I am STOKED that this is the beginning of a series! Henri is a delight! This book is hilarious. So much dry humor I laughed out loud or had a stupid grin on my face a LOT!
Mimi and Nicola are wonderful side characters and their relationships are so good.
It also takes place in German-occupied Paris with flashbacks to WWI, so it hurts a little too.
The museum people, little intro to the Resistance.
Simply put, I just had a REALLY great time and I love it very much

Pub day: 8-16-2022

As the Bosch take over the city of Paris, a French detective has five days to solve the murder of a German officer or his life will cease to exist.

I really enjoyed how this had two story lines going, from both WWI and WWII. It made for more interesting cultural and character studies. It also caused me to deeply ponder the fact that there was barely 20 years between the two world wars. There are so many times I’ve read WWI historical fictions and had a sense that it was far removed form the second war, when in fact there were many people who saw, fought, and survived both. This was the first HF I’ve read that really highlighted how it affected those who were around for both of them.

Im finding more and more that I enjoy mysteries set within a historical fiction. The factual aspects lend a solidity to even the most impractical mysteries and round the story out nicely. There were multiple surprising twists I didn’t see coming l, which is always a good thing!

This is my first from Pryor, who was previously a newspaper reporter. I Mention his previous job because there were times the story felt like I was reading an article. Not in a bad way, just in more of an informative manner. That style or writing took a little to get used to but once I did I really enjoyed the story!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

A great start to a series! Detective Henri LeFort is working in Paris, which has just been occupied by the Germans. He is a great character, with a lot of personality. He is tasked with solving a murder at the Louvre, but is not given access to the weapon or scene of crime. He also is given a deadline in which to solve the case. Very interesting plot, unique from others written about this time period. I truly enjoyed it.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Die Around Sundown by Mark Pryor

I'm so glad that this is just the beginning of a series with Inspector Henri Lefort. It's 1940 Paris and the Germans took over the city three weeks ago. Henri has heard the rumors and he's seen things for himself, rumors of large numbers of civilians being slaughtered, and seen with his own eyes as people in his city have been dragged from their homes and businesses as if they were criminals.

During an investigation of a robbery, with two German officers present, Henri's intuitive skills are on display. He's witty, smart mouthed, cynical, does not suffer fools gladly and he's attracted too much notice from one of these officers. He is given the task of solving a murder in the Louvre Museum but barred from entering the museum to view the scene of the crime and not allowed to see the murder weapon. He is given a list of five names as murder suspects, none of them German, of course. He's also given a time limit to solve the crime. It must be solved in five days or he will be experience great bodily harm.

Henri is sarcastic and funny but also very hard edged. Things have happened in the past to make him the way he is now. He has secrets that only one other person knows and he must guard those secrets with his life. Now Princess Marie Bonaparte, whose house had been burglarized, wants Henri to undertake psychological therapy with her. Despite his reluctance, Henri agrees, he has a lot to let out and his background is very much a part of some things happening in the present.

Henri bantering with assistant Nicola is one of my favorite things about this story. Listening to their repartee is a delight, it reminds me of some of the great old film couples. But there is darkness in Henri and it's obvious that Nicola is someone who keeps Henri grounded. I look forward to spending more time with these interesting characters and the Paris scenery but also with the occasional famous person that crosses Henri's path. Sadly, we know from history that life in Paris is going to get even more tragic, which makes this time in history an interesting backdrop for a story about a Paris detective.

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

The main story in this novel, that of a French detective tasked with solving a murder mystery in the first days of the German invasion, was quite good. I wish the author had stuck with this story and developed it and the characters more. However, much of the latter part of the novel veers off into a back story that I found confusing and distracting. The device used to transition between the two stories, a Freudian psychotherapist interviewing the detective, I also found distracting and unnecessary. This book had potential and was "just okay."

This is the first of a new series about Henri Lefort, a French policeman in Nazi occupied Paris. He goes to the site of a robbery where he meets Marie (called Mimi) Bonaparte, descendant of the Emperor, and also a friend, patient, and student of Freud. Henri realizes one of the robbers might still be in the apartment and manages to shoot the robber after the robber has shot one of the Homicide policemen.

The next morning Henri is assigned to Homicide, and his first assignment is to solve the murder of a German working in the Louvre. He is given a list of suspects by Sturmbannfuhrer Vogel, not allowed to enter the Louvre, and if he hasn't solved the case in five days, he will be shot. The victim was a German working toward repatriated German art in the Louvre. Most of the suspects worked with the victim.

