An exceptional cozy mystery set in post-WWII Paris

Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge

I read a lot of cozy mysteries, but Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge stood out as exceptional.

This cozy mystery is set in post-WWII Paris. The story revolves around Tabitha Knight, a young American woman who moves to Paris to stay with her grandfather, Grandpère and Oncle Rafe. Tabitha befriends Julia Child, her neighbor, and another American who has fallen in love with Paris.

When a body is discovered nearby, the knife used in the murder is traced to Julia’s kitchen. Tabitha gets involved in the investigation because she hopes to clear Julia and recognizes the victim from a party.

The description of post-war Paris makes you feel like you’re there, and her relationship with the fictionalized version of Julia is a lot of fun. The characters are well-rounded, the plot moved quickly, and there were plenty of twists to keep the reader guessing.

Mastering the Art of French Murder is a fun read, and I look forward to reading more in the series.

I received an advanced reader copy of Mastering the Art of French Murder from Netgalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review

Publisher’s Description

Set in the City of Light and starring Julia Child’s (fictional) best friend, confidant, and fellow American, this magnifique new historical mystery series from the acclaimed author of Murder at Mallowan Hall combines a fresh perspective on the iconic chef’s years in post-WWII Paris with a delicious mystery and a unique culinary twist. Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Marie Benedict, and of course, Julia Child alike!

As Paris rediscovers its joie de vivre, Tabitha Knight, who recently arrived from Detroit for an extended stay with her French grandfather, is on her own journey of discovery. Paris isn’t just the City of Light; it’s the city of history, romance, stunning architecture . . . and food. Thanks to her neighbor and friend Julia Child, another ex-pat who’s fallen head over heels for Paris, Tabitha is learning how to cook for her Grandpère and Oncle Rafe.

Between tutoring Americans in French, visiting the market, and eagerly sampling the results of Julia’s studies at Le Cordon Bleu cooking school, Tabitha’s sojourn is proving thoroughly delightful. That is, until the cold December day, they return to Julia’s building and learn that a body has been found in the cellar. Tabitha recognizes the victim as a woman she’d met only the night before, at a party given by Julia’s sister, Dort. The murder weapon found nearby is recognizable, too—a knife from Julia’s kitchen.

Tabitha is eager to help the investigation but is shocked when Inspector Merveille reveals that a note in Tabitha’s handwriting was found in the dead woman’s pocket. Is this murder a case of international intrigue or something far more personal? From the shadows of the Tour Eiffel at midnight, to the tiny third-floor Child kitchen, to the grungy streets of Montmartre, Tabitha navigates through the city hoping to find the real killer before she or one of her friends ends up in prison . . . or worse.