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mindyt's review
3.0
Maybe a 3.5. I love these books for their quick easy read with good mysteries and fun characters.
softasapanda's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
agmaynard's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Narrated valiantly by Carine Montbertrand, at least the handful of French words and place names sounded authentic. Ridiculous, cliched writing accompanying a TSTL MC that occasionally remembers she has a four-month-🫥old at home. Sense of place seemed more in keeping with short visits to Paris, photographs, and the like. Suitable for an insomnia listen but not much more, except for unbelieving guffaws now and again.
usbsticky's review against another edition
4.0
There are 17 books in this series but this is the first one I've read. Unfortunately this book refers a lot to past events, none of which I know anything about and which left me baffled. Because of this, I would strongly recommend any new readers read the earlier books first.
What I like about this book were the characters, the French setting and the style of writing. The writing was easy to read and follow and I got into the book right away. I loved the characters; the author did a great job of bring the main characters to life and I enjoyed following them. I also loved the Parisian setting and the little details that made the story background come to life.
What I didn't like that much was the plot. There were two plots, the one with the college and the one with the war criminal. I didn't think either one was that exciting and the college one kind of fizzled out at the end. I think the author would have done better with sticking to one plot and developing it better. And on top of that, there was the background life of the recurring characters, so it was a lot of story to fit into a shortish book.
I would read another one of this series because of the things I liked about it but it wasn't a great thriller or mystery story. I would give this book about 3.5 stars.
I got this book free as an ARC.
What I like about this book were the characters, the French setting and the style of writing. The writing was easy to read and follow and I got into the book right away. I loved the characters; the author did a great job of bring the main characters to life and I enjoyed following them. I also loved the Parisian setting and the little details that made the story background come to life.
What I didn't like that much was the plot. There were two plots, the one with the college and the one with the war criminal. I didn't think either one was that exciting and the college one kind of fizzled out at the end. I think the author would have done better with sticking to one plot and developing it better. And on top of that, there was the background life of the recurring characters, so it was a lot of story to fit into a shortish book.
I would read another one of this series because of the things I liked about it but it wasn't a great thriller or mystery story. I would give this book about 3.5 stars.
I got this book free as an ARC.
sarahlisbeth84's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable read, and I'd read more by this author, but the constant use of French phrases annoyed me. It's a silly writing gimmick.
nonna7's review against another edition
4.0
This book, published in 2017, brings Aimee back to the current year in her life of 1999. She is a single mother running her combination computer security and detective business and finding it hard to keep her life balanced even though she has an able partner with Rene. Aimee is currently working on the contract with Ecole des Beaux-Artes which is having computer issues. She is trying to keep her mind on the job despite the fact that she has been told that her godfather, Morbier, is dying. He was part of the group that framed her father's reputation and had him killed. She refuses to see him despite his pleas. Then out of the blue an old friend, Suzanne, who is part of an elite army organization asks for her help. She has seen a ghost - a Serbian murderer and rapist who was supposed to have been blown apart in a bombing. Her superior have consigned her to a desk job because they believe it is PTSD at work. She asks Aimee to find him. Aimee is sure that it is PTSD until other members of Suzanne's team start dying in odd ways. I guess the only complain I had was that the whole Suzanne end of the story was left dangling. Suzanne is supposed to be first in a desk job and then there are noises as if she is in some kind of operation. Then she's been sent to a rehab hospital where she is placed under wraps. It was an interesting storyline though. I recently read a mystery by a Canadian author that also uses the era of the Serbian conflict and disintegration of Yugoslavia as a backdrop for the story. Since this is a period I particularly remember as being so incredibly sad and really unnecessary, it's interesting to see it replayed in the form of fiction.
So I have two more: Murder On The Left Bank from 2018 and Murder In Bel-Air from 2019. She has a new one coming out called Three Hours In Paris which takes place in 1940 and features a new character. I wonder if that means the end of Aimee. I hope not. I've really come to enjoy Aimee's romps around Paris on her untrustworthy Italian motor scooter!
So I have two more: Murder On The Left Bank from 2018 and Murder In Bel-Air from 2019. She has a new one coming out called Three Hours In Paris which takes place in 1940 and features a new character. I wonder if that means the end of Aimee. I hope not. I've really come to enjoy Aimee's romps around Paris on her untrustworthy Italian motor scooter!
pageturner_swiper's review
3.0
A bit too much in the branding department: I put on my Louboutin sandals, freshened my face with my Guerlain facial hydration cream, packed everything in my Gucci bag that I got at a flea market.
Other than that, it was OK.
Other than that, it was OK.
ndobson71's review
5.0
I love Aimee! To be honest, I can't remember most of the cases she investigates, but I thoroughly enjoy the development of her character and the people she cares about: Rene, Chloe, Martine, Morbier, etc. Great pacing, details, dialogue, and setting in this book, as always. I'm always happy when there is another book to read. I'll be sad when I reach the end.
betsy512's review
4.0
I like series more and more with each book. Fast-paced, interesting cultural details and I like the protagonist more with each adventure. I think I like her much more since she became a mother as it seems to have given her some depth and texture she lacked before that.
Don't start with this book; start with Book One. Or even, Book Ten.
Recommend if you like: Paris, adventure, intrigue, introspective female protagonist, 20th century Balkan history.
Don't start with this book; start with Book One. Or even, Book Ten.
Recommend if you like: Paris, adventure, intrigue, introspective female protagonist, 20th century Balkan history.
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