Now i was already on the fence about this series and it seems i was right about it.... the story itself was good .... the mystery was nice but the ladies were annoying.... their behavior was so amateurish, and they kept on trying to compete with each other.... so yeah i was happy when the mystery was solved.
will i finish the series.. not sure but most likely cause i can't DNF to save myself.

The second books surprised me a bit. I was definitely looking forward to see more of mystery. The plot is smoothly paced, the characters are developing as they sleuth through Paris, there were twists and turns that kept me guessing and only a few suspects as the body count grew. I enjoyed reading the descriptions of Paris provided throughout the book as Rachel and Magda investigated by following their suspicions.

This is book 2 in a series and I went in blind not realizing this. That's ok it was a cute cozy mystery. Some of the actions of the two main characters were a bit far fetched, but the care and maintenance of the antique books really intrigued me and kept my interest. This book is a unique read, but still a good one.

I love this series! The contemporary story of Rachel and Magda, two Americans in Paris who love Law and Order and happen to stumble across crimes that they then decide to investigate is just charming on multiple levels. (Paris! Coffee! Croissants! French inspectors!) We see less of Magda here, but we do get to see inside the French national library (sort of, the author's note explains she didn't have access, so used her imagination for some of it). Highly recommend this series.

Deftly Drawn Cast…
The second Death in Paris mystery and American sleuth Rachel Levis stumbles across a corpse. Naturally after her previous success, along with Magda, she is asked to assist in what is clearly a murder enquiry. From going undercover and assisting the police Rachel and Magda decide to go solo when they are pulled from the case. Enjoyable and entertaining with a deftly drawn cast and amiable protagonists.

Overall, this was a decent mystery. I have to admit, I tend to get a bit annoyed when characters are naive and it doesn't seem to fit what you'd expect from them overall, which took away from my enjoyment a bit. On to the story - an interesting premise, but it was hard for me to really get into it. Everything just felt a little shallow, although the plot overall was interesting, it would be much better if the characters and story had a little more depth. A decent way to pass the time if you enjoy mysteries.

An interesting mystery with a fantastic setting. The setting in fact, is the main reason I have wanted to read the series, as I love all things Paris and France. The mystery is a little slow in spots but overall good-I liked the antique book angle, that was an a fun element. The story is a quick and easy read. Good read.

When Rachel Levis stops by a bar for a refreshing spritz, she stumbles across a dead body in the men’s bathroom. Calling her husband as well as Capitane Boussicault, the trio discover that the body is none other than the despise librarian, Guy Laurent, at the Bibliothéque Nationale. Going undercover to root out the murder suspects, Rachel uncovers a series of thefts. Could the two be linked? Will the trio be able to uncover who the murderer is? Filled with mystery, suspense, and a bit of humor, the author does a great job of bringing to life Rachel’s world. The characters are quirky, unique, and engaging. The plot is well-developed and draws the readers in. Readers who like mystery, humor, and cozy mysteries will enjoy reading this book.

This book is well written with a lot going on but I didn't enjoy it much. I think I like reading easier narration. This book was free to read on Netgalley and hence I requested it. The cover is not upto the mark. I will give this one another try to see if I like it or not.

I didn't enjoy reading this book. I normally love books about books, mystery novels, and books that take place in France. Reading this was a slog for me, but the plot stuck with me, even though I didn't like it.

This is the second book featuring our cozy mystery heroine, Rachel Levis, who now lives in Paris. Without spoiling Book 1, she solved her first mystery with the help of her best friend and sleuthing partner, Magda Stevens. This time, she is the one who encounters the dead body in the men's bathroom. The victim is Guy Laurent, an employee of the Bibliotheque Nationale who was reclusive and hated by his co-workers. Rachel was tasked by the police to go undercover, but while the investigation was ongoing, another Bibliotheque Nationale employee was found murdered.

The theme of the book is really mature, and like I also said before, this is more of a regular mystery than a cozy mystery. But what I like about this, even it's more serious than its cozy compatriots, is that the book is devoid of grimmer and darker tones. It's a serious mystery, but it's not entirely gloomy, because this has hints and tinges of humor through the characters. I like how even if it's in the limited third person point of view, the entire story is told through Rachel, and we are reacting to the story just as how she is reacting herself. As a reader, I felt as if I'm involved in the mystery as well. And we get to know more about Rachel, her family and friends, and the people (who are suspects and witnesses) she meets.

