Murder at Cirey
(2026)(The first book in the Victor Constant Investigations series)
A novel by Cheryl Sawyer
A thrilling European crime caper! Perfect for fans of Andrew Taylor, S. G. MacLean, Michael Jecks and Laura Shepherd-Robinson.
What dark secrets lurk behind the peaceful facade…?
1735
When a handsome young man is shot dead on an estate in the picturesque Champagne region of France, Victor Constant, a military policeman, is determined to find out why.
But no one else, including the local magistrate, seems willing to penetrate the mystery of this brutal death.
Alone and against orders, Victor confronts the notorious free-thinker, Voltaire, who found the body.
But his questions bring him no closer to the truth.
And when a second murder occurs, Victor’s task becomes doubly dangerous…
Can he expose the conspiracy behind these crimes? Will he bring the real killer to justice?
If not, he risks not only his military career, but his life…
MURDER AT CIREY is the first historical murder mystery in the Victor Constant Investigations Series: 18th-century crime thrillers set in the Champagne region of France.
‘Sawyer has created a winning character in the obstinate Constant. Her experience as a historical researcher shines through… A promising start in a new direction featuring a headstrong but street-smart detective.’ — Kirkus Reviews
‘The story dazzles and beguiles and the setting is pitch-perfect.’ — Peter Lovesey, author of the Peter Diamond Mysteries
‘This is historical fiction writing at its very best. Astonishingly vivid: transports you instantly back in time — a wonderful evocation of the period.’ — Peter James, author of the Roy Grace Mysteries
‘a very accomplished novel… Cheryl Sawyer weaves an excellent story and creates fabulous characters that stay with you long after you finish the book… I am glad to have known Victor Constant and I will look out for more of him in the future.’ — Historical Novel Society
THE VICTOR CONSTANT INVESTIGATIONS SERIES:
BOOK ONE: Murder at Cirey
Genre: Historical
What dark secrets lurk behind the peaceful facade…?
1735
When a handsome young man is shot dead on an estate in the picturesque Champagne region of France, Victor Constant, a military policeman, is determined to find out why.
But no one else, including the local magistrate, seems willing to penetrate the mystery of this brutal death.
Alone and against orders, Victor confronts the notorious free-thinker, Voltaire, who found the body.
But his questions bring him no closer to the truth.
And when a second murder occurs, Victor’s task becomes doubly dangerous…
Can he expose the conspiracy behind these crimes? Will he bring the real killer to justice?
If not, he risks not only his military career, but his life…
MURDER AT CIREY is the first historical murder mystery in the Victor Constant Investigations Series: 18th-century crime thrillers set in the Champagne region of France.
‘Sawyer has created a winning character in the obstinate Constant. Her experience as a historical researcher shines through… A promising start in a new direction featuring a headstrong but street-smart detective.’ — Kirkus Reviews
‘The story dazzles and beguiles and the setting is pitch-perfect.’ — Peter Lovesey, author of the Peter Diamond Mysteries
‘This is historical fiction writing at its very best. Astonishingly vivid: transports you instantly back in time — a wonderful evocation of the period.’ — Peter James, author of the Roy Grace Mysteries
‘a very accomplished novel… Cheryl Sawyer weaves an excellent story and creates fabulous characters that stay with you long after you finish the book… I am glad to have known Victor Constant and I will look out for more of him in the future.’ — Historical Novel Society
THE VICTOR CONSTANT INVESTIGATIONS SERIES:
BOOK ONE: Murder at Cirey
Genre: Historical
Used availability for Cheryl Sawyer's Murder at Cirey