Having thoroughly enjoyed DIE AROUND SUNDOWN, Mark Pryor’s first book in the Detective Henri Lefort series, I looked forward to reading the next book in the series, THE DARK EDGE OF NIGHT. It definitely fulfilled many hours of enjoyment for me. It was fun being reunited with Henri, Nicola, and Princess Marie Bonaparte. Again, we find Henri under pressure to solve a murder for the Germans. This book has the right amount of tense scenes, scenes demonstrating the deterioration of lives for the French in late 1940, and Henri’s close relationship of Nicola, and Mimi. I enjoyed the appearance of Eric Severareid who I remember watching on CBS as a young adult. I have read about Virginia Hall in several books and can see her continue to pop up in the next book in the series. I did have a little trouble remembering some of the characters and found a jot list helpful. My thanks to St.Martin’s Press Minotaur and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

4.25/5 stars

I enjoyed this 2nd installment of the Henri Lefort mystery series (as I did the first one).

Taking place in 1940 occupied Paris, Lefort, a police inspector, is once again reluctantly pulled into a case for the Gestapo. But as he searches for a missing German neurologist (and simultaneously for a botched burglary/murder), he discovers interrelated persons and circumstances which lead to a horrifying, despicable discovery.

Lefort is a complex, flawed character, and along with his secretary/partner (who also happens to be much more than that) and his neighbor, the great grandniece of Napoleon Bonaparte, they make for an interesting dynamic. Looking forward to more from this series.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing the free early arc of The Dark Edge of Night for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Mark Pryor's "The Dark Edge of Night" opens in 1940, in Paris. A Nazi bigwig orders Henri Lefort to find Viktor Brandt, a German doctor who has vanished. If Henry fails in his mission, he is likely to face dire consequences. The author describes the melancholy mood in the French capital, with swastikas displayed everywhere, and Germans eating heartily while ordinary citizens struggle to put food on the table. Henri and his sister, Nicola Prehn, are fortunate in that their neighbor, Princess Marie Bonaparte (Mimi)—Napoleon's great-grand-niece—has connections that enable her to procure and share decent quality food and drink. Mimi is also a psychoanalyst who tries to use her expertise to help Lefort, an intensely private person who prefers to be left alone. Adding to his woes, Henri is a veteran of WWI who suffers from misophonia, a disorder that causes him to become enraged when he hears repetitive noises such as loud tapping and celery-chewing.

This novel has the lively wit, humor, and sarcasm of its predecessor, "Die Before Sundown." Henri diligently follows up every lead in an effort to locate Dr. Brandt. In addition, he is saddled with two murder cases that might be connected with the physician's disappearance. Lefort, who is used to living on the edge, faces death on more than one occasion. He has to tread a fine line between conducting a thorough investigation and avoiding the wrath of his enemies.

This entertaining and suspenseful work of historical fiction demonstrates what happens when oppressive and violent occupiers take over a country and forcibly bend the populace to their will. We admire Henri's chutzpah, courage, and resourcefulness, and fans of historical fiction will appreciate this seriocomic novel's evocative writing and absorbing plot. Pryor alludes to the efforts of the French resistance to undermine the Germans; the Nazis' lack of mercy for those they consider inferior; and the fear of ordinary citizens that each day could be their last.

The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor is an exhilarating and suspenseful mystery that should not be overlooked.

Detective Henri Lefort returns to solve another mystery in Paris, 1940. The German hold on Paris is tightening and their interference in Parisian law enforcement continues. This time Henri is tasked by a Gestapo official to use his skills to locate a missing doctor involved in some secret project. Henri has few clues to go on and a looming deadline. At the same time his day job reveals another murder that may be linked to the doctor’s whereabouts. For those who have read the previous novel by Pryor, Henri’s support group of his sister and Mimi are once again helping him. Although he sometimes feels that they are creating more problems! Mimi wants him to explore the disappearance of children from a facility and Nicola has a beau who is Henri’s colleague. The best part of the book is Henri’s cynical take on the German occupation and his endeavors to safeguard his secrets while keeping those he cares about safe. Lots of atmosphere, intrigue, a Parisian noir vibe and a dinner party not to be missed. Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this title.

It is December, 1940 and France has been conquered by the Nazis. Homicide Detective Henri Lefort has been charged by the occupying forces to investigate the disappearance of a doctor who is clearly important to the Nazis. As in the first book in this series, Lefort must succeed in his efforts or face punishment, perhaps lethal. What ensues is a complex story involving the many moving parts in war-torn Paris - the Nazis, the Paris police, and the Resistance.

