Daniel Connor is traveling to Paris, with a letter of introduction and some precious coral samples, to study anatomy with the world renowned authority,  Dr. Cuvier at the Jardin des Plantes. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and Daniel is determined to make the most of it. But inexplicably the letters of introduction and the coral samples are stolen before Daniel can deliver them to Dr. Cuvier. Daniel suspects a young woman who he met in the carriage on his way to Paris as having something to do with the theft and sure enough after a few days in Paris, Daniel sees the woman again and she promises she will return the items she stole.

While Daniel waits for the woman to return, he makes friends with another young student and he begins to breathe in the the lively intellectual debates that were swirling around Paris that July in 1815. Much to Danile’s surprise, Dr. Cuvier was regarded as  rather passé-a conservative protector of the old order, while Dr. Lamarck with his transformist ideas was considered new and radical. While Cuvier insisted that animal species were hierarchical and fixed, Lamarck insisted that the world was in a constant state of flux and change and progress was revolutionary and full of possibility. These ideas were not only revolutionary scientifically, but also reflected the dynamic political realities of Paris, and Daniel with his limited French was often relegated to the sidelines while his companions hotly debated these issues among themselves.

Just when Daniel feels he must leave Paris and return to Edinburgh in ignominy, Lucienne, the woman, reappears and gives Daniel back some of the items she stole.  Relieved that his difficulties might come to an end, Daniel is strangely drawn to this intriguing and secretive woman, not knowing that Lucienne is wanted by the police as a thief and con artist. Soon Daniel is caught up in a complicated web of deceit as Detective Jago compels him to help him bring Lucienne to justice.

Stott manages to weave together a complicated plot of romance, scientific discovery, and political intrigue that is suspenseful and mostly satisfying. There are times, however, when the various plot lines seem to overwhelm each other rather than creating a cohesive whole. Although Daniel is a well developed character with believable motivations, Lucienne by necessity remains an enigma, flitting in and out, and at times seemingly having competing motivations for what she does. But aside from these rather minor detractions, Stott has recreated a lively and intellectually hungry Paris, with all its competing ideas struggling to take hold in the hearts and minds of its young intellectuals and against that back drop she has set the story of Daniel and Lucienne, who although they are attracted to each other have seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their path.

Brenda’s Rating: *** 1/2(3 1/2 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Lauren, Marian and Sharon

Book Study worthy? Yes

Read in ebook format.