Like I had previously stated, Rachel is not your average amateur sleuth. Even though it's not her first rodeo, discovering a dead body is still shocking, and she remains calm and rational. Maybe because of her age - she's older than your average cozy mystery heroine - but she's more careful and calculated in her actions. Although, as a main characteristic of a cozy mystery heroine, she is also impulsive, but this is understandable because she's driven by the desire to solve the mystery and bring the murderer to justice, especially that she is fond of one of the victims and one of the suspects.

I also like how the author integrated Rachel's friend Magda, her husband Alan, and Magda's boyfriend Benoit. I like how Magda has a lot of enthusiasm and energy to counter Rachel's hesitation. I like how Alan is the voice of reason of the group, and that his expertise and knowledge in matters relating to the investigation is often consulted, even if he always is the naysayer. This inclusion of the other characters show that they are not just stock characters or plot devices; they also live in the story, they are connected to the story, and that we should care about them in the same degree as we care for Rachel.

The downside is that I find the murderer's character and the motive a little weird. I had always stated that what makes a mystery more interesting is that if we also sympathize with (but not root for) the criminal and we understand (but not accept) the motivation. I did that with the other suspects, but not with the real murderer.

I really like the story, and I like how it ended. There's something new happening that I am excited and very much looking forward to. It's going to be a long and hard wait for Book 3.

*** I got a copy of this book from NetGalley. These are all my own opinions. #NGEW2019

Emilia Bernhard introduces rare book theft, murder and the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris. Stopping at a cafe, our heroine falls over a dead body in the men's washroom. The Paris police enlist her as a volunteer at the library to observe staff associated with the murdered librarian. This is her second murder investigation in 18 months; is it becoming a habit? Of course she gets actively involved in the case and then a second bibliotheque staff member is killed. Was it staff or scholars using the rare books? Great cosy for those who like libraries and foreign settings.

This is the first book I have read in this series and I was happy to dive straight in. Emilia Bernhard did a fantastic job providing the necessary back-story, making this a great standalone read. I was sold from the very beginning, with its solid characters, great writing and a marvellous mystery that provided a good sprinkling of clues to satisfy even the most painstaking and diligent armchair detective.

The author, Emilia Bernhard, has drawn a lot of great characters in this fabulous cozy mystery. I particularly liked American sleuth Rachel Levis who went undercover as a librarian to determine which of the victim’s book-loving colleagues loathed the man enough to kill him. Helping her old acquaintance Capitaine Boussicault with the murder investigation, the library is hit with more bad news: a priceless antique book has been mutilated and Rachel’s prime suspect for the murder is also found dead.

When Rachel is removed from the investigation by Boussicault, she and her best friend Magda, also an amateur sleuth, decide to forge ahead with their own investigation-even though it would very likely put them at odds with the police and in serious danger. With evidence and suspects piling up, can they find the culprit before anyone else becomes a victim?

Set in the French National Library in Paris, Rachel has a lot going on in this book and the busy protagonist had the necessary attributes of any great sleuth: intelligence, curiosity and keenness though she lacked some of the charms of both Magda and Boussicault.

One of my favourite aspects of this novel was the fluidity of the writing. The details of the plot were very well-executed and every chapter left me with a compelling need to read on. Also, the author did a brilliant job of balancing the story-line and various events jumbled matters up somewhat, making figuring out the identity of the perpetrator more challenging. The book was extremely entertaining with twists and intrigue which definitely helped to keep my interest.

I am looking forward to returning to Paris with Rachel et al. on a future occasion and reading the first book in the series, too! So entertaining and engaging, The Books of the Dead is definitely well worth the time invested.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I enjoyed the first book in this charming series, Death in Paris and gave it five stars. When I got the chance to review the second I did wonder if it might suffer from a sophomore slump but no, it, too, earns five stars. This mystery starts 18 months after the events of Death in Paris. It's summer and the tourists are everyplace and Rachel is a bit cranky. She has taken on a project to write some hymns and it's not going well, it's stalled. She needs inspiration and heads for the library but arrives too close to closing so she goes in search of refreshment. As she is heading to the lady's room, she passes the open door of the men's room. Rachel has a little quirk, a peccadillo - she is fascinated by condom machines and just can't resist taking a quick look. It turns out that there is more to see in the men's room than the condom machine. There is a very dead man in one of the stalls. Rachel must choose which person to call first - her husband, her BFF or Capitaine Boussicault, of the police department. Hmmm, decisions, decisions. Soon the police arrive and she has to explain what possessed her to enter the men's room in the first place. When she later starts to tell the tale to her husband, he knows exactly why she went in there.
One thing leads to another after awhile - Rachel is still stalled with the hymns and a bit put out about not knowing how the case is progressing.. That soon changes when the police find that the dead man's co-workers - all of whom hated him - won't tell them anything. Rachel might just be able to find out what's going on in the library. It turns out the man was a librarian and it is possible to get Rachel into the library as a volunteer. Rachel being Rachel jumps at the chance to play detective again. All well and good but Rachel isn't there very long when a second murder occurs and the police pull her off the case. Drat! However, neither Rachel nor Magda allow themselves to be sidelined and the investigation continues.
Rachel and Magda are quite a pair of middle aged ladies. Full of life and curiosity, ready for anything and living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The writing is so vivid that I was transported back to a city that I adore - I could hear the voices, the traffic, smell the food and feel the sunshine while sitting on a park bench eating ice cream. Rachel and Magda can be more than a tad bit annoying but that is part of the charm of the story. Add to it a good dose of twists, turns and red herrings and this was a wonderful escape. I certainly hope that there will be another mystery for Rachel and Magda to solve.

