Almost immediately, a young woman is stricken atop the tower and dies on one of the viewing platforms, amidst throngs of people. A bee sting is blamed, but Parisian bookseller Victor Legris is suspicious, as are his friends, journalists with a new daily paper, Le Passe-Partout.  When the paper raises the question of murder in Eugenie Patinot’s death, the police set the paper in their sights, fearful that the sensationalism will curtail the excitement and attendance of the Expo. 

Other “bee-sting” deaths occur, including an earlier, unnoticed one of a ragman, making Victor and his friends, along with the population of Paris, become concerned for their safety. Victor is suspicious of everyone, including his business partner and patron, the exotic Kenji Mori. He knows these deaths, which are seemingly unconnected, must have a common thread, which he searches for, until he realizes he may be it.

Historical mystery fans will be well-pleased with this first mystery. Set against the Paris Expo, there is an exotic air as all the various nations display their treasures and wares, even if Mori sniffs at Japan’s offerings (made to please the Western masses). Victor and his friends also lend to the atmosphere as they are reminiscent of the Americans in Paris to come in the early part of the next century.

The mystery is very well-plotted, not only focusing on “who did it,” but on Victor trying to draw connections from each of the dead people to one another.  A welcome addition to the ranks of historical fiction, Claude Izner (the pseudonym for two sisters) will be on many “to be read” lists in the future.  

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry