"The Black Tower" weaves history and fiction together in the trademark style -- linguistic brio, a slickly unfolding plot, a raft of colorful characters -- that has propelled Bayard's work into the upper reaches of the historical-thriller league."
--Washington Post


"Louis Bayard finds fictional inspiration in historical fact. He has emerged as a writer of historical thrillers in the vein of Caleb Carr, author of The Alienist, and 19th century writers such as Alexandre Dumas, author of The Count of Monte Christo."
—Wall Street Journal


"Louis Bayard repairs to Paris for another daring historical adventure. Bayard makes brilliant application of Vidocq in the fanciful adventure. No snatch–and–run researcher, Bayard takes care to capture Vidocq’s roguish voice and grandiose affectations."
—New York Times Book Review


"A compelling and sympathetic narrator instantly draws the reader into Bayard’s stellar third historical. Bayard keeps the reader guessing until the end. Few writers today can match the author’s skill in devising an intelligent thriller with heart."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review


"Having previously channeled Dickens and Poe, historical novelist Bayard throws down the gauntlet to Dumas in another high-energy melodrama. The novel’s witty succession of trapdoor endings, culminating in 'the quietest of abdications,' keeps surprising us. Who says they don’t write ‘em like this anymore? Long may Bayard reign."
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review


"Delicious. [Bayard] inbues(s) his characters with real soul. You may find yourself, more than two centuries after the fact, aching over the fate of the pitiful young Dauphin. A-"
—Entertainment Weekly


"Black Tower is dark, often funny, suprising and...a lean and accessible historical thriller"
- Newsday