Voltaire’s Calligrapher
An elegant and atmospheric literary thriller that will delight fans of The Interpretation of Murder and The Shadow of the Wind
Eighteenth century France: the Age of Enlightenment.
Dalessius is 20 when he takes a job as the philosopher Voltaire’s messenger and spy. Soon he’s entangled in a web of secrets and intrigue, leading from the courts and scaffolds of Toulouse to Paris, and a mysterious fortified monastery where Abbot Mazy guards a horrific secret.
Assisted by an executioner and the beautiful, marble-like daughter of an automaton maker, Dalessius faces sinister clergymen, inventive henchmen and poisonous fish in his quest to uncover the truth behind the Abbot’s machinations. It will take amazing courage on Dalessius’s part – as well as Voltaire’s unique cunning and wit – if they are to survive.
Praise for ‘The Paris Enigma’: -
”'It had me purring with pleasure” - Daily Telegraph
”'An entertaining read, moving at a clip towards a pleasingly unpredictable conclusion… there are some fine ideas, a rich sense of unfolding history and some nicely judged moments of philosophical whimsy and dry wit… amusing” - Time Out
”'A smooth translation… exciting” - TLS
”'Discriminating general readers as well as whodunit fans will enjoy this outstanding puzzler… de Santis conjures up a veritable Justice league of master sleuths… intelligent and entertaining” - Publishers Weekly
”'A beguiling historical whodunit” - New York Times
”'Murder and mayhem… colourful characters and cases create a hazy atmosphere of intelligent escapism” - Washington Post
”'A complex whodunit that provokes thought as well as entertainment” - San Francisco Chronicle