This was my first time reading this author and I enjoyed it. I loved the setting of Paris. It's my #1 bucket list travel destination so I really enjoyed the descriptions etc. The mystery was good and the characters were engaging. I've read other reviews criticizing the plot etc. It's a COZY people! How many people do you know that go around trying to solve murders and are involved in one every time you turn around?!! They are not supposed to be thrillers! If cozies were completely realistic then these people would be in jail on suspicion of murder and have NO friends because how many want to be around someone that attracts dead bodies? Seriously folks, it's entertainment. If you don't like them, don't read them. I, for one, enjoy them and I really enjoyed this one. Thank you Ms. Bernhard!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers and voluntarily chose to review it.

I truly enjoyed the story in this novel. I genuinely did not solve the mystery before it was revealed and that is a rare thing for me. This book kept me on my toes and I loved that. However, I found Rachel to be a bit obnoxious. In the first book she had cause it investigate the murder. In this book it felt like she was constantly in the way and I am surprised the Capitaine let her get away with her antics. Frustrating main character aside I would recommend this book.

“You’re developing quite a tendency to stumble across murder in your middle age.” Said to our heroine, Rachel, after she finds a corpse in the men’s room on the first page of the Books of the Dead.

Rachel lives in Paris with her husband, Alan, and her best friend Magda. After solving one murder in the previous book in the series, the Capitaine asks for her to “observe and report” who among the murdered man’s co-workers would like to see him dead. The quick answer is everyone. Guy Laurent was universally hated by all who knew him. So how will Rachel, Magda, and the Capitaine solve the crime?

The reader definitely has to suspend disbelief to read Books of the Dead. I can’t picture any country’s police force asking a rank amateur to go undercover. However, if you can get past that plot point, this book has a lot to recommend it to cozy readers. Middle-aged characters, a library, and last but not least, Paris are all here to entertain any cozy reader tired of one more restaurant owner. The characters are great too. The three main characters are realistic and feel like friends to the reader by the end of the book. For those reasons, I recommend this book highly. 4 stars!

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This second mystery in the series is highly entertaining. I like the relationship the two girls have with the Parisian police chief and how he lets them “help” with the investigations.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 ½ Stars

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Books of the Dead
(A Death in Paris Mystery #2) by Emilia Bernhard from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in order to read and give an honest review.

Having read Ms Bernhard’s first book in the series, Death in Paris, I have to say she has outdone herself!

Best friends Rachel and Magda are at it again after being persistent amateur sleuths and beating the police in solving a murder in the first book of the series Death in Paris. This time when dining at a small cafe Rachel stumbles across the body of a male librarian from the Bibliothèque National. Reuniting with Capitaine Boussicault, she is thrilled when he asks her to go undercover as a volunteer at the library to observe after a previous murder had occurred as well. Rachel is thrilled to be given the opportunity, unfortunately, Magda feels left out when the mission is only for Rachel. Although just meant to observe Rachel gets pulled deeper into the investigation which appears to be linked to missing antiquarian illustrations. After overstepping boundaries Rachel eventually gets dismissed by the police but is determines to solve the crime needing her best friend Magda’s help. Working together they work to solve the two murders.

After reading several very “heavy” books this was a fun and intriguing cozy murder mystery which kept me guessing to the very end. I was sure I knew who did it but was left second-guessing after coming across some very cleverly placed red herrings. I also love the quirky, flawed and very fun characters that Ms Bernhard has created.

This book would be great as a stand-alone, but I do recommend reading the first as it is also a fantastic read, both I feel are suitable for most ages. A fun, brilliant read that will keep you turning pages!

I liked the first book in this series and I liked this one.
It's gripping and entertaining, with a well written and likeable cast of characters that I was happy to meet again.
The historical background is well researched and the mystery, full of twists and turns, kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.