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thefarmwifereads's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
suvata's review against another edition
5.0
#OUABC - May 2023 Box: (The Sleuth and the Chef) Mastering the Art of French Murder
EXCLUSIVE Once Upon a Book Club Experience Edition, including:
• A custom colorway dust jacket with exclusive detail
• A Gorgeous foiling on the fabric hard case
• Beautiful stenciled edges
• Stunning custom endpapers
• A custom signed bookplate from the author to match our edition
#OUABC 2023 Reading Challenge: 40 Prompts (40. A Book that taught you something new)
#StoryGraph: fiction mystery lighthearted mysterious cozy-mystery france historical-fiction
262 pages • first pub 2023 • 5 Stars
Set in the City of Light and starring Julia Child’s (fictional) best friend Andre fellow American, this magnifique new historical mystery series from the acclaimed author of Murder at Mallowan Hall combines a fresh perspective on the iconic chef’s years in post-WWII Paris with a delicious mystery and a unique culinary twist.
As Paris rediscovers its joie de vivre, a woman is on her own journey of discovery. Thanks to her neighbor and friend Julia Child, she is learning how to cook! Her sojourn is proving thoroughly delightful.
That is, until they learn that a body has been found in the cellar. The murder weapon found nearby is recognizable too -a knife from Julia's kitchen.
She is eager to help the investigation but is shocked when it is revealed that a note, in her handwriting, was found in the dead woman's pocket! Is this murder a case of international intrigue, or something far more personal? She navigates through the city hoping to find the real killer before she or one of her friends ends up in prison...or worse.
EXCLUSIVE Once Upon a Book Club Experience Edition, including:
• A custom colorway dust jacket with exclusive detail
• A Gorgeous foiling on the fabric hard case
• Beautiful stenciled edges
• Stunning custom endpapers
• A custom signed bookplate from the author to match our edition
#OUABC 2023 Reading Challenge: 40 Prompts (40. A Book that taught you something new)
#StoryGraph: fiction mystery lighthearted mysterious cozy-mystery france historical-fiction
262 pages • first pub 2023 • 5 Stars
Set in the City of Light and starring Julia Child’s (fictional) best friend Andre fellow American, this magnifique new historical mystery series from the acclaimed author of Murder at Mallowan Hall combines a fresh perspective on the iconic chef’s years in post-WWII Paris with a delicious mystery and a unique culinary twist.
As Paris rediscovers its joie de vivre, a woman is on her own journey of discovery. Thanks to her neighbor and friend Julia Child, she is learning how to cook! Her sojourn is proving thoroughly delightful.
That is, until they learn that a body has been found in the cellar. The murder weapon found nearby is recognizable too -a knife from Julia's kitchen.
She is eager to help the investigation but is shocked when it is revealed that a note, in her handwriting, was found in the dead woman's pocket! Is this murder a case of international intrigue, or something far more personal? She navigates through the city hoping to find the real killer before she or one of her friends ends up in prison...or worse.
thesubwayreader's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a solid start to a new cozy mystery series. Tabitha Knight was a Rosie the Riveter. She's good with her hands and with fixing things, but is a disaster in the kitchen. After the war ended, she was at a loose end, so she moved to Paris to stay with her Grand-pere and "uncle." I love that Julia Child is her neighbor, and so are the messieurs! When a woman is found dead in the cellar of Julia's building, you know that Tabitha is going to get involved.
A couple of things... First, if you don't like fictional accounts of actual people, then this story might not be for you. (I had Meryl Streep's Julia in my head while I was reading this. I also casted Anna Maxwell Martin as Tabitha... probably because of The Bletchley Circle.) Second thing, it's helpful if you know a little bit of French - not very much, but it will definitely help.
I thought the mystery part was pretty good. It wasn't difficult to figure out, but mostly satisfying. I found Tabitha blaming her "inner sprite" for her less than sensible decisions really annoying. She's nearly 30 - she can say that she wants to investigate something because she's curious instead of blaming this sprite. All in all, I'll definitey read the next in the series... The messieurs are adorable, Inspector Merveille has potential, and I want to check in on how Tabitha is getting on with her cooking lessons from Julia.
A couple of things... First, if you don't like fictional accounts of actual people, then this story might not be for you. (I had Meryl Streep's Julia in my head while I was reading this. I also casted Anna Maxwell Martin as Tabitha... probably because of The Bletchley Circle.) Second thing, it's helpful if you know a little bit of French - not very much, but it will definitely help.
I thought the mystery part was pretty good. It wasn't difficult to figure out, but mostly satisfying. I found Tabitha blaming her "inner sprite" for her less than sensible decisions really annoying. She's nearly 30 - she can say that she wants to investigate something because she's curious instead of blaming this sprite. All in all, I'll definitey read the next in the series... The messieurs are adorable, Inspector Merveille has potential, and I want to check in on how Tabitha is getting on with her cooking lessons from Julia.
ashreads223's review
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
This book was well researched and if you enjoy French cooking in past settings then you might enjoy it.
However… If you are looking for a mystery or even a cozy mystery this is not the one. This book spends more time focusing on setting the scene and introducing numerous characters (that it then goes on and on about) then actually discussing murder.
Of course when there is a murder you then get to hear about a single detail of it multiple times as the main character who has fully stuffed herself into the investigation proceeds to tell absolutely everybody, everything about it.
The only true mystery here that I was unable to solve in the first few chapters was why would you refrigerate fresh eggs, especially if space was an issue? Europe still does not refrigerate fresh eggs!
Also if you like Julia Child do not do the audio version. Maybe that’s a voice best read.
This was a book club pick or it would have ended up in my DNF pile.
However… If you are looking for a mystery or even a cozy mystery this is not the one. This book spends more time focusing on setting the scene and introducing numerous characters (that it then goes on and on about) then actually discussing murder.
Of course when there is a murder you then get to hear about a single detail of it multiple times as the main character who has fully stuffed herself into the investigation proceeds to tell absolutely everybody, everything about it.
The only true mystery here that I was unable to solve in the first few chapters was why would you refrigerate fresh eggs, especially if space was an issue? Europe still does not refrigerate fresh eggs!
Also if you like Julia Child do not do the audio version. Maybe that’s a voice best read.
This was a book club pick or it would have ended up in my DNF pile.
alyceparry's review
mysterious
slow-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
2.5
metta's review against another edition
1.5
Main is TSTL. Writing and pacing aren't bad, but I really just disliked all the characters for some reason, and the main, Tabitha, kept doing the stupidest things, and blaming it on her inner imp or sprite.
I like mysteries, but this just wasn't suited to my taste; I read it to complete a Kindle Challenge (it was the only option available from the library).
I like mysteries, but this just wasn't suited to my taste; I read it to complete a Kindle Challenge (it was the only option available from the library).
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
ect625's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
This was a cute little mystery that was sprinkled with a bit of intrigue in post-occupation Paris. The historical references were a surprising and interesting part of the book.