On a sleepy afternoon in 1934, a private detective, Andrew Singleton, witnesses a mirage from the deck of a cross-channel steamer en route to France. A young woman in the next deckchair explains that the image is a message from elemental spirits. She vanishes, to return later in exotic dreams.
The story is permeated by dreams. Singleton is researching their science, and when his colleague, Trelawney, arrives from London, they are called in to assist a French cop in the case of a man who appears to have died of fright in his sleep.

ItÂ’s discovered that elsewhere other men have died similarly. There has to be a connection and by way of sympathisers in the Institut Metapsychique and his own esoteric knowledge Singleton convinces his colleague and the police that the deaths are murder, not by material means but by a human being who can manipulate his victimsÂ’ dreams. The method is ingenious. There are incubi and succubae (male and female demons) who can be introduced into dreams where they rape and kill, although since the victims die of fright to strangle them after demonic rape smacks of gilding the lily.

Despite this, the saga ends traditionally with the monster tracked to his lair in Bohemia (shades of werewolves and vampires), to a decrepit castle on a rock above the Danube. There is an imprisoned lady or two, a shoot-out and an explanation – (not before time) although a few questions

One for dream buffs, but definitely not for me!138 s4 comments Cai408 3

“Psychosexual hyperesthesia. His patient was convinced that he was the victim of a lascivious creature who tormented him every night.”

While researching the death of his favourite author in France, Singleton is asked by the police to weigh in on a peculiar case. There seems to be no real connection between the two deaths, other than the fact that they both died in the midst of a terrifying nightmare.

At first I thought this was an imitation of Sherlock Holmes. Apparently, I base all detective novels off of Holmes. I thought that they were trying to put both Holmes and Watson into the one character Singleton, until I kept reading.

As it turns out, there is a supernatural element to this story. It touches on metaphysics, surrealism and succubi. It was such a surprising novel as I foolishly requested this book without realizing that it was a sequel. The author gets points for the fact that you do not have to have read the first novel to understand this one. Overall the book was very intriguing and I was unable to predict where it was going to go.

My recommendation: if you want something different with a touch of supernatural, pick up this book!2016-reading-list rated-4-stars series-more-to-read4 s Manu Smith102 5

Je me suis ennuyée pendant une grande partie, n'arrivant pas à vraiment entrer dans l'histoire. Par contre, les 100 dernières pages sont palpitantes. J'ai le tome suivant mais je vais attendre un peu avant de le lire. 2 s Clarabel3,458 42

Deux ans après Le Fantôme de Baker Street, Andrew Singleton se rend à Paris pour résoudre le mystère qui plane autour du suicide - présumé - de Gérard de Nerval. Il est finalement débauché par le commissaire Fourier de la Sûreté Nationale pour démêler deux affaires étrangement semblables : le marquis de Brindillac et le poète Pierre Ducros ont tous deux été emportés dans leur sommeil et retrouvés avec un masque d'effroi sur le visage.
Andrew Singleton lui-même est assailli de rêves bizarres : une jeune femme blonde vient régulièrement lui intimer la prudence sur l'enquête à tenir. Alerté, son comparse James Trelawney débarque pour l'accompagner dans son voyage à bord de l'Orient-Express, à destination de Vienne, afin d'y déceler le mystère des Portes du sommeil évoquées lors d'une réunion de la Société Métapsychique à Paris.

