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Hugo Marston #8
The Book Artist
Hugo Marston, head of security for the U.S. Embassy in Paris, puts his life in danger when he investigates the murder of a celebrated artist, all the while fending off an assassin looking to settle an old score against him.
Hugo Marston accompanies his boss, US Ambassador J. Bradford Taylor, to the first night of an art exhibition in Montmartre, Paris. Hugo is less than happy about going until he finds out that the sculptures on display are made from his favorite books. Soon after the champagne starts to flow and the canapes are served, the night takes a deadly turn when one of the guests is found murdered.
Hugo lingers at the scene and offers his profiling expertise to help solve the crime, but the detective in charge quickly jumps to his own conclusions. He makes an arrest, but it's someone that Hugo is certain is innocent. Meanwhile, his best friend, Tom Green, has disappeared to Amsterdam, hunting an enemy from their past, an enemy who gets the upper hand on Tom, and who then sets his sights on Hugo.
With an innocent person behind bars, a murder to solve, and his own life in danger, Hugo knows he has no time to waste as one killer tries to slip away, and another gets closer and closer.
Hugo Marston accompanies his boss, US Ambassador J. Bradford Taylor, to the first night of an art exhibition in Montmartre, Paris. Hugo is less than happy about going until he finds out that the sculptures on display are made from his favorite books. Soon after the champagne starts to flow and the canapes are served, the night takes a deadly turn when one of the guests is found murdered.
Hugo lingers at the scene and offers his profiling expertise to help solve the crime, but the detective in charge quickly jumps to his own conclusions. He makes an arrest, but it's someone that Hugo is certain is innocent. Meanwhile, his best friend, Tom Green, has disappeared to Amsterdam, hunting an enemy from their past, an enemy who gets the upper hand on Tom, and who then sets his sights on Hugo.
With an innocent person behind bars, a murder to solve, and his own life in danger, Hugo knows he has no time to waste as one killer tries to slip away, and another gets closer and closer.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2019
276 people are currently reading
756 people want to read
About the author
Mark Pryor
33 books634 followersMark Pryor is a former newspaper reporter from England. He moved to the US in 1995 and subsequently spent 16 years working as a prosecutor with the Travis County District Attorney's Office, in Austin, Texas. He is now a partner at the law firm of Cofer & Connelly, in Austin.
His upcoming book DIE AROUND SUNDOWN is the first in a new series of historical mysteries set in Paris during WW2. It will be published August 16, 2022, by St. Martin's/Minotaur.
Mark is also the author of the Hugo Marston mystery series, set in Paris, London, and Barcelona. The first in the series, THE BOOKSELLER, was a Library Journal Debut of the Month, and called "unputdownable" by Oprah.com, and the series has been featured in the New York Times. Mark also wrote the psychological thrillers, HOLLOW MAN, and its sequel, DOMINIC. As a prosecutor, he has appeared on CBS News's 48 Hours and Discovery Channel's Discovery ID: Cold Blood.
Of his books, reviewers said:
"[G]ood character development, increasing levels of action and suspense, a complex and deranged antagonist, and--once again--appealing Paris settings. The Hugo Marston series now belongs on every espionage fan's watch list."
--Booklist
"Haunting imagery in Père La Chaise cemetery sets the stage for Pryor's chilling sophomore entry, and the City of Light becomes a backdrop for Marston's adventures. The clever antagonist leads him on a merry chase that will keep the reader entertained throughout."
--RT Book Reviews
"Two young lovers make the fatal mistake of sneaking into Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery the same night as a bone-stealing psychopath in Pryor's propulsive second novel starring affable former FBI profiler Hugo Marston.... The engaging characters sweep readers into a suspenseful chase from Pigalle to the Pyrenées."
--Publishers Weekly
The third Hugo Marston novel, THE BLOOD PROMISE, was released in January 2014. It may be his best yet...
"Mark Pryor is one of the smartest new writers on the block. His new novel is a doozy."
--Philip Kerr, author of A Man Without Breath, a Bernie Gunther novel
"Pryor seems to have hit his stride in this series, as he adroitly juxtaposes the light banter between Marston and Green with some scenes of intense emotion.... And, all the while, the suspense ramps up. Top-notch mystery in a skillfully delineated Parisian setting."
--Booklist
Mark is also the author of the true crime book, AS SHE LAY SLEEPING, which is the account of a "cold" murder case he prosecuted. Published in January 2013, Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "compelling" and "riveting."
