I wanted to read this book, as I love Paris and all things French. I also thought the art/furniture appraiser/auction house piece would be interesting to read and learn about. I read the book and found it to be entertaining, although as a whole, it was a little light and frankly predictable to me. I knew the first time Luc was presented to us in the book that April would have an affair of some sort with him, and I doubt I was the only one. Also, I found the character Marthe to be a little over the top and therefore contrived. I enjoyed how the book took me to some of my favorite places in Paris. For a light summer read, it works, but I think comparisons with The Paris Wife are incorrect the two books are in different leagues.

"Rage Against the Dying" is a good read and has an enjoyable main character. Brigid Q. is a retired FBI agent who is "brought out" of her retirement and her new life to finish off her most difficult case. I enjoyed that the main character was was someone older and who had been around the block, as well as a female. She still has it and takes down a couple of bad guys in her wake. I liked that the book focused on her mental state after a career undercover and spent chasing really bad guys. I think the author left the door open for Brigid to return to some other cases in the future. There were a few places where I thought the book was contrived, such as the killing of the Peasil, and why she did not just come clean on that in the beginning, but overall a good read.

Mr. Asimov loves wine as well he should, and through this book tries to share that love with the readers, and encourage his readers to just enjoy wine and the atmosphere it helps provide, without worrying about the label too much or whether one chose the perfect bottle. The book had a slow start and was a little difficult to get through in the beginning. It does pick up, and Mr. Asimov is a talented writer.