An interesting look at life in Paris during the early 1890s. I found the mystery only middling but some of the problem may have been the translation as some word choices were odd. Still, whenever the book began to be tedious there would be a really good description and the latter part of the book improved.

This is another cozy mystery from the Victor Legris series set from the end of the 19th century in Paris. This time the bookseller tries on his own to solve the murders. He soon realises that he can not handle this alone. Therefore he asks his assistant Joseph Pignot to his assistance. The detective work begins when a goat keeper hands over a red shoe in the bookstore. Immediately Victor discoveres that the shoe's owner is Moris 'goddaughter' who has loaned it to a classmate. This means that for her safety she moves in Victor's apartment and he to his lover Tasha. As clear is who the victim is, Victor and Joseph are led to the poets, dancers and artists of Montmartre. While there are other victims, the amateur detective manages in a Sisyphean task to uncover the history, which has its origins in Lyon.
I like how the sisters Izner portray Paris from 120 years ago and bring the quarters to life. ( )

The Montmartre Investigation by Claude Izner - ok

This is the third of the Victor Legris mysteries and whilst it was an entertaining enough read, it isn't anything special. The first of the series I found disappointing, the second (which is the one I wanted to read following a review) was much better and vindicated my original choice, this was all a bit...well...meh.

As mentioned this is the third in a series of mystery (possibly 'cosy' genre) novels set in Fin de siècle Paris featuring Victor Legris, a bookseller, and his various family and friends.

This time, a young girl is found murdered, missing her shoes. At the same time, a red shoe is delivered to Victor's book shop and is discovered to belong to his partner (and surrogate father)'s god daughter who is living in a nearby boarding school. Of course, the shoe had been borrowed by the murdered girl and, of course, Victor gets drawn in to the mystery. This time it all revolves around the new shows and clubs in Montmartre including the Moulin Rouge and all the characters that were around that scene.

Not great literature, but a pleasant enough read. If I didn't have the next two on mount TBR I wouldn't search them out, but they are not so bad as I won't get round to them at some point in the future. ( )

*Red Shoes and the Moulin Rouge*
Kick up your heels with the bawdy cancan dancing girls of the Moulin Rouge and enjoy more murder and mischief as they ruffle their petticoats high in the air. The third installment of the Victor Legris murder series by authors Claude Izner is another winner of the highest caliber. Multiple murders this time involve a highly developed plot to keep the reader turning the pages. All the same lovable characters of our detective Victor Legris, his partner and stepfather Kenji, Jojo the shopkeeper, his irritating mother, and Victor's Russian girlfriend Tasha, reappear in their natural roles. And for an added bonus we get a guest appearance from the famous painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec!

This is a delightful series of nothing but pure fun and entertainment. You will adore the cast of characters and cheer them on as they scour the Parisian streets and countryside for clues to unravel this puzzling crime that begins with a ladie's very fancy missing red shoe. This shoe just happens to be mysteriously delivered to Victor's bookshop with their address tucked inside. The blend of murder mystery, historical fiction, humor, and even romance, is surely the secret of this series' success. As the reader devours each book in the series slowly, you get a firsthand feel of the time and the place the authors evoke with their in-depth knowledge of Victorian Paris that they specialize in. Learning about the many famous Impressionist painters and French literary authors of the time through both background characters or from the rare books in Victor's Bookstore, gives the reader an intimate portrait of life in Paris during the late 1800's. Bravo to the authors for the third time, I am waiting impatiently for book four! ( )