Book Review: The Lost Seigneur: A Chateau Laux Odyssey by David Loux

The Lost Seigneur: A Chateau Laux Odyssey 
By David Loux

Publication Date: This title is scheduled for release on October 7, 2025.

Publisher: Wire Gate Press

Page Length: 226

Genre: Historical Fiction

The Lost Seigneur is a sequel to award-winning Chateau Laux. Set in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, it is the story of Jean-Pierre du Laux, a nobleman in southern France, who was wrongfully imprisoned during a time of religious intolerance and subsequently endeavors to return to his family. Many years have passed since he saw them and any reunion would have been impossible, without the unlikely help of a youthful companion that he meets along the way.

“How dare you accost us? State your business!” he cried.

“I am Phillipe Neuve, in the service of Our Lord and Savior,” the cardinal said.

Guy gasped. “The Spaniard!”

Jean-Pierre’s skin crawled. Of course he had heard of the one they called the Spaniard, but he was supposed to be in Spain and not here. Surely the king had the Dragonnades to do his dirty work. He had no need to avail himself of the special talents of one of the Church’s inquisitors.

“Let us pass,” Jean-Pierre said, icily.

“I have no interest in your men.” The cardinal’s eyes lingered on Jean-Pierre. “They are free to go on their way while you and I have a word.” Slowly, as if each movement were the result of careful thought, he reined his horse around and waited.

Jean-Pierre should have known better than to believe a word Cardinal Philippe Neuve said. Now, his men are dead, and he is imprisoned. Charged with no crime and left to rot in a cell, Jean-Pierre feels the despair of his situation sink in. Surely someone would notice he was missing? 

Despite countless searches, there was no sign of Jean-Pierre; it was as if he had vanished. Many years later, an old man is found in a lonely cell. Could this be the Jean-Pierre who went missing all those years ago?

“The Lost Seigneur: A Chateau Laux Odyssey” by David Loux is a heartbreaking tale that explores the journey of a family fractured by circumstances beyond their control. As they navigate the shadows of separation, the narrative unfolds with rich emotion, capturing the essence of love, the depths of loss, and the transformative power of healing.

The picturesque rural landscape of France comes to life with strikingly vivid descriptions of winding roads, lush vegetation, and the ever-shifting light that dances across the horizon. The author skilfully engages all the senses, weaving a rich tapestry that immerses the reader in a world that feels intensely real and palpable. As the narrative shifts to the New World, the story transports us to the untamed beauty of Penn’s Woods, where the chorus of rustling leaves encapsulates the raw and primal essence of nature that still thrives in this vast, verdant expanse. Yet, beneath the surface, there lies a profound sadness, an enveloping darkness that permeates both countries. This weighty atmosphere compels the reader to pause and reflect, pondering whether it is the land itself that exudes such sombreness, or the haunting echoes of events that have forever shaped its history. The shadows cast by the past linger like ghosts, inviting contemplation and evoking a deep sense of melancholy.

Like innocent lambs led to the slaughter, the Cathars were cast into fierce flames, their rich spiritual legacy nearly extinguished by the merciless hand of the Catholic Church. In the wake of this brutal persecution, a resilient few emerged from the smouldering embers, choosing to live in the hidden corners of society, where they could secretly preserve and share their profound teachings. Among them was Jean-Pierre’s beautiful wife, Eleanor, who bore the weight of her lineage with grace. With Jean-Pierre’s influential position at court, he believed Eleanor was shielded from the insidious whispers of danger. However, the moment the Sun King commanded the Dragonnades to invade the homes of Protestant believers, and billet there, a chilling dread settled in Jean-Pierre’s heart. He feared that his beloved wife’s secret could be exposed at any moment. In a poignant farewell, he embraced Eleanor and their young son, vowing to protect them before he embarked on his journey to Versailles. But fate took a cruel turn; Jean-Pierre never reached the grand palace. Instead, he found himself ensnared in the clutches of Philippe Neuve, a Spanish cardinal notorious for his ruthless methods—the Inquisition had identified its next victim. The portrayal of religious persecution unfolds with masterful detail, revealing an unsettling array of anguish that befalls the characters in this narrative, encasing them in layers of suffering, whether directly or indirectly, leaving an indelible mark on the reader’s heart. Consequently, certain scenes in this novel are profoundly unsettling, evoking a whirlwind of emotions that can leave readers teetering on the edge of tears. As such, it’s essential to keep a box of tissues close by, ready to catch the surge of feelings that may well spill over.

