Successful, lauded by those around him and trusted by the King, Nicolas le Floch is at the height of his powers. Commissioner of police in Paris, he has solved many crimes and made friends and enemies. However when Le Floch's mistress is found dead suspicion is placed on him as anonymous tips and witness statements seem to implicate him. Le Floch's powerful allies trust him and he is sent to London on a secret mission for the King. On his return he continues to investigate and realises that the plot hinges around different factions vying for power as the King sickens and dies.

This is the fourth novel in the series and the power of Parot's writing is not diminished. Here the plot weaves the personal and the political in a tight knot whilst developing characters even further. The intrigues around the death of a monarch are skilfully drawn and Parot's invention of time and place is superb. ( )

Dans "L'affaire Nicolas Le Floch" on retrouve avec plaisir le héros de Jean-François Parot et un XVIIIe siècle si bien décrit. Entre assassinats, complots, agents secrets et mort de Louis XV, Nicolas saura-t-il sauver sa peau ? ( )

Love historical mysteries? Here's the chance to try one set in Paris. Jean-François Parot is the author of the Nicolas Le Floch series set in pre-revolutionary France. Stuffed with period detail and courtly intrigue this book's proportion of history to mystery is flawless.

Le Floch, commissioner of police at the Chatelet, received his post as a reward from the King Louis XV for services rendered, but with the shadow of his mistress's death hanging over him he's in danger of losing the King's favor and possibly his head. ( )