Fortunately, his secretary Nicola is very good, and they have a special relationship which the reader gradually realizes. The Nazi's are taking Mimi's apartment; Nicole tells her about the apartment downstairs from theirs; and Mimi is now their neighbor and wants to work with Henri. We find out a lot more about Henri in his conversations with Mimi. We know early on that Henri is a survivor of WWI, but we realize why he needs to work with Mimi as his story slowly comes out and we learn where the book title originated. Pablo Picasso figures fairly prominently in the story.

The story is exciting and clever, and much is revealed as we draw towards the end with several surprises along the way.

A clever and engrossing mystery;in a newly German occupied Paris, detective Lefort, both a rebel and a patriot, finds himself in an impossible and possibly life threatening dilemma. Both an external mystery to solve and an internal one makes life for Lefort rather interesting to say the least. Picasso, a Boneparte and a host of interesting characters round out the plot with a wittily dry protagonist to move it all along.
Themes of Psychoanalysis , anarchists, secrets and murder are all present, but it’s the plot twists that had me setting the book down a time or two and saying “oh my God!” Mystery and historical fiction fans, grab this one quick!

I received a copy of this title from the publisher but all thoughts expressed are my own. I was sucked into this book from the beginning and couldn't put it down. The story opens in Paris shortly after it has been taken by the Germans during WWII. Throughout the book, Paris acts as one of the characters and the description of the mood of both Paris and her citizens makes the reader feel like they are actually there. Policeman Henri Lefort finds himself investigating a robbery at the home of Mimi Bonaparte (yes a descendent of the infamous Napoleon) when his quick thinking saves her life. When he returns to the office, he finds himself assigned to solve the murder of a German solider at the Louvre with only 7 days to solve it. Unable to view the crime scene and given a list of 5 suspects, he is operating with at least one hand behind his back.

The primary mystery around who the murderer is and the reason for the murder is well done; there is a secondary mystery around events during WWI that I found to be even stronger with an unexpected twist. The cast of secondary characters are interesting in their own right and include Nicola (who is a secretary in Henri's office) and Mimi, who offers to act as therapist to Henri. The author does a wonderful job capturing the immediate aftermath of Germany's takeover of Paris and how it impacted the people who had some idea of what is to come. The reader gets hints at the stirring of anger that underpins the famous French Resistance that is just begging to come into being. I absolutely can't wait to read future titles in this series if they are even half as wonderful as this initial entry.

Summer 1940 Paris: French Inspector Henri LeFort, has really helped in a high-profile robbery case. No good deed goes unpunished since this achievement has been noticed by the occupying German forces. Now they have a task for him. Find who has murdered a German major who has been working in the Louvre…and do it in five days or else. Stakes are raised because the Germans give him no access, few clues, a suspect list of suspects and no truth. Henri is also conflicted by helping the Germans, still wanting to succeed in solving the crime and maybe hiding some secrets of his own. High stakes, exciting mystery, plus the start of a new series….recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this title.

I had a blast reading DIE AROUND SUNDOWN, the first installment in a promising new mystery series by Mark Pryor. Henri Lefort is an interesting and complex protagonist, and it was fascinating to follow as he attempts to uncover the truth about a shocking murder, and at the same time, come to terms with certain truths from his own past. Nazi-occupied Paris is vividly and realistically evoked, a rich-setting for a tense mystery featuring real luminaries like Pablo Picasso and Marie Bonaparte. This will be a hit with fans of both historical fiction and mysteries. I'm so excited to see what Henri does next!

3.5 STARS

New Series

Fans of historical fiction set during World War II may enjoy this murder mystery set in German-occupied France in the summer of 1940.

Inspector Henri Lefort, who is known for his expertise in investigating robberies has been recruited by the Nazis (against his wishes) to solve a high level murder case! He is even given a list of suspects.

The clock is ticking, his neck is on the chopping block, he has only five days to solve the murder. Should he take the easy out or stick to his moral compass and find the truth?

A unique police procedural with some art deals, famous named characters, and some flashbacks that reveal Henri's own mysterious past.

Recommend to historical fiction/WWII fans.

Die Around Sundown is an enjoyable World War II mystery, set in Paris.

