From the author of The Red Notebook, described as 'Parisian perfection' by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, The Readers' Room is a thrilling murder mystery set in the world of publishing.

‘The plot blends mystery with comedy to great effect’– Daily Mail

When the manuscript of a debut crime novel arrives at a Parisian publishing house, everyone in the readers’ room is convinced it’s something special. And the committee for France’s highest literary honour, the Prix Goncourt, agrees. 

But when the shortlist is announced, there’s a problem for editor Violaine Lepage: she has no idea of the author’s identity. As the police begin to investigate a series of murders strangely reminiscent of those recounted in the book, Violaine is not the only one looking for answers. And, suffering memory blanks following an aeroplane accident, she’s beginning to wonder what role she might play in the story ... 

Antoine Laurain, bestselling author of The Red Notebook, combines intrigue and charm in this dazzling novel of mystery, love and the power of books.

A Parisian editor is drawn into a murder investigation when an unknown thriller author is shortlisted for a prize.

‘The plot blends mystery with comedy to great effect, and, as ever, Laurain has fun at the expense of his countrymen’ Daily Mail 

‘A stylish whodunnit blended with an affectionate send-up of the world of books’ Sunday Mirror 

‘[An] elegantly written little gem… the whole thing is such fun’ The Big Issue 

‘Laurain has spun a fantastically intricate web here, where the smallest detail could be significant, and, no matter how sure you are that you’ve grasped it, he is one step ahead. Joyously far-fetched and metafictional’ The Herald 

‘A profound love of books and authors underpins this sprightly mystery’ Publishers Weekly

‘The Reader's Room is a genuine masterpiece of literary mystery.’ Mystery Scene Magazine 

‘Replete with treats for bibliophiles and armchair vigilantes alike, The Readers’ Room is an engrossing mystery novel that plumbs the writing process for its most dangerous potential.’ Foreword Reviews

Praise for Antoine Laurain:

'Clever, funny ... a masterpiece of Parisian perfection' HRH The Duchess of Cornwall 

‘The very quintessence of French romance’ The Times

‘A hymn to la vie Parisienne… enjoy it for its fabulistic narrative, and the way it teeters pleasantly on the edge of Gallic whimsy’ The Guardian

'A short, beautifully written evocation of Paris' Financial Times

'Like finding a gem among the bric-a-brac in a local brocante' The Telegraph

‘Soaked in Parisian atmosphere, this lovely, clever, funny novel will have you rushing to the Eurostar post-haste… A gem’ Daily Mail

'Delightfully nostalgic escapism' Sunday Mirror

‘Tender and charming ... with characteristic Gallic flair' Foreword Reviews

‘Guaranteed fun’ Publishers Weekly

‘A real tonic for the soul' NB

'Like fine wine, Laurain’s novels get better with each one he writes' Phaedra Patrick, author of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper

‘As inventive and perceptive as you could wish for’ Max Easterman, European Literature Network

'Warm-hearted and witty ... both effortlessly readable and charmingly profound' CultureFly

'Someone can always come along and make our world a lot more perfect than before. One such is M Laurain himself, for he really is most readable, warm-hearted and enjoyable' The Book Bag