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labunnywtf's review
3.0
I definitely need to read more light material.
This was a surprisingly good book. It opens with so much rich information that really keeps the interest, but as the story progresses, it starts to slow down. The book is weighed down with the normal TMI format that happens with True Crime books, where we know everything about every single player in the story.
But along with telling the story of Petoit, we also get the story of the Nazi occupation of Paris. This is a lot of information that I didn't know, because while I enjoyed my history classes, I didn't retain all that much information.
The story itself is absolutely heartbreaking. The author does a really amazing job of pointing out that Petoit didn't genuinely get a fair trial, but he also makes it known that yeah, this guy was guilty as hell.
The idea of these people thinking they were escaping this horrible life, only to be murdered by this horrible monster. It's just absolutely heartbreaking.
Also? Didn't know the guillotine was used in Paris until 1977. Wow.
This was a surprisingly good book. It opens with so much rich information that really keeps the interest, but as the story progresses, it starts to slow down. The book is weighed down with the normal TMI format that happens with True Crime books, where we know everything about every single player in the story.
But along with telling the story of Petoit, we also get the story of the Nazi occupation of Paris. This is a lot of information that I didn't know, because while I enjoyed my history classes, I didn't retain all that much information.
The story itself is absolutely heartbreaking. The author does a really amazing job of pointing out that Petoit didn't genuinely get a fair trial, but he also makes it known that yeah, this guy was guilty as hell.
The idea of these people thinking they were escaping this horrible life, only to be murdered by this horrible monster. It's just absolutely heartbreaking.
Also? Didn't know the guillotine was used in Paris until 1977. Wow.
elisebrancheau's review
3.0
Very interesting story, although I felt rather unsatisfied with the ending; of course this is nonfiction so the ending couldn't really be different. I also got a bit lost amongst all the French names and multiple characters, but all in all, a good story.
fistpuncher's review
3.0
While I thought the topic was fascinating, I felt the author tried too hard at times to create excitement and intrigue in areas that it did not naturally exist. I'm fine if the plot gets dull at times - it can't be non-stop from start to finish.
All in all and interested read if you enjoy a combination of world history and serial killing.
All in all and interested read if you enjoy a combination of world history and serial killing.
erboe501's review
3.0
Horrible to think that someone took such advantage of desperate refugees in Nazi-occupied Paris. This book taught me some interesting facts about Paris and WWII, in addition to the case that the book focuses on. Sometimes, however, I felt like King was going off on a tangent.
beastreader's review
3.0
I got a lot more then I bargained for in this book. Reading this book was like attending a history course. Which is not a bad thing, if you are a huge history buff. While, I did like learning about the Germans and the time of the Nazi-occupied Paris and World War II, there was only so much information I could stuiff in my brain before I just wanted to focus on the story of Dr Petiot. Which the story of Dr Petiot and the murders were an intriguing one. It was amazing how he was able to get away with his crimes for so long. It was not like he was really that careful. There were signs and witnessess. People were telling the cops but it seemed like they were sloppy in their job. Some of the cops were protecting Dr. Petiot due to his reputation and did not want to believe that he was a serial killer. The only persont that really fought for justice was Commissaire Massu. He learned just how much of a cover up there was during his investigation. This is how bad you know it is when during the trial the jury is handed a 135 question list for the twenty seven alleged victims. The twenty seven victim count is a low, low count. It was more like fifty to sixty or higher but there was just not enough evidence to prove that number.
The gas chamber that Dr. Petiot crafted and used to kill his victims was heinous. I can not imagine going to Dr. Petiot and trusting that he was going to help and then dying a painful, slow death. What is worse for me reading this book was the cover up that the cops did for Dr. Petiot. Knowing what he was doing and allowing it to go on for as long as it did. The only reason that Dr. Petiot was caught and finally stopped was due to a freak fire accident. If the fire had not happened then the cops would not have entered the building and seen all the mulitated body parts and gas chamber. Mr. King really did his research as it showed in this book. For anyone who enjoys a good nonfiction story about serial killers, WW II and history, then you will enjoy Death in the City of Light.
The gas chamber that Dr. Petiot crafted and used to kill his victims was heinous. I can not imagine going to Dr. Petiot and trusting that he was going to help and then dying a painful, slow death. What is worse for me reading this book was the cover up that the cops did for Dr. Petiot. Knowing what he was doing and allowing it to go on for as long as it did. The only reason that Dr. Petiot was caught and finally stopped was due to a freak fire accident. If the fire had not happened then the cops would not have entered the building and seen all the mulitated body parts and gas chamber. Mr. King really did his research as it showed in this book. For anyone who enjoys a good nonfiction story about serial killers, WW II and history, then you will enjoy Death in the City of Light.
jimmacsyr's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent book. The trio portion is. Little slow, but overall I enjoyed the book very much. Very twisted individual, and the trial reads like the transcript of some modern celebrity trials. I enjoyed the portions describing occupied France's atmosphere.