The Bookseller The First Hugo Marston Novel
Introduction
The Bookseller is a mystery novel written by Mark Pryor. It was first published in 2012 and is the first book in the Hugo Marston series. The novel is set in Paris, France, and follows the story of Hugo Marston, a former FBI profiler who works as head of security at the US Embassy in Paris.
Plot Summary
The Bookseller begins with the discovery of a murdered bookseller, Max, in his store. Hugo Marston is called in to investigate the murder. He is joined by Tom Green, a CIA agent, who believes the murder is linked to a terrorist group. As the investigation progresses, Hugo begins to suspect that the murder is not as straightforward as it seems.
Hugo discovers that Max was not just a bookseller, but also a collector of rare books. Max had recently acquired a rare book that was believed to be lost for centuries. Hugo believes that the book may hold the key to Max's murder.
As Hugo and Tom dig deeper, they discover a network of rare book collectors who are willing to pay any price for the rarest books. They also discover that the book Max had acquired was not just rare, but also contained a secret code that could lead to a dangerous weapon.
The investigation takes Hugo and Tom from Paris to London and finally to Barcelona, where they confront the mastermind behind the plot to acquire the weapon.
Main Characters
Hugo Marston
Hugo Marston is the protagonist of the novel. He is a former FBI profiler who now works as head of security at the US Embassy in Paris. Hugo is a well-educated man who loves books and has a keen eye for detail.
Tom Green
Tom Green is a CIA agent who joins Hugo in the investigation. Tom is a tough and experienced agent who believes the murder is linked to a terrorist group. He is initially skeptical of Hugo's theories, but later comes to respect him.
Max
Max is the murdered bookseller. He is a mysterious character who had a passion for rare books. Max's murder sets off the investigation.
Themes
The Bookseller explores various themes such as greed, obsession, and the love of books. The novel shows how people can become obsessed with rare books and are willing to pay any price for them. The novel also explores the theme of greed, as the rare book collectors are willing to do whatever it takes to acquire the rarest books.
Conclusion
The Bookseller is a well-written mystery novel that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns. The novel is a must-read for anyone who loves mystery novels.