Barbara’s rating: 3.7 out of 5 Stars
Series: Countess of Harleigh Mystery #8
Publication Date: 6/24/25
Period: Victorian – Paris
Number of Pages: 304

George and Frances Hazelton are back in Paris to enjoy their interrupted honeymoon and to refresh themselves after solving a murder in Deauville. Goodness, a lot is going on in Paris – the Exposition that we thoroughly explored in the last book, and the Olympics that we learn a bit about in this book. So many people – so many potential victims. 😊

As Frances and George enjoy their time together, Frances is approached by a frenemy, Alicia Stoke-Whitey, who seeks Frances’s assistance in investigating Carlson Deaver, who is trying to court her daughter. At the same time, George is approached by Inspector Daniel Cadieux, from the Sûreté, to assist them in following up on new leads in an old murder case. Are the cases related – you bet! 😊 The new clue is to the year-old murder of Isabelle Deaver, wife of Carlson Deaver – and the person who provided the clue is none other than the famous actress, Sarah Bernhardt.

The mystery is excellently done with twists, turns, and red herrings galore. While we are all down a rabbit hole with several clues, another murder happens. Can that one be related to the first murder? More suspects, more clues, and Frances and George have to unravel it all – and they do it with a surprising ending.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the supporting characters in the book, especially the close friends and family of George and Frances. Frances’s mother was particularly enjoyable in this book and quite different from previous books. What I did not enjoy was the amount of infidelity in the book. It almost seemed as if every male character was unfaithful. It got to the point where I read a new male character’s name and started looking for where it would be mentioned that he was unfaithful. It was too much! I was waiting for George to be accused of being unfaithful. I didn’t enjoy all the infidelity, and hope it isn’t a trend. One unfaithful character (male or female) is enough for any book.

If you enjoy an excellent mystery with a set of clues that twist and turn, then set it all upside down, you will enjoy this book.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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