Murder in Paris '68

A True Story of Death and Glamour

Edward Chisholm

A riveting true crime investigation into the 1960s Parisian underworld and an unsolved murder that brought the country to its knees.

An intimate, shocking true story from the Parisian demi-monde of the 1960s, Murder in Paris ’68 evokes an era when the high-life and the low-life went hand in hand. It was a time when the French New Wave of cinema was taking the world by storm, a time of glamour, sports cars, casinos, and night clubs—and at the heart of it all, the man of the moment, the enigmatic film star Alain Delon, dubbed "the most beautiful man in the world."

With a shady past and a taste for bad company and high-living, Delon lived on the edge. But when a dead body turns up in the outskirts of Paris that turns out to be Stevan Markovic, Delon's friend, “bodyguard,” and associate, questions begin to be asked. That Delon shot to stardom playing Tom Ripley with all those stylish and murderous associations does not go unnoticed. Is art imitating life or is life imitating art? What is Delon involved in? And who was Stevan Markovic?

In an exceptionally skilful and highly readable work of narrative nonfiction, Edward Chisholm uses his own detailed in-depth research to weave the reader into an intimate patchwork of events as they unfold, submersing us in 1960s Paris. And as we meet the characters—actresses, directors, petty criminals, state prosecutors, high-level gangsters, star-struck policemen, compromised politicians—we witness what became to be known as The Markovic Affair from the inside, as it spirals out of control and not only pulls down Alain Delon, but everyone within his orbit.

Edward Chisholm was born in England and moved to Paris after graduating from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. A resident in the City of Lights for seven years, Chisholm spent the first four of them working all manner of low-paid restaurant jobs, from waiting and bartending, while trying to build a career as a writer. Now Chisholm makes a living as a freelance writer. His work has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, and the Financial Times magazine. He lives in England.

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Endorsements & Reviews

Praise for Edward Chisholm’s A Waiter in Paris:

"Mr. Chisholm’s story is immersive and often thrilling. The book is an amalgamation of his experiences in Paris, where he spent four years working various waiting and bar jobs while trying to make it as a writer. By all accounts he learned the métier and was a capable waiter. He’s a fine writer.” Benjamin Shull, The Wall Street Journal

“A portrait of Paris is painted by a waiter in this candid memoir that forces you to take off your rose-colored glasses to see the complicated truth of the city. Behind the allure of luxury, behind the romance and charm, Edward Chisholm can see Paris for what she truly is during his time as a waiter. As he exposes the realities behind a Parisian restaurant’s ‘luxurious calm,’ he exposes the city of love as well.” Town & Country

“Chisholm’s fortitude in the face of hot-headed, violent chefs and infernal fourteen-hour days without breaks in pursuit of his goal is admirable, and makes for compelling reading. An entertaining and enlightening memoir.” The Times Literary Supplement

"A Dickensian tale of a young man’s trial by fire in a French bistro gives rise to biting commentary on Parisian culture in Chisholm’s intoxicating debut. Chisholm renders the City of Light in vivid scenes of squalor and splendor. Bittersweet and enchanting, this serves as a potent look at the gritty underbelly of a glittering world.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An absorbing and moving inside look at a Parisian restaurant. Chisholm brings the restaurant world to life as he relates the stress, pressure, and anxiety felt by all the workers. Most poignant are his coworkers’ stories: they share their hopes and dreams with him. With this book, Chisholm has achieved his own dream to become a writer.” Library Journal

"Through Chisholm's punchy prose, readers will be taken through his whirlwind career filled with angry knife-wielding chefs, demanding customers, squalid living conditions and panic attacks.” Salon

"A Waiter In Paris is a searing account of what life is really like ‘at the bottom of the food chain,’ and Chisholm’s prose positively delights in describing the graffiti, sodden cardboard boxes and litter-strewn pavements.” The Daily Mail

“A young Englishman’s journey into the merciless world of Parisian restaurants is propulsive, harrowing, and expertly observed. I could practically smell the grease and feel his terror and—ironically—his hunger. I don’t think I’ll dine out in quite the same way again.” Pamela Druckerman, New York Times bestselling author of Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting

“Chisholm is a wonderful observer of people, of poverty, and of the French.” Simon Kuper, author of The Barcelona Complex and Spies, Lies, and Exile

“Vividly written and merciless in its detail. Paris and its pleasures always leave one wondering about the seamier side beneath the surface, and here it is. I’d advise readers to enjoy it somewhere warm and comfortable, and on no account to try it before a gastronomic weekend.” Edward Stourton, author, BBC broadcaster, journalist