His upcoming book DIE AROUND SUNDOWN is the first in a new series of historical mysteries set in Paris during WW2. It will be published August 16, 2022, by St. Martin's/Minotaur.
Mark is also the author of the Hugo Marston mystery series, set in Paris, London, and Barcelona. The first in the series, THE BOOKSELLER, was a Library Journal Debut of the Month, and called "unputdownable" by Oprah.com, and the series has been featured in the New York Times. Mark also wrote the psychological thrillers, HOLLOW MAN, and its sequel, DOMINIC. As a prosecutor, he has appeared on CBS News's 48 Hours and Discovery Channel's Discovery ID: Cold Blood.
Of his books, reviewers said:
"[G]ood character development, increasing levels of action and suspense, a complex and deranged antagonist, and--once again--appealing Paris settings. The Hugo Marston series now belongs on every espionage fan's watch list."
--Booklist
"Haunting imagery in Père La Chaise cemetery sets the stage for Pryor's chilling sophomore entry, and the City of Light becomes a backdrop for Marston's adventures. The clever antagonist leads him on a merry chase that will keep the reader entertained throughout."
--RT Book Reviews
"Two young lovers make the fatal mistake of sneaking into Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery the same night as a bone-stealing psychopath in Pryor's propulsive second novel starring affable former FBI profiler Hugo Marston.... The engaging characters sweep readers into a suspenseful chase from Pigalle to the Pyrenées."
--Publishers Weekly
The third Hugo Marston novel, THE BLOOD PROMISE, was released in January 2014. It may be his best yet...
"Mark Pryor is one of the smartest new writers on the block. His new novel is a doozy."
--Philip Kerr, author of A Man Without Breath, a Bernie Gunther novel
"Pryor seems to have hit his stride in this series, as he adroitly juxtaposes the light banter between Marston and Green with some scenes of intense emotion.... And, all the while, the suspense ramps up. Top-notch mystery in a skillfully delineated Parisian setting."
--Booklist
Mark is also the author of the true crime book, AS SHE LAY SLEEPING, which is the account of a "cold" murder case he prosecuted. Published in January 2013, Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "compelling" and "riveting."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
October 18, 2019
This is the first Mark Pryor book I've read of the Hugo Marston series. I thought it was quite entertaining with two storylines going at the same time with Hugo, head of security for the US Embassy in Paris, involved in both. As Hugh works to solve the case of a dead artist who uses books as her medium. He is also trying help his friend Tom, who is hot on the trail of of a dangerous criminal from both his and Hugo's past.
I found the book entertaining and it provided a good mystery and engaging read, which was what I wanted. I will not be reading the other books in the Hugo Marston series.
I found the book entertaining and it provided a good mystery and engaging read, which was what I wanted. I will not be reading the other books in the Hugo Marston series.
November 16, 2019
I am a huge fan of Mark Pryor’s Hugo Marston’s series, and The Book Artist is the best book to date in the series. Marston is head of security for the U.S. Embassy in Paris, and in The Book Artist, he is tasked with protecting an artist, Alia Alsaffar, who is having her first Paris exhibition in the Dali Museum in Montmartre. Not normally an art fan, Marston is intrigued by this exhibition because Alsaffar creates beautiful art sculptures solely from books, including a huge tree at the entrance to the exhibition and a book case with book titles that combine to create various mini stories. Midway through the opening night event, someone is murdered, and Hugo must help the Paris police solve the murder. Meanwhile, Hugo’s oldest friend Tom has found himself in trouble, and Hugo’s own life is in danger.
My favorite parts of this book were those related to the art and the twists in the storyline related to Tom. Art created from books appears to be a growing industry, and Pryor brilliantly weaves that topic into this tale. Tom, a frequent character in this series, plays a significant role in The Book Artist, and the twists and turns in that plot line are fabulous. Pryor’s love for Paris is always evident, and his depiction of Montmartre is so vivid that I felt I was there with Hugo in the cafes and on the winding streets of that area. The combination of Paris and a mystery with books and art will delight any bibliophile. Those who love Paris will feel they have visited without ever leaving their homes.
The Book Artist is a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it.
For more reviews, check out my Instagram account, https://www.instagram.com/thoughtsfro....
My favorite parts of this book were those related to the art and the twists in the storyline related to Tom. Art created from books appears to be a growing industry, and Pryor brilliantly weaves that topic into this tale. Tom, a frequent character in this series, plays a significant role in The Book Artist, and the twists and turns in that plot line are fabulous. Pryor’s love for Paris is always evident, and his depiction of Montmartre is so vivid that I felt I was there with Hugo in the cafes and on the winding streets of that area. The combination of Paris and a mystery with books and art will delight any bibliophile. Those who love Paris will feel they have visited without ever leaving their homes.
