The Black Tower Audiobook By Louis Bayard cover art

The Black Tower

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The Black Tower

By: Louis Bayard
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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From the acclaimed author of The Pale Blue Eye, this literary thriller features Eugène Vidocq, a criminal who transformed himself into the world's first and greatest detective.

After the execution of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI, and the death of their son, the Dauphin, the Bourbon monarchy has at last been restored.

Dr. Hector Carpentier leads a very quiet life, until he meets legendary police officer Vidocq, who has used his mastery of disguise and surveillance and his extensive knowledge of the Parisian underworld to capture some of the most notorious and elusive criminals. Now, with the help of Carpentier, Vidocq may prove that the Dauphin lives, which could change the course of history.

©2008 Louis Bayard (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Historical Mystery Fiction Monarchy Exciting
All stars
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This historical novel needs more historical context -- lots more. I cannot imagine following the story were I not a student of the French Revolution back in college. Even so, I would have loved to be reminded of details I have long since forgotten. I recall Robespierre, Marat, the Jacobins, the Conciergerie, the Temple, and what Thermidor is, but how would someone who didn't study them know these names or places or months of the year, dropped on a regular basis, never explained by the author?

The story takes place during the Restoration, harking back to the Reign of Terror. How is a casual reader supposed to know the context of those eras, how France progressed from the Revolution to the Terror to Napoleon and then the Restoration? With several other key events in between. The casual reader could gloss over the lack of background if the characters and the mystery that drive the story are compelling enough, but alas, they are not -- but I can't support that assertion without spoilers.

Suffice it to say that some reveals come way too early and others arrive late in the game, inconsequential or out of the blue. The cardinal sin of mystery writing is to not give the reader a chance to anticipate those reveals or have a vested interest in them, especially the identity of the murderer, as well as other twists. This book is most definitely guilty of committing that sin several times over. This is supposed to be a historical mystery, and neither the history nor mystery are there.

The narrator was good, but this is a novel written by an American about the French -- so why an English accent? It is cliche to use British accents for non-English speakers speaking in English in a book or movie. Yes, I know Simon Vance is English, so that is his accent. But he's an actor, he could do any accent, or else another actor should have been hired. If accents were going to be used here, why not French? Switching to a lower-class English accent for lower-class French characters is just nasty. On top of that, the character Vidocq, in real life, was not of the lower classes, so why give him a Cockney accent?

I was quite surprised to learn about halfway through the novel that Vidocq, a central character, was a real person. The book didn't clue me in -- it occurred to me to check, and not only was he real, but he is considered the father of modern detective and police techniques. That casts his character in a totally different light. I'm shocked that the author would not make an effort to let readers know. In fact, that is true of a number of characters -- if you don't know in advance who is historical and who is fictional, then, well, you don't know -- how exactly does that work in a piece of historical fiction? I still don't know which of the Barons and Marquis and such were real or fictional, nor am I inclined at this juncture to try to find out.

Neither History Nor Mystery

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Black Tower to be better than the print version?

Yes, Simon Vance is extraordinary in his performance. I felt as though I was watching a play.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Black Tower?

I don't wish to spoil it for the reader.

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

see above. He is fantastic. I've 'read' dozens of books now over the years, if not hundred or so and can put Vance in a category with George Guidall.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Have to think about that

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy period mysteries, you'll love this book.

GREAT read

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I couldn't wait to get home and settle in my chair and listen. The characters are surprising and the history is fascinating. The narration was excellent.

Great Listen!

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I was skeptical when I first purchase this book. Although a fan of historical fiction, I prefer novels that include actual historical figures to chronologically follow true events as closely as possible. However, the author did a superb job taking you back in time, allowing for a possible series of events to take place and then explaining why they were never heard of afterwards. In short, you leave the book almost believing everything happened exactly as written. I give credit to Vance as always for delivering an excellent performance, and for giving each character not only a voice but a personality as well.

Excellent, Exciting, I wish there was more

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Is there anything you would change about this book?

Narrator and gender of characters. Simon Vance's voice was too effeminate. The use of female characters was way overdone. These combined to give a substantially less than masculine tone to the overall credibility of the story. Call me what you will (I really don't care), but I like women to be famine , and men to be masculine. Trying to blur this division diminishes a since of credibility with the story.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I almost left the book in the first chapter because of the narrators voice, however, the developing plot would not let me go. Glad I stayed. I enjoy a si-fy that is imaginative and has lots of change in direction while holding to a destination. This story accomplished these criteria. Now I will have to buy the next book.

What three words best describe Simon Vance’s voice?

Effeminate, lisp, quick

Do you think The Black Tower needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes, I will look forward to the next volumes. Hope I am not disappointed.

Boys will be girls and girls will be boys.

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First of all, Simon Vance did an amazing job of narrating the various characters! It was an interesting tale of kidnapping, intrigue and psychological thriller. The author is able to describe the scenes so well that I could just visualize the setting and the characters. I was sorry to see it end.

An intriguing and well-written book.

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I admit I don't know the true history behind this story, but the premise was great, and I enjoyed the beginning. However the ending was very anti-climactic, and I thought, all that, for this. But if it is actually based on historical facts, then I guess that's life.

Bit of a let down

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Loved this and couldn't stop listening. So well-researched and written. Buy, read, and be amazed as the story unfolds.

Really, Really Well-Done

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Who was real! And whose life inspired writers like Victor Hugo, Honore de Balzac, Herman Melville, and (apparently) Edgar Allan Poe.

"The Black Tower" is a wonderful fictional account of Vidocq and the mystery surrounding the last Dauphin set in early restoration Paris. And Louis Bayard's rendering of the tale would do credit to Alexandre Dumas. The writing is beautiful and detailed, yet the story never drags. And Simon Vance's narration brilliantly brings the characters to life.

If you're into historical fiction or mystery, this is the perfect audiobook to take your mind off of boring chores like housecleaning or to help pass the time on a long trip. I look forward to reading/listening to more of Bayard's novels.

Before there was Sherlock Holmes, there was Vidocq

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Great reading by Simon Vance of a story filled with great characters and characterization. I’m certain I will reread this book after a short break.

Complex and Interesting

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