The Inspector of Strange and Unexplained Deaths

This is an absolutely marvellous novel, set in a period that I love, set in France, in Paris and Versailles, with the most appealing characters, like the comte de Saint Germain, and the marquise de Pompadour, both well researched. I will be searching for more of this author's work and highly recommend the book, for a s trory that keeps one guessing until almost the last minute.

Take a trip with me, if you will to the excrement filled streets of pre-revolutionary Paris, and the dark and derring-do adventure that is Casanova and the Faceless Woman. I’m not a great reader of historical crime fiction, but with my slight obsession with The Three Musketeers, and the absolutely beautiful production of this paperback, it’s got flaps everyone, flaps, I was more than intrigued, and zut alors, what a brilliant read it was.

From the very first instance, Barde- Cabucon completely immerses his reader in the sights, sounds and teeming atmosphere of a Paris underscored by unrest, seditious movements, and a simmering resentment to Louis XV, the sexually voracious and profligate king. What you completely absorb as a reader is the sense of overcrowding, the imminent eruption of violence from the smallest beginnings, poverty and dirt. This vivid and lively depiction of Paris, set against the sumptuous confines of the royal court is strongly in evidence throughout the book, and this is an author who absolutely excels at scene setting, from the minutiae of a humble library, to a gaudy whorehouse, or to a narrow festering alleyway where danger lurks. I absolutely loved the descriptive nature of this book, and the way it so adroitly captured the lives of its inhabitants through all the senses.

I cannot begin to comprehend the depth of research that had to be undertaken for this, the first, of a now established series. By dint of using Casanova as a central character, there was an automatic need for the author to not only adhere to what we already know about him, but for him to become a fully fleshed out and engaging character who remained truthful to fact. Hence, the book is peppered with references to his own life story, but Barde-Cabucon also has a tremendous amount of fun with him too, as we bear witness to his sexual exploits, swordmanship, manipulation and skulduggery. This works superbly well, as he becomes entangled with the maudlin and intense Volnay, the Inspector for Strange and Unexplained Deaths, quite possibly the best job title in the world. As a larger conspiracy unfolds, we bear witness to an exquisite game of cat and mouse, and intense one-upmanship from two men who are divided on so many levels of life, and their wildly different moral compass. This plays out, not only in consideration of the central crimes and a conspiracy that brings the royal household into the mystery, but also on a baser level as a certain young lady casts a spell on them both too. The joie de vivre of Casanova is endlessly at odds with the despondent pragmatism of Volnay, leading to an entertaining, and at times enlightening insight into the lives of these two very different men. There’s also an incredibly cool monk. What book would be complete without one? Sit down Dan Brown.

The plot itself is quite complex, as Barde- Cabucon brings into play the bigger themes of religion, alchemy secret societies, and presents the reader with a larger puzzle where the questions of morality, loyalty and sedition prove integral to Volnay’s investigation. I did find that closer attention was needed sporadically to really get to grips with who was plotting what, against who and why, but cleverly these more intense periods of the narratives are beautifully interrupted by some great swashbuckling action scenes, or another of Casanova’s passionate or ill-judged trysts which gives the plot a good fluidity of acceleration and deceleration overall. Yes, it’s quite a dense read, but the strength of the characterisation, the incredibly visual description and scene setting, and the wealth of historical detail just makes this book shine. I am delighted to see that that there a host of further books in this series, as I think that Monsieur Barde-Cabucon has just accrued another devotee. Highly recommended.

"The a Inspector of Strange and unexplained Deaths" is the first book of seven in an atmospheric historical fiction series, translated from its original French. Set in the debauchery of Louis XV's reign, it is a story of palace intrigue, of backstabbers, of spies, and of seductions. It is a time where science and religion are questioned. The world is changing. The main character, Volnay, is a Sherlock Holmes character who reads scientifically the clues behind unexplained deaths, but he is a dueling Holmes crossed with a Musketeer. The other two main characters are seductive entities whose webs are too enticing to resist, Giacomo Casanova and Chiara, irresistible forces of intoxication. Here, the story begins with the discovery of two of the King's mistresses slaughtered with their faces ripped off as if by wolves. The story is overwhelmingly and dizzyingly complex.

