Dark in the City of Light

The year is 1870. Prussia, after a recent defeat of Austria-Hungary, is eager for expansion and control of the German states. France remained confident in its past successes and its new secret weapon, the mitrailleuse, a precursor to the machine gun. Prussia is banking on its efficient railway system and recent successes. Set within this background, the story revolves around the Austro-Hungarian attaché to France, who, through his wife's estate, controls mercury mines which are used to make gunpowder. Courted by both sides, he finds life is a balancing act. His son and daughter are also being pursued in hopes they can also provide access to the mercury. After his wife dies, a few suspects begin to be implicated, including the attaché himself. Can he rise above the tumult of the last days of the Second French Empire and the proclamation of the new German Empire to save his family and his honour?

In general, I enjoyed the book. I found it interesting to see history through the eyes of an interested observer, one not a part of the action on any side, but intensely interested in the events. It did bring that part of history alive to me. As far as being a Christian book, I thought the references were forced. The little Christian belief that was expressed did not make a difference to the characters in the book. But other than that, the story was good and interesting, with a number of plot twist and a reasonable amount of intrigue. It was also interesting to see the events from different points of view, which I thought the author did well.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.