Ok - I had no idea what this book was about when I picked it up at the library used book sale. I only knew that the cover art was interesting (vaguely Matisse-like café scenes) and that I thought the title was great (I love the word "Brazen" - so evocative and sadly underused!). The opening scenes - an accident involving an explosion, flying shrapnel, and a wounded artist - suggested faint hints of The Gargoyle, which I loved. And then I kept reading. And realized I was WAY off. And then I looked the book up online and realized it was French erotic fiction - and then it all made a little more sense. It is a tale of obsession, but falls somewhat flat in both the erotic and the fictional aspects. After a somewhat enjoyable beginning, I rapidly found myself utterly indifferent to the fate of all of the characters and utterly disinterested in their sexcapades. Suffice to say I don't think this one quite lived up to the title - but I still think the title is great!