A Murder Most French by Colleen Cambridge ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Postwar Paris is surging back to life, and its citizens are seizing every opportunity to raise a glass or share a delicious meal. But as American ex-pat Tabitha Knight and chef-in-training Julia Child discover, celebrations can quickly go awry when someone has murder in mind . . .

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

April 2024; Kensington; 978-1496739629
audio, ebook, print (272 pages); cozy mystery

A Murder Most French is book 2 of An American in Paris series. I listened to book 1 Mastering the Art of French Cooking. If you enjoy audiobooks, I would recommend this series as I enjoyed the audiobook slightly more than reading it myself. You don't need to read book 1 to enjoy book 2.

Tabitha is still trying to figure out what she wants to do but for now she is enjoying her time in Paris and trying to learn to cook with Julia Child as her teacher. She's not learning from Julia's cooking show or cookbook. No, Tabitha lives across from Julia Child! 

The descriptions in this book are so very vivid. Tabitha is extremely observant so it makes sense that the descriptions would be detailed. And it isn't just the people she encounters but the city and definitely the food. Don't read this book when you are hungry. I so wanted to make a mushroom cream sauce after reading about it in the book (I settled for making myself an Asian-style mushroom soup which was very tasty and less fattening!)

I know some books feel weighed down when there is a lot of description but that's not the case with this book. It fully immerses the reader in the story. You will feel like you are there in the Paris market or the kitchen with Julia and Tabitha. 

I love having Julia as a character. As far as we know the real Julia Child did not get involved in any murder mysteries. She lived in Paris following the war and attended cooking classes at Le Cordon Bleu. She a lively character and Cambridge captures her spirit well. It is one of the big reasons I loved listening to the audiobook of the first book - the narrator did a perfect imitation of Julia.

I like the other characters as well. Tabitha is a resourceful young woman and while she is definitely privileged she is not snobby. She is grateful to be living with her grandfather in Paris and being allowed to discover what she wants in life instead of just being married off to the first eligible bachelor who shows interest.

The mystery is interesting and we get to learn a little about France - farming Paris mushrooms, the catacombs, and of course, wine!

If you love cozy mysteries and French food, then you need to read this book!

Buy A Murder Most French at Amazon

 

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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