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In the Shadow of the Fire

A gripping tale of love and mystery

Hervé Le Corre author Tina Kover translator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Europa Editions (UK) Ltd

Published:10th Jun '21

Should be back in stock very soon

In the Shadow of the Fire cover

In a city torn by revolution, a photographer's obsession leads to a frantic search for a missing seamstress, intertwining personal stakes with historical chaos in In the Shadow of the Fire.

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the French Revolution, In the Shadow of the Fire delves into a gripping criminal investigation during the Paris Commune’s 'bloody week.' This period marks a peak in the violent confrontations between the Communards and the loyal French Armed Forces, engulfing the city in chaos and destruction. As Paris transforms into a landscape of ruins, the story unfolds through the eyes of a photographer who exploits the suffering of young women, capturing 'suggestive' images for a discerning clientele. The unsettling atmosphere of fear and desperation is palpable as young women begin to vanish without a trace.

At the heart of the narrative is Caroline, a seamstress dedicated to aiding the wounded at a first aid station. When she mysteriously disappears, her fiancé, Nicolas, a member of the National Guard, and Antoine, a Communal security officer, embark on a desperate search. Their journey through the devastated streets of Paris is fraught with tension as they encounter a diverse array of characters, each with their own stories and secrets. Time is of the essence, and the stakes are high as they navigate the perilous landscape in pursuit of Caroline.

In the Shadow of the Fire masterfully intertwines historical events with a thrilling mystery, exploring themes of love, loyalty, and the human cost of revolution. As the protagonists race against time, readers are drawn into a vivid portrayal of a city in turmoil, where every decision could mean the difference between life and death.

“An astounding epic in which the reader is taken above all with the strength of the solidarity and heroism of ordinary people, and the infinite hope of those who believe to the end in the causes they are fighting for.” * L’Express *
“Le Corre is an aquafortist. From beginning to end of this dazzling novel, he deepens the shadows in his Paris of soot and night. Here and there, touches of colour: the bloody red of the Communards’ flag, the incandescence of a fire, the flame of a hurricane lamp. Glimmers of hope flicker and don’t go out.” * Le Monde *
“In a perfectly constructed historical frame, supported by breathless intrigue, Hervé Le Corre offers up a fascinating red-and-black novel. To be read passionately!” * aVoir-aLire *

ISBN: 9781787702493

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

512 pages