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An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder
(Countess of Harleigh Mysteries #7)
By Dianne Freeman
Historical Romantic Mystery, Suspense
Hardcover, eBook & Audiobook, 304 Pages
June 25, 2024 by Kensington
Summary
Filled with Victorian-era intrigue for readers of Rhys Bowen, Deanna Raybourn, Tasha Alexander, and Julia Seales, Dianne Freeman’s Agatha Award-winning series takes a delightful jaunt to the City of Light as Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, encounters a murder scene at the Paris Exposition.
Frances and her husband, George, have two points of interest in Paris. One is an impromptu holiday to visit the Paris Exposition. The other is personal. George’s Aunt Julia has requested her nephew’s help in looking into the suspicious death of renowned artist Paul Ducasse. Though Julia is not entirely forthcoming about her reasons, she is clearly a woman mourning a lost love.
At the exposition, swarming with tourists, tragedy casts a pall on the festivities. A footbridge collapses. Julia is among the casualties. However, she was not just another fateful victim. Julia was stabbed to death amid the chaos. With an official investigation at a standstill, George and Frances realize that to solve the case they must dig into Julia’s life—as well as Paul’s—and question everything and everyone in Julia’s coterie of artists and secrets.
They have no shortage of suspects. There is Paul’s inscrutable widow, Gabrielle. Paul’s art dealer and manager, Lucien. Julia’s friend Martine, a sculptress with a jealous streak. And art jurist, Monsieur Beaufoy. The investigation takes a turn when it’s revealed that George has inherited control of Julia’s estate—and another of her secrets. While George investigates, Frances safeguards their new legacy, and is drawn further into danger by a killer determined to keep the past buried.
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My Review
AN ART LOVER'S GUIDE TO PARIS AND MURDER is a story set in Paris during the Exposition when an aunt calls her nephew and his wife to come because she believes there was foul play in the death of an artist friend. However, not everyone is as they seem, and danger lurks as they try to investigate. The lush setting, likable characters and an interesting plot make this an intriguing story that cozy historical mystery fans are sure to enjoy!
This is the first book I've read from this series. The author did a good job in alluding to prior stories but writing this in such a way that this book could easily be read on its own. The characters are well drawn with a new setting for this mystery that makes it easy to become immersed in this story. There are touches of romance here and there as these characters are still newlyweds. Romance that is light, organic and didn't overtake the story. I like how George and Frances work together in their sleuthing, how they tease but also respect each other as equals. The mystery slowly unravels with plenty of potential suspects and motives. I had a fairly good idea who not to trust from about the half-way point, but it is a bit complicated, and I didn't know how things would play out. Everything gets a bit crazy as the danger grows to a climatic ending where I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was an enjoyable story. All the required parts are here for a good mystery with properly selfish villains, likable leading characters, murder and danger with a few other complications to make things interesting. Definitely recommended to historical cozy mystery fans!
Content: Some suggestive content, references to affairs, drinking, murder, but nothing overly detailed.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Austenprose PR, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Other Books in the Series
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