The Book Artist is a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it.
For more reviews, check out my Instagram account, https://www.instagram.com/thoughtsfro....
December 13, 2018
This book sounded so interesting to me. It concerns a female artist whose medium is books. She makes sculptures out of books and is having an exhibition in Paris. What could be more intriguing to a book lover than that set up so I dived into my first Hugo Marston book. And it was okay. I thought it was just an average mystery. It was good but nothing special.
Marston is a former FBI agent attached to the American embassy in Paris. He has a friend, Tom, who is investigating a character from a previous book that mysteriously turns up in Amsterdam. This nefarious character is out to murder both Tom and Hugo and there is an interesting twist.
The other mystery involves the murder at the art exhibition. There is a real lack of motives and suspects so the culprit was relatively easy to figure out. The only surprise is someone the French arrest and how close they are to Hugo. I thought it was a weak story line.
This is an OK book that will keep you entertained if you are not too demanding. It's not a book you would carry around and tell people they absolutely must read it.
Marston is a former FBI agent attached to the American embassy in Paris. He has a friend, Tom, who is investigating a character from a previous book that mysteriously turns up in Amsterdam. This nefarious character is out to murder both Tom and Hugo and there is an interesting twist.
The other mystery involves the murder at the art exhibition. There is a real lack of motives and suspects so the culprit was relatively easy to figure out. The only surprise is someone the French arrest and how close they are to Hugo. I thought it was a weak story line.
This is an OK book that will keep you entertained if you are not too demanding. It's not a book you would carry around and tell people they absolutely must read it.
April 4, 2024
This is the first Mark Pryor book I've read of the Hugo Marston series.
Although it is the eighth in the series, I didn’t feel I needed to go back to catch up and understand the characters.
I believe it can be read as a stand-alone. (But as is the case with any series, if you can read from the beginning, do so.)
Hugo, is head of security for the US Embassy in Paris, so there is opportunity to work with the local detectives when a murder occurs at an event he is attending.
Also, as a former FBI agent profiler, he has quite the experience to offer.
At the same time, another character is after a former colleague of his from a previous case, that may also be after Hugo.
This was a fairly easy read, and for me the “culprit” was quick to detect.
I would be interested to know if you felt the same way.
Sometimes, a cozy makes for a comfortable mystery read, and this one did.
Although it is the eighth in the series, I didn’t feel I needed to go back to catch up and understand the characters.
I believe it can be read as a stand-alone. (But as is the case with any series, if you can read from the beginning, do so.)
Hugo, is head of security for the US Embassy in Paris, so there is opportunity to work with the local detectives when a murder occurs at an event he is attending.
Also, as a former FBI agent profiler, he has quite the experience to offer.
At the same time, another character is after a former colleague of his from a previous case, that may also be after Hugo.
This was a fairly easy read, and for me the “culprit” was quick to detect.
I would be interested to know if you felt the same way.
Sometimes, a cozy makes for a comfortable mystery read, and this one did.
August 11, 2021
Glad I had the chance to read this one right after the seventh book of series. There are many interesting characters and plenty of action between Hugo and Tom on their separate paths of resolution and retribution and Hugo's lady is in jeopardy for a time as a murder suspect. Things do get resolved satisfactorily with regard to the problem hanging over from book 7, but not without some nail biting.
August 6, 2019
I really wish I stopped reading this after the first really horrible metaphor: "[She was] harder to pin down than a black belt in judo" (8), but I was a fool and only brought this book with me on vacation. I thought the Paris references and my desire for the murderer reveal might make it bearable, but it was a cringy slog from start to finish.
April 29, 2019
The Book Artist is a good hard to solve and suspenseful mystery novel. The novel takes place at art exhibition in Paris. Hugo Marston is a clever, sharp and observant character. Marston is the modern-day Sherlock Holmes. Mark Pyror is a great storyteller that keeps readers in suspense. Pryor's love for the arts and culture of Paris shines through. The most interesting part of the book was Alia Alsaffar's artwork are sculptures made of books. This is the first time I have ever read a Hugo Marston mystery novel. I'm looking forward to reading the others in this series.
February 6, 2019
This is one of my favorite books in the series, primarily because I've come away from it realizng that the author does one thing VERY well.
He masterfully draws his characters. Even though there are at least a dozen characters in The Book Artist, and some are making a return appearance, even the NEW characters are crystal clear. It's hard to juggle this many characters in a book, making them believable while still making them distinct. But Pryor does that, in spades.