A ghastly murder in Versailles, a ladies man on the loose, a beautiful Venetian in pursuit of science, a Monk no monk but a man of war and science, a police chief on the verge of corruption, a brotherhood abandoned and a church on a warpath against the mistress of the king. These are the characters and suspects in a twisting and turning plot surrounding the Inspector in his pursuit of truth when a women is found dead, her face completely missing.

This was a lovely novel that grips the corruption of France and the reality between the rich and the poor. It was thoroughly enjoyed and I never stopped guessing from one chapter to another. Did I like the romance? Not really. I don’t find it realistic for modern day let alone back then......I mean if your lady sleeps with your adversary it’s generally over is it not? Other than that a beautiful mystery filled with all the right elements! I am very much looking forward to the next instalment in this series!!!!

What a roller-coaster ride! Although the story only happens within a week or so, the events and twists and turns are so detailed that it feels like so much more- in a good way! Court intrigue and salacious gossip are always welcome in a book you want too quickly envelope yourself in, and this book does it well. The characters are well developed, and the reader learns more details as we go along...part of the suspense. I confess I am not completely familiar with this time frame in Paris, but the author was descriptive enough that I feel I could make my way around this world if necessary. This novel was a welcome distraction from the current event situation, and I look forward to more books featuring the Volnay character.

The Inspector of Strange and Unexplained Deaths was originally published as Cassanova and the Faceless Woman, but I find the new title much more appropriate because, while Cassanova does appear in the novel, the central character is the inspector referenced in the new title.

Set in and around Versailles during the reign of Louis XV, the novel starts off with an unusual corpse. As the Inspector attempts to solve the crime he finds himself threatened on every side: by two competing religious orders, the Comte de San Germain (an alchemist who may have discovered the secret to eternal life), a ruthless police chief, the King's mistress, and the King himself. And then there's Cassanova, who keeps popping up where he's not expected. The Inspector is the only character in the novel who hasn't taken sides and who doesn't have a hidden agenda. Days later, another woman is killed in a similar fashion...

The Inspector of Strange and Unexplained Deaths offers a wild ride of a read. It's the kind of book that can sweep one up on a day that's been lackluster, leaving boredom and predictability behind. I strongly recommend readers keep this title in mind for a day when an invigorating refresher—or an escape of a few hours—is needed.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

The inspector of strange and unexplained deaths is the first in a series of historical mysteries, by Olivier Barde-Cabuçon, – translated from French by Louise Rogers LaLaurie – set in a few decades before the French Revolution, during the luxurious reign of Louis XV. One beautiful spring evening, a young woman gets down from a coach in one of the 1750’s Paris streets. After walking out from the road to a little side-turning, she feels a presence following her steps as she walks deep into the alley. A few moments later, just as Casanova happens to be coming past with a lady he’s been entertaining, a scream was heard. Following its source, they found a body. Casanova drops down to its side and discovers that the lady’s face was torn off. Who could be guilty of such barbarism? And for what reasons? That's what the famous inspector of strange and unexplained deaths, Chevalier de Volnay, an interesting well-constructed main character (with a complex story), will have to discover, assisted by a most singular monk, excommunicated but versed in science. Together they form the beginnings of forensic science and criminology.

Adding to them some historical figures like Casanova, faithful to the image we have of him, the Marquise de Pompadour, the Comte de Saint-Germain, and more. I loved the mix of real characters with fictional ones, the historical details, the intrigue, and how the plot immerses you in the novel.

The inspector of strange and unexplained deaths is a novel that caught my attention right after it was recommended to me, thanks to its category, cover, and description. So there you have it, I devoured this book in a very short time and left with a more than a favorable impression: the descriptions of the 18th century Paris are very successful, and it must be said that the story is very well structured. On the other hand, the twists and turns are waiting for you. I was in suspense until the end. The result of this makes The inspector of strange and unexplained deaths a highly addictive and fascinating read that is never once lackluster or predictable. There are only a few books a year that are real favorites but, this is one without any hesitation!

That is why I am already going to recommend it to you, and yes, it may be early on in my review, but it’s a very well conducted historical thriller not to miss!

For me, The inspector of strange and unexplained deaths was thrilling, captivating, and addictive right from the start, which I felt from the beginning to the end. A beautiful marriage between history, romance, and thriller. Everything fits together and works well. The characters, both historical and fictional, are very well camped with strong personalities and traits.

