New Occupants at 221B Baker Street

The Baker Street Translation
by Michael Robertson

How do you follow up a thought provoking, nerve wracking novel like The Paris Architect?  Well you pick up a fun and entertaining novel like The Baker Street Translation.  As you probably know by now, if you have followed or read any of my Reader's Cafe' blog, that I am a Sherlockian.  In other words, a die hard fan of the world's greatest detective. Believe me, I am not the only one out there who believes Sherlock Holmes is the world's greatest detective.  Did you happen to watch the PBS special this week, entitled "How Sherlock Changed the World"?

I was not aware when I picked up this book that it was part of a series from Michael Robertson.  It is about two brothers, both barristers or lawyers (in American parlance), who are renting the rooms at 221B Baker Street for their offices. This address is perhaps one of the most recognizable addresses in the world, at least on the same level as Number 10 Downing Street. One of the requirements of renting these facilities is the brothers must promise to keep and respond to all of the letters sent to the "fictional" detective, Sherlock Holmes.  As a result of having to answer the letters, the brothers, Reggie and Nigel Heath, find themselves pulled once again into a case straight out of Arthur Conan Doyle.

The variety of adaptations never cease to amaze me, whether Sherlock Holmes-like characters or new cases for Sherlock and Dr. Watson written by Arthur Conan Doyle wannabe's or the equally unique and well written TV and movie adaptations.  But if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, as I am, you will want to track down the other titles in this Baker Street series.  They promise to be a fun and engaging read.

Surviving in Paris during Nazi Occupation

The Paris Architect
by Charles Belfoure

What was it like to live in Paris during the Nazi Occupation?  What if you were a talented, well educated architect, but out of work?  What if you had a wife to support and rent to pay?  What would you do to survive?

This is what Lucien Bernard is facing when he is presented with a profitable commission from a wealthy Paris industrialist.  While this commission will make him a lot of money, it might also get him killed.  The commission Lucien Bernard reluctantly accepts is to design hiding places for Jews.  While he is not an anti-Semite, he also does not want to risk his life.  This is just the first dilemma, Lucien faces.  If he accepts this commission, the wealthy industrialist promises him the commission to design an addition to his factory, so it can be adapted to make weapons for the Nazis.

So, by accepting the challenge of designing undetectable hiding places for Jews, does Lucien become a collaborator or is he just doing what is necessary to survive this occupation?

This is not the only moral or ethical question presented in this thought provoking, and beautifully written, debut novel by Charles Belfoure.  How far would you go to help a stranger?  What would you risk to survive if your country were occupied by a brutal regime? 

There are several similarities between the fictional character of Lucien Bernard and the real life industrialist/opportunist, who saved thousands Jews, Oskar Schindler.  This is a DO NOT MISS, Must Read Novel!