The Mystery of the Deadly Diamond
By Elizabeth Howard

I read The Mystery of the Deadly Diamond, by Elizabeth Howard. I enjoyed the book mainly because it was right to the point. It wouldn't try to throw out metaphors and stuff like that to confuse me. For example, on page 73, "Perhaps she was thinking about the fist or plotting her next crime. Whatever the reason, she was deeply and unmistakably absorbed in her own thoughts." That section told me exactly (and clearly) what she was doing. The book also made it obvious that Marcel loved and cared for Paris deeply. Simply stated on page 125, "I was worried about you because I love you Paris."\

The theme is how Paris Mackenzie tries to find out why a missing diamond relates to her and her family. Also, things are rarely what they seem to be. I definitely agree with that statement. In life, you may think you know something, but it turns out it's the total opposite.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. It's a fast read that makes you keep turning pages. The print is also large enough so that people with poor eyesight can read it no hastle. It was also somewhat short which is normally good. If your looking for a good book that doesn't beat around the bush, it's a must read. This is the best mystery I have ever read. I think a mystery needs the following components to make it good: an interesting plot, a brave hero or heroine, and a surprise ending. The Mystery of the Deadly Diamond has all of those qualities. I think anyone who's looking for a fun and exciting mystery, look no further than The Mystery of the Deadly Diamond.

Although the reviews of the restaurants are overall on the target, this guide has a MAJOR flaw -- it is not updated very frequently. This edition, for instance, was last modified back in 1997. Many of its recommendations have moved, closed down, or changed business hours. Another problem is that the book does not make it easy to find any of the restaurants. For some reason, the names of the (allegedly) nearest metro stop are given for the shops, but not for the restaurants. The bottom line is: I don't recommend using this book as your primary source.

Gayot's Paris offers a French perspective on the City of Light. Most French people I know consider the Gualt-Millau guides the most accurate and up-to-date availabe - notwithstanding Michelin. GM says their guides "...distinguish the truly superlative from the merely overrated" - an extremely useful service in my experience. The restaurant and hotel listings are concise and dead accurate and the shopping notes are great too. Nightlife and sightseeing are very well covered and the critical appraisals of places and sights is particularly helpful. This is a very useful book for the selective traveler, and was especially helpful in sorting-through the mind-numbingly endless possibilities Paris offers.

There are more comprehensive guides available for less money (or free, even). It is printed on paper that is just a step above newsprint. Save your money for a more complete guide.

Compared to the free metro maps distributed throughout Paris, this one is a loser. While its large type makes it easier to read, it also makes it more cumbersome to unfurl while traveling. Its directions to tourist attractions are provided by any decent guidebook as well as signs and maps within the metro. Worst of all, the map is out of date. The new, ultra modern, Meteor line is not shown on this map. A waste of [....]

I bought this map along with the Paris Mapguide based upon the reviews here. It's an oversized metro map with mini-maps to 50 attractions. I never found a tourist destination that wasn't easily found from the nearest metro. You can get a free metro map when you buy a ticket or pass. Buy this only if you don't want to pull out your reading glasses to use the Paris Mapguide, but you'll still need a regular map to find the location of a restaurant or shop. Get the Paris Mapguide or the Michelin blue book instead. (To add insult to injury, there's a advertisement for the Paris Visite pass on the back, arguably the worst value for public transport in Paris.)

I was disappointed in this book although Michael Sadler has an impressive knowledge of France, French and the French and parts of the book are undoubtedly funny. Still, I felt the humor was too deliberate and over-the-top for my taste, not to mention a bit on the crude side. A heartfelt francophile, Mr. Sadler tracks a year-long sabbatical spent in Paris with the primary focuses of the book being his quest to bed a married Frenchwoman and his association with a neighborhood group of men who hang out at the local bar and periodically indulge in semi-clandestine meals consisting of unusual French dishes (pig ears, bull testicles, etc.). If the story about the married woman is to be believed as truth, there's an uncomfortable amount of kiss-and-tell, meant-to-be funny detail of their "courtship" and one 23-minute sexual encounter. The book also contains much extensive descriptions of food and drink and, unfortunately, the negative physical ramifications of his over-indulgences for the author. Much of the book is in or references French and, although he explains the majority of it, I doubt that I would have followed it all if I hadn't been living in Paris for some years myself. Not that it detracts, but the perspective is definitely British, not American, so some minor references might not mean much to an American.