Jean-Pierre is a character who quickly garners the readers’ sympathy. A devoted husband and father, he is a loyal subject to the grand ambitions of King Louis XIV. Blessed with affluence, he commands his own band of men-at-arms, embodying strength and responsibility while nurturing his son for the day he will inherit the family legacy. However, this idyllic life is tragically shattered by the malevolent Cardinal Philippe Neuve, whose cruelty is beyond human understanding. The psychological torment that Jean-Pierre experiences is nothing short of a nightmare. Confined in a dark, damp cell, he is plagued by uncertainty, haunted by the question of what has become of his beloved wife and child. This hellish isolation is unlike any other, as he grapples with despair. Yet, amid the depths of his suffering, a flicker of hope remains alive within him—a desperate yearning to reunite with his family and reclaim the love that has been cruelly snatched away. Jean-Pierre’s descent into despair and his gradual recovery after he is discovered almost by accident by the commis de police many years later is convincingly portrayed. His reaction to seeing daylight for the first time in years—a painful reminder of all he has endured—deepens the emotional weight of his rescue. Now, he must find his missing family and piece together the fragments of his heart, if such a thing is even possible. Jean-Pierre brings profound emotional resonance to the story. He is a man utterly broken, yet he demonstrates an insurmountable strength in his time of suffering. When he is finally freed, the shadows of his past do not release him, and he must learn to live in a world that is now foreign to him.

Gabriel is a richly layered character—a young thief fuelled by an insatiable desire for revenge, yet harbouring an unexpected well of empathy and kindness within him. Like Jean-Pierre, he bears the scars of suffering inflicted by the church, a shadowy entity from which he has finally managed to escape. When Gabriel first encounters Jean-Pierre on the dusty road, he is struck by the sight of the old man—hunched and weary, with a face etched by hardships. In that moment, Gabriel’s innate compassion rises to the surface. With a gentle gesture, he shares what little food he has, a humble offering that speaks volumes about his character and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Compelled by an emotional bond he doesn’t understand, Gabriel decides to accompany Jean-Pierre on a journey back to the remnants of what he once called home. Despite his dark past—a turbulent legacy of suffering and forced servitude—Gabriel is a resilient child yearning for freedom and redemption. As the narrative unfolds, we gradually uncover the layers of Gabriel’s troubled history, revealing how such a gentle soul found himself wandering a road alongside Jean-Pierre. His kindness towards this stranger illuminates the depth of his character, making it impossible not to love Gabriel. In a world that has shown him so much cruelty, his capacity for tenderness offers a glimmer of hope and humanity. The portrayal of Gabriel comes with unexpected twists that catch the reader off guard, revealing layers of his character that were previously hidden. These surprising developments deepen our understanding of him, allowing us to grasp the complexities and nuances that define his personality.

The story shifts many times between the narrative of Jean-Pierre’s capture and the struggles of his grown grandchildren. Loux skilfully employs descriptive passages to establish a sense of time and place without disrupting the narrative’s momentum.

The historical detail in this novel is truly remarkable. The countless hours of meticulous research that Loux has poured into this work are evident in the captivating narrative and the shimmering clarity of the prose. Reading this book feels like a journey back in time, immersing the reader in a vivid world rife with intense religious conflict and complex political ideologies, where each page offers a glimpse into the struggles and passions of a bygone era.

“The Lost Seigneur: A Château Laux Odyssey” by David Loux is a mesmerising journey that ensnares readers right from the opening line, drawing them into a meticulously crafted tale of emotional depth. This captivating story unfolds the delicate dance between loss and redemption, illuminating the beauty found in mending what has been broken. Each turn of the page reveals layers of mystery and wonder, gripping the imagination with an irresistible force that holds you captive until the very last haunting punctuation, leaving an echo of its tale long after the final words have been read.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde

The Coffee Pot Book Club

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*This title is scheduled for release on October 7, 2025

David Loux

David Loux is a short story writer who has published under pseudonym and served as past board member of California Poets in the Schools. Chateau Laux is his first novel. He lives in the Eastern Sierra with his wife, Lynn.

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