SOLVED. 18th century apprentice to automaton maker [s]

[Diane R.]

I think I read this book about 5 years ago - relatively mass market. The protagonist was a young man wandering Europe in the late 18th century. He finds himself a job as an apprentice to a mysterious old man who makes automatons.

Somehow, I don't remember how, he ends up recruited into an international intrigue which ends up in Paris during one of the throes of the French Revolution. He uses the the illusions and tricks he's learned to thwart bad guys and save his lady love.

I'm really beginning to think the whole thing was a dream.

[[deleted user]]

Part of it sounds like The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

[Kaion]

Hugo Cabret does sound fairly recognizable *yes*.

The Red Necklace?

[Diane R.]

Well both of those books sound wonderful, but neither is the one I was looking for. "My" book was an adult book, as opposed to young adult, about a young man in his 20's rather than a boy. And I think it started in Germany or some other Germanic place and then ended in Paris.

[Kaion]

Heh. The truth comes out!

[Meghan]

I found A Case of Curiosities through worldcat. Does that look right?

[Diane R.]

By Meghan, I think that's it! Some of the details don't ring a bell, but enough do. And the cover art looks right. A copyright of 1992 would explain why I don't remember everything correctly. Thanks mucho.

[[deleted user]]

Hooray!