I was disappointed in this book although Michael Sadler has an impressive knowledge of France, French and the French and parts of the book are undoubtedly funny. Still, I felt the humor was too deliberate and over-the-top for my taste, not to mention a bit on the crude side. A heartfelt francophile, Mr. Sadler tracks a year-long sabbatical spent in Paris with the primary focuses of the book being his quest to bed a married Frenchwoman and his association with a neighborhood group of men who hang out at the local bar and periodically indulge in semi-clandestine meals consisting of unusual French dishes (pig ears, bull testicles, etc.). If the story about the married woman is to be believed as truth, there's an uncomfortable amount of kiss-and-tell, meant-to-be funny detail of their "courtship" and one 23-minute sexual encounter. The book also contains much extensive descriptions of food and drink and, unfortunately, the negative physical ramifications of his over-indulgences for the author. Much of the book is in or references French and, although he explains the majority of it, I doubt that I would have followed it all if I hadn't been living in Paris for some years myself. Not that it detracts, but the perspective is definitely British, not American, so some minor references might not mean much to an American.

This book serves as a prequel and sequel to a film classic. Perhaps THE film classic of all time. Why would such a book be necessary?

****The answer relies on three things. First of all, "Casablanca" is a story that the audience fell into. A wealth of backstory exists that we only caught glimpses of. Second, the audience has an innate desire to know that Rick and Ilsa see each other again. Third, a film sequel is no longer possible with its original players (principally Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Claude Rains). The book allows their irreplaceable images to remain intact while giving the characters new things to do.

****Walsh is mildly successful in not making a complete travesty of his assignment. He picks up on hints imbedded in "Casablanca." From Rick's comment to the Nazis that there are certain sections of New York they shouldn't try to invade, Walsh rumminates that Richard Blaine was originally Yitzhak Baline, a Jewish gangster and speakeasy manager in New York.

****Louis Renault's curiosity and remarks about Rick's past is also useful: "Did you abscond with the church funds? Did you run off with the Senator's wife? I like to think that you killed a man -- it's the romantic in me." In the film, Rick replies that it was a combination of all three reasons and Walsh draws on that idea as well.

****The down side to this novel involves the characters of Victor Lazlo and Ilsa. Victor carries on like a self-righteous man blinded by "the cause" and revenge. Walsh has Ilsa go undercover in an attempt to portray her as more active in the war intrigue and her destiny. However good the intent, the scenario plays out poorly.

****"As Time Goes By" does give food for the imagination -- if only how you would've written a better story. But you can easily live your life without ever reading Walsh's book. The best advice, really, is to see "Casablanca" again. The original never disappoints.

For someone who loves the film "Casablanca" as much as I do, I was prepared to really pick nits in this book. Believe it or not, it was pretty good, and kept my interest.

This takes up right after the end of the film. All of the major players end up taking part in the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, which then leads to the massacre and destruction of the town of Lidice. There are flashbacks to Rick's past in New York (which explains why he can't go home again), and some twists and turns in the plot to keep it interesting.

A good read, and "Casablanca" fans will have some fun spotting the references to the film. Enjoy!

If you are an fan of CASABLANCA as I am you will find AS TIME GOES BY interesting. The author creates a story line that give Ilsa and Rick and past and a future. The problem is that we all remember Ilsa walking off into the foggy night with Victor. Somewhere deep in each persons heart you think of the person that you really loved but whose love was unattainable. Therein lies the beauty of the movie. We all want to hope that someday she and Rick maybe got together or that they spent the rest of their lives with other people but still dreaming of Paris.

Although I found the book an interesting read, it just didn't work. You really can't add to someone else's story.

The main reason why I bought this book is the fact that it represents some of the very first pictures of the nude. However, this includes that the photos are inblack and white and not of the very best quality all the time. Happily, there are only female subjects in this book, and ofently two women are pictured together.Still, the pictures are a bit boring and political correct. The amusement is therefore limited, and all in all, I wouldn't recommend this book, besides the fact that it is a piece of history.

Diary of Jünger when he was a German officer in Paris under the German occupation.
This is a very disappointing book. It contains only superficial remarks on the war, on the German occupation, on Hitler (Jünger was a Nazi opponent for Nietzschean reasons, see 'On the Marble Cliffs'); further, notes on philosophy, language, some special situations, his sentiments. Everything without serious interpretations.
A waste of time.