Monday, April 13, 2009

Review & Giveaway: The Crimes of Paris

The Crimes of Paris
by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler

Turn-of-the-century Paris was the beating heart of a rapidly changing world. Painters, scientists, revolutionaries, poets--all were there. But so, too, were the shadows: Paris was a violent, criminal place, its sinister alleyways the haunts of Apache gangsters and its cafes the gathering places of murderous anarchists. In 1911, it fell victim to perhaps the greatest theft of all time--the taking of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre.

Immediately, Alphonse Bertillon, a detective world-renowned for pioneering crime-scene investigation techniques, was called upon to solve the crime. And quickly the Paris police had a suspect: a young Spanish artist named Pablo Picasso....


First Sentence:
It was a Monday and the Louvre was closed.

The Crimes of Paris is a non-fiction book, but you would not know it from reading it. The book is full of stories about the many different crimes that happened in Paris, not just the theft of the Mona Lisa. This allows the reader a look into the lives of the people within Paris. It shows how the citizens of Paris were fascinated with crime and longed for a sense of fear, Paris definitely did not disappoint. The criminals of Paris were aided in their delinquent behavior by the technological advancements of the time, such as the first implementation of the get-a-way car.

As a history major I am assigned many non-fiction source books and I can say without a doubt none of them has held my attention in such a way as The Crimes of Paris. Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler do an amazing job turning the history of Paris' criminal past into an entertaining story. The story envelopes you in such a way that the book is hard to put down since you are transported to turn of the century Paris and fail to remember that you are even reading.

I was first drawn to this book due to the cover and would certainly recommend anyone who picks it up at a bookstore to buy it. I was lucky enough to have been able to visit the Louvre last year and did not take the time to see the Mona Lisa, I will not make that mistake again after reading The Crimes of Paris. Anyone who has a love for Paris, art, or of history in general would benefit from reading this book.

An interesting quote from The Crimes of Paris for book lovers:
"I have a letter here," Drioux continued, apparently falling into the spirit of Apollinaire's testimony, "From someone who says you borrowed two books from him, and that one of them ... you never returned."
"I imagine his reason for lending them to me was that I might read them," said Apollinaire. "I haven't read them yet. I will return them to him as soon as I can."

Title: The Crimes of Paris
Author: Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler
Hardcover: 384 pages
ISBN 10: 0316017906
ISBN 13: 978-0316017909
Buy It: Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble
Review Number: 6

I am so excited this is my first ever giveaway of my first ever ARC!!!

Courtesy of Valerie M. Russo of Hatchette Book Group I am offering Five (5) copies of The Crimes of Paris by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler. The winner must be at least 18 years of age and have a U.S. or Canada mailing address, no PO Boxes. The contest will run from April 13th to April 20th 12:00pm ET, when I will announce the winners on my blog.

-For one (1) entry leave a comment with a valid email address, saying your favorite time period to read about.
-For another entry (+1) become a follower, subscribe to my RSS, follow me on twitter, or do all three for an extra three entries (+3).

Good Luck and do not forget to come back on April 20th to see if you have won!

28 comments:

ABCD Diaries said...

I love reading anything historical, but I am especially fond of the Civil War theme:)
Thanks!
christinbanda@yahoo.com

ABCD Diaries said...

I signed up to follow:)
christinbanda@yahoo.com

Julie said...

I recently graduated with a double major in English and History so best of luck in your studies!
I would love a chance to win your book and I would have to say right now my favourite historical time period would be in the early 17th century (I've been reading about the 30 years war).

Cheers!
julie.sherritt[at]gmail[dot]com

Julie said...

I'm a follower!

Jess said...

I found your blog on Library Thing -- it is really great. Please enter me in this contest and I am now a follower.

jess
barney's book blog
jedziedz@hotmail.com

allisonmariecat said...

I love to read about the 1920s!

Thanks!
allisonDOTcampbellATgmailDOTcom

Britt said...

Oooh this book looks so good!
(I already follow your blog.)


:D:D

Lenore Appelhans said...

I love reading books set during the plague. I know, I'm a freak!

Anonymous said...

Ooo...I like giveaways!

I think my favorite time periods to read are Colonial/slave era for the US, 15th-17th century European (Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy is the best!), and classical Greece/Rome. Oh, and I love reading the future (scifi/fantasy).

Not sure what e-mail this is set for, so here's my e-mail: jedi_frodobaggins@yahoo.com

Tara Thompson said...

That anonymous was me. Forgot to put my name.

Jessica Moss said...

im already a follower and i like to read about anything set in the 60's thru now. but this book seems interesting because it's about crime.

Unknown said...

I follow your blog and twitter!!!! o and you already kno what i like to read what a silly question lol

slattes22@verizon.net

Stephen said...

My favorite time period to read about is definitely ancient Greece. I just love the mythology, as well as the military fiction that takes place in the time period.

Rattlesnake2021 AT aol DOT com

Forgetful Librarian said...

Your blog is beautiful. I can't believe you just started in March! I started in February and I'm still just using the basic Blogger layout. I will post you on my blog roll.

Anonymous said...

This is too good to be true!!!
Thanks for the heads up Jessica!
mcsis788@yahoo.com

Jen said...

I really like medieval times and current ^_^

BTW I already follow <3

jenny.3.C@gmail.com

teabird said...

Love your blog - my favorite historical era (today) is Tudor. (Ask me again tomorrow...)

I follow you now - and I'm glad I found you!

teabird 17 ** at ** yahoo dot com

Gwendolyn B. said...

My favorite period is probably Pre-WWI through the 1950's. At least right now! Thanks for the chance to win this - I've wanted to read it for quite awhile.

I'm a Follower, Subscriber, and follower you on Twitter. (Do you feel stalked?)

geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

sharon54220 said...

I read different eras, depends on my mood. I would really love to win & read this book.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I am also a follower.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Molly said...

This book sounds fascinating and I would love to be entered in the drawing!

My favorite literary time period is Victorian British Literature - but I would classify my favorite genre as gothic / suspenseful thriller

Mstermind1 at gmail dot com

Molly said...

Just became a follower - and I am very anxious to read future reviews :)

Mstermind1 at gmail dot com

Rachel S said...

Hey I am a follower =)
I actually like to read books set in current time periods that they are wrote.

ras1513@hotmail.com

Rachel S

Sean Snack said...

Hey! Awesome to see you have a blog. Yay following.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I just became a follower today and would like to enter. Additionally, the giveaway entry (though late) has been blogged about over at my book blog. So maybe you'll get a few late entries. ;)

My reading is never constricted to any time period. I adore everything. If I had to choose, though, early 20th Century literature has always had a peculiar draw to me.

spiffyish[at]hotmail.com

KR said...

I love the Civil War period.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

KR said...

I'm following on Twitter- Sumrthyme

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