocalypse" is a perfectly readable historical murder mystery.
November 18, 2015
I'm new to this series, so reading the official prequel first was a great introduction to an unusual series.
Aristide Ravel has fled the life of a provincial lawyer, fled his parents, and is instead scraping a living writing revolutionary or grey-market texts when he is drawn to a strange fire in a nearby churchyard. Before long he is investigating not the fires but a murder, learning about a secret society, and opening his life to more than just curiousity.
I'm not overly familiar with prerevolutionary 18th century Paris, so I kept marking things I wanted to learn more about, whether it was the censorship, the required locking of all doors, or the political conflicts between Louis XV, Queen Antoinette, the Church and the commoners.
I hope to get the next book soon!
Aristide Ravel has fled the life of a provincial lawyer, fled his parents, and is instead scraping a living writing revolutionary or grey-market texts when he is drawn to a strange fire in a nearby churchyard. Before long he is investigating not the fires but a murder, learning about a secret society, and opening his life to more than just curiousity.
I'm not overly familiar with prerevolutionary 18th century Paris, so I kept marking things I wanted to learn more about, whether it was the censorship, the required locking of all doors, or the political conflicts between Louis XV, Queen Antoinette, the Church and the commoners.
I hope to get the next book soon!
March 21, 2023
Here's another series that I'd been meaning to read for ages and am finally getting around to.
Unrest is in the air in 1786 Paris, with the discontent that will erupt into the French Revolution already palpable and spreading. In this at times perilous atmosphere, down on his luck writer Aristide Ravel is dragged into a murder investigation with connections to freemasons, aristocracy and royal scandal.
Susanne Alleyn has clearly done her research on the period and brings her setting brilliantly to life. A gripping and atmospheric historical mystery.
Unrest is in the air in 1786 Paris, with the discontent that will erupt into the French Revolution already palpable and spreading. In this at times perilous atmosphere, down on his luck writer Aristide Ravel is dragged into a murder investigation with connections to freemasons, aristocracy and royal scandal.
Susanne Alleyn has clearly done her research on the period and brings her setting brilliantly to life. A gripping and atmospheric historical mystery.
December 18, 2011
This very happy and most impressed review has been revised and can now be found at Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud.
Treat yourself to Paris in April.
Treat yourself to Paris in April.
January 5, 2010
First Sentence: Aristide Ravel stumbled upon the first fire early on All Hallows’ Eve.
Aristide Revel is a penniless writer who never expects to come across the body of a man lying in the snow of a graveyard with his throat slit and the body marked with Masonic symbols. Police inspector Brasseur, Revel’s former neighbor, quickly recognizes that he is not a suspect in the killing, but quickly makes Revel a subinspector to help solve the crime.
Although this is the most recent book in the series, it is a prequel to the others so it made sense to read it first.
I appreciated Alleyn’s skill at providing a strong sense of place and time. She takes us from grand mansions to inside the Bastille. Set just prior to the French Revolution, it provides insight into the political unrest of the period. It was also interesting to gain a perspective as to why the French supported the Americans during our Revolution.
Alleyn’s skill at creating interesting characters is just as well done. She adroitly combines the fictional with the real with interactions which made sense. I found Ravel to be a character I want to follow. His personal history places his somewhat on the outside yet his intelligence and ability to reason make him make me think of a much more dimensional Holmes-type character. I particularly appreciated the scene where he uncovers the betrayal of one he thought to be his friend. I also appreciate that Alleyn did not follow a stereotypical path when dealing with another possible relationship.
The plot was very well done with interesting and unexpected details and a very good unanticipated ending. The period of the French Revolution is one I do not usually enjoy. I can’t explain why I find it unpleasant, but I usually avoid books set during that time.
Ms. Alleyn has become an exception and now has a place on my buy list. I am delighted to know I’ve the other two books waiting for me on my TBR shelves.
THE CAVALIER OF THE APOCALYPSE (Hist. Mys-Aristide Ravel-France-Georgian/1786) - VG
Alleyn, Susanne – 3rd in series
Minotaur Books, 2009, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780312379889
Aristide Revel is a penniless writer who never expects to come across the body of a man lying in the snow of a graveyard with his throat slit and the body marked with Masonic symbols. Police inspector Brasseur, Revel’s former neighbor, quickly recognizes that he is not a suspect in the killing, but quickly makes Revel a subinspector to help solve the crime.
