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1429, 2014 – A series of arson attacks rocks the French town of Orleans. Could this be linked to the mystery that surrounded the enigmatic figure of Joan of Arc all those years ago?
In to the Fire
What you need to know before your trail
The French city of Orléans is under siege. A man’s charred corpse is found in a string of arson attacks in the city. An extremist group claims responsibility but police are unable to track them down. Police inspector Capitaine Ines Picault and her team must try however as more people will no doubt die unless they are able to find them. The city of Orleans is of course famous for being the site of one very infamous fire – that which killed Joan of Arc all those years ago.
Could her fiery death be linked to the evil stalking the streets of the same city all these years later? And if so, what does it mean now?
Travel Guide
Orleans is a small French city most famous for the site where Joanne of Arc was burned at the stake. She is one of the great enigmas of history – a determined and passionate young woman who came from nowhere to lead the armies of France to victory against England.
This is the France of the present and of the past. From the horror of modern day killings and a city quite literarily on fire, to the dark, grim setting of 15th century France, men on horses, battles and the enigmatic figure of Joan herself.
The Historic background weaves its way through the present day mystery and police investigation.
Present Day Orleans
“Encore un feu – This close, a savage heat sicks the breath from her lungs, dries the film from her eyes. This fire is bigger than any of the three that have come before it..”
In present day, Islamic terrorists are thought to be responsible for the current malaise in the city. With elections in the city for major just around the corner, this is a time of political turmoil too. There is a figure, an opponent to the leading mayor candidate , Christelle Vivier who wants to rid France of immigrants and her beliefs and force seem to highlight her in the same way that Joan of Arc was all those years earlier.
Tonight, Orleans could lose its ancient, beating heart.
Orleans 1429/30
The historical parts of the book are the cornerstone of the entire mystery and thriller themes of the novel. The clues can be found here in the past with Joan of Arc herself. Undercover agent Tod Rustbeard masquerades as priest Father Tomas to destroy Joan and what she is trying to do. She is hailed as France’s saviour, the young girl who could save them all. And she’s from England which is yet another stumbling block for her cause.
Faint moonlight pierces the stained-glass windows , picking out the silvered shades the stories of Jeanne d’Arc, Maid D’Orleans, the girl whose visions of saint and angels moved her to ride in the name of France.
The grit, coal dust, caked mud from the battle fields will fall from each and every one of these pages. The back cover could well have burn holes in it. That’s how evocative this read is.
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