Ambiance délicieusement désuète dans ce roman aux aspects nébuleux, où l'on croise André Breton à la terrasse du Café de la place Blanche, mais aussi le spectre de Gérard de Nerval au sommet de la tour Saint-Jacques.
C'est prenant, très bien écrit et riche en documentation. On se promène dans le Paris des Années Folles avec une béatitude placardée sur la mine. Je suis nostalgique de cette période et des débuts de la série... *tristesse de n'avoir plus de nouveautés à se mettre sous la dent*cozy-read1 Welzen864 13

Un libro un tanto peculiar, diría que su mayor defecto es tiene un estilo que podriamos llamar "viejo" acorde con la época en la que transcurre la novela pero no siemprendel gusto del lector moderno. Lo mejor de todo es que Frabrice Bourland sabe escribir muy bien, cuenta con una cuidada ambientación y un gusto por desarrollar personajes que se apartan un poco de los tópicos, pero no en exceso. Lo negativo es la historia en si misma, mezcla de hechos históricos con un toque sobrenatural que en vez de realzar lo peculiar de la trama la hace completamente irreal. Sin elemento sobrenatural de los sueños el libro hubiera ganado más puntos, y puede que una estrella más.fantasía ficción-histórica policiaca1 Aurora19

En bok som är lite annorlunda från vad jag brukar läsa. Den var intressant. Verkligen värd att läsa en gång.1 Anne 291 35

2.5 stars- This book was entertaining, and I d the focus on surrealism and the blurring of the boundaries between reality and dreams/imagination. However, the execution of the plot was a little weak, with strange and illogical jumps in reasoning by the characters, and the "I saw in a dream this is what we should do" felt the easy way out. Interesting ideas, but not a good detective novel. books-i-own1 Sheri1,577 23

I personally loved that the author set her story and characters in 1934. We begin with private detective, Andrew Singleton taking a ferry to France. Mystery and intrigue ensue.

I felt that this was a quick, entertaining read, a little iffy in parts, but well worth a read.

The supernatural element lead some fun and a hint of spookiness and the author's writing is actually quite good. It is a step above a cozy mystery, and I felt that the author's originality and ingenuity really shine through.

I feel that this would make a really good beach read or excellent book club read and I definitely recommend it. Delphine325 2

Partagé par cette lecture qui est bien construite mais où le nombre de références littéraires et historiques, si intéressantes soient elles peuvent plomber la lecture de certains. Un petit air de Mr Je sais tout, même si le propre du personnage principal est cette avidité de lecture.
À voir avec les autres écrits si ce sentiment mitigé demeure. Andréa11.7k 111 Want to read

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.arc digital mystery-thriller-crime ...more Crittermom934 17

If you enjoy historical mysteries which incorporate the paranormal, you will Bourland's Singleton and Trelawney series. Part of what I find appealing is the way the novel is framed. Bourland claims these manuscripts came from the long lost case files of the signature duo. Bourland implores the reader to suspend their disbelief and accept the possibility that the pair existed and encountered the supernatural. In the early 20th Century, spiritualism was greatly in vogue, with many prominent figures subscribing to its tenets. The Dream Killer of Paris is set within this time.

In The Dream Killer of Paris, Andrew Singleton travels to Paris to unravel the mysterious death of a poet who allegedly committed suicide 70 years before. On his journey, he encounters a mysterious woman and a mirage. Swiftly he finds himself drawn into investigating a series of murders that all look natural deaths. Oddly, all victims appear to have died of fright. The investigation leads Singleton and Trelawney to discover the power of dreams and the unusual beings that inhabit that world. Their success is essential if a great wrong is to be stopped.

While I enjoyed The Dream Killer of Paris and found it highly imaginative, I didn't it quite as much as The Baker Street Phantom. If you have not tried one of Bourland's novels, I suggest reading The Baker Street Phantom first. Regardless, The Dream Killer of Paris is a solid addition to this unusual mystery series.

4/5

I received a copy of The Dream Killer of Paris from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom Pop Bop2,503 120

Not a Police Procedural, More A Police "Conceptual"

The action is set in 1934 in France. We follow our hero detective and his assistant as they investigate deaths that seem somehow connected with dreams and night terrors. We end up following the trail into the supernatural, although a supernatural connection is hinted at even at the very outset of the case.

