Engaging historical fiction mystery.
Only slightly historical in that the time period is well-defined. The main character, Charlotte "Charlie" James, is not specifically involved in any real events of that time.
Charlie is a journalist who starts a new job at the Paris bureau of the London Times.
She gets the job site-unseen from England, so the editor thinks she is a man until she shows up.
He's angry; she has to prove herself.
Her first assignment is to write a piece on a rich, generous woman who is known to throw lavish parties.
And then someone is murdered and it becomes a who-dun-it.
There is a large, varied group of characters. She also has a best friend from the office who helps her.

I found some of it rather predictable. The time-period, and the way women were treated then, has been covered many times.
I had no clue, however, who the murderer was. The author did a good job of misdirection and provided several red herrings.
Overall, I was satisfied with this book. I would recommend it to mystery lovers with the proviso that the story is a bit oversimplified.
I give it 3-1/2 stars.

I was unable to finish this book and thus will not be posting a full review to my blog. Immediately, I found the story troll and the language cliche. I'm sure it will work for others but unfortunately it did not work for me. Thank you for the opportunity and consideration.

For the most part, this was your typical murder mystery. A woman reporter in a time when they were not common, who helped the police solve a murder mystery with a few twists and turns thrown in... but nothing that helped it stand out from other murder mysteries. It took a while to get to the actual murder, about a quarter of the way through the book, although I attribute this to this story being the first in a series so the author needed to introduce characters and get the setting established. However, there were a few things included that made it seem like the author was either trying to meet a page quota and stretch the story out... or maybe to pull in a different audience?... that had no relevance to the story and were more of a distraction, and in my opinion, not in a good way. Our crime solving reporter found herself relocated to Paris as a correspondent in the midst of a divorce from her husband, that part is logical and contributes to the story explaining why she is where she is. However, more than halfway through the book there are flashbacks to the night the reporter found out her husband was cheating on her, sparking the divorce, which includes their last time having sex (in a closet at a party) that just flat out didn't fit in with anything or have anything to do with the plot or the murder. As I said, it felt like the author might have been trying to meet a page quota or maybe was trying to bring in the romance audience? It made it even worse that the flashback was followed by her mastribating to the memory... which fit in even less than the flashback and really had nothing to do with anything. I don't know why the author chose to make the choice to add that to the story but maybe the future books in the series should just stick to the murder mystery. Really my rating would be 2.5 stars because of the unnecessary additions but since I can't give half a start I've rounded up as the book without those parts was about average. I likely won't continue to read the series and there are better murder mysteries out there, but it isn't the worst book I've read.

The Paris Mystery

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for providing an unbiased review.

3.75

I won’t bog half of my review down with a summary of the book like many reviewers as I assume you are able to look above to the publisher’s summary that says the same thing. That drives me crazy when I just want to know their opinion!

I liked this book.

I was a little hesitant since I knew nothing about the author or the book and was anxious to get to another upcoming release that is part of a series I love. It takes place in Paris, obviously, in an era suspended in time after the gilded age and the depression and between the two wars. In fact, it takes place the year before World War II began, but there isn’t a ton of recognition of the circumstances in Germany, especially early on, for it to be so close. For a while, I actually thought it took place after World War II, which, to me, is always a relief not to have to read about the horrific events. I read plenty of novels and non-fiction books about the atrocities of the war and prefer to leave it out of my cozy mysteries.

I loved that Charlotte/Charlie was Australian. It’s a bit of a change from all the main characters who are American or British ex-pats, though there were plenty of those as supporting characters. That’s understandable, since she was working for the London Times and lots of rich Americans moved to Europe in the early 20th century.

Before I continue, I was continually perplexed about how her editor in Sydney could have sent a recommendation letter to the editor in Paris without using any pronouns, as she got the job by the assumption that Charlie was a man. I would assume that the editor would immediately fire her in real life and not even get to see how well she does.

