Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Cancans, Croissants and Caskets is the third installment in the Happy Hoofers Mystery series. This book finds the five tap dancing friends (Tina, Mary Louise, Gini, Pat and Jan) hired to perform on a Bateau Mouche (sightseeing boat) on the Seine in Paris. Each of the books is narrated by a different member of the group and Cancans is told from Janice Roger's perspective.
The group arrives in Paris on Bastille Day, which is the American equivalent of Independence Day so things around the city are very busy. The ladies check in to the beautiful apartment they have rented for their weeklong stay, head over to the boat where they meet up with the house band, singer Suzette Millett and the owners of the boat, Henri and Madeline Fouchet.
The mystery in the book revolves around the murder of two characters, but as in the other books in the series the investigation into their deaths is not the focal point of the storyline. Unlike other traditional cozies the ladies have very little to do with hunting down the killer, and gather most of their information regarding the murder through limited conversations with a third party.
This series reads more like a travel guide, with elaborate descriptions of the landmarks, foods and language of the locales the ladies visit. In this case it was interesting to learn about the Parisian countryside and even pick up a few French phrases, but for me it took a little away from the joy of solving the murder and I found myself skipping over some of the wordy descriptions.
The author also focuses on the private life of whichever one of the ladies is narrating the particular book in the series. Cancans devotes a lot of time to the love life of Janice and also to the budding romantic relationship between Pat and Police Captain Genevieve Chantal.
The book ends abruptly with just a brief mention of the capture of the killer. While a reason for the murder was touched on in the earlier pages, I was left feeling that the killer's motive for murder was rather flimsy and farfetched. It was disappointing to not have the killer admit to his crime or hear his confession. The colorful, fun cover is what drew me to this cozy but alas, there was no cute puppy or any mention of a dog throughout the entire book.
This was a quick and easy read, with likeable characters and yummy recipes, but if you are looking for a true cozy mystery this book reads more like Chick Lit.
I received an advanced copy of Cancans, Croissants and Caskets through NetGalley via publisher Kensington Publishing. While I was not required to write a review, I was more than happy to give an honest opinion.
The group arrives in Paris on Bastille Day, which is the American equivalent of Independence Day so things around the city are very busy. The ladies check in to the beautiful apartment they have rented for their weeklong stay, head over to the boat where they meet up with the house band, singer Suzette Millett and the owners of the boat, Henri and Madeline Fouchet.
The mystery in the book revolves around the murder of two characters, but as in the other books in the series the investigation into their deaths is not the focal point of the storyline. Unlike other traditional cozies the ladies have very little to do with hunting down the killer, and gather most of their information regarding the murder through limited conversations with a third party.
This series reads more like a travel guide, with elaborate descriptions of the landmarks, foods and language of the locales the ladies visit. In this case it was interesting to learn about the Parisian countryside and even pick up a few French phrases, but for me it took a little away from the joy of solving the murder and I found myself skipping over some of the wordy descriptions.
The author also focuses on the private life of whichever one of the ladies is narrating the particular book in the series. Cancans devotes a lot of time to the love life of Janice and also to the budding romantic relationship between Pat and Police Captain Genevieve Chantal.
The book ends abruptly with just a brief mention of the capture of the killer. While a reason for the murder was touched on in the earlier pages, I was left feeling that the killer's motive for murder was rather flimsy and farfetched. It was disappointing to not have the killer admit to his crime or hear his confession. The colorful, fun cover is what drew me to this cozy but alas, there was no cute puppy or any mention of a dog throughout the entire book.
This was a quick and easy read, with likeable characters and yummy recipes, but if you are looking for a true cozy mystery this book reads more like Chick Lit.
I received an advanced copy of Cancans, Croissants and Caskets through NetGalley via publisher Kensington Publishing. While I was not required to write a review, I was more than happy to give an honest opinion.
Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Cancans, Croissants, and Caskets (Happy Hoofers, Bk 3) on + 704 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
I want to be a Happy Hoofer! They travel to awesome places and dance. Sometimes they tap their way right into a bunch of trouble but they always seem to shuffle their way out!
If you haven't met the Happy Hoofers they are a group of friends that love to dance.
Tina is leader of the group. She keeps everything organized. She is the Travel Editor at Perfect Bride magazine.
Janice is an actress and director in community theater. She is divorced with a daughter in college.
Pat is a family therapist and the mother hen of the group.
Mary Louise and Tina have been friends for over 30 years. She has 3 children and a very trying husband named George.
Gini is a redhead with a temper to match. She is a documentary filmmaker and while making a film in India fell in love with a little girl she hopes to adopt.
Janice narrates the story this time. The girls are in Paris and are booked to perform for a week on the Bateau Mouche, a touristy sightseeing boat that travels down the Seine. At the end of their first night passengers are guided to the top deck of the ship to see the Bastille Day fireworks but what they find is a dead body. This is not the first murder the Hoofers have found. They have become pretty well versed in police investigations and they can't stop themselves from doing a bit of investigating on their own. They are going to have to kick up more than their heels to catch this killer.
This is the second book I have read recently that takes place in Paris. Mary McHugh does an excellent job or describing the "City of Light". The dancers are staying in a rented apartment and their schedule leaves them plenty of time to see the famous landmarks and partake in some of the culinary delights from places around the city. They even take a trip to Versailles castle and gardens. I would really love to actually visit Paris someday. For now I have to settle for these virtual trips.
The mystery is fun too. Following the clues right along with the ladies. I figured it out a bit before them and I wish I could have let them know because one of them gets themselves into quite a pickle. The story wraps up almost too quickly for me though. I liked the way it played out but a few more pages of danger would have really added to the suspense level.
A very entertaining read with some tempting recipes and some amusing travel tips are included throughout the book.
I want to be a Happy Hoofer! They travel to awesome places and dance. Sometimes they tap their way right into a bunch of trouble but they always seem to shuffle their way out!
If you haven't met the Happy Hoofers they are a group of friends that love to dance.
Tina is leader of the group. She keeps everything organized. She is the Travel Editor at Perfect Bride magazine.
Janice is an actress and director in community theater. She is divorced with a daughter in college.
Pat is a family therapist and the mother hen of the group.
Mary Louise and Tina have been friends for over 30 years. She has 3 children and a very trying husband named George.
Gini is a redhead with a temper to match. She is a documentary filmmaker and while making a film in India fell in love with a little girl she hopes to adopt.
Janice narrates the story this time. The girls are in Paris and are booked to perform for a week on the Bateau Mouche, a touristy sightseeing boat that travels down the Seine. At the end of their first night passengers are guided to the top deck of the ship to see the Bastille Day fireworks but what they find is a dead body. This is not the first murder the Hoofers have found. They have become pretty well versed in police investigations and they can't stop themselves from doing a bit of investigating on their own. They are going to have to kick up more than their heels to catch this killer.
This is the second book I have read recently that takes place in Paris. Mary McHugh does an excellent job or describing the "City of Light". The dancers are staying in a rented apartment and their schedule leaves them plenty of time to see the famous landmarks and partake in some of the culinary delights from places around the city. They even take a trip to Versailles castle and gardens. I would really love to actually visit Paris someday. For now I have to settle for these virtual trips.
The mystery is fun too. Following the clues right along with the ladies. I figured it out a bit before them and I wish I could have let them know because one of them gets themselves into quite a pickle. The story wraps up almost too quickly for me though. I liked the way it played out but a few more pages of danger would have really added to the suspense level.
A very entertaining read with some tempting recipes and some amusing travel tips are included throughout the book.