Henri Lefort is a detective in the robbery division, but when he arrives at the latest crime scene, he finds out there has been a murder. His observations get him the promotion to the murder squad that he had been wanting, but with the price that he has to solve the case in five days, and the Germans in charge have tied his hands. They give him a list of suspects, tell him he can't inspect the crime scene at The Louvre, and make it clear that if he doesn't solve the case, he will be killed.

Henri is a jaded man, and very much like many of his countrymen in his hatred toward the Germans. But he is pragmatic enough to know he needs to work within the system to survive. The dead man is a German who was working in The Louvre to move art with German ties back to Germany. Several of the suspects on his list are employees and vendors working at the museum, so it seems that the art must have something to do with his murder (or at least the Germans want Henri to believe so).

Henri meets Marie Bonaparte and Pablo Picasso through his investigation, which adds some historical elements to this story. It is fun to imagine Picasso painting in his loft in Paris during the Occupation, and helping to solve a mystery.

The other aspect of this book I really enjoyed was Henri's backstory. I won't spoil it by sharing anything, but he slowly shares his story with Marie (who is a psychoanalyst), so we learn along with her about Henri's past. Henri also suffers from some sensory processing issues (he greatly dislikes the sound of chewing), which was something that people were just beginning to recognize as a real condition in the 1940s.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was the overall tone. It makes sense that it is dark and depressing, given the setting, but it still made the book harder to read and enjoy. I like my narrators a little more optimistic! But I won't hold that against Henri or his creator, Mark Pryor!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance reader's copy of this great mystery.

I went into this expecting it to be a typical police procedural thriller, but it took me by surprise. This focused more on the main character and his mysterious past. Sure he still solves a murder, but you keep reading to learn more about him. He’s a somewhat morally gray character, and I can’t say I always agreed with him, but he is a fun perspective.

It’s set in France in 1940, but there was not much atmosphere, and it feels like it could be set anywhere else. Due to its time, there are some uncomfortable situations and quotes from the main character and some side characters. The author throws in some historical figures, which makes it all the more engrossing.

What a great combination! I loved the blending of historical fiction with a mystery/police procedural.

The atmosphere upon opening is fantastic. I really felt the fear, resentment and anger of the Parisiennes as they came to terms with the recent German occupation.

I immediately liked Paris police detective Henri Lefort and followed him in his robbery investigation involving Princess Marie (Mimi) Bonaparte. Yes, ‘those’ Bonapartes. Lefort’s thorough work earns him a promotion as a murder detective and he heads off to investigate the murder of a German officer who’s been involved in repatriating paintings from the Louvre. My excitement for Lefort’s career advancement soon diminished as (1) it meant he was now noticed by the Nazis and (2) his superior giving him only 7 days to crack the case WITHOUT gaining entry to the Louvre. I was captivated reading about Picasso and other famous artists and their works and was surprised by the twists.

Kudos to Pryor for finding a creative way to introduce us to his protagonist's backstory!

I was thoroughly impressed with the mystery series opener and look forward to reading more by Mark Pryor.

I was gifted this advance copy by Mark Pryor, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of the start of a new mystery series set in Occupied Paris during World War II.

When I first started reading history books, one of the things that astonished me most about lie during wartime or even a occupation is how life went on. People shopped, went to work, garbage was picked up, taxes collected, and people still committed crimes, that needed investigating. Sure, many of the police were co-opted by occupiers to help keep "order", but even during as Philip Kerr wrote in one of his novels "..One of the largest crime scenes in history..", people still committed murder for gain, for secrets, or for thrills. Mark Pryor's Die Around Sundown is the first in a series of mysteries telling the story of Henri Lefort, a Paris police inspector solving crimes, even as the city he loves begins to change around him during the Occupation of France in World War II.

Inspector Henri Lefort has been on the robbery detail, a job that has suddenly become harder with the German army moving into Paris and claiming as reparations everything they can from art, to cars to buildings. Answering a call for a robbery, Lefort saves the life of a fellow officer and Princess Marie Bonaparte, the great- grand niece of Napoleon's and a psychoanalyst with powerful friends. The next day Lefort is moved to homicide, but his actions have also brought him to the attention of the Nazis, who have a problem. An SS officer has been murdered in Louvre, and Lefort has been given the case with the understanding that the murder will be solved by the time Adolf Hitler returns to Paris. Or this promotion will be Lefort's last in anything. The case is made harder by the fact that the Louvre is closed to the public, including him and questioning suspects such as the artist Pablo Picasso and others will not be easy. At the same time secrets in Lefort's life are suddenly coming to light, questions that might leave him in as much trouble with his own people, as well as the Nazis.