The case unfolds at an exceedingly leisurely pace, with lots of time taken out for small talk and tea. Everyone is very well spoken and sophisticated, and even at the height of the action it feels the story is playing out in a drawing room somewhere. That's not necessarily a criticism. Plotting is rather herky-jerky, with a number of holes and convenient coincidences, but that's not intended as a criticism either. Sometimes detective novels are surgically precise in their reasoning and clinical in their detailed violence. This one is, itself, almost dream, and the connection between the case and the emerging surrealist school of art it touches on emphasizes the dreamy and slightly vague or ambiguous nature of the case and the investigation.

So, if you would something that seems the exact opposite of a police procedural, (think of this as a police conceptual), with just enough action to keep the pages turning and with engaging enough characters to keep one's interest from waning, this was a nice, tidy, well crafted find.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
reviewed Jill Tool179 10 Read

3 Stars for the book The Dream Killer of Paris by Fabrice Bourland. IÂ’d also to thank NetGallery for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
THE DREAM KILLER OF PARIS is the second in the Singleton and Trelawney series. I hadnÂ’t read the first one in the series, but some of the other books in series, I thought I would be ok. I kept thinking that I was missing something and probably should read the first one. I didnÂ’t get a clear picture of the characters, the plot to me seemed it was thrown together without a clear sight as to where the characters were going, or what they were supposed to be doing. However I do love reading about paranormal things. I thought this had a unique idea that other authors hadnÂ’t thought of and would make a good series with the dreams and thought it would develop better and explain them more, but sadly it didnÂ’t.

Detective Andrew Singleton arrives in Paris, and upon his arrival, a friend, Superintendent Fourier intercepts him and asks for his help. Two deaths have occurred and there is no sign of foul play, since the victims were in a locked room. The victims are dream researcher, and upon their faces show signs of terror.

I think the author could do more research on this realm and he could really make this series into something no other.
bought finished-reading Jonathan144 4

I chose this book from our local library, because having read the first book in the series “The Baker Street Phantom” I expected that the writer may have ironed out the flaws in that book, the first in the series. I was mistaken, many of them are still present, the biggest and most irritating being the massive leaps in plot and reasoning from characters. The reasons they have to behave, in a particular way, are just inexplicable and defy logic.
However, I didnÂ’t hate the book (nor did I hate the previous book). The writer has lots of potential and will only improve with experience. I am not opposed to escapism either. In fact the reason why I could push beyond the things I found irritating in this book, was my love of escapism. I also do not want to deconstruct every tiny element of a bookÂ’s plot when I read them, so I can switch off to a certain degree and become absorbed in the story.
I will continue to read this authorÂ’s works, if and when they arrive, as he has lots of good ideas and with some minor tweaks to his methods, could prove to be a very accomplished writer in the future.
E Vikander125 4

Detective Andrew Fowler SingletonÂ’s personal quest to determine whether the poet Gerard de Nerval really did hang himself 70 years before enables Superintendent Fourier, from the Surete Generale, to enlist his help in solving some mysterious deaths. Certain learned dream researchers are dying in their sleep, left with the rictus of terror upon their tortured faces. Dream Killer is a detective story with more than a touch of the supernatural. Although I found the plot intriguing, I never connected with this story, nor did it impact my slumber. Dream Killer is too tidy and the detectives take too many leaps of logic even within the realms of the fantastic. I felt as if Bourland did not put enough meat on these literary bones. Melisende1,092 126

Having read the first installment of the pairing of Singleton and Trelawney - "The Baker Street Phantom" - I eagerly embarked on this second journey and was not left disappointed.

Paris 1934, whilst investigating the death of Gerard de Nerval 70 years prior, Singleton & Trelawney are again drawn into the spiritualist scene. With five mysterious deaths linked to what is being referred to as "deadly sleep", can our duo solve the puzzle before the body count rises?

