Fabric stores are not normally known as hotspots of violent crime, even in Paris. Unless it’s a fabric store in the fiction of Lalie Walker, who has set her fictional thriller, Aux Malheurs des Dames in a fabric store in Paris. Unfortunately for Ms Walker, the fabric store she depicts is recognisably the most famous fabric destination in Paris and one of the most famous fabric stores in the world, the Marche Saint Pierre, Montmartre. Unfortunately because, the fabric dealers are not amused by her tale of a crazed killer, voodoo and mayhem among the fabric and textiles and they are taking action. They are demanding €2 million (£1.8m) in damages, claiming defermation.
The novelist is said to be “flabbergasted” and claims she ” … wrote the novel from an affectionate point of view.”
The “Kingdom of Fabric” owners, Village d’Orsel, claim that the thriller tarnishes its image. Robert Gabbay, director of Marche Saint Pierre, said that the business is a registered trademark. “No one can have anything to do with or talk about the Marche Saint Pierre without the permission of the owner and directors,” he claimed.
Ms Walker’s publisher, Francois Besse of Parigramme said: ” … the claims were unfair, abusive and crazy”. Emmanuel Pierrat, Parigramme’s lawyer added ” … the Louvre has not sued Dan Brown over his portrayal of a crazed killer committing murder in the museum in his book, The Da Vinci Code”.
Walker said she was shocked. ” … It means that every time you want to write a fiction you have to ask permission of the owners of the place,” she said. Adding: ” … it represents a big threat to our liberty.”
Life can be so much stranger than fiction.
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