A mystery with quite a lot going on. The narrative switches from both Paris during the 1940's to trench warfare during the First World War as Lefort enters analysis to help with his inability to handle loud noises. The mystery is interesting, but does seem to tie up quickly, or maybe it dos not, as war kind of has that effect. Lefort and his companions are well drawn and keep surprising, the villains are true villains, and the rest of cast are sure to play parts in later books. The atmosphere is dark, and the scenes in France, and in the trenches show a large amount of research, and has numerous surprises for the reader as it goes on. A very good start for what sounds like an intriguing series.

This was the first book by Mark Pryor that I have read and I quite enjoyed it. The little bits added a lot, the food, art, even the psychology was presented well and kept the reader entertained and wanting to know more. I look forward to more books in this series. Recommended for fans of Alan Furst and his books on Paris during the war, Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther mysteries and J.Robert Janes St. Cyr & Kohler mysteries that also took place in Paris during the occupation.

I’ll be honest, I’m kind of done with WWII fiction. I feel like it’s all been done before. But, I was drawn to the idea of a police procedural set in Nazi occupied Paris. And I’m so glad I picked it up.
Henri Lefort has been set up for failure. When a German major is murdered within the Louvre, while sorting art for the Nazis, Henri is picked to solve the case. In one week. Or there will be dire consequences.
Henri was a great character. He’s old enough to have fought in WWI and has a form of PTSD. He’s got distinct opinions which typically get him in trouble. But also provide some dry, caustic humor. “…America, a country I was growing more and more unhappy with. I mean, it’s one thing to show up late for one major conflagration, but to drag your feet to two of them?”
There are multiple plot lines, including Henri’s backstory. I will admit to not seeing any of the twists coming.
The book also includes some real life figures, like Picasso and Princess Marie Bonaparte. Mark Pryor has also done his research and I applaud him for making me Google numerous pieces of art. I recommend this for fans of Estelle Ryan.
Pryor’s writing is clear and it’s easy to envision the scenes playing out. He does a great job of transmitting the feel of Paris during the German occupation.
I definitely hope this is the first in a series, as I will definitely read any further entries.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

Wonderful characters in a challenging time, occupied Paris. Police inspector Henri Lefort, is jaded, cynical, and intelligent, with a dry sense of humor. He's also a bit of a smartass. A veteran of the Great War he now has to deal with the Nazis taking over his beloved city. Die Around Sundown is a story within a story and is impossible to put down. Henri is definitely a man you want on your side. More Henri, please!

Reading how everyone is raving about this book, I thought I would too, but found it too long in certain areas. Liked the plot and the characters, especially the backstory of the main character.

So if you take a murder mystery and wrap it up in historical fiction, there’s little chance this reader wouldn’t like it.
1940, WWII and the Nazi’s have taken Paris. Detective Henri Lefort has been summoned by the Germans to solve the murder of one of their own – in the Louvre. But how can he solve the murder as Lefort is not permitted in the Louvre to see the murder scene or the murder weapon. And he’s only been given five days on top of that or he’ll probably face a worse fate than the dead German.
This is the first book in what is to become a new mystery series – wonderful. Can’t wait for book # 2.

4.25/5 stars

Set in Summer 1940 Paris, Inspector Henri Lefort is endeavoring to walk the tightrope between the
authority of his badge and the authority of the occupying Germans.

Lefort is ordered to investigate and solve the murder of a German major (which took place in the Louvre Museum) … in five days … or risk his job/life at the hands of the enemy. He is given access to the body (NOT the scene of the crime) and a pre-typed list of five possible suspects/witnesses. With the help of his secretary Nicola, he tracks down clues and persons of interest that eventually lead him to the killer (not too much of a surprising reveal). However, there’s a dual timeline that I found even more intriguing. Lefort has sessions with Princess Marie Bonaparte, a psychoanalyst closely linked to Sigmund Freud (as well as being the great grandniece of Napoleon), in which he discusses his service during WWI (1918 France). We learn that he has been tormented with the keeping of secrets and lies from those days, and the unburdening and surprising twists were fascinating to me.

I enjoyed getting to know the complicated and flawed character of Henri and will look forward to
learning more about him in future adventures (as I’m hopeful to see this as a series). Pryor is also a new author for me, and I look forward to investigating his backlist.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing the free early arc of Die Around Sundown for review. The opinions are strictly my own.