Admit it: there’s at least one fail-proof cue out there that is guaranteed to get you to pick up a book. A time period, a cover image, a setting, a theme—everyone has a trigger. Sometimes the book delivers, sometimes it doesn’t, but either way you’re going to at least give it a try.
Paging through the Crown catalog turned up one for me—A Man in Uniform, which goes on sale December 28. It set off the following alarms:
- Paris setting! and not just Paris, but Belle Epoque Paris
- Uses a fascinating piece of history (in this instance, the Dreyfus case) as a plot point
- Comparison to A.S. Byatt (admittedly, this is just as likely to work against the author if I pick the book up and find only so-so writing)
OK, I’ve shared some of my many weaknesses—now, what are yours?
Well, Belle Epoque Paris works for me, too!
Actually anything set in late 19th-early 20th century (place does not matter so much)& even better it if features suffragettes or other women’s rights activists!
Also any book set in the Balkans picks my interest.
Thirdly, I’m all for historical mysteries in general.
Greetings,
Tiina
I love the the idea of what “pushes your buttons”! I love 19th century, but the setting that always gets my attention is Kyoto, Japan. Something about that era that catches my eye.