Author: Colleen Cambridge
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 275
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Synopsis: 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 . . .
The graceful domes of Sacré Coeur, the imposing cathedral of Notre Dame, the breathtaking Tour Eiffel . . . Paris is overflowing with stunning architecture. Yet for Tabitha Knight, the humble building that houses the Cordon Bleu cooking school, where her friend Julia studies, is just as notable. Tabitha is always happy to sample Julia’s latest creation and try to recreate dishes for her Grand-père and Oncle Rafe.
The legendary school also holds open demonstrations, where the public can see its master chefs at work. It’s a treat for any aspiring cook—until one of the chefs pours himself a glass of wine from a rare vintage bottle—and promptly drops dead in front of Julia, Tabitha, and other assembled guests. It’s the first in a frightening string of poisonings that turns grimly personal when cyanide-laced wine is sent to someone very close to Tabitha.
What kind of killer chooses such a means of murder, and why? Tabitha and Julia hope to find answers in order to save innocent lives—not to mention a few exquisite vintages—even as their investigation takes them through some of the darkest corners of France’s wartime past . . .
My Review: A Murder Most French is the sequel to Mastering the Art of French Murder. Tabitha Knight loves learning how to cook with Julia Child. One day, Julia and Tabitha attend a cooking demonstration at Julia’s school. During the demonstration, a master chef is suddenly poisoned. Tabitha believes that someone in the audience is the murderer. Tabitha is fascinated by the crime and embarks on a journey to find the murderer.
In the first novel, I found Tabitha to be a very frustrating character. She used very little reasoning and was a disappointing protagonist. In the sequel, I found her to be more likable. She seemed to be wiser. There are moments that she is too trusting and naive. However, she was able to help those around her. In this novel, she was also able to use more logic and reasoning. She can still be reckless and impulsive. However, she was capable of proving her own competence in front of the male detective. Therefore, I liked her more in this novel than I did previously. I was very glad to see the improvement of her character.
Overall, this book is about cooking, family, and friendship. I liked the return of all of the characters, and I loved Tabitha’s friendship with Julia. I thought the mystery was very complex and was much more developed than the first novel. I loved the setting of post-WWII Paris! I also liked that there was no romance in this novel, though there may be some in future installments. I am eager to read the third installment, A Fashionable French Murder! A Murder Most French will be sure to please cozy mystery fans! I recommend this for fans of Scandal Above Stairs, A Deepe Coffin, and Cook Up a Crime!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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