Maureen Marshall’s THE PARIS AFFAIR (Grand Central, 416 pp., paperback, $19.99) has, it must be said, one of the most anodyne titles in recent memory. The book itself turns out to be a tense romance between two queer men in Belle Époque Paris. Finley Tighe is the illegitimate son of a British earl and an engineer at Eiffel’s firm who’s trying to drum up wealthy investors for what all Paris thinks will be a ruinous eyesore. Gilbert Duhais is a wealthy flirt and nephew to one of Paris’s most successful businessmen — and just as obviously up to no good. Fin’s so worried about protecting his ballerina cousin and his cabaret friends that he forgets to protect his own wounded heart, and by the time he discovers the truth, it’s almost too late.

This story goes from the back alleys of the Rive Gauche to the glittering boulevards of Parisian society, but it all feels equally sinister. There are as many monsters in the fashionable arrondissements as there are in the city’s most louche nighttime haunts, and not everyone can escape.

A well-layered queer historical romantic suspense story set against the backdrop of 19th century Paris during the early stages of the construction of the Eiffel Tower. I loved learning more about this time period, the characters were three-dimensional and easy to root for and the book explored universal themes that still resonate today and there was a lot going on that made me interested from start to finish. Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like KJ Charles. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy. This was my first book by Maureen Marshall and I really enjoyed it!

I enjoyed this, probably more than I thought. Was part of my Pride Month 2024 reading. I was held from the beginning, and the author did a good job evoking the place and time. Would recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I liked learning about what Paris was like at the time period through the construction of the Eiffel tower and the type of anticipation and criticism it drew. It was also interesting to see how queer people lived their lives at different levels in society. I enjoyed the chemistry between the two main characters, but I did think it was rather obvious that one was up to no good, which sometimes pulled me out of the book. I do think maybe the suspense aspect of the book was drawn out a little too long, though I liked all the machinations behind everyone's actions. I think I would have liked to learn more about the cousin's ballet experience rather that just seeing the exploitative side of things.

This was a great debut! This had such a unique idea for a plot which is what drew me in initially. I loved the historical setting and exploration of queerness in that time. The characters were all well developed. The story had many twists and turns keeping the reader on their toes. Though many of these twists and turns happened in the last third of the book. There were times in the first part that I found a little slow.

I really enjoyed Fin’s complicated relationship with his queerness. While he did embrace it and was an active part of the community in Paris, he is also keenly aware of how society treats and feels about queerness. I liked that his conflict was with how the world sees queerness and not internal angst regarding his queerness.

I’m a huge history fan and I loved learning more about getting the Eiffel Tower built because I had no idea of the history and the controversy before reading this.

I look forward to seeing what this author does in the future.

Late 19th century Paris is a place of innovations and wonders. For engineer Fin Tighe, it’s also a place of refuge, a city where he can forget about his troubled youth in England and what remains of the unhappy family he left behind. Instead, he can focus not only on taking care of his beloved young cousin Aurélie but also on his intellectual passions and career. He’s been quietly thrilled to be able to work directly under the famed engineer Gustave Eiffel as they plan to build the latter’s namesake tower.

Unfortunately, they’ve hit a setback in funding. Despite the plans being approved and the government setting aside money for construction, the public outcry from Parisiens opposed to the building has caused the concerned – some would even say timid – politicians to hold back disbursement. Undaunted, Eiffel has offered an unprecedented return for any investors willing to make up the shortfall.

Despite being close to broke himself, Fin strongly believes in the project, so has not only put in a modest stake of his own but has begun pitching the investment to his wealthier acquaintances – for a modest finder’s fee, of course. One of these acquaintances, the dashing department store heir Gilbert Duhais, is skeptical but open to being persuaded, telling Fin:

QUOTE
“Then make it fascinating for me, as well.”

“It isn’t merely an art installation–this tower is the single most bold engineering feat the world has ever known.”

His skepticism pushed me to find a way to engage him. “The mathematical precision involved–hundreds of thousands of joints and angles measured to the tenth of a millimeter–” I sat back, overwhelmed for a moment. “Not even the Romans would have dared anything close at the height of their arrogance.”

He lifted a sardonic eyebrow. “So, it’s a terribly complex, ugly, large piece of art?”

Normally, I’d have given up at that, unwilling to thrust my excitement onto an argumentative listener. But there was a challenge here.
END QUOTE

Gilbert’s interest in the tower and, soon enough, in Fin draws the engineer into the kind of glittering social circle he’s never broached before. As their friendship begins to open doors, Gilbert persuades Fin to lean on the family name that the latter had once repudiated, in order to further secure the funding that Eiffel needs. But even as Gilbert and Fin’s relationship intensifies, Fin can’t help but wonder why Gilbert is so insistent on having him flirt with disaster – and legal peril – to win over more and more investors. When one of his friends is violently murdered, Fin will have to take a good hard look at this man he’s come to care for. Who, really, is Gilbert Duhais and what is he truly capable of?

