City of Light, Lauren Belfer
City of Light, Lauren Belfer
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City of Light

Author: Lauren Belfer

Narrator: Jan Maxwell

Abridged: 6 hr 7 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/05/2000

Synopsis

NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • “Breathtaking . . . a remarkable blend of murder mystery, love story, political intrigue, and tragedy of manners.”—USA Today

The year is 1901. Buffalo, New York, is poised for glory. With its booming industry and newly electrified streets, Buffalo is a model for the century just beginning.

Louisa Barrett has made this dazzling city her home. Headmistress of Buffalo’s most prestigious school, Louisa is at ease in a world of men, protected by the titans of her city. But nothing prepares her for a startling discovery: evidence of a murder tied to the city’s cathedral-like power plant at nearby Niagara Falls. This shocking crime—followed by another mysterious death—will ignite an explosive chain of events. For in this city of seething intrigue and dazzling progress, a battle rages among politicians, power brokers, and industrialists for control of Niagara. And one extraordinary woman in their midst must protect a dark secret that implicates them all. . . .

About The Author

Lauren Belfer grew up in Buffalo, New York. She received her M.F.A. in fiction from Columbia University in New York City, where she now lives with her husband and son. City of Light is her first novel.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Lorin

City of Light This is Lauren Lefler’s first novel, and it’s easy to see why it won so many plaudits. (I’m reading it because I was so impressed by her second novel.) Her protagonist, Louisa Barrett, is the headmistress of a school for girls in Buffalo, NY, in 1901. The city is on the verge of hosting......more

Goodreads review by Tim

Meh. I really wanted to like this, but it was a struggle. First, history isn't so much inter-weaved as it is patched on. It's jarring to just have historical anecdotes thrown in like footnotes that don't know their place. Things like (not an actual example): We went to X park, designed by Frederick......more

Goodreads review by Angela

I love this book for two reasons; it takes place where I grew up in Buffalo, NY, and because I have a particular interest in this era. The detail and historical references of the city of Buffalo take me to the time when our city was bustling with richness and possibilities while preparing for the Pa......more

Quotes

“Suspenseful…A historical novel of high intrigue.”
--People

 “Get your hands on City of Light, a full-to-the-brim first novel…a straight-through, sleepless read.”
--Time

  “A big novel, full of electricity…Niagara Falls, with currents of romance, suspense and history, cascades through City of Light…
a pleasure to read.”
--The Oregonian (Portland)

“Breathtaking...a remarkable blend of murder mystery, love story, political intrigue and tragedy of manners.”
--USA Today

“An ingenious first novel…alive with historical figures who mingle seamlessly with fictional characters.”
--The New York Times Book Review

“Wonderful…part murder mystery, part love story.”
--Chicago Tribune

A New York Times Notable Book
A Main Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club

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