Although this is the most recent book in the series, it is a prequel to the others so it made sense to read it first.
I appreciated Alleyn’s skill at providing a strong sense of place and time. She takes us from grand mansions to inside the Bastille. Set just prior to the French Revolution, it provides insight into the political unrest of the period. It was also interesting to gain a perspective as to why the French supported the Americans during our Revolution.
Alleyn’s skill at creating interesting characters is just as well done. She adroitly combines the fictional with the real with interactions which made sense. I found Ravel to be a character I want to follow. His personal history places his somewhat on the outside yet his intelligence and ability to reason make him make me think of a much more dimensional Holmes-type character. I particularly appreciated the scene where he uncovers the betrayal of one he thought to be his friend. I also appreciate that Alleyn did not follow a stereotypical path when dealing with another possible relationship.
The plot was very well done with interesting and unexpected details and a very good unanticipated ending. The period of the French Revolution is one I do not usually enjoy. I can’t explain why I find it unpleasant, but I usually avoid books set during that time.
Ms. Alleyn has become an exception and now has a place on my buy list. I am delighted to know I’ve the other two books waiting for me on my TBR shelves.
THE CAVALIER OF THE APOCALYPSE (Hist. Mys-Aristide Ravel-France-Georgian/1786) - VG
Alleyn, Susanne – 3rd in series
Minotaur Books, 2009, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780312379889
September 3, 2013
The Cavalier of the Apocalypse is a great start to what may be a promising series. This is actually the first of the series, despite the publishing date and so it is the first of the Aristide Ravel books I've read.
This is a historical mystery placed in late 18th century France. The writing is fantastic, allowing the reader to get swept away to another time and place in a manner that so many historical fiction books lack. I'm sure it's no easy feat to accomplish.
I'm a fan of murder mysteries and historical fiction so this series has a lot going for it already. So often in murder mysteries you feel like you're in Q&A overload where the inspector is simply going from place to place asking questions and picking up clues. The writing here is much more sophisticated in that you don't necessarily feel that you're jumping from place to place reading one sentence questions and one sentence answers. There is a lot more to the dialogue and descriptions than most books of this sort have.
The other thing that I admired about the book was the ending. So often these books simply drag the reader in a completely different direction only to pull a final gotcha at the end at which point you realize you didn't stand a chance on solving it yourself. Susanne Alleyn has managed to pull this off to some degree but in a way that doesn't insult the reader. Rather, you are left feeling like you genuinely got to experience a lot of what the detective was having to go through without having the wool pulled over your eyes.
I plan to read the next book in the series shortly and trust it will be worth the time.
This is a historical mystery placed in late 18th century France. The writing is fantastic, allowing the reader to get swept away to another time and place in a manner that so many historical fiction books lack. I'm sure it's no easy feat to accomplish.
I'm a fan of murder mysteries and historical fiction so this series has a lot going for it already. So often in murder mysteries you feel like you're in Q&A overload where the inspector is simply going from place to place asking questions and picking up clues. The writing here is much more sophisticated in that you don't necessarily feel that you're jumping from place to place reading one sentence questions and one sentence answers. There is a lot more to the dialogue and descriptions than most books of this sort have.
The other thing that I admired about the book was the ending. So often these books simply drag the reader in a completely different direction only to pull a final gotcha at the end at which point you realize you didn't stand a chance on solving it yourself. Susanne Alleyn has managed to pull this off to some degree but in a way that doesn't insult the reader. Rather, you are left feeling like you genuinely got to experience a lot of what the detective was having to go through without having the wool pulled over your eyes.
I plan to read the next book in the series shortly and trust it will be worth the time.
December 15, 2012
I liked the historical detail in this book better than in the other book by this author I've read, but I just don't think this series is for me. Mystery series have an internal formula to them (Nero Wolfe gathers everyone into his office after having sent Archie out to woo a lady into spilling all their secrets--that sort of thing). The internal formula of this series just isn't my cup of tea. I like Ravel as a character, but the two books I've read have had him have a love interest that doesn't pan out in the end. I'm just not interested in reading that over and over.
However, if you like historical mysteries, I recommend you give this a try.
However, if you like historical mysteries, I recommend you give this a try.