This period - the spiritualist scene of the late 19th and early 20th century to which Conan Doyle himself was attracted - was not a particular genre I would have sought out. I was glad of having the opportunity to read both.

crime france ghosts ...more tyto436 18

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I didn't really care for this. I hadn't read the first one in this series, but I thought that it would enough of a stand-alone that I would be okay not having read the first one. It stood alone to a certain extent, but there were a lot of references that I did not understand. There was virtually no character development, so I'm not sure if there was in the first novel, but I didn't really care at all about the characters. I felt the plot wasn't fully developed, and it just sort of meandered around. Unless you've read the first novel in this series and enjoyed it, I wouldn't really recommend this. Vanessa613 8

This outing for the young detectives Singleton and Trelawney is a bit of a mess; Surrealism, Nazis, incubi, and the Orient Express are all mushed together. Lots of hustle and bustle but, in the end, it doesn't make much sense. Is this a translation issue? Perhaps - as some of the slang reads a translation of a French mystery novel from the 1880s rather than the 1930s setting for these books (it reads very stale-ly). And, for a crisp 198 pages, this really drags.

I received an ecopy from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.fiction mysteries Wilde SkyAuthor 16 books36

In a 1934 a series of unexplained deaths take place – people die unexpectedly in their sleep. Two private detectives become involved in the deaths and begin to investigate.

A good idea for a story, but the characters and writing style never really grab the reader. The book could have done with a good edit – in many places it felt repetitive. The plot drifts and the end was not very convincing.

I would NOT recommend this book to the general murder mystery reader. Abbie Ennis130 24

I loved the first one but thought this second book would not be as good, but I was wrong. This is as good as the first book if not better.

Mr. Bourland prose is so absorbing, that you do not realise that you have finished the book until you turn the last page.

Hopefully there will be a third as I would love to carry on reading this series. books-of-2013 Eileen Hall1,074

An exciting, creepy story revolving around an unexplained death on a ferry bound for France.
A real page turner - read it in one sitting, wanting to know what happened next!
Highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Gallic Books via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review. Marc342 3

http://bibliotheca.skynetblogs.be/pos... Eurocrime158 39 Read

Autor del comentario:
=================================

On a sleepy afternoon in 1934, a private detective, Andrew Singleton, witnesses a mirage from the deck of a cross-channel steamer en route to France. A young woman in the next deckchair explains that the image is a message from elemental spirits. She vanishes, to return later in exotic dreams.
The story is permeated by dreams. Singleton is researching their science, and when his colleague, Trelawney, arrives from London, they are called in to assist a French cop in the case of a man who appears to have died of fright in his sleep.

It’s discovered that elsewhere other men have died similarly. There has to be a connection and by way of sympathisers in the Institut Metapsychique and his own esoteric knowledge Singleton convinces his colleague and the police that the deaths are murder, not by material means but by a human being who can manipulate his victims’ dreams. The method is ingenious. There are incubi and succubae (male and female demons) who can be introduced into dreams where they rape and kill, although since the victims die of fright to strangle them after demonic rape smacks of gilding the lily.

Despite this, the saga ends traditionally with the monster tracked to his lair in Bohemia (shades of werewolves and vampires), to a decrepit castle on a rock above the Danube. There is an imprisoned lady or two, a shoot-out and an explanation – (not before time) although a few questions

One for dream buffs, but definitely not for me!138 s4 comments Cai408 3

“Psychosexual hyperesthesia. His patient was convinced that he was the victim of a lascivious creature who tormented him every night.”

While researching the death of his favourite author in France, Singleton is asked by the police to weigh in on a peculiar case. There seems to be no real connection between the two deaths, other than the fact that they both died in the midst of a terrifying nightmare.

At first I thought this was an imitation of Sherlock Holmes. Apparently, I base all detective novels off of Holmes. I thought that they were trying to put both Holmes and Watson into the one character Singleton, until I kept reading.

As it turns out, there is a supernatural element to this story. It touches on metaphysics, surrealism and succubi. It was such a surprising novel as I foolishly requested this book without realizing that it was a sequel. The author gets points for the fact that you do not have to have read the first novel to understand this one. Overall the book was very intriguing and I was unable to predict where it was going to go.

