Colleen Cambridge's first book in a new series features the iconic Julia Child. It's a delicious and delightful whodunnit!
Post-war 1949 and Tabitha, an American from Detroit, who had worked as a "Rosie the Riveter," is now on an extended visit and living with her grandfather in Paris. She has befriended another ex-pat American, her neighbor Julia Child, who has just started studying at Le Cordon Bleu. When a woman who had been a guest at a party thrown by Juila'as sister is killed with one of Julia's knives, Tabitha finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation.
I loved every minute of this! The world-building is excellent--atmospheric and exciting, with Paris coming out of the austerities of WWII. The characters are vivid and fantastic, notably, Julia Child, who was so charming and well-written that I could hear her famous voice in my head. Cambridge just nailed the energy of that iconic character. I also loved Tabitha's grandfather and Oncle Rafe, and Tabitha herself. The food descriptions are fantastic and include Julia teaching Tabitha some cooking tricks. I plan to make an omelet according to Julia's instructions! The mystery is well-plotted, with exciting and suspenseful scenes and interesting historical facts, and Agatha Christie references woven throughout. A well-written, original, and clever start to a series I cannot wait to read more of! Mystery lovers, you'll want to grab this one. Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to review this ARC. I loved it!
My steep was Forest Garden by Palais Des Thes Paris. An herbal blend of apple, elderberries, beetroot, blackberries, black currants, raspberries, strawberries, and red currants, and great hot or iced!
SYNOPSIS:
As Paris rediscovers its joie de vivre, Tabitha Knight, 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.
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