The glamor of Belle Epoque Paris is put on dazzling display in this queer historical mystery, as Fin attempts to build an independent life for himself while trying to come to terms with the unfair legal burdens placed on him due not only to the murky circumstances of his birth but also to his sexuality. Having long ago abandoned love for survival, the only pure spark in his life is his relationship with Aurélie. But not even he can protect her from everything, and especially not from the demands of her chosen career in ballet:

QUOTE
After [the star ballerina had] preened came the arrival of dancers who’d had solos–each of which was only earned after the dancer had paid for extra classes–and it was a rare gutter flower who could afford it on her own bank account. And then finally, the members of the lowly corps, like my lovely Aurélie.

A dancer like her–dependent on me and my meager wages–was left with one avenue to showcase her craft: selling herself to an abonné who would pay for lessons, a choice that neither of us could countenance.

And yet Aurélie would not be persuaded to consider any other vocation, no matter the risk. Ballet was her passion.
END QUOTE

Showcasing both the splendid and the profane, The Paris Affair charts the lengths that many had to go to in order to survive in late 1800s Europe. While English laws against homosexuality were draconian, a loophole in the Napoleonic code allowed gay men and trans women to live in relative, if still vulnerable, peace, making Paris a haven for the persecuted. Fin is so happy to have escaped England that he doesn’t want to rock the boat further by taking his shot at living a life unhidden, never mind the fact that he’s a paragon of virtue compared to many of the people who surround him. His journey towards uncovering the truth not only about his family but also about a rash of murders plaguing Paris – even if it does rely a little too much on tell instead of show in the final third – makes for inspirational reading, as he faces up to who he is and learns to fully claim who he really wants to be.

A lovely historical romance/thriller that takes the reader back to the construction of the Eiffel Tower and how that was accomplished. The main character works on funding the project while simultaneously falling in love and learning more about his past and his aristocratic origins.

I very much enjoyed learning more about gay life in historical Paris, and becoming familiar with the "don't ask, don't tell" aspect of being openly gay but not really.

Mixed feelings on this one - and maybe not the most popular opinion. I loved the historical aspect of this - the location in Paris. The story's connection to Gustave Eiffel. I found the perspective of being LBGTQ+ in Paris in the late 1800's was fascinating and awe inspiring. The characters were well developed and easy to connect with. That being said, I found that the book moved slowly until about 75% of the way through. Not much happened when I hit the halfway mark - I felt myself waiting most of the book for more. More engaging, more drama, just more. I think that if I went into this book expecting a more historical story, than mystery and drama, I would not have been waiting for more. If you are interested in Paris in the 1800's and information about Gustav Eiffel during the building of the EIffel Tower, definitely pick this up.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Paris Affair by Maureen Marshall is a first-person POV historical Queer romantic suspense set around the 1889 World Fair and the building of the Eiffel Tower. Finley is the illegitimate son of an English lord living in France who is employed by Gustave Eiffel. By day, he keeps a respectable appearance to make his fortune independent of his father’s influence and by night, he goes to Parisian Queer spaces to be around his community. When one friend goes missing and another is murdered, Fin’s carefully crafted persona might be in danger.

What I really liked was how often there are mentions of the Parisian ballet scene. Fin’s cousin, Aurelie, is a ballerina who wants to devote her time and energy to her art, but because of the way the system is set up, many ballerinas are taken as lovers by men with power and influence in Paris. Those little details help make the setting really come alive and add richness to the characters and their motivations and relationships while also highlighting some of the darker parts of life for ballerinas in the late 1800s.

Another thing I liked was Fin’s complicated relationship with his Queerness. While he does embrace it and is an active part of the community, he is incredibly aware of how society treats Queerness. He is very hesitant to trust other men and make them long-term partners along with being concerned that it could get back to his father or Eiffel and ruin him just when he achieved his dreams. I really liked that because it centers the less than positive feelings on how the world sees things over the character angsting about their feelings and believing they are less than or something is wrong with them.

My favorite parts were the quieter moments between Fin and Gilbert. Gilbert is everything Fin needs: attentive and understanding, willing to invest in Fin’s interests, and cares about Aurelie. The two have a sweet relationship that feels realistic because Fin is concerned about what could happen if he is exposed but when Gilbert makes him breakfast or listens to him, it opens Fin up further to deeper romantic feelings. Gilbert even encourages Fin to start claiming he is the Earl, taking up his father’s title to reclaim what should have been his.