That leads me to another important point. None of this story would have been possible without Violet! It kind of got a little ridiculous after a while. She was the one that convinced the editor to give Charlie, a chance, though that made sense, considering the main objective was to court, Lady Ashworth. She got Charlie into every event that mattered and introduced her to every important character, none of which Charlie could have investigated without, not to mention that she made sure she was dressed appropriately in couture that Charlie could never afford. It’s not pilots circumstances that are so unbelievable to me, though I imagine many people will question it, but that she was always one step ahead of Charlie, but didn’t get credit or personally solve the case, though Charlie did have the access to pursue some of those leads better than Violet. I have known many Children of extremely rich people who have had to get a job because they don’t have disposable income, but still have access to fancy apartments, important people, and luxury items. Why she would really want to work for George. The editor is a little questionable though.

Speaking of unbelievable, Charlie arrives in Paris along with divorce papers that will supposedly finalize her divorce as soon as she sends them back to Australia. Semi spoiler: it takes a while to find out about her marriage and its demise and it’s really not a satisfying answer, especially since it’s really just a comment by one woman that sends her immediately to a lawyer to start the proceedings, apparently without even confronting her husband. Then she immediately takes a job and moves halfway across the world. If there’s another book, I can’t imagine them not incorporating the husband, and I’m surprised if he really had signed the papers first.

The opulence in the story is great, and I liked the location that was next to Versailles. The mystery itself was good, not great, but kept me interested enough to read the book quickly. In submission, it’s a cozyish/amateur sleuth mystery in a fun era with some wild characters and a fun read overall. I’m sure there are elements that others may obsess over but if you take it for what it is and understand that it was a much different time and place, it is worth a try.

Murder is an uninvited guest to the most anticipated society party in Paris.

Looking to leave behind a failed marriage in her native Australia, seasoned reporter Charlotte “Charlie” James arrives at the Gare du Nord in the summer of 1938. There she is met by her new boss, George Roberts, who was under the impression that his new reporter was a man. Oops! Charlie had learned Down Under that many people give more credence to her work when they think she is male, so she has always published as Charlie….and figured that would be the best way to land a job at the Paris Bureau of The TImes. Roberts, who was certainly impressed by her portfolio of work, is willing to give her a chance. He leaves her in the hands of his very chic office manager, Violet Carthage, and tells Charlie to report to work the following day. There she is given her make-or-break assignment….interview the leading member of Parisian society, British ex-pat Lady Ashworth, and establish a friendship with her and her husband, Lord Ashworth. If the Ashworths welcome her into their circle, Charlie will have the necessary entrée into le tout monde, the cream of society, and as such will be positioned to have the pulse of the city. Fortunately, Charlie does just that, and is invited to the Circus Ball, the extravagant summer party being thrown by the Ashworths at their newly renovated estate (conveniently right next door to Versailles), the Villa Trianon. Violet uses her connection to Aleksandr Ivanov, a Russian designer working for one of the elite fashion houses, to make sure that Charlie is suitably attired for the event….and event it is, with maharajahs arriving on elephants, trapeze artists, knife throwers, and more. No one throws a party like the members of le tout monde, and Lady Ashworth is the acknowledged master of the art. There are hundreds of the most celebrated residents of Paris there, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor; Violet and Alexsandr, Lady Ashworth’s assistant and aspiring photographer from the American South, Conrad Mackenzie; famed banker to the wealthy Maxime Marchand and his wife Claudette; Milly Goldsmith, wealthy American socialite and correspondent to Harper’s Bazaar; and handsome British military attaché Commander Rose-Thomas and his wife Mercedes. When Milly emerges from the garden later that night screaming and with a bloody knife in her hands, it is clear that this is not one of Lady Ashworth’s party tricks. Someone has been brutally murdered, and just about everyone at the party has a motive to kill him. They say that most murders are committed over money, sex or power….and the victim had plenty of all of the above. The police are summoned, and Inspecteur Bernard is charged with finding the killer. As an investigative reporter, Charlie digs in to the story as well, and her experience in establishing a cooperative relationship with law enforcement back in Australia has Charlie pushing to share information with Bernard. Digging into the secrets and scandals that tie Marchand to the upper ranks of society won’t be easy, and it might just prove deadly to anyone who tries.
In the first of what is hoped to be a new series from author Kristy Manning, the reader meets tenacious reporter Charlie, who is smart and ambitious even as she recovers from setbacks in her personal life. The gruff but supportive boss Roberts, the fashionista Violet, and not one but two handsome men who appeal to Charlie, Commander Rose-Thomas and Inspecteur Bernard form the supporting cast. With a backdrop as glamorous as Paris as she rebounds from the First World War….the scandalous Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the elegant creations of fashion houses like Chanel and Mainbocher, and the amazing food and continually flowing champagne…it is hard not to be drawn into the decadent, anything-goes atmosphere. The Paris Mystery is a fun romp of a whodunnit, and the characters have the potential to continue future adventures (minus, of course, the dead man and the killer, one hopes). Readers who enjoyed The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre by Natasha Lester, The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict, and lighter historical mysteries in general should give this a try. My thanks to NetGalley and Vintage/Penguin Random House for providing me access to an advanced reader’s copy of The Paris Mystery.