My recommendation: if you want something different with a touch of supernatural, pick up this book!2016-reading-list rated-4-stars series-more-to-read4 s Manu Smith102 5

Je me suis ennuyée pendant une grande partie, n'arrivant pas à vraiment entrer dans l'histoire. Par contre, les 100 dernières pages sont palpitantes. J'ai le tome suivant mais je vais attendre un peu avant de le lire. 2 s Clarabel3,458 42

Deux ans après Le Fantôme de Baker Street, Andrew Singleton se rend à Paris pour résoudre le mystère qui plane autour du suicide - présumé - de Gérard de Nerval. Il est finalement débauché par le commissaire Fourier de la Sûreté Nationale pour démêler deux affaires étrangement semblables : le marquis de Brindillac et le poète Pierre Ducros ont tous deux été emportés dans leur sommeil et retrouvés avec un masque d'effroi sur le visage.
Andrew Singleton lui-même est assailli de rêves bizarres : une jeune femme blonde vient régulièrement lui intimer la prudence sur l'enquête à tenir. Alerté, son comparse James Trelawney débarque pour l'accompagner dans son voyage à bord de l'Orient-Express, à destination de Vienne, afin d'y déceler le mystère des Portes du sommeil évoquées lors d'une réunion de la Société Métapsychique à Paris.

Ambiance délicieusement désuète dans ce roman aux aspects nébuleux, où l'on croise André Breton à la terrasse du Café de la place Blanche, mais aussi le spectre de Gérard de Nerval au sommet de la tour Saint-Jacques.
C'est prenant, très bien écrit et riche en documentation. On se promène dans le Paris des Années Folles avec une béatitude placardée sur la mine. Je suis nostalgique de cette période et des débuts de la série... *tristesse de n'avoir plus de nouveautés à se mettre sous la dent*cozy-read1 Welzen864 13

Un libro un tanto peculiar, diría que su mayor defecto es tiene un estilo que podriamos llamar "viejo" acorde con la época en la que transcurre la novela pero no siemprendel gusto del lector moderno. Lo mejor de todo es que Frabrice Bourland sabe escribir muy bien, cuenta con una cuidada ambientación y un gusto por desarrollar personajes que se apartan un poco de los tópicos, pero no en exceso. Lo negativo es la historia en si misma, mezcla de hechos históricos con un toque sobrenatural que en vez de realzar lo peculiar de la trama la hace completamente irreal. Sin elemento sobrenatural de los sueños el libro hubiera ganado más puntos, y puede que una estrella más.fantasía ficción-histórica policiaca1 Aurora19

En bok som är lite annorlunda från vad jag brukar läsa. Den var intressant. Verkligen värd att läsa en gång.1 Anne 291 35

2.5 stars- This book was entertaining, and I d the focus on surrealism and the blurring of the boundaries between reality and dreams/imagination. However, the execution of the plot was a little weak, with strange and illogical jumps in reasoning by the characters, and the "I saw in a dream this is what we should do" felt the easy way out. Interesting ideas, but not a good detective novel. books-i-own1 Sheri1,577 23

I personally loved that the author set her story and characters in 1934. We begin with private detective, Andrew Singleton taking a ferry to France. Mystery and intrigue ensue.

I felt that this was a quick, entertaining read, a little iffy in parts, but well worth a read.

The supernatural element lead some fun and a hint of spookiness and the author's writing is actually quite good. It is a step above a cozy mystery, and I felt that the author's originality and ingenuity really shine through.

