Tuesday, December 6, 2011

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intro


Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the sea posts the opening paragraph (maybe two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening paragraph (s). Feel free to grab the banner and play along.   I like this meme and decided to play along with her this week.



Hardcover, 416 pages
Published September 20th 2011 by Crown (first published January 1st 2011)
ISBN:0307452891 (ISBN13: 9780307452894)
edition language:English

These two paragraphs are from the preface to Death in the City of Light by David King.

"A thick black smoke streamed into Jacques and Andrée Marcais's fifth-floor apartment at 22 rue Le Sueur in the heart of Paris's fashionable 16th arrondissement. The smoke had begun five days before, but now, in the unusually warm weather, it was getting worse, seeping through closed windows and soiling the furniture. In the air was a nauseating smell described variously as burnt caramel, burnt rubber, or a burnt roast of poor quality. The source of the disturbance, it seemed, was a building across the street. "Do something," Andrée Marcais told her husband, when he returned home just before six o'clock that evening, and she sent him over to investigate.

Neither Jacques nor his wife knew who, if anyone, lived in the neighboring, two-and-a-half storey townhouse at 21 rue Le Sueur. A man was sometimes seen riding there on a green bicycle, towing a cart whose contents were concealed under a heavy canvass. On rare occasions, he appeared to receive visitors, who arrived almost invariable at night curiously lugging a couple of heavy suitcases. "

What do you think? Would you keep reading or say "meh" and toss it aside? My first thoughts were what is in the suitcases and what is hidden under the canvass? Nosy, aren't I? I'd just have to keep reading to find out more.

13 comments:

  1. oh, I have this one too...which is why I am happy it sounds interesting.

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  2. I'd definitely read on. Besides a love of Paris, the mystery and historical aspects tweak my interest.

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  3. I would definitely keep reading, which is a good thing, since I have this one on my shelf waiting for review very soon. Great snippet today!

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  4. I'd keep going. It all sounds very mysterious. Besides, it's set in Paris.

    My First Paragraph is here: Quirky Girls Read

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  5. The Paris setting would keep me going, but the cover makes me hesitate. Guess I'm torn here...

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  6. This one would keep me reading, I'm intrigued and feel like a good mystery is in the works.

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  7. I think that would grab me … the cover certainly does!

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  8. Sounds interesting and a setting in Paris is BIG plus. I also love the cover.

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  9. I'd definitely keep reading, I sounds mysterious. The part about it smelled like a poor quality roast made me smile :)

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  10. I think there are bodies in the bags...so I would keep reading!

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  11. Certainly makes me wonder what's going on across the street.

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  12. Ooooh, yes I'd keep reading. Those paragraphs sound awfully good!

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