This is the second book by Pryor featuring Henri Lefort and once again his mastery of the crime genre now couple with historical fiction shines through. A complicated plot given all the interrelationships of the characters in the early days of WWII will keep your interest and keep you guessing. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Return to occupied Paris in the winter of 1940, where Homicide Detective Henri Lefort is tasked by a Nazi officer to find a missing doctor. Or else. Henri is one smart guy and soon he sees that there is something not quite right about the research project going on in the hospital. His job is complicated when he is also assigned a murder case. And his friend and neighbor Mimi is nagging at him about some children being whisked out of care facilities. Where are they being taken?

I enjoy this series with this smart detective and his wise-guy attitude. I like the direction this is headed and look forward to Lefort's further adventures.

I received an arc of this new mystery from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Henri is a Parisian detective forced to work for the Nazis occupying Paris to find a missing German neurologist involved in a secret project. At the same time, his neighbor wants Henri to investigate the disappearance of children from care homes. And there is another murder for him to investigate at the precinct.

This is a solid, historical fiction with police procedure and thrilling suspense and mystery! Despite this being #2 in a series, I had no problem reading this out of order.

Recommend!!

The Nazis are now in control of Paris and Inspector Henri Laforte is once again dealing with a complex mystery at their direction. A doctor has gone missing and it's meant to be his highest priority but then a corpse is found, his neighbor Mimi wants to know what's happened to children with medical issues who have disappeared from their care center and his sister Nicola has a bit of a crush on another police officer. Whew. Laforte knows there's a connection between the missing doctor and a dead physician but what is happening in Rennes? You'll need to read closely to follow his logic at times but it will all work out in the end. And, know that Pryor teases that Henri has a secret that only Nicola knows throughout and that it will finally be revealed. He's got a droll sense of humor (even when being beaten by a Nazi) and a nose for trouble. Don't worry if you missed the first one- this'll be fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read and extra points for including Virginia Hall.

The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor
A Henri Lefort Mystery #2

French Detective Henri Lefort knows the cruelty of man. He was in the trenches during WWI and he saw it all, lived through it, and knows how fortunate he is to be alive. Now, in 1940, he is seeing the depravity of war and the Nazis all around him. There is only so much he can do or say and stay alive but he does those little things, says what he can get by with, and is on the edge of pushing his luck every day.

Because of Lefort's success at solving some recent crimes, once again the Gestapo demands he solve another crime. Never mind that often the Gestapo demands are often impossible to accomplish. He barely scraped by with their last demand. But now he must investigate the disappearance of Dr. Viktor Brandt, a neurologist involved in a secret project at one of Paris’s hospitals. Lefort is also trying to solve another crime, the murder of a man that seems to be connected to Brandt, and the disappearance of some disabled children. Solving one or all the crimes just may have him facing the Gestapo guillotine or noose just as not solving the Gestapo missing person case might earn him the same.

Lefort must tread carefully always. He lives with Nicole, who is not a lover, and whose reason for such a close friendship must be kept secret least both of them lose their jobs and more. Lies and omissions taken this far will get both of them in trouble. Now Nicole wants to let someone into their secret and Lefort's trust issues may keep Nicole and Lefort from ever really finding happiness. The story also has us meeting at least two real life people who will become famous for their later accomplishments. I greatly enjoy their appearance in the story, especially the appearance of the woman, who I have read much about in nonfiction and historical fiction.

Lefort is an interesting man. He is funny, even when only keeping his often inappropriate thoughts to himself. He will break the rules but he does have a moral code and he'll risk losing his head even as he doesn't want to do so. I look forward to more of Lefort and his efforts to survive and help others survive in a time when he is lucky to find any food on the table but knows he is one of the lucky ones.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Heavy times

It’s 1940 and Paris is in the hands of the Boche. Inspector Henri Lefort is a policeman who’d fought in the first war and remembers the Germans well. They haven’t disappointed this time around. Still arrogant, demanding, bullying and terrifying.
Henri has been commandeered by the Gestapo to find a missing doctor. Not your usual sort of person to go missing. The doctor is found, run over by a train and disfigured beyond recognition.
Here’s the strange thing a second unrelated person has been found with similar injuries. Coincidence or design?
As well, his neighbour and fried, Princess Bonaparte is upset about French disabled children being seized from orphanages, supposedly to work in a munitions factory in Rennes.
All clues are pointing towards Rennes and Henri needs to discover what’s there. When he does he’s appalled. Now how to solve the problem of giving a report to the Nazis that won’t compromise him.
Based on brilliantly handled shocking truths, Henri Lefort looks like quickly joining the ranks of Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther—one of my favorite war time detectives.
Good cop meets immovable fanatic overlords is a great trope and this makes a resounding addition to like works. The noir feel is palpable and I loved it.