The plot might be a little thin, and I'm not a fan of having two plots going simultaneously. But I can overlook those quibbles since Pryor pays such close attention to crafting his cast.
He masterfully draws his characters. Even though there are at least a dozen characters in The Book Artist, and some are making a return appearance, even the NEW characters are crystal clear. It's hard to juggle this many characters in a book, making them believable while still making them distinct. But Pryor does that, in spades.
The plot might be a little thin, and I'm not a fan of having two plots going simultaneously. But I can overlook those quibbles since Pryor pays such close attention to crafting his cast.
January 17, 2020
When I read this Hugo Marsten installment, it was like visiting an old friend. Picked up where we left off and got caught up with each other. Just a great character and of course a great mystery solver
February 26, 2021
Set in Paris, this is the first Mark Pryor I have read and although this is the 8th book in this series it was easy to follow what had happened earlier in the series. The author provides enough of a summary that it is not necessary to read the books in order.
The book itself was a quick easy read with a few twists making it an enjoyable mystery. The main character Hugo Marsden is a former FBI agent who is the head of security of the US embassy. The writing showcases the author’s familiarity with policing, evidence gathering, and legal procedure.
There is more than enough in this novel to keep the reader engaged And entertained from beginning to end. 3.5 stars
The book itself was a quick easy read with a few twists making it an enjoyable mystery. The main character Hugo Marsden is a former FBI agent who is the head of security of the US embassy. The writing showcases the author’s familiarity with policing, evidence gathering, and legal procedure.
There is more than enough in this novel to keep the reader engaged And entertained from beginning to end. 3.5 stars
January 9, 2019
VERDICT: Satisfying suspenseful mystery, that would have been even better if focused on one plot only.
As you could expect at the end of The Sorbonne Affair, Hugo Marston and his friend Tom were going to have to resolve a major issue related to their past: fifteen years earlier, as they were tracking burglars in Houston, they ended up wounding a guy, Cofer, and killing his brother. At the beginning of The Book Artist, Tom is in Amsterdam, where Cofer has been seen.
My full review will be live on February 5 here: https://wp.me/p164Ql-3Zf
As you could expect at the end of The Sorbonne Affair, Hugo Marston and his friend Tom were going to have to resolve a major issue related to their past: fifteen years earlier, as they were tracking burglars in Houston, they ended up wounding a guy, Cofer, and killing his brother. At the beginning of The Book Artist, Tom is in Amsterdam, where Cofer has been seen.
My full review will be live on February 5 here: https://wp.me/p164Ql-3Zf
June 25, 2019
Well-written. You can tell this writer is of a higher quality than most mystery writers. There are some clever twists in this book that I did not see coming or did I figure out. If you want to get a feel for Paris with the added bonus of a mystery this series is for you.
January 5, 2020
The plot is a little thin, but there’s something about Mark Pryor’s that I really like. The main character, Hugo, is charming and so likable. I would definitely read more of Pryor’s novels. Again, this book is not an over-the-top mystery but a quick, fun read.
February 27, 2019
It's official. I'm in love with Hugo Marston.
March 1, 2019
Pretty mundane, but nice reading about Paris!
April 21, 2021
At first I was not sure I was going to finish the book. The first few pages start as though the conversation has been going on a while, and I was lost. By page 40 it had settled down.
Hugh Marston is a security officer at the American Embassy in Paris. He's asked to escort a lovely American artist to a party and art exhibit. They have dinner, but she's murdered at the art show. Then Hugh's other girlfriend is arrested for the murder. While I figured out how the girlfriend's DNA gets on the victim, I didn't figure out the murderer. Enjoyed the lifestyle in Paris with the bistros and occasional french.
There's a series of Hugh Marston mysteries, so I may hunt those down too
Hugh Marston is a security officer at the American Embassy in Paris. He's asked to escort a lovely American artist to a party and art exhibit. They have dinner, but she's murdered at the art show. Then Hugh's other girlfriend is arrested for the murder. While I figured out how the girlfriend's DNA gets on the victim, I didn't figure out the murderer. Enjoyed the lifestyle in Paris with the bistros and occasional french.
There's a series of Hugh Marston mysteries, so I may hunt those down too
Read
January 5, 2020As this is 8th in a series, I was glad I had read at least most of the preceding titles; still, I don't suppose it would be impossible to make sense of this one on its own. The sleuth is ex-FBI working for the American Embassy in Paris. Collects books (mainly mysteries if I correctly recall). This time there are two main plot lines--first, the death of a young American sculptor (makes her work out of old books); second, Hugo and his friend Tom are stalked by an old adversary. As usual, Hugo finds a way of working with the local police. It's a decent mystery.
