[Review]: The Man in the Black Suit by Sylvain Reynard

Title: The Man in the Black Suit

Author: Sylvain Reynard

Release date: December, 19

Pages: 355 (e-book version)

SYNOPSIS

Acacia Santos excels at her job as concierge at the prestigious Hotel Victoire in Paris. When her superior, Marcel, is attacked in a supposed random mugging, she is tasked with serving one of the hotel’s most mysterious and attractive guests.

Nicholas Cassirer checks into the hotel under an assumed name every three months. Usually, he stays in the penthouse suite with a beautiful female companion but on this occasion, he arrives alone and is displeased in having to deal with someone new. A match of wits ensues as he tests Acacia’s expertise with a series of almost impossible demands. Her intelligence and creativity rise to the challenge, earning his respect.

They strike a tenuous accord until Acacia discovers a famous stolen painting in his suite, she contacts a former boyfriend who works for the elite BRB, a unit of French law enforcement that deals with art thefts.

Nicholas is questioned by police and released when it is revealed the painting is a reproduction. Irked with her behavior, Acacia’s supervisor demotes her threatening dismissal and the cancellation of her work permit.

But Acacia has already attracted Nicholas’s attention. Remorseful that she may lose her job on his account, he offers her a choice – she can wait until her supervisor dismisses her, or she can leave the city of lights behind and become his personal assistant.

Acacia initially refuses his offer, but Nicholas is persistent. He reveals himself as a man who quietly acquires stolen art in order to restore it to its rightful owners. Faced with mounting familial debts and the possibility of dismissal and deportation, she agrees to work for him.

Nicholas opens up a whole new world of beauty and intrigue to Acacia as they travel the globe. Soon the line between employer and assistant is blurred, and the two lonely people embark on a passionate relationship.

REVIEW

This is a new release from the bestselling author, Sylvain Reynard. This time, - and for the first-, he gives to us, readers, a stand-alone book, this one doesn't belong to a series.

So, let me start it, - I don't know from where, but -, Sylvain Reynard make us fall in love this time for Paris, the city of love, lights with a tour (and in different places as well) and mysteries among his characters. Elements like art, history, beautiful places were valued by the author once again in this novel.

One of the things that I liked the most was Acacia Santos, the main character, - and absolutely brave -, she's brazilian and from Recife, she makes me feel in her skin, I don't think if it is just about her nationality, but also the way she faces the situations. She tries her life in France being a concierge at an incredible hotel until some mysteries happens and her life hangs by a thread.

Nicholas Cassirer helps her in this journey; he's a business man in the world of art (of stolen paintings to be more specific). He's attractive and with a dark past (SR loves dark pasts, and I love it as well) he joins Acacia in job and in love.

I need to say that SR is a wordy person, so this one is a big book, if you enjoy it, it's the best choice.

Well-written, well described (the author seems to have some experiences in the places he mentioned, or he just searched a lot, this is important, this brings the reader closer <3). He develops the story in a way that you can't stop your reading. You can't. Even if you try.

You can find some references for Emerson family (OMG, my heart is... my heart is... OMG!!!), and I also missed William and Raven, the stolen paintings and all this kind of stuff, made my heart warm of remembering them (two of the best characters ever created in the story of literature).

When you think that SR can't make you fall in love by characters he proves to you that you're completely wrong. Acacia and Nicholas are perfect, their chemistry... I can be here talking to you all day, dear reader.

*I tried with all my strength to not mention any spoiler from this book*

RATING

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sylvain Reynard sold more than 400 thousands of books in Brazil.

Nothing has been told about the true indentity of the author behind of Sylvain Reynard.

We know that he is canadian, wrote many books of non-fiction and has a deep interest for renaissance in art and culture. But, though said that he is a man, your fans has a huge idea that, in true, SR is a woman.

Semifinalist of Goodreads Choice Awards of best author and best book of 2011, Reynard supports many institutions of charity and believes that the literature explore many points of human condition, like suffering, love and redemption.