A Minotaur ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Another excellent entry to the Henri Lefort mysteries. I highly recommend starting with the first one, Die Around Sundown, which was absolutely fantastic. This second installment was very good in its own way, but it was much darker and more difficult to read. The mood of the story is darker - whereas the first book was soon after the Nazi takeover in Paris, and people were still tentative and trying to figure out how things were going to be under the new regime, in this book, Parisians are hungrier, angrier, more bitter, and more willing to express their hatred toward their oppressors. The Nazis, for their part, seem more settled in their roles and more authoritarian than at the beginning, and their behavior at points is unspeakably cruel. Henri's character has become darker - he's more willing to engage in dirty tactics and illegal activities in the pursuit of justice. The mystery was heartbreaking though (I realize history is too), and some parts were difficult to read. The writing was excellent, and I will be first in line to pick up the next installment in the series. I'm looking forward to checking out other books by this author.

My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

When I requested this book I didn’t realize it was part of a series. I don’t know why, I don’t like reading books out of order, however I still enjoyed this one because it can be read as a standalone. I love any book that takes place during wW2 and this was no exception. It had great historical detail, and it was fast paced!

I love WWII stories and this one did not disappoint!

This is apparently a series but I didn't feel lost (I mean I don't know what I don't know).

Great writing, great pacing with suspense and action and also great twists!

If you enjoy WWII and detective, suspense stories, this is for you!

Inspector Henri Lefort returns in the second book in the series. I feel you can read this book as a standalone with no problem.
Though the plot confused me at times, I continued reading and things started to make sense.
This series is full of surprises, action and suspense with lots of history.
Recommended reading for lovers of historical fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor

With just the right amount of fun for the reader, this Henri Lefort detective novel by Mark Pryor will delight. It’s 1940 in Paris, and once again, Lefort is commanded by the invading Germans to solve a mystery. His life depends on it. It’s a complex situation with all these dead bodies, but with the help of beautifully written characters, Lefort will do his best to save his neck.

Pryor describes the starkness of the times for the Parisians: disrespect, curfews, very little food, no real coffee, and croissants are forbidden. The SS and Gestapo are everywhere watching their every move. Lefort is very clever though, and outwits the Boche time and again to solve this difficult problem.

With a superb ending, this five star story is perfect for mystery lovers and those interested in WWII France. A tip of the hat and thank you to #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for this ARC.

In Nazi occupied Paris in 1940, it is a little challenging to be a French police detective, as Henri Lefort is discovering. The author does a good job of injecting some light-hearted humor at the expense of the Boche into an otherwise bleak setting. I like the characters and look forward to the next book in the series

I'm a huge fan of WWII historical fiction and therefore very picky about books set during this time. Unfortunately this one doesn't make the cut. As another reviewer said, "For a story set in France, and starring French people, this didn't feel French." I was never transported to the time and place, and never really believed anything.

In this second book of the series, Henri Lefort is given another job by the Gestapo; find the missing Dr. Viktor Brandt, who works at the local hospital with two other doctors. Henri is called to the Left Bank where there appears to be a murder which looks like a robbery interrupted. Henri isn't so sure as the dead man's face has been beaten so badly he is unrecognizable; Henri believes there is something else going on. When he learns the dead man's brother is one of the doctors who worked with Dr. Brandt, he's sure there is something connected.

Mimi, the princess whom he saved in the first book, now lives in the apartment below Henri and Nicola. She often supplies them with food and wine and she is now worried that children with disabilities are being taken from child homes by Germans and taken to Rhennes. She asks Henri to help. There are rumors that the Germans are turning a hospital in Rhennes into a weapons factory. Henri goes there and is not welcomed at the hospital! However, they finally let him go and tell him not to come again.

In the end, Henri solves his case by asking Mimi to have a party with some guests specially chosen by Henri. This book has a lot of suspense and excitement, and the ending was great! I thank Netgalley and St. Martin Press for an ARC.

I am such a fan of Henri LeFort! A smart man with a smart mouth. Which isn't wise if you're answering to the occupying Germans. Once again Henri is given a difficult task with very serious ramifications if he fails. Find a Nazi doctor who has vanished. Poor Henri keeps finding bodies while searching and the situation gets even more complicated. However, he has his friends and allies and acquires some new ones in this story.