January 14, 2013
Don’t be fooled, although this novel looks like it should be the third in the series, it’s actually a prequel to Game of Patience and Treasury of Regrets. READ THIS FIRST!!
I think this book has been my favorite in the series by far. Alleyn transports us to pre-revolutionary France where expressing one’s opinion about the government is illegal, the mysticism regarding secret societies is prevalent and the pursuit of science is frowned upon.
We are introduced to the main characters and their backgrounds and the mystery itself is easy to get lost in. Once again, Alleyn proves she knows her history and weaves a good tale. Overall, a great read.
I think this book has been my favorite in the series by far. Alleyn transports us to pre-revolutionary France where expressing one’s opinion about the government is illegal, the mysticism regarding secret societies is prevalent and the pursuit of science is frowned upon.
We are introduced to the main characters and their backgrounds and the mystery itself is easy to get lost in. Once again, Alleyn proves she knows her history and weaves a good tale. Overall, a great read.
April 14, 2012
Excellent work of historic fiction. The book is set in 1786, in pre-revolutionary France. Aristide Ravel, a struggling writer, is conscripted by government police to assist with the investigation of a gruesome murder. This is the third of three (as of 1/2010) Aristide Ravel novels by Alleyn, but it is the prequel to the other two. No inappropriate content except for a few grisly murder scenes. Safe to recommend without caveat.
November 7, 2018
Great story. I’m going to read the whole series.
February 15, 2019
An interesting read, set in Paris before the Terror.
October 19, 2013
This has been in my obese wish list for a while and I'm so glad I finally got hold of a copy. Or maybe I shouldn't be so glad because I am now hooked on Aristide Ravel, a tainted would-be writer in Paris during the 1700s, who reluctantly becomes a subinspector to the police. A series of fires had been set around churches and cemeteries in Paris, with masonic symbols left as evidence of who might be behind the crime. But until one fateful night, nobody had been injured in these fires. When a man is found murdered and with a masonic symbol carved into his chest, and whose body is later stolen from the morgue, Inspector Brasseur appoints Ravel as his sub-inspector to help with the investigation.
What ensues is a look at freemansonry in 1700s France and the burgeoning origin of the French revolution, the scandal and conspiracy behind the Diamond Necklace affair which further blackened the reputation of Marie Antoinette and Cardinal de Rohan, and Honore Fragonard, an anatomist with a macabre collection of specimens.
This is the first in the series and I am already hooked and will definitely look to see what further adventures hail for Ravel. Will he continue to accept jobs with Inspector Brasseur, who benefited from his brilliant investigative talents, and will he also accept spying missions on behalf of the Duc d'Orleans?
What ensues is a look at freemansonry in 1700s France and the burgeoning origin of the French revolution, the scandal and conspiracy behind the Diamond Necklace affair which further blackened the reputation of Marie Antoinette and Cardinal de Rohan, and Honore Fragonard, an anatomist with a macabre collection of specimens.
This is the first in the series and I am already hooked and will definitely look to see what further adventures hail for Ravel. Will he continue to accept jobs with Inspector Brasseur, who benefited from his brilliant investigative talents, and will he also accept spying missions on behalf of the Duc d'Orleans?
October 7, 2011
I finished this today and although it was a good story I am not overly enthusiastic about it. Ravel is the main character and is a struggling writer of seditious political pamphlets. This was not really interesting to me to read about, but luckily Ravel was quickly pulled into the investigation of a murder. Police inspector Brasseur questions Ravel first as a suspect, but quickly rules him out. However, Ravel's thoughts on the crime scene impress Brasseur and he presses Ravel into service as reluctant assistant in the investigation.
Although the characters were interesting, there were a great many of them and with foreign names I had a hard time remembering who was who. As far as the plot, I thought there was a great deal too much speculation about what may have happened during the crime and the subsequent coverup. The time devoted to speculation instead of actual investigation would have been better spent concentrating on Ravel's personal life. I may have gone on to try the next book in the series, but I found that all the ebooks were fairly inexpensive except for the second book, which is overpriced. This annoyed me to the extent that I probably won't read any further books.
