Murder in Belleville: Cara Black

Cara Black's heroine in Murder in Belleville is very independent, plucky, and daring. The books are set in Paris, France; each takes place in a specific neighborhood. From other reviews, and blurbs on the back of the book, it appears she has done a good job of depicting Paris.

This story begins with a friend of a friend asking Aimée to investigate a woman that she thinks is her husband's lover. Quickly both of them have become involved in a car bombing and a much more dangerous group of people.

The theme behind the story is anti-immigrant racism and the innocent people who are caught up in these problems. I see and read about struggles with racism and immigration issues in the US every day, but it has been through mystery fiction that I have read about prejudice against immigrants in other countries throughout the world. I find this very interesting.

I liked the diverse cast of characters. Her partner, René Friant, a dwarf and a computer expert. Miles Davis, her dog, a Bichon Frise.

The woman who asks for Aimée's help is married to a minister in the government. She is self-centered and seems to be using Aimée at times. Her husband is not very likable either. It was hard to have empathy for these characters or understand why Aimee pursues the investigation. (Although it is clear that there are other factors at work.) Aimée considers whether to help this woman:

Computer security, Aimée had protested, was her field—not spousal surveillance.

The phone reception wavered and flared.

“Right now it’s difficult,” she said. “I’m working, Anaïs.”

She didn’t want to interrupt her work. Thanks to a client referral, she was dropping off a network systems security proposal at the Electricité de France. Aimée prayed that this would get Leduc Detective back on its feet after a lean winter.

We get to experience the situation through several characters mixed up in the threatened deportation of immigrants and a hunger strike staged to prevent the deportations. One is Bernard Berge, a director charged with implementing the deportations. The illegal immigrants are from Algeria; he also immigrated from Algeria when he was a child and his mother is pressuring him to step away from the issue and refuse to take part. His boss is demanding that he proceed.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. There is a lot of action and the story proceeds at a brisk pace. I will admit to some confusion in placing some of the characters, and the plot does get complex and dense. But the setting, the character development, and the interesting topics behind the stories will keep me reading this series.

Murder in Belleville is the second book in the series. I read the first book, about five years ago. However, I would say the author provides enough backstory in this book and it could stand alone.

Other reviews of this book: at Rose City Reader and at Kittling Books.