The Paris Mystery was full of intrigue, but it seemed so unlikely that the “detective” could land so beautifully into the social network she needed to be successful. A good read, one that didn’t give away enough to allow the reader to solve the mystery. So, though a good read, I was left with a bit of the incredulous judgment that anyone could always be right where they needed to be for succeeding in unearthing the solution.

Thank you Net Galley for the advanced copy for an honest review.

Charlie James is an Australian journalist who lands a new job at The Times in Paris. She is in the process of a divorce and needing a fresh start. Her first byline is interviewing Lady Ashworth who knows EVERYONE in-the-know inParis society. Lady Ashworth is hosting a solstice eve circus-like party and Charlie is invited. At the party Charlie, Violet (The secretary to the editors and Charlie's new BFF) as well as their new photographer Conrad document all the who's who at the party. However, the party is soon disrupted by a loud scream, a woman holding a bloody knife and a prominent banker dead on the ground.

This is a book that has a journalist as a detective, a list of characters who could have done it, a police detective who may be attracted to Charlie, and descriptive scenes of couture, food, locale, and action. There are parties, fashion shows, scavenger hunts, evil deeds and so much more. I was surprised at the ending. I thought I knew who did it but there was a twist I wasn't expecting. Dang it - I SHOULD have figured it out, LOL

The characters are well thought out, have great back grounds but they could be fleshed out a little more.
I did skim through the continual description of the clothes simply because I was tired of reading about it. This was only because it is not of major interest to me anymore. A few times is great, but not as many as in this book. In defense of the author, the main character WAS writing about Paris - fashion - and who's who in the year 1938.

All in all I did enjoy reading this book and would read this author again. I wouldn't consider this a hard read but one to pass the time between serious books that I normally read.

This was a little intriguing, an interesting plot idea. The protagonist, Charlie has relocated and is determined to make being a reporter in Paris work for her. Somehow it just didn't grab me. Perhaps it was the police sharing so much with a journalist or Charlie's role in showing off designer clothes. Im not sure.

It was two/three out of five for me.

With thanks to Netgalley, Penguin Random House and the author for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable story with an entertaining historical setting. It was a bit melodramatic at times and over the top, but I liked it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was an enjoyable mystery that I read in one day. The characters were well-drawn and the descriptions of 1930's were spot-on. The mystery aside, it was especially interesting to read of the effects that current events had on the characters.

Newly divorced reporter Charlotte (Charlie) James arrives in Paris in 1938 to take a job with the Times. Her first assignment is to interview Lady Ashworth, the wife of a British diplomat. Charlie secures an invitation to one of Lady Ashworth’s galas—a circus ball.

Murder is afoul when a well-known Paris banker, Maxime Marchand, is found stabbed on the Ashworth’s property. Charlie is assigned to report the murder and soon strikes up a working relationship with the police detective in charge of the investigation.

The plot is adequately paced, and everyone on the suspect list—among them are a photographer, another reporter, a British Naval officer, his wife, and a Russian dress designer—had a reason to kill Marchand. I wasn’t sure who the murderer was until the end.

The setting is Paris not long before the German occupation, a time for lavish parties and when the wealthy flaunted their lifestyle. The author seems to be fond of bias-cut dresses and sash windows, but even so, those references aren’t overdone.

Thanks to Net Galley and Penguin Random House for an advanced reader copy.

