Die Around Sundown Review

Author: Mark Pryor

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Release Date: Aug. 16, 2022

3.5 Hearts

Many thanks to Minotaur for an arc.

Mark Pryor's Die Around Sundown is the first entry in an exciting mystery series set in Paris during World War II, where a detective is forced to solve a murder while protecting his own secrets.

Review:

French Police Detective Henri Lefort of the Robbery Division, was instrumental in nabbing a robbery suspect in the home of Mimi Bonaparte, a distant relative of Napoleon.  Having caught the eye of higher ups, he's now been recruited by the Nazis to solve the high level murder of a German major without access to the scene of the crime - only given a list of five suspects and a warning - solve the case in five days or else!  His career and life are on the line. 

Die Around Sundown is a multifaceted story starring an eccentric character with several unique quirks.  Detective Henri LeFort is a sharp, street savvy robbery detective.  Unfortunately, everyday loud sounds set him on edge seemingly stemming from his service during WWI?  Mimi Bonaparte, who trained under Sigmund Freud, is determined to solve this mystery by convincing Henri to undergo psychoanalysis during sessions with her.  Their sessions are the manner Henri's backstory is introduced to readers.  Lefort is an unique character - witty and clever with a strange connection to his assistant, Nicola, and it's her knowledge of art that helps him crack the case so he can live another day.

There're a couple of mysteries going on at once in Die Around Sundown and as the story plays out, readers are charged with solving them.  Pryor does an excellent job with characterization, especially Henry with his many quirks and complex nature.  While I found the pacing a bit of a mixed bag, a bit up and down, the intensity builds as clues and foreshadowing fall into place.  Fans of historical fiction, especially centering around WWII, will enjoy this one as will amateur sleuths who enjoy whodunit crime novels.

Synopsis:

Summer 1940: In German-occupied Paris, Inspector Henri Lefort has been given just five days to solve the murder of a German major that took place in the Louvre Musuem. Blocked from the crime scene but given a list of suspects, Henri encounters a group of artists, including Pablo Picasso, who know more than they're willing to share.

With the clock ticking, Henri must uncover a web of lies while overcoming impossible odds to save his own life and prove his loyalty to his country. Will he rise to the task or become another tragic story of a tragic time?

Five days. One murder. A masterpiece of a mystery.