Although the characters were interesting, there were a great many of them and with foreign names I had a hard time remembering who was who. As far as the plot, I thought there was a great deal too much speculation about what may have happened during the crime and the subsequent coverup. The time devoted to speculation instead of actual investigation would have been better spent concentrating on Ravel's personal life. I may have gone on to try the next book in the series, but I found that all the ebooks were fairly inexpensive except for the second book, which is overpriced. This annoyed me to the extent that I probably won't read any further books.
March 8, 2011
An inviting story to open the series!
Admittedly, "inviting" is probably a poor word to use to describe a tale of multiple murders in pre-Revolutionary Paris. But Alleyn builds the characters and relationships in this story such that there is a very personal attachment, especially to Ravel-- he is a highly endearing man, even if some of his habits and activities are less than reputable.
I think I was expecting the story to get a little more meaty into the politics and drama of the time period, but my disappointment there was certainly covered by the macabre and seedy side of the story, which was uncovered as Ravel investigated the murders. And true to form with the other of Alleyn's novels that I have read, there is enough personal conflict with the main character to keep you entirely consumed and involved.
It would be hard for this book to rock my world as much as the author's 'A Far Better Rest' did... but I enjoyed it enough that I'm eagerly starting on the next.
Admittedly, "inviting" is probably a poor word to use to describe a tale of multiple murders in pre-Revolutionary Paris. But Alleyn builds the characters and relationships in this story such that there is a very personal attachment, especially to Ravel-- he is a highly endearing man, even if some of his habits and activities are less than reputable.
I think I was expecting the story to get a little more meaty into the politics and drama of the time period, but my disappointment there was certainly covered by the macabre and seedy side of the story, which was uncovered as Ravel investigated the murders. And true to form with the other of Alleyn's novels that I have read, there is enough personal conflict with the main character to keep you entirely consumed and involved.
It would be hard for this book to rock my world as much as the author's 'A Far Better Rest' did... but I enjoyed it enough that I'm eagerly starting on the next.
September 7, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm fairly new to the genre and so far few novels manages to capture my interest as much as this one did. Can't tell if it's the setting, the characters, the mystery itself to and the different paths followed to solve it or (most likely) the combination of all of the above that make this book the success I believe it to be.
The narrative is rich and interesting, one certainly feels walking down the streets of pre-revolution Paris and living the life between the nobility and the struggling lowers classes. The dialogues flow, the characters are likeable and seem real. And the plot keeps you interested enough to want to keep going till the end.
I haven't read anything else by this author but I'm certainly excited to know I have three more novels in the series to peruse whenever my mystery fancy strikes again.
The narrative is rich and interesting, one certainly feels walking down the streets of pre-revolution Paris and living the life between the nobility and the struggling lowers classes. The dialogues flow, the characters are likeable and seem real. And the plot keeps you interested enough to want to keep going till the end.
I haven't read anything else by this author but I'm certainly excited to know I have three more novels in the series to peruse whenever my mystery fancy strikes again.
September 19, 2011
Another wonderful installment in the Aristide Ravel canon!
(Actually, if you are about to begin the series, start with this book, which introduces Ravel and his relationship with the police that figures prominently in the rest of the series.)
CAVALIER offers an intriguing mystery with a satisfying ending, all set against the historic backdrop of unsettled times in pre-revolution France. I was so engrossed that it was quite an unhappy day when I finished this volume.
One more Ravel book to go -- I almost do not want to start it because I don't want it to end too soon -- and then dear Ms. Alleyn will need to write some more!
(see more here: http://zuzanazink.wordpress.com/2011/...)
(Actually, if you are about to begin the series, start with this book, which introduces Ravel and his relationship with the police that figures prominently in the rest of the series.)
CAVALIER offers an intriguing mystery with a satisfying ending, all set against the historic backdrop of unsettled times in pre-revolution France. I was so engrossed that it was quite an unhappy day when I finished this volume.
One more Ravel book to go -- I almost do not want to start it because I don't want it to end too soon -- and then dear Ms. Alleyn will need to write some more!
(see more here: http://zuzanazink.wordpress.com/2011/...)
August 25, 2009
This was a very interesting book; it combines bits of social, political, and religious life of pre-revolutionary France. It is a actually a prequel to 2 of Alleyn's other works (which I will add to my 'to read' list soon). This historical mystery features a struggling writer who (almost accidentally) finds himself in the employ of the local police (not necessarily a good thing to be in France at that time) to help solve a particularly brutal murder. The Freemasons play a role (shades of Dan Brown?) but in a more believable vein. Though there is a conspiracy here! Good story, interesting characters.
