Reviews

Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge

honey_coated_chapters's review

°:. *₊ ° . ° .•

𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 1/5

𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔: 304 

𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: cozy mystery 

𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆: History with a dash of cooking. Or if you appreciate talks of the world war, spies and espionage. 

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I’m not even sure where to start. First off, why is Julia Child in this book? I know that she was a spy, but spoiler alert that never comes to light in this book and it’s not common knowledge so 98% of readers aren’t in on the possible implication. This read like a middle school play, it was all really silly and juvenile. The main character has some serious pick me energy because she consistently refers back to her time working on planes during the war and how she’s so sMAlL and PeTiTe and TiNy and everyone underestimates her. She is insanely stupid and puts herself in danger just to be like “I’m not a part of this” and then proceeds to be a part of it. The plot was super flimsy and the motive for murder was lackluster at best. The potential suspects were hardly introduced and when they were it was with as little detail as possible so I ultimately couldn’t think it was anyone other than who it ended up being. Because he was really the main focus. The author tried to sway us other directions but that lasted all of 2 sentences. It was really so stupid. 

jenbo's review

adventurous dark funny informative lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sarabookdragon's review

3.0

PROS:
✔️ cozy mystery thriller, with a side plot related to cooking and the kitchen!
✔️ The murder mystery was deeper than expected for a cozy read of such
✔️ Several suspects, with a red flag I tagged early, but good reveal and unexpected suspects resurfacing
✔️ The action-packed scene toward the end was satisfying, and a couple other more in the book were page-turner
✔️ The incorporation of French terms was so cute (I love French) and made me smile every time

gwhitew's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

lindsey123's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

tiffschwartz's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 rounded up

aelane23's review

3.0

3.75 stars.

ellie31773's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

jaxofspades's review

lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I thought the premise was charming, and I for sure want to go to Paris and eat French food. I also started watching Julia’s Child’s cooking show, which is just delightful. The mystery aspect I thought was just okay, though there was a fun twist at the end. MC was fun, and writing was engaging. I wish the book was less confident in its charm and wit, which might have increased both. 

smrankin5's review

In the end I could not imagine this being alongside Julia Child