The Coral Thief

Rebecca Stott's suspense story is both enthralling and cerebral. The main character is a callow young scholar from Scotland who finds himself enraptured with the exciting intellectual stirrings of post-Napoleonic Paris. He's drawn into a fascinating circle of heretic scientific thinkers who also just happen to be thieves. While on one level it's a love story, it's more importantly the story of how gifted minds develop. Simon Prebble, one of AUDIOFILE's Golden Voices, narrates the author's elegant prose with precision and charm. He expertly differentiates the various speaking styles of the young, rather crass students and those of the suave, slightly jaded French savants. His is not an overtly theatrical performance, but one that presents this literary novel perfectly. D.L.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Starred review from July 20, 2009
At once an engrossing historical, a love story about an unlikely passion and a novel of ideas that lucidly presents philosophical speculation about natural science, Stott's second novel (after Ghostwalk
) is a powerful offering from an immensely talented writer. Narrated by young Englishman Daniel Connor, fresh out of medical school and traveling to a coveted research position in post-Napoleonic Paris in 1815, the novel begins with his realization that his scientific credentials, including a priceless coral specimen, have been stolen by the beautiful woman who sat next to him in the coach. She turns out to be Lucienne Bernard, a notorious thief being pursued by the chief of the Bureau de la Sûreté, Henri Jagot (based on a real figure and bound to make readers think of Javert). A cat and mouse game ensues, as Jagot tries to enlist Connor to trap Lucienne, but Connor falls deeply in love with the philosopher-thief and eventually makes a decision that might cost him his career, his freedom and his spiritual beliefs. Vividly atmospheric, propulsive and intricately plotted, this is a surefire page turner with literary heft and wide appeal.