March 1, 2012
Fortunately, this was the first book I read in Alleyn's Ravel series so I started at "the beginning." I found Ravel to be a multidimensional character and took to him immediately and I knew I would want to read more of his adventures. I didn't thin I would enjoy reading about the French Revolution, but Ms. Alleyn has stirred a passion within me that I didn't know existed. Alleyn's characters are well-drawn and her plots are intriguing with several twists and turns along the way to keep even an avid mystery buff like me riveted until the last page. I highly recommend all of the books in this series.
September 25, 2016
In this prequel, the year is 1785 and Aristide Ravel helps put out a fire in a church where he meets Inspector Brasseur, an ex-neighbour of his. A few months later when Brasseur finds a body he 'invites' Ravel to view the body suspecting he might be the murderer (because of Ravel's subversive writings). Unlike other police Brasseur is convinced that he is innocent. So Ravel becomes a sub-Inspector and investigates with the Inspector to clear his name.
I enjoyed the mystery, and the style of writing which was very easy to read, and I like the portrayal of the characeters. This was my first book in the series that I have read but I will be looking to read the others.
I enjoyed the mystery, and the style of writing which was very easy to read, and I like the portrayal of the characeters. This was my first book in the series that I have read but I will be looking to read the others.
July 19, 2011
Given my enjoyment of A Far Better Rest, Susanne Alleyn's novel based on A Tale of Two Citiesby Dickens, I expected a great deal of this prequel to her mystery series.
It was OK. I found it slow and overly expository at the outset. I wasn't that impressed by the Freemasonry content.
It was OK. I found it slow and overly expository at the outset. I wasn't that impressed by the Freemasonry content.
December 11, 2019
I expected more from this book but it turned out to be disappointingly mediocre. The characters and the plot were dull and somewhat unrealistic, the main protagonist was rather flat, and the "mystery" easily solvable halfway through. The unwarranted appearance of real people as characters (like Desmoulins and Cagliostro) felt a little overwrought, although the time period the book is set is fascinating and the historical setting is why I was reading it. I hope the next installment will be a bit better.
October 15, 2015
What a great read! I liked this book so much, that for a few days I was either reading it, or thinking about it, or wanting to read it. And when I finished reading it, I wanted to learn more about freemasonry, pre-revolutionary France and the French revolution.
This book kept me hooked throughout, and I kept changing my idea about who the killer was, till the very end.
It is impossible not to like the main character, Aristide Ravel. I definitely want to read more about him.
This book kept me hooked throughout, and I kept changing my idea about who the killer was, till the very end.
It is impossible not to like the main character, Aristide Ravel. I definitely want to read more about him.
September 11, 2010
This is prequel to 2 other books. I'm glad I stumbled across this in my travels through the library as I probably wouldn't have chosen it from a review or a cruise through Amazon, etc. It's a very good absorbing story that is set in the time before the French Revolution and involves Masons, murder, infidelity, and politics.
January 3, 2018
This was the most intriguing, interesting, and shocking of Alleyn's Aristide Ravel series. I was captivated by her knowledge of the well-hidden past. This author plunges the reader into the time and place and this one had me looking over my shoulder. A fascinating story that I've not stopped thinking about. Brava!
September 27, 2015
The Cavalier of the Apocalypse was made available free of charge for Nook readers and I took advantage of the offer. What a wonderful surprise awaited - an historical mystery with good characterization, lots of twists of turns to keep me guessing until the end and historically interesting. An all around winner.
November 30, 2009
Storyline was good, as well as the characters.
Found the description of the city very annoying in the first
chapters. Didn't nned to know the names opf streets in Paris, which no longer exisrt Amap printed at the beginning of the book would have done the job.
Found the description of the city very annoying in the first
chapters. Didn't nned to know the names opf streets in Paris, which no longer exisrt Amap printed at the beginning of the book would have done the job.
June 18, 2016
Believable historical mystery
Paris before the revolution is setting for tale mixing little known facets of art world and the hesitant mingling of the younger members of a changing society. Very readable.
Paris before the revolution is setting for tale mixing little known facets of art world and the hesitant mingling of the younger members of a changing society. Very readable.
June 17, 2013
Review to come later today if I wake up.
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