The topics discussed in this book were pedophilia (the king was a pedophile, and there is one scene that I can say may not be suitable for people to whom the subject is of concern, still it lasts in less than 2 paragraphs), prostitution, scientific inventions, alchemy, French political affairs, etc.

So many secrets, so many spies, so many dangers for a policeman trying to do his best. The way the author immerses the reader from the very first instance in the sights, sounds, and teeming atmosphere of an 18th century Paris and royal courts was great. Olivier Barde-Cabuçon is an author who excels at scene-setting. I loved the descriptive nature of this book and the way it captured the lives of its characters through all the senses.

Without embellishment, I was seduced by the fluid and precise writing of Barde-Cabuçon. The author seeks to make the time and atmosphere as realistic as possible. One feels his historical rigor in each description.

Olivier is a writer who knows how to grasp his reader’s attention from the first page. Instead of writing long, drawn-out build-ups, he decided to thrust his reader into the heart of the story straight away so that the reader is instantly captivated and immersed. I love this approach. I mean, what is the point of having a long build-up with little excitement? This is only necessary if the author in question can’t develop the characters in the story quickly. But with The inspector of strange and unexplained deaths, the reader will not encounter this issue at all.

Overall The inspector of strange and unexplained deaths is a thrilling, compelling, and thought-provoking novel that will easily entertain readers for many days and nights. I was intrigued by some of the revelations near the end, which left me wanting to read the next book in the series.

This is simply an excellent novel, the best of the three the author has written before. A fabulous read, full of intrigue, twists, and turns, one that I thoroughly enjoyed and will definitely read the rest. And so I, of course, will give it a full 5 stars.

Certainly to be recommended for fans of historical fiction and thrillers. Although it is crime fiction, it will appeal to those who enjoy vividly depicted historical fiction.

1759. When a young female is found mutilated and carrying a letter from King Louis XV, Inspector Volnay worries that she is was one of the King's harem of young mistresses. Then there is another murder. Spies and plots abound from Madame Pompadour, various groups calling themselves The Devout, and The Brotherhood of the Serpent.
Overall an entertaining story
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Inspector of Strange and Unexplained Deaths is part of the Pushkin Vertigo line that provides translations into English of popular mysteries written in other countries/languages. And, I’m a huge fan of historical mysteries, and also of mysteries set in France, so I was honored to receive an advance review copy of this title from Pushkin/NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The book is set in Paris of the 1700s, and has appearances from many historical characters, including King Louis XV; the King’s mistress, Madame de Pompadour; the Venetian, Giacomo Casanova (yes, THE Casanova), the Comte de Saint Germain; and Antoine de Sartine, the head of the police in Paris. Although the plot initially seems fairly straightforward (if quite gruesome), it quickly becomes complex and political, with the involvement of the King and some of the dark-ish activities going on in and around his court. In addition to the rich historical background, I enjoyed the various plot threads and complexities, and liked following along with the main protagonist, Volnay, as he investigated. I unfortunately read this book during the week, with the result that I had a couple of nights when I didn’t get quite as much sleep as I really needed, since I had trouble putting it down.

In the end, my only minor complaint is that I had trouble believing that the wound Volnay receives near the end wouldn’t have been fatal, especially with the medical care available in the 1700s. However, somehow it doesn’t kill him, and please note - this isn’t even really a spoiler, since there are several more titles in the series already written in the original French. So it’s obvious, if a bit hard to credit, that he survives. One other minor wish is that there would have been some historical notes, telling more about the background of the book, and which other characters and events, besides the really well-known ones, were also historical.

Neither of these complaints is serious though, and I’m very hopeful that more titles will get translated into English. I’ll definitely read them if they are! I struggled a little bit over whether to give this book four or five stars, and if I could have given it a 4 ½, I would have. Please note, though, that I tend to be pretty conservative in awarding stars, only giving five stars to maybe one in thirty or forty books. So in the end, I went with four stars – but that is still a great rating from me and means I really recommend a book. And my thanks again to Pushkin/NetGalley for the ARC!