I feel that this would make a really good beach read or excellent book club read and I definitely recommend it. Delphine325 2

Partagé par cette lecture qui est bien construite mais où le nombre de références littéraires et historiques, si intéressantes soient elles peuvent plomber la lecture de certains. Un petit air de Mr Je sais tout, même si le propre du personnage principal est cette avidité de lecture.
À voir avec les autres écrits si ce sentiment mitigé demeure. Andréa11.7k 111 Want to read

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.arc digital mystery-thriller-crime ...more Crittermom934 17

If you enjoy historical mysteries which incorporate the paranormal, you will Bourland's Singleton and Trelawney series. Part of what I find appealing is the way the novel is framed. Bourland claims these manuscripts came from the long lost case files of the signature duo. Bourland implores the reader to suspend their disbelief and accept the possibility that the pair existed and encountered the supernatural. In the early 20th Century, spiritualism was greatly in vogue, with many prominent figures subscribing to its tenets. The Dream Killer of Paris is set within this time.

In The Dream Killer of Paris, Andrew Singleton travels to Paris to unravel the mysterious death of a poet who allegedly committed suicide 70 years before. On his journey, he encounters a mysterious woman and a mirage. Swiftly he finds himself drawn into investigating a series of murders that all look natural deaths. Oddly, all victims appear to have died of fright. The investigation leads Singleton and Trelawney to discover the power of dreams and the unusual beings that inhabit that world. Their success is essential if a great wrong is to be stopped.

While I enjoyed The Dream Killer of Paris and found it highly imaginative, I didn't it quite as much as The Baker Street Phantom. If you have not tried one of Bourland's novels, I suggest reading The Baker Street Phantom first. Regardless, The Dream Killer of Paris is a solid addition to this unusual mystery series.

4/5

I received a copy of The Dream Killer of Paris from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom Pop Bop2,503 120

Not a Police Procedural, More A Police "Conceptual"

The action is set in 1934 in France. We follow our hero detective and his assistant as they investigate deaths that seem somehow connected with dreams and night terrors. We end up following the trail into the supernatural, although a supernatural connection is hinted at even at the very outset of the case.

The case unfolds at an exceedingly leisurely pace, with lots of time taken out for small talk and tea. Everyone is very well spoken and sophisticated, and even at the height of the action it feels the story is playing out in a drawing room somewhere. That's not necessarily a criticism. Plotting is rather herky-jerky, with a number of holes and convenient coincidences, but that's not intended as a criticism either. Sometimes detective novels are surgically precise in their reasoning and clinical in their detailed violence. This one is, itself, almost dream, and the connection between the case and the emerging surrealist school of art it touches on emphasizes the dreamy and slightly vague or ambiguous nature of the case and the investigation.

So, if you would something that seems the exact opposite of a police procedural, (think of this as a police conceptual), with just enough action to keep the pages turning and with engaging enough characters to keep one's interest from waning, this was a nice, tidy, well crafted find.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
reviewed Jill Tool179 10 Read

3 Stars for the book The Dream Killer of Paris by Fabrice Bourland. I’d also to thank NetGallery for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
THE DREAM KILLER OF PARIS is the second in the Singleton and Trelawney series. I hadn’t read the first one in the series, but some of the other books in series, I thought I would be ok. I kept thinking that I was missing something and probably should read the first one. I didn’t get a clear picture of the characters, the plot to me seemed it was thrown together without a clear sight as to where the characters were going, or what they were supposed to be doing. However I do love reading about paranormal things. I thought this had a unique idea that other authors hadn’t thought of and would make a good series with the dreams and thought it would develop better and explain them more, but sadly it didn’t.

Detective Andrew Singleton arrives in Paris, and upon his arrival, a friend, Superintendent Fourier intercepts him and asks for his help. Two deaths have occurred and there is no sign of foul play, since the victims were in a locked room. The victims are dream researcher, and upon their faces show signs of terror.

