Death in the City of Light

The Serial Killer of Nazi-Occupied Paris

By: David King

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 13 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Death in the City of Light is the gripping, true story of a brutal serial killer who unleashed his own reign of terror in Nazi-Occupied Paris. As decapitated heads and dismembered body parts surfaced in the Seine, Commissaire Georges-Victor Massu, head of the Brigade Criminelle, was tasked with tracking down the elusive murderer in a twilight world of Gestapo, gangsters, resistance fighters, pimps, prostitutes, spies, and other shadowy figures of the Parisian underworld.

The main suspect was Dr. Marcel Petiot, a handsome, charming physician with remarkable charisma. He was the “People’s Doctor,” known for his many acts of kindness and generosity, not least in providing free medical care for the poor. Petiot, however, would soon be charged with twenty-seven murders, though authorities suspected the total was considerably higher, perhaps even as many as 150.

Who was being slaughtered, and why? Was Petiot a sexual sadist, as the press suggested, killing for thrills? Was he allied with the Gestapo, or, on the contrary, the French Resistance? Or did he work for no one other than himself? Trying to solve the many mysteries of the case, Massu would unravel a plot of unspeakable deviousness. When Petiot was finally arrested, the French police hoped for answers.

But the trial soon became a circus. Attempting to try all twenty-seven cases at once, the prosecution stumbled in its marathon cross-examinations, and Petiot, enjoying the spotlight, responded with astonishing ease. His attorney, René Floriot, a rising star in the world of criminal defense, also effectively, if aggressively, countered the charges. Soon, despite a team of prosecuting attorneys, dozens of witnesses, and over one ton of evidence, Petiot’s brilliance and wit threatened to win the day.

Drawing extensively on many new sources, including the massive, classified French police file on Dr. Petiot, Death in the City of Light is a brilliant evocation of Nazi-Occupied Paris and a harrowing exploration of murder, betrayal, and evil of staggering proportions.

©2011 Paul Michael (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Erik Larson's tour de force of narrative nonfiction hasn't been matched - until now… While this work is painstaking in its research, it still has the immediacy and gasp power of a top-notch thriller. True-crime at its best.” ( Booklist)

“A gripping story…this fascinating, often painful account combines a police procedural with a vivid historical portrait of culture and law enforcement in Nazi-occupied France.”( Publishers Weekly)

“Gripping….expertly written and completely absorbing” Kirkus Reviews)

Full face masks and other details

While I enjoy an information-packed historical horror as much as the next person, this way REALLY LONG and could have been better had it been edited. Also, I love me some Law & Order SVU, but there were many long, graphic descriptions that I struggled with. It is an interesting book, but not great. I was generous with the review because it wasn't out and out terrible (see my review of Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter if you want to read about a truly terrible book).

This is Not a Novel

Everyone going in should be forewarned- this is not a novel. This is a very historical telling of a fascinating story, that sometimes goes off-track and loses the main story. Also my biggest pet peeve is people speaking English but with the accent of the country in which the story is taking place... like, these people are French, they wouldn't be speaking English with a French accent. That's probably a personal problem though. The book is good but very long and sometimes tedious. Clearly exceptionally researched; I learned a lot!

Terrifying true story

Good insight into occupied and post liberation Paris - while describing a monster's deeds that reflected Nazi terrors

Not quite as described but...

I enjoyed this book. It did have its dry moments, but overall it was a good listen. This is a good one to listen to as long as there isn't anything else commanding your attention as it has a large number of facts introduced in clumps.

I was not a fan of the French voices the author gave the people, I understand it takes place in France, but it would have been easier to understand, and less choppy, if he had just kept the same accent through the entire book. It made them into caricatures.

I found it interesting that you knew he did the murders from the beginning. It made the book interesting to see the twists and turns and deceptive traits of Petiot throughout the entire investigation and trial.

Better to read

This is a fascinating story which I was already familiar with, so the shock value wasn't there for me. Also, there is an incredible amount of detail so I think it would have been easier to keep it straight if I was reading the book rather than listening to it.

A compelling story

Yet another story that occurred during WW2 and one that needs to be told about the evil that lurks. The author does a very good job of keeping the reader engaged since we already know the killer.

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even the reader's voice added to this historical gem. I would expect Hollywood to jump on this story. Make the investment of 1 credit for this audio book. Well worth it and very entertaining!

Totally Engrossing. Could not put it down.

This is one of the best true crime fictions I have ever listened to. It was spellbinding. And of course there was a nice amount of history added about the resistance movement, trials of collaborators, and the liberation of Paris itself in 1944 It is a shame that we have so few true crime stories which take place in Europe.

The book really depicts the occuption of Paris and what it was like for the inhabitants. It demonstrates how easy it was for Petiot to dupe people into believing he was letting them escape and then murdering them.

The opening part of the book where the police finally discover the horror ot the Rue le Sueur with all the dismembered body parts and furnace going full blast. I am surprised that a man who evaded capture for so long was so stupid as to attempt to burn the body parts in the basement and think he would not get caught.

It is truly an amazing story and what is more amazing was that they actually discovered the identity of some of the victims and so were able to try and convict Petiot.

The reader is excellent and has good French pronounciation. Readers will not be disappointed in this book. It is one of the best true crime stories I have read. it is remakably complex as there is no way of knowing how many victims there really were. He apparently started murdering people back in the 1920's and it is amazing that it took over 20 years for the law to catch up with him.

Amazing - - Listen to This Book!

This may be the most important book I've listened to in 2018. Incredible story. It gives solid credence to the saying "Truth is stranger than fiction!" You must listen to this book!

a superb work that demands greater exploration

It is a fascinating tale that deserves further exploration in a TV series. the setting and cast of characters intrigue the listener. I listened to this audio book 2x.