Review: Fast Paced Historical Thriller
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 8, 2012
Matt Chatelain has written an excellent novel that combines everything I enjoy from a good book. "The Caves of Etretat, Book One of Four (The Sirenne Saga)" has it all, it has a mystery/thriller component, a romantic component, a law enforcement component, and combined all of this with history and a historical who-done-it. I couldn't have asked for a better, well-written book than this one.At the beginning of the story Paul Sirenne's father and step- mother are brutally murdered. He learns from an Inspector Norton with Interpol that it was the same elusive killer he has been after for a long time dubbed Shadow-Killer. Paul doesn't understand what any serial killer would want with his father and his wife and thinks Norton may have a screw loose. Yet the day of the funeral he receives a package that his father sent to him the day before he died. Inside the package is a book, the "Hollow Needle" by Maurice Leblanc. Paul remembers on his 9th birthday he received a copy of this book from his father with a puzzle/mystery written note. Paul remembers his child hood was filled with solving puzzles and mysteries and now he wonders if his father was preparing him for something.After the reading of the will has been taken care of he takes his father's final advice about gathering a few trusted friends to solve one final mystery and since money is no longer a problem he does just that. He calls his most trusted friends Liam O'Flanahan, an expert on conspiracies, Jonathan Briar, an expert on ancient history, and Fabian Coulter, a computer expert. He tells all of them what has happened, what he has learned, and asked for their help in solving this great mystery, a mystery that might have cost him his father. He sweetens the pot by offering each of them $100,000 for their time and he will cover all expenses with his newly inherited wealth. They all readily agree because who could resist such an offer.Paul books a flight to Etretat and a room in what at one time was Leblanc's personal home. It is now owned and restored by his granddaughter Victoire and has been turned into a museum/hotel. And here is where he meets the love of his life Raymonde, Victorie's daughter. Together with everyone's help they embark on one of the greatest journeys into the past that anyone has ever seen yet this journey has a lot of danger associated with it along with great joys. Can this group solve an ancient mystery? Can they solve the current mystery? Will they all make it through to the end of their quest? Does Norton find his Killer? To find these answers and more pick up your copy today."The Caves of Etretat, Book One of Four (The Sirenne Saga)" is the first book in a four book series. Mr. Chatelain has done his research and his writing is near flawless. He has created likeable characters, each with their own differing personalities that work well together. He keeps the tension and mystery going full-throttle and doesn't give much away before he is ready. This book kept me fully engaged all the way to the end. I am looking forward to delving into the other books in this great series.5-starsAnita (The Kindle Book Review)The KBR received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. We are not connected with the author, publisher, or Amazon in any way.