I think the author could do more research on this realm and he could really make this series into something no other.
bought finished-reading Jonathan144 4

I chose this book from our local library, because having read the first book in the series “The Baker Street Phantom” I expected that the writer may have ironed out the flaws in that book, the first in the series. I was mistaken, many of them are still present, the biggest and most irritating being the massive leaps in plot and reasoning from characters. The reasons they have to behave, in a particular way, are just inexplicable and defy logic.
However, I didn’t hate the book (nor did I hate the previous book). The writer has lots of potential and will only improve with experience. I am not opposed to escapism either. In fact the reason why I could push beyond the things I found irritating in this book, was my love of escapism. I also do not want to deconstruct every tiny element of a book’s plot when I read them, so I can switch off to a certain degree and become absorbed in the story.
I will continue to read this author’s works, if and when they arrive, as he has lots of good ideas and with some minor tweaks to his methods, could prove to be a very accomplished writer in the future.
E Vikander125 4

Detective Andrew Fowler Singleton’s personal quest to determine whether the poet Gerard de Nerval really did hang himself 70 years before enables Superintendent Fourier, from the Surete Generale, to enlist his help in solving some mysterious deaths. Certain learned dream researchers are dying in their sleep, left with the rictus of terror upon their tortured faces. Dream Killer is a detective story with more than a touch of the supernatural. Although I found the plot intriguing, I never connected with this story, nor did it impact my slumber. Dream Killer is too tidy and the detectives take too many leaps of logic even within the realms of the fantastic. I felt as if Bourland did not put enough meat on these literary bones. Melisende1,092 126

Having read the first installment of the pairing of Singleton and Trelawney - "The Baker Street Phantom" - I eagerly embarked on this second journey and was not left disappointed.

Paris 1934, whilst investigating the death of Gerard de Nerval 70 years prior, Singleton & Trelawney are again drawn into the spiritualist scene. With five mysterious deaths linked to what is being referred to as "deadly sleep", can our duo solve the puzzle before the body count rises?

This period - the spiritualist scene of the late 19th and early 20th century to which Conan Doyle himself was attracted - was not a particular genre I would have sought out. I was glad of having the opportunity to read both.

crime france ghosts ...more tyto436 18

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I didn't really care for this. I hadn't read the first one in this series, but I thought that it would enough of a stand-alone that I would be okay not having read the first one. It stood alone to a certain extent, but there were a lot of references that I did not understand. There was virtually no character development, so I'm not sure if there was in the first novel, but I didn't really care at all about the characters. I felt the plot wasn't fully developed, and it just sort of meandered around. Unless you've read the first novel in this series and enjoyed it, I wouldn't really recommend this. Vanessa613 8

This outing for the young detectives Singleton and Trelawney is a bit of a mess; Surrealism, Nazis, incubi, and the Orient Express are all mushed together. Lots of hustle and bustle but, in the end, it doesn't make much sense. Is this a translation issue? Perhaps - as some of the slang reads a translation of a French mystery novel from the 1880s rather than the 1930s setting for these books (it reads very stale-ly). And, for a crisp 198 pages, this really drags.

I received an ecopy from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.fiction mysteries Wilde SkyAuthor 16 books36

In a 1934 a series of unexplained deaths take place – people die unexpectedly in their sleep. Two private detectives become involved in the deaths and begin to investigate.

A good idea for a story, but the characters and writing style never really grab the reader. The book could have done with a good edit – in many places it felt repetitive. The plot drifts and the end was not very convincing.

I would NOT recommend this book to the general murder mystery reader. Abbie Ennis130 24

I loved the first one but thought this second book would not be as good, but I was wrong. This is as good as the first book if not better.

Mr. Bourland prose is so absorbing, that you do not realise that you have finished the book until you turn the last page.

Hopefully there will be a third as I would love to carry on reading this series. books-of-2013 Eileen Hall1,074

An exciting, creepy story revolving around an unexplained death on a ferry bound for France.
A real page turner - read it in one sitting, wanting to know what happened next!
Highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Gallic Books via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review. Marc342 3

http://bibliotheca.skynetblogs.be/pos... Eurocrime158 39 Read

Autor del comentario:
=================================