Mastering the Art of French Murder is the first in a new series (An American in Paris Mystery) from author Colleen Cambridge (aka Colleen Gleason). The story takes place in post WWII Paris and our heroine is an American expat (aka immigrant), Tabitha Knight. The hook is Tabitha’s best friend happens to be Julia Childs.
I’ve never read a fiction book that had a real person feature so prominently and it provided an interesting twist. Especially, because in my brain, I kept hearing the character Julia speak with Julia’s signature lilt. Not to mention, I also pictured Dort completely looking like Jane Lynch (ala Julie and Julia).
This real character though provided some issues for me too. Having read My Life in France as well as watching the aforementioned movie several times, parts of Colleens descriptions of Julia felt almost lifted from these other sources. They were not. I just conjured these images based upon knowing how she cooked and worked in the kitchen. I also found me questioning Julia’s actions more than was necessary because she was a real person. My hangups.
On the flip side, having Julia Child as a supporting character allowed for some loverly market, cooking and eating descriptions. I loved that. as I’m a sucker for food porn.
All that aside, the story made for a good cozy, a bit formulaic but that’s why I read cozies, for the mystry and comfort. While I was able to figure out some of the broad strokes early, and note some of the clues before Tabitha, I didn’t have the full picture figured out until the reveal in the end. So that’s always good.
My Rating
Is this great literature? No. But that’s not what it is meant to be. It’s an entertaining, easy to read mystery. It takes place in Paris. It has good food porn and a strong female lead (though she does do some stupid things). There’s enough here for me to rate it 3.5 stars. Also enough to make me want to read the next in the series, A Murder Most French when it’s released in April.