Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed Mastering the Art of French Murder (American in Paris, Bk 1) on + 863 more book reviews
When American Tatiana moves to Paris to live with her grandfather after WWII ended, she embarks on a new life in the City of Light. She was a riveter during the war and upon the return of all the GI's she's lost her job. Her new friend and neighbor, Julia Child, attempt to teach her the finer arts of cooking but Tatiana finds herself drawn to investigating the death of a young woman associated with Julia's circle of friends.
Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) -
Set in 1950s Paris, Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge (pen name for Colleen Gleason) is a foodie cozy mystery and first in the An American in Paris series. The novel imagines that a young Julia Child is best friend to main character Tabitha Knight. This is cleverly revealed with the title and cover design as homage to Ms. Child's famous book Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
In the mystery, Julia Child is embarking on her culinary education at Le Cordon Bleu and is struggling to perfect the process of making mayonnaise. Meanwhile, her sister Dort hosts a small party at the apartment she shares with Julia and Paul, and one of the guests is murdered with Julia's chef's knife. Tabitha involves herself in solving the crime after her name is found on a note in the victim's pocket.
The mystery was interesting but secondary to the personal relationships and food talk: from Julia and Tabitha chatting about ingredients with vendors in the market, to Julia preparing several dishes simultaneously, to Tabitha and others relishing in the simple and delicious food prepared in Julia's tiny kitchen, I was craving an omelet and roast chicken while reading. It was delightful to imagine young Julia relishing in all aspects of her new life in Paris.
Thank you to Kensington Books for the review copy of this novel. I look forward to the next adventure of Tabitha and Julia.
In the mystery, Julia Child is embarking on her culinary education at Le Cordon Bleu and is struggling to perfect the process of making mayonnaise. Meanwhile, her sister Dort hosts a small party at the apartment she shares with Julia and Paul, and one of the guests is murdered with Julia's chef's knife. Tabitha involves herself in solving the crime after her name is found on a note in the victim's pocket.
The mystery was interesting but secondary to the personal relationships and food talk: from Julia and Tabitha chatting about ingredients with vendors in the market, to Julia preparing several dishes simultaneously, to Tabitha and others relishing in the simple and delicious food prepared in Julia's tiny kitchen, I was craving an omelet and roast chicken while reading. It was delightful to imagine young Julia relishing in all aspects of her new life in Paris.
Thank you to Kensington Books for the review copy of this novel. I look forward to the next adventure of Tabitha and Julia.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
In Mastering the Art of French Murder, author Colleen Cambridge does for Julia Child what she's done for Agatha Christie in her other historical mystery series featuring Christie's housekeeper, Phyllida Bright. As in the Phyllida Bright series, Julia doesn't take center stage in the investigation. She is there to provide Tabitha with a sounding board, a little encouragement, and plenty of cooking tips. For someone like me who is familiar with Child through her television series The French Chef and the movie Julie & Julia, this book brought a smile to my face.
Young Tabitha Knight shows the dilemma many women faced at the end of World War II. She thrived as one of the many Rosie the Riveters, but when the war ended, her job disappeared, and it's almost impossible to find an alternative that feels just as important and just as fulfilling. Although Tabitha is a dab hand with a Swiss Army knife, I did find her to be annoying. Always pushing. Always snooping. Always taking just one more risk. There were times I wished she'd stay in the kitchen with Julia, and that's not normal because I don't like to cook.
The mystery surrounding the young woman's death is an excellent one, and Julia Child's cameos kept me from paying as much attention to it as I should have. All in all, Mastering the Art of French Murder is a good start to a new series and should appeal to readers who are interested in solving an intriguing mystery vividly set in a Paris still recovering from World War II.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
Young Tabitha Knight shows the dilemma many women faced at the end of World War II. She thrived as one of the many Rosie the Riveters, but when the war ended, her job disappeared, and it's almost impossible to find an alternative that feels just as important and just as fulfilling. Although Tabitha is a dab hand with a Swiss Army knife, I did find her to be annoying. Always pushing. Always snooping. Always taking just one more risk. There were times I wished she'd stay in the kitchen with Julia, and that's not normal because I don't like to cook.
The mystery surrounding the young woman's death is an excellent one, and Julia Child's cameos kept me from paying as much attention to it as I should have. All in all, Mastering the Art of French Murder is a good start to a new series and should appeal to readers who are interested in solving an intriguing mystery vividly set in a Paris still recovering from World War II.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