I would recommend this to readers looking for a historical Queer story with a suspense structure, fans of historical Parisian settings, and those looking for a Queer book that focuses more on society’s view rather than internal hatred.

This dark and atmospheric book is well-written and immersive. The pacing is good and the characters sympathetic.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC

Fin, the illegitimate son of an English earl, and his ballerina cousin, Aurelie, are barely making ends meet, but Fin hasn’t spoken to his father in years and has no plans to do so. In dire financial circumstances, Fin jumps at the chance to earn commissions on donations to his boss’s pet project, a tower that will take center stage in the Paris skyline. When a stranger takes Fin under his wing and introduces him to men who are willing to help finance the project, everything is going incredibly well – until, all of a sudden, it isn’t, and Fin’s life is at stake.

This appears to be the author’s first novel, which surprised me. It is so well written and the characters so complex that I was drawn into the story right from the start. There was a lot going on, and plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing. I wasn’t sure who could and could not be trusted, and it seemed like that changed with every new situation. I admired the way Fin kept his head through most problems, and was happy with – and surprised by – the way everything worked out in the end.

I learned a lot about Paris in the 1880s, and about the building of the Eiffel Tower. As beloved as it is today, it’s hard to believe that so many thought it would be an eyesore and sought to prevent its construction. Sadly, some of the attitudes prevalent in this story are still causing problems today, and it takes books like this to remind us what is truly important.

I hope the author continues writing fiction and will keep an eye out for future books, whether they bring Fin and Aurelie back or introduce new characters and new historical situations for readers to learn about.

This book surpassed my expectations. It has everything: a thrilling mystery plot with multiple murders, a sizzling m/m romance (for romance readers: it's fade to black, has hea), a well-researched historical background, a family drama with secrets from the past, and a social commentary on the era that rings true to this day.

It's a single pov, 1st person narrator by our protagonist Fin, who's a down on his luck engineer working for Eiffel. He's deep in debts and there's also a controversy will the tower be even built, so he needs to help secure funding and support for it, lest he loses his job and he and his orphaned ballerina cousin land on the street.

There's an author's note at the end mentioning the Eiffel tower controversy is fairly unknown in the modern day, but the contemporaries didn't perceive it as a work of art but some ugly abomination. I was told that story by my primary school arts teacher and she also claimed there were plans to build multiple towers and connect them with a cable line cart travelling around the city - not sure whether that's legend or truth, but in the end, we just got 1 tower, but indeed it has become a symbol of Paris and France rather than something akin to oversized electricity pylon. There are even multiple other towers inspired by this one, including Tokyo tv tower.

Anyway, Fin gets approached by a very handsome, witty but a bit "this guy knows too much - why?" suspicious gentleman, Gilbert, who ropes him into a grand plan of making a ripple among the Paris elite society and securing sponsors for the tower.

The plan works well - too well. Something's off. And then people go missing and the dead bodies start appearing. Is Gilbert the murderer, or is he protecting Fin from the real murderer? Is he a swindler or a friend? Fin keeps asking himself what are Gilbert's true motivations, while getting entangled in an affair with the man.

The story was intriguing and fast paced, while also introducing a colorful cast of side characters. And as the author admits in the note, the protagonists might be gay white men, but the novel also says a lot about women of that era.

There's Aurelie, Fin's cousin, his only family left he really knows and would protect with his life. Her dream is to be a ballet star, but during that era, ballerinas and other female artists like actresses and singers are often treated as thinly concealed courtesans, only waiting for a rich "sponsor" to take care of them. Aurelie doesn't want to be anyone's kept woman or a prostitute, but the society's prejudices and the system designed to keep women down works in her disfavor.

There's Victoire, a transwoman working as a singer in a friend's "gay bar" of the era, disowned by her family (except one sister) for not being a man as they expected her to be. The representation was really well done and interesting, and Victoire is a strong character who doesn't self-pity despite the society being prejudiced against trans folks even more than against gay folks. There's a soul crushing scene where due to financial reasons she's considering detransitioning and going back to the closet, and that's also portraying harsh realities queer people often have to face.

There's Stephanie, a bi-racial fiancee and step-cousin of Gilbert. She a very smart and savvy woman but due to misogynistic laws she's under the thumb of her step-father who owns all her deceased mother's money. Gilbert is offering her a lavender marriage so she could have some semblance of financial independence while he's covered against homophobia.

At this point of time, being gay was illegal in England, and while it wasn't illegal in France, it was illegal to show any signs of it in public, and it was socially shunned. All of the queer characters in this novel have to hide their orientation and the "gay bar" is an underground "speakeasy" style establishment that uses various means of concealment to look "legal" and bribery against police raids. A lot of this still rings true in modern day, where in many places queer people don't have the privilege to be "out and proud" in fear of ostracism, bullying, discrimination and violence.