In pre-Revolution France, a police detective has managed to procure himself a specific and distinct post: the Inspector of Strange and Unexplained Deaths. Whenever a particularly unusual murder occurs, Volnay is called in. On a spring night in 1759, the body of a young woman is found, and her face is simply gone. Volnay arrives on the scene immediately to assess the surroundings, to look carefully at the body, and to question any witnesses. Making the situation even more noteworthy: The man who discovered the body is none other than the infamous Casanova.

Volnay ends up spending quite a bit of time with the Venetian well-known for his sexual exploits, though he’d much rather not have to collaborate with such a man. Volnay also finds himself often in the company of a strikingly beautiful young woman, an Italian as well, who is intelligent, scientific-minded, curious — and utterly frustrating. The three work together, in a way, to collect clues and talk to various suspects. But Volnay can’t truly trust them, or anyone, except for the erstwhile monk who aids him in his investigations, particularly by performing careful examinations of the bodies of victims.

The inspector faces danger everywhere he turns and has to proceed very carefully as he tries to solve the initial murder, then a subsequent similar killing. The debauched king himself may be responsible for the young woman’s death, and secret societies have spies and assassins everywhere trying to keep Volnay from learning what they need to keep hidden.

"The Inspector of Strange and Unexplained Deaths" places a Sherlock Holmes-style investigator into a historical setting where he’s in many ways ahead of his time; his methods, even so, are not entirely implausible for the era. So the book combines murder mystery with historical fiction. Readers are plunged into a time where the French monarchy is on its last legs, and certain groups and the citizenry are ready to revolt against the abuses of the king. Madame le Pompadour is a prominent character, doing all she can to keep some level of control over the king and hold a place for herself in court. Science both looks forward and back, as many characters are still working alchemy, hoping to find ways to turn baser metals into gold and elude death and aging. This novel is an entertaining book, with a lot going on.

First thing, I don’t read much Historical Fiction, because I think they move slow and its tough to keep my concentration! But, I loved this book. I’m not sure why people hated this. Its got everything you expect in a historical novel + the bonus part of fast read mystery!

Its pre-revolution King Louis XV’s 1700 Paris. After a mutilated body shows up, the Inspector of Strange and Unexplained deaths is called in for investigation. The story is straightforward, but it has different focus mediums - mystery, crime & politics. The Inspector, Volnay is more like a vintage FBI crime department officer like character whom I liked! The ending was a bit off, cos HE should have died, but again its fiction!! So cheers 🍻

Thank you Netgalley, author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion!

"The Inspector of Strange and Unexplained Deaths" is a period piece, set in 1700's France in the Court of Louis XV. The book is full of intrigue, mysterious societies, mysterious 'people', murder, governmental unrest and spies, lots and lots of spies...EVERYONE spies...on everyone else. :D

Multiple historic figures make an appearance. The court of Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour, Le Comte de St. Germain, Casanova, etc. and the book is well researched and gives voice and life to these figures from the past. The actual mystery, the 'strange and unexpected death' of a literally faceless young woman weaves throughout the court intrigue and political maneuverings. Volnay, our protagonist is sublimely unconcerned with all of these shenanigans or so he would like to appear as he attempts to solve the mystery of a faceless young woman, but keeps getting drawn further and further into multiple political, social and religious plots.

I enjoyed the characterizations. The mysterious goings on kept one intrigued. My favorite characters were a suitably mysterious monk and a magpie. My only complaint is that a lot of the time the story changes from one characters viewpoint to anothers unexpectedly and with no warning. The plot line gets jerked around almost as much as poor Volnay does. The strange and unexplained deaths are finally solved in a suitably twisty fashion.

thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this arc. It was greatly enjoyed and I look forward to further translations of Chevalier Volnay's exploits.

What an excellent historical mystery! It's well researched, full of twists and turns and it kept me hooked turning pages as fast as I could.
I loved the mix of historical and fictional characters, the vivid historical background and the tightly knitted plot.
It was like travelling to Versailles and discovering court intrigues and mysteries.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

this was a great historical mystery, i loved the setting that they used and the characters that were in this story. I enjoyed going through this book.

Paints a fascinating portrait of Paris in the 18th century - murky and mysterious and full of murder.

