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Synopsis
Joseph Rouletabille, the young journalist tu rned detective, is once more pitted against his arch-enemy, Frederic Larsan. The mysterious crime committed in the Squar e Tower tests even Rouletabille''s powers of logic and deduct ion '
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you enjoyed "The Mystery of the Yellow Room", you will probably enjoy "The Perfume of the Lady in Black". This novel was very well written by Gaston Leroux (who actually included himself as a character in the early pages of the book!). You must read "The Mystery of the Yellow Room" before attempting "The Perfume of the Lady in Black", as it is merely a continuation of the events from "Yellow Room". To say that Gaston Leroux has a few surprises in store for you with this book would be an understatement, as he gives new meanings to the events from the first book. For me to say anyting further would be unfair to a prospective reader. While "The Mystery of the Yellow Room" was a five star book without question, "The Perfume of the Lady in Black" falls just short of that lofty plateau. For those who enjoy a well-written mystery, you could scarcely do better than Gaston Leroux.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
A fitting follow-up to "The Mystery of the Yellow Room".
8 April 1999
Format:Paperback
If you enjoyed "The Mystery of the Yellow Room", you will probably enjoy "The Perfume of the Lady in Black". This novel was very well written by Gaston Leroux (who actually included himself as a character in the early pages of the book!). You must read "The Mystery of the Yellow Room" before attempting "The Perfume of the Lady in Black", as it is merely a continuation of the events from "Yellow Room". To say that Gaston Leroux has a few surprises in store for you with this book would be an understatement, as he gives new meanings to the events from the first book. For me to say anyting further would be unfair to a prospective reader. While "The Mystery of the Yellow Room" was a five star book without question, "The Perfume of the Lady in Black" falls just short of that lofty plateau. For those who enjoy a well-written mystery, you could scarcely do better than Gaston Leroux.
This villain won't stay dead
12 May 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've watched many a Hollywood movie with a villain who won't die. Gaston Leroux has created just such a human monster: Frederic Larson - thief, murderer, escape artist, and master of disguise.
Larson appeared first in The Mystery of the Yellow Room (1908), then in The Perfume of the Lady in Black (1909). Both are early examples of Golden Age detective fiction, and both are classic locked room mysteries - but they're hardly defined by these categories. Leroux's style is uniquely eccentric and flamboyant.
The Perfume of the Lady in Black is set in a fortified medieval castle on the Cote d'Azur. While sunshine and flowers are generally cheerful things, in this Gothic atmosphere the glaring sea, the blazing sunlight, and the overwhelming aroma of fiercely colorful blossoms take on sinister significance. With everyone wearing sunglasses, there's an uneasy sense of uncertain identities. And in truth, there may be a murderer in their midst...
A sense of dread and confusion hangs over the narrative - only intensified by the odd behavior of the hero - the supremely intelligent amateur detective and journalist Rouletabille. This teenage prodigy is a bundle of nerves and emotions. His feelings for his mother rival a character out of Proust (whose masterpiece was in the future). And his feelings for his father are frankly Oedipal (though Leroux had probably not read Freud).
I dare not even hint at the plot, because the tangled and tortured relationships among the main characters must remain a secret for you to discover. Suffice it to say that the book is a feast of crime, deception, love, passion, and psychological terror. With occasional flashes of humor.
And the description of the fragrance of the Lady in Black is unforgettable. I doubt if there's ever been a more sensuous description of a woman's scent.
I really liked this edition (Dedalus). There's an afterword instead of in a preface - no risk of spoilers! And the analysis of the book, the author, and his contribution to world literature is very well done.
Larson appeared first in The Mystery of the Yellow Room (1908), then in The Perfume of the Lady in Black (1909). Both are early examples of Golden Age detective fiction, and both are classic locked room mysteries - but they're hardly defined by these categories. Leroux's style is uniquely eccentric and flamboyant.
The Perfume of the Lady in Black is set in a fortified medieval castle on the Cote d'Azur. While sunshine and flowers are generally cheerful things, in this Gothic atmosphere the glaring sea, the blazing sunlight, and the overwhelming aroma of fiercely colorful blossoms take on sinister significance. With everyone wearing sunglasses, there's an uneasy sense of uncertain identities. And in truth, there may be a murderer in their midst...
A sense of dread and confusion hangs over the narrative - only intensified by the odd behavior of the hero - the supremely intelligent amateur detective and journalist Rouletabille. This teenage prodigy is a bundle of nerves and emotions. His feelings for his mother rival a character out of Proust (whose masterpiece was in the future). And his feelings for his father are frankly Oedipal (though Leroux had probably not read Freud).
I dare not even hint at the plot, because the tangled and tortured relationships among the main characters must remain a secret for you to discover. Suffice it to say that the book is a feast of crime, deception, love, passion, and psychological terror. With occasional flashes of humor.
And the description of the fragrance of the Lady in Black is unforgettable. I doubt if there's ever been a more sensuous description of a woman's scent.
I really liked this edition (Dedalus). There's an afterword instead of in a preface - no risk of spoilers! And the analysis of the book, the author, and his contribution to world literature is very well done.
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