The mystery was well crafted, and in the end all pieces fell into place, but the last 20% plot twist really upped the stakes and made me rush to the end to see how everything will unravel. The ending sends a powerful message but also I felt it was a bit abrupt because everything started happening at once in the last part.

I also liked the last moment introduction of Fin's grandma, who has to suddenly step out of her comfort zone of a proper English lady and reconcile with her grandson shunned by the family for so long, but they're all dead now while Fin and the grandma are here and have to look into the future, not into the past.

Fin himself was likeable, but a bit naive and slow on uptake, partially due to insecurity, partially due to being constantly put in fish out of water situations, but in the end he managed to find his own voice and confidence, and it was satisfying. However, at at least two moments across the book I wanted to shake him and knock some sense into him. Man, you're an engineer, please add things up!

Overall it was an enjoyable, suspenseful read, but also hard at times due to heavy subjects. I appreciate the author's thoughtful exploration of the social inequalities of the era.

TW: homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, sexual assault (off page), slurs, discrimination of lower class / status people, forced child prostitution (non-graphic, backstory), murder, domestic abuse (mentioned in passing, backstory), suicide of a family member (backstory), disowning / familial estrangement, unfair / corrupt justice system.

Thank you Grand Central Publishing / Hachette Book Group for the ARC!

Here we are, in 1880's Paris - Fin is an engineer working on the preliminary plans for the Eiffel Tower, living with his cousin Aurelie (a ballet dancer for the Corps) in a rundown flat. Fin is gay, and Aurelie, being a ballet dancer, is looked down upon by society. Fin meets Gilbert on the fly, a man who promises him the moon to get the Eiffel Tower funded and Fin a promotion, but at what cost?

I really liked this story, from learning about LGBTQ Paris to the building of the Eiffel Tower. The writing is solid and the story moves along well. There are a couple plot points I am confused on (SPOILER ALERT ...

how exactly did Fin get Gilbert off the hook and for Aurelie not to get charged? What did I miss?) and I had a hard time getting a feel for Aurelie's personality. Gilbert really read to me as Oscar from a Gilded Age - a nice enough fellow, but always seems to be on the sly for some reason or another.

I wish that the author had a section at the end of the book more about the history of the Eiffel Tower and what she pulled from reality for her book. I did go look some things up, but it wasn't the same as hearing what the author pulled from history, who, and why. In a lot of historical fiction books that happens. Though I did find her interview after the discussion questions lovely and it gave us a sense of who she is and why she chose to write the characters as she did.

Thank you to NetGalley for ARC!

In The Paris Affair by Maureen Marshall, readers are transported to Belle Époque Paris, where young engineer Fin Tighe navigates a precarious existence amidst societal prejudice and the looming construction of the iconic Eiffel Tower. As Fin grapples with his identity and aspirations for financial security, he becomes entangled in a web of deceit orchestrated by the enigmatic Gilbert Duhais. Their burgeoning romance unfolds against a backdrop of danger and intrigue, as Fin endeavors to unravel secrets that threaten his future and the safety of those he holds dear. Marshall's meticulous attention to historical detail and vibrant characterizations breathe life into the rich tapestry of 19th-century Paris, resulting in a captivating narrative that seamlessly blends romance, suspense, and historical intrigue. The Paris Affair is a compelling literary journey that resonates with themes of identity, class, and the pursuit of love and acceptance, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

This twist-y, turning, delicious, historical thriller has absolutely everything. Rich in historical detail and atmosphere, it's filled with unforgettable, complex characters, and twists that keep you guessing at every turn.

It's both romantic at heart, but as seductive as Gilbert himself. And the portrait it draws of Belle Epoch Paris is absolutely breathtaking, finding beauty in the high and the low, and grappling with the changes the era brings to the city and the culture.

Every part of this book is well-done and well-written and an absolute joy. I could read it over and over again. It is highly, highly recommended and I can't wait to see what Maureen Marshall does next.

this was a very captivating story! I loved the premise and the historical queer romance aspect of an interesting moment in history. I loved the historical moments of the building of Eiffel’s tower intertwined with the romance and suspense of the story. Fin is a lovable character, someone who is looking for his secured place in life financially, romantically, and intellectually. the macabre landscape of 19th century france— elitism, glorified death, & extreme poverty— are written in relatable ways to todays mirrored issues. I loved the characters and their well-rounded intrigue and heart they present throughout the story. I was enthralled right to the very end, through the epilogue. thank you for the arc!!!