Paris. Forgotten archives. A secret correspondence signed by Victor Hugo.

When Élise Dumas discovers a bundle of letters hidden away in a private collection, she has no idea that her life is about to be turned upside down. The documents appear to be genuine. The handwriting, the phrasing, the paper: everything points to Victor Hugo. Yet no historian has ever mentioned this correspondence.

As she deciphers the letters, Élise uncovers a passionate and dangerous tale. In them, Hugo speaks of a clandestine love affair, a secret that had to be kept "in the shadows", and clues hidden behind mysterious symbols. Very quickly, the archivist realises that these letters are not merely a romantic revelation: they could contain a historical truth capable of shaking the literary world to its core.

But some people want to prevent this discovery.

Guided by fragments of coded texts, unpublished poems and cryptic references, Élise delves into a labyrinth where ambitious collectors, academic rivalries and secrets buried for over a century intersect.

Victor Hugo's Lost Letters is a literary and historical novel that blends suspense, intellectual inquiry and romantic emotion. Hichem Karoui skilfully recreates the atmosphere of Hugo's Paris whilst crafting a modern, fast-paced and immersive plot.

This novel will appeal to readers with a passion for historical secrets, the great figures of French literature and sophisticated cultural thrillers.

"A sophisticated thriller reminiscent of *The Da Vinci Code*, with a distinctly French elegance. Hichem Karoui pulls off the feat of turning archival research into a breathless race against time."

"A vibrant tribute to France's greatest writer. The plot is so well researched that you end up wondering where history ends and fiction begins. Absolutely captivating."