Customer Reviews

Death in the City of Light: The Serial Killer of Nazi-Occupied Paris

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This true crime effort has captured the attention of many as a serial killer in Nazi-occupied Paris is instantly compelling and sounds more fiction than non. The shocking and grisly carnage discovered in a Paris home sets the book off with the promise of brisk pace and deep mystery. Yet, the author feels the need to set multiple stages that are admirable for detail but ultimately impact the book's appeal. Unnecessary coverage of arts and culture and famous period figures unrelated to the case bog down progress. Admittedly background on World War Two and conditions in occupied France are integral to this history, yet they too, detract from rather than help the advertised story.

Most unfortunate is the author's choice to reveal Dr. Marcel Petiot as the killer from the outset. While he is a haunting and disturbing character whose motivations are never fully explained, the book loses all suspense with this approach. Incredibly Petiot may have been responsible for upwards of 150 murders though tried on 27 counts. How he did this is incredibly interesting and should hold one's interest. Unfortunately, what is absolutely an incredible story has manifested itself into a mediocre book.

Although the story is compelling, the main characters excepting Peliot did not make an impression.

There are to many references to characters who appear once, and don't actually add to the story.

I flipped through the final chapters that deal with the trial as the writing did not draw me into the trial.

I did enjoy the sections dealing with the Paris environment,

I love that book, we all know the story of Dr. Petiot but this book is so much more than that. It is a real and palpable look at the life in France during the occupation not all French people are Nazi "sympatiseur" and not all French people had there eyes open especially the ones in the unoccupied section of France. This book is a history book.

Very hard to read. Boring would be an understatement. Would have helped to have more interaction with War time Paris. Characters were "who cares".
Did not waste time finishing this dog.