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A review by kimdavishb
Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge
5.0
It’s not often that I come across a new series and am blown away by the creativeness of the premise, but this definitely fits the bill! Combining cozy mystery with historical fiction and a few real people in a real setting, Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge brings post WWII Paris to life. The fictional protagonist, Tabitha Knight, is an American expat staying with her grandfather and honorary uncle (who may or may not have been in the resistance). Their neighbor just happens to be Julia Child and has become a close friend to Tabitha. The author’s descriptive language will make you drool as you visit the French markets, or make you feel as if you’re huddled around the stove as Julia turns the simplest of poulet into mouthwatering fare as she barks out instructions (I can just imagine her iconic booming voice!), or experience the bitter bite of the cold winds off the Seine.
Set amongst the romantic backdrop of Paris, a brutal murder takes place in Tabitha and Julia’s apartment building. It turns out to be a young woman they both know and French investigators turn their attention to the two women when Julia’s knife turns out to be the murder weapon. Tabitha’s curiosity and desire to prove her and Julia’s innocence, pushes her to begin asking questions and tracking down people who knew the victim. It was a joy seeing the City of Light through the eyes of Tabitha and imagining the lyrical romanticism of the French language (this is one book that would be amazing in audiobook). The plot was well-paced and I enjoyed how Tabitha confers with her Grandpère and Oncle Rafe to put the clues together. The surprising reveal brings all the threads of the story together in a highly satisfying conclusion. My only lament is that there aren’t any recipes included because, you know, Julia Childs!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Set amongst the romantic backdrop of Paris, a brutal murder takes place in Tabitha and Julia’s apartment building. It turns out to be a young woman they both know and French investigators turn their attention to the two women when Julia’s knife turns out to be the murder weapon. Tabitha’s curiosity and desire to prove her and Julia’s innocence, pushes her to begin asking questions and tracking down people who knew the victim. It was a joy seeing the City of Light through the eyes of Tabitha and imagining the lyrical romanticism of the French language (this is one book that would be amazing in audiobook). The plot was well-paced and I enjoyed how Tabitha confers with her Grandpère and Oncle Rafe to put the clues together. The surprising reveal brings all the threads of the story together in a highly satisfying conclusion. My only lament is that there aren’t any recipes included because, you know, Julia Childs!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.