A historical thriller set during the reign of Louis XV that shines with detail and description. I was expecting something far more courtly, especially once I realised Casanova was a key character, however it was a much more varied novel than I expected. Whilst the machinations of Madame Pompadour were definitely present, there was also a lot of other motivations present that I did not expect, such as secret societies and religious tensions. If you are looking for immersion in a highly detailed historical novel then this author may just rival Sansom and Mantel for your attention.

The Inspector of Strange and Unexplained Deaths is the first in a series by Barde-Cabuçon, but it’s the only one currently translated to English. Hopefully, they’ll get around to the rest soon because I really enjoyed it.

The story takes place in 1759 Paris, somewhere between the shiny halls of Versailles ruled by debauched Louis XV and his cohorts, and the dirty, dangerous hovels of Parisian suburbs inhabited by the desperately poor. The general population of Paris is seething with resentment, misery, and anger, on the brink of revolution, while the elites seem oblivious to both the inequity and the risks.

On the streets of Paris, a horribly mutilated body of a young woman is discovered; the inquiry into her death quickly leads into dangerous territory – to the boudoirs of Versailles, where terminally bored Louis XV is mostly preoccupied with his newest sexual conquests. The detective who has taken on the case is Chevalier de Volnay, named the Inspector of Strange and Unexplained Deaths by Louis XV himself as a reward for saving the king’s life two years prior. The case becomes rather complicated. We’ve got Louis XV and his extremely influential mistress Madame de Pompadour, the mysterious Count Saint-Germain, Church fundamentalists, Freemasons, secret societies, desperate prostitutes, and would-be alchemists. Even the famous Giacomo Casanova, famous lover, womanizer, spy, courtier, scammer, memorialist, and adventurer, plays a significant role. He was one of my favorites actually. The Inspector himself seems to be the only honest, moral man in Paris. His partner, a monk, is brilliant and has a fascinating history of his own.

The Inspector of Strange and Unexplained Deaths is not exactly a traditional mystery. Yes, we have a murder and yes the detective goes about solving it, but that plot is almost secondary to the relationships, secrets, and society games. The mystery does get solved in the meantime, right between the romantic drama and the political intrigue. It cares more about characters’ personalities, dreams, and needs than clues. It’s a bit meandering, with detailed descriptions of clothing, food, interiors, and conversations, but for me that was part of its charm.

“Historical mystery” is a genre I love, but don’t read enough of. The Inspector of Strange and Unexplained Deaths was a good mystery with plenty of drama and a touch of romance. It was a good way to start my reading year.

This is an unusual and complex historical mystery translated from the French. Set during the reign (and featuring) Louis XV, it's the tale of Volnay, the Inspector, and the mysterious Monk as they solve the mystery of murdered and mutilated young women, Know that it's gruesome in spots and that the politics of the period are critical to the plot. I found myself seeking more info about various characters (who is real? who is a creation?). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm hoping more books in this series will be published in the US.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this wonderful book.

There is a saying that one should not concentrate on the destination but enjoy the journey. That describes this book. It is a mystery that takes place in Paris and Versailles twenty years before the French Revolution when the monarchy was Power and all was intrigue, and it was who you knew, and how much you paid them. There were a few honest men and one of them is the Inspector of Strange and Unexplained Deaths of this book.

There is so much history in this book and revelations that even a history buff like myself found wondering about. The original of this book was written in 2012 and won a French prize so the English reader like myself must hope that these revelations are based on fact. This is the first of a series of Barde-Cabucon books to be translated into English. Like the Nicolas Le Floch series of books that have been translated into English, this book is full of fascinating characters including Casanova who commands a big share of the intrigue.

So there is the king who is Louis XV and the Pompadour who has power over the king but is really a nice person!! There is Sartine, the Chief of Police who bought his position (and those of us that have read Nicolas le Floch know quite a bit about)--he is not a nice person. Then there are all the underground groups, the Templars that no longer exist but have given birth to...and the Freemasons and on and on. Sounds a lot like American politics, everyone fighting to the death for an advantage for what they believe in. And what they believe in is what will give them the most power. Here and there are definite seeds about the revolution about to come.

I loved this book. I never knew who done it but didn't care, it was fun. The love stories were fun, the intrigue was fun and since I live in Paris, I was picturing the old, dirty, mucky Paris before it became the city we all know and love today.