March 18, 2019
In this book, Hugo Marston is trying to save two friends from death. First his best friend, Tom has gone to Amsterdam in search of a killer who wants to kill both Tom and Hugo because they killed his brother when they were working for the FBI. Secondly an artist has been killed at the opening of her show at the Dali Museum and Hugo's good friend,Claudia, is arrested for the crime even though she has never met the victim. The story takes place in Paris. The book was a quick easy read.
November 18, 2019
I enjoy the Hugo Marston series. It gives me an opportunity to ramble about in Paris with him which is a pleasure except of course when someone is trying to kill him.
I like mysteries that give you the clues so that you might think you could have or should have figured it out. But I rarely do and that’s just fine. Solving the DNA evidence conundrum was especially clever.
I will be looking for the other books in this series.
I like mysteries that give you the clues so that you might think you could have or should have figured it out. But I rarely do and that’s just fine. Solving the DNA evidence conundrum was especially clever.
I will be looking for the other books in this series.
April 9, 2019
Didn't realize it was part of a serious when I picked it up. Not bad.
May 1, 2019
Interesting nice setting, like the main characters
May 15, 2019
I really love this series. I’ve read them all. Fun read, great banter between characters. However, I’m not sure it would stand alone if I wasn’t attached to the characters.
December 17, 2025
Interested in art. This book is an excellent thriller if you're interested in the topic. Enjoy!
March 5, 2021
4.2 Stars; Another great Hugo Marston Novel. I’ve now finished the series and am ready for the 2021 addition! As always, the novel was an extremely well written mystery with many twists and turns. Mark Pryor never disappoints.
April 14, 2023
This was just what I needed to read at the moment —an encounter with an old friend (Hugo Marston), some good meals and coffee in Paris restaurants, and cafés and a mystery that was interesting but not too taxing. Plus you have to love an author who dedicates his books to librarians and booksellers. 😃
March 20, 2025
This book is a fun mystery.
March 27, 2021
While this is book #8 in the series, it is the first one that I have read. I was pleasantly surprised by it. I found the premise that the protagonist, Hugo Marston, is not only attached to the US Embassy in Paris but also is a retired "profiler" to be innovative.
August 31, 2019
Super series.
June 5, 2021
I love Hugo. These books are page turners, which I also love. Becoming immersed in a Hugo book is a perfect way to step away from the world and instead take in the sights and smells of the City of Lights.
Hugo has a couple of embassy related events which he must attend. He'd really rather not, but the Ambassador says he must, therefore, ever the rule follower, Hugo makes his plans accordingly. The surprise for him is a very lovely young woman who creates clever sculptures using books that otherwise would be destroyed. Books! What's not to like? In spite of himself, he likes her and he is intrigued by her sculptures.
And then there is a murder. His Claudia is arrested and charged.
Concurrently, his best friend, Tom Green, is in Amsterdam tracking down an American bank robber with whom he and Hugo have a bloody history. The news from Amsterdam is not good.
Hugo's December is taking a decidedly miserable turn.
The twist is a good one. It kept me from getting to sleep.
I'm really enjoying this series. It moves along nicely, the characters are all likable, and quite frankly, I tend to pull out Julia Child after I finish one because there is always some interesting bistro dish that gets my attention. (I'm investigating duck confit. I already know escargot are more about the garlic sauce than the actual slugs!)
Hugo has a couple of embassy related events which he must attend. He'd really rather not, but the Ambassador says he must, therefore, ever the rule follower, Hugo makes his plans accordingly. The surprise for him is a very lovely young woman who creates clever sculptures using books that otherwise would be destroyed. Books! What's not to like? In spite of himself, he likes her and he is intrigued by her sculptures.
And then there is a murder. His Claudia is arrested and charged.
Concurrently, his best friend, Tom Green, is in Amsterdam tracking down an American bank robber with whom he and Hugo have a bloody history. The news from Amsterdam is not good.
Hugo's December is taking a decidedly miserable turn.
The twist is a good one. It kept me from getting to sleep.
I'm really enjoying this series. It moves along nicely, the characters are all likable, and quite frankly, I tend to pull out Julia Child after I finish one because there is always some interesting bistro dish that gets my attention. (I'm investigating duck confit. I already know escargot are more about the garlic sauce than the actual slugs!)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews