City of Light, City of Poison

by Holly Tucker
City of Light, City of Poison cover
Good Books rating 4.0
True Crime
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Paperback • £12.99
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Technical
  • ID: 2833
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9780393355437
  • Publisher: National Geographic Books
  • Published: 2018-04-10
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In the late 1600s, Louis XIV tasked Nicolas de la Reynie with bringing order to Paris after the brutal murders of two magistrates. Reynie, known for his pragmatism and fearlessness, uncovers a web of witches, poisoners, and priests whose influence stretches to the king's court at Versailles. Based on meticulous court transcripts and Reynie's detailed notes, Holly Tucker's narrative brings the characters to life as she delves into the crime-ridden streets of Paris, the opulent halls of royal palaces, and the shadowy corners of secret courtrooms and torture chambers. /n/n This book is not just a historical account but a vivid reconstruction of a city on the brink, where power, poison, and paranoia intertwine. Tucker's meticulous research and engaging prose make this a must-read for history enthusiasts and true-crime aficionados alike.

Reviews
Eustacia Tan · Eustacia Tan · 2020-06-16
engaging 4.00

The book provides a detailed account of poisoning and cursing by French nobility, making it a gripping read. The reviewer appreciates the historical depth and the intriguing narrative.

Eustacia Tan dives into the historical intrigue of the book, highlighting how it meticulously recounts the poisonings and curses orchestrated by French nobility. They find the narrative compelling, especially the way it brings to life the dark arts and the societal impact of these crimes. The reviewer enjoys how the book weaves together historical facts with a captivating story, making it both educational and entertaining.

Quick quotes

    What this book actually is about is a detailed account of how a bunch of people, many of them French nobility, decided to poison and curse one another.

The Bibliophage · 2017-07-13
excellent 4.50

The book transforms detailed historical events into a highly readable and extraordinary story. The reviewer is impressed by the author's ability to make complex history accessible.

The reviewer at The Bibliophage praises Holly Tucker's ability to turn complex historical events into a highly readable narrative. They find the book extraordinary, especially in how it brings to life the detailed historical events and personages. The reviewer appreciates the author's skill in making the story engaging and accessible, despite the complexity of the subject matter. The book is seen as a remarkable blend of history and storytelling.

Quick quotes

    More than that, Tucker has made the detailed historical events and personages into an incredibly readable story.

    It's extraordinary! Much as I enjoy history, I often find myself lost in the details.

Eric Christensen · Eric Christensen · 2017-05-09
mixed 3.50

The reviewer finds the book overwhelming due to the sheer number of details, but appreciates the thoroughness. The narrative is rich but can be dense.

Eric Christensen notes that while City of Light, City of Poison is rich in detail, it can be overwhelming at times. They appreciate the author's thoroughness in recounting the historical events and the extensive details provided. However, the sheer volume of information can make the narrative feel dense and hard to follow at times. Despite this, the reviewer acknowledges the book's strengths in bringing history to life.

Quick quotes

    My only complaint with City of Light, City of Poison is that Tucker overwhelmed me with details.

    La Reynie arrested hundreds, and I lost track of who was who and what was going on.

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