Christian Dorsan, author, blogger and contributor to the 20 Minutes Books reading group, recommends “Aranea” by Alexandre Murat, published on April 4, 2024 by Éditions Fleuve Noir.
His favorite quote:
“ When they learned about this knowledge, they became completely excited. They redoubled their efforts to recover them, putting teams around the world on the spot. Just think! An unknown, powerful Source of knowledge, which would reveal entire sections of human and natural knowledge: it is the Grail »
Why this book?
- Because after the first volume, we were waiting a continuation of the adventures of Alex and Mary. Although a little overplayed, the characters in their style bring to each other their singularity and their competence, this duo offers us a festival of action and historical discoveries. The reader travels through eras and continents with real intrigue and verifiable historical references.
- Because this novel is full of twists and turns and keeps fans of the genre in suspense even if sometimes the narration falls into cliché with an ending open to a possible third volume. A good time of entertainment and along the way, a pleasant history lesson.
The essentials in 2 minutes
The plot. Alex and Mary find themselves once again confronted by the formidable Sylvia who works for the secret society of the Nine Unknowns. They go in search of a book that contains universal knowledge but they are not the only ones in this quest for power.
Characters. Alex Merri, history teacher and his partner Mary, director of an intelligence company, Sylvia “henchman” of the Nine Unknowns of which Rajeev is the Grand Master, spies, Himmler and the Eaglet.
Places. Boston, Bombay, Germany, Tibet, Buenos Aires, the Gobi Desert, Glastonburry Abbey and Les Invalides in Paris.
The time. From 1930 to the present day with returns to different eras
The author. Alexandre Murat is a direct descendant of the Marshal of the Empire. Passionate about History, he published a first volume – The Legend of the Emperor – which will be released in paperback in April 2024 and which was selected for the New Voices of Crime Prize in 2023.
This book was read with like a historical epic where adventure, esotericism and action mix. A good thriller in the editorial line of Fleuve Noir.
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