Charlie aka Charlotte arrives in Paris from Australia in 1938 to become a reporter for the London Times bureau in Paris. While not happy Charlie is female her editor decides to let her stay as she is a good reporter. Immediately she is assigned to cover Lady Ashworth's grand circus themed party and with the help from a fashion forward employee at the paper, learns much about Paris society quickly. At the party, a controversial wealthy banker is murdered and Charlie finds herself working with a police detective to solve the case. A fun cozy with intriguing characters and the promise of more mysteries for Charlie to solve in the future.

The clothes were good, if slightly improbable. Everything else, plot, characterizations, dialogue, was...utterly forgettable. But, so, the clothes sound nice.

The Paris Mystery is a light, easy, cozy mystery. Kirsty Manning has created a quick read that at the same time is fun and enjoyable. The rich definitely lead lives quite differently than those of most Parisians, but all that wealth doesn't mean that people are happy. The Paris Mystery reads like the first of a series, and I hope it will be a series. It is a nice break to read about the rich, with their lovely homes, fancy dresses, and great food, which means The Paris Mystery is escapist reading. But what is a terrific party without a murder to liven things up?

Charley James is an intrepid woman reporter, who is isn't interested in writing society news. Luckily for James, her first fancy dress ball, held in Versailles, includes a murder in need of solving, especially since the police inspector is handsome and interested in working with James. Since the victim was hatred by most of his wealthy friends, as well as those who are not wealthy, there are many suspects. There are several wrong turns in the search for the killer, but since this wrong turns involve beautiful clothing and romance, the journey toward solving the murder(s) is an enjoyable trip.

Since I was just in Paris a few weeks ago, The Paris Mystery was a bit like visiting an old friend. I enjoyed the plot, even though the identity of the murderer was not a surprise. Thank you to Manning and to her publisher, Penguin Random House, Vintage, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you also to NetGalley, who has introduced me to so many new authors, including Manning.

Thank you to the author, Kirsty Manning, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this mystery! It was bright, fun, and well paced. The descriptions of physical places in 1930s Paris were vibrant. There was a level of complexity to the plot in which there existed not only the mystery itself, but also the effect of various current events upon the characters. Utterly enjoyable!

This is a quick and fun read. I enjoyed getting to know Charlie, coming to a Paris after a failed marriage, her friendship with Violet and all the interesting characters she meets. Her first story as a reporter for the Times is a murder. Working with the police, she actually helps solve two. And the little twist in the epilogue, loved it!

This has been compared to the Great Gatsby, but I think it smacks of Downton Abbey even more so. I won't tell what the book is about - others have done a commendable job. But you've gotta admire Charlie James, the main character, for being a strong woman figure in the early to mid 20th century. I love the details in the book that sit you right on the set of the story. I thought the ending came a little soon, but then the REAL ending came just later. Shocker really.
You will keep turning the pages while Charlie works with the police in solving the murders (yes, there are two).

1938. Journalist Charlie James arrives in Paris to begin her new job as a foreign correspondent for The Times. She’s after a big story and needs to get in with the very highly placed Lord and Lady Ashworth. When Charlie is invited to Lady Ashworth’s Circus Ball she is sure it will lead to that big breaking story. Unfortunately what she finds is the body of a man whose death means a lot to many people. And so, Charlie will stop at nothing to solve the crime, and get the story.

I have to say, this one just didn’t enthrall me. While it was a bit of light reading, I also found it a bit slow. Too many times the story is interrupted by Charlie’s continued reflections on her failed marriage and philandering husband back in Sydney. And much as I love Paris, it’s food, drink, art, fashion, etc., that all became too much a part of the story. Instead, I would have liked more of the prelude to war that was offered at the beginning of the book. It could have offered much more for future books (just an opinion).

“‘There’s a lot happening in Paris.’ George pointed at Charlie. ‘You need to make Lord Ashworth your business. The Prime Minister made sure Lord Ashworth was posted to Paris as a diplomat when King Edward abdicated. He’s lost face in London with the top brass, but he still has friends in high places right across the Continent—people in governments and industry…Chamberlain might not listen, but the people will. We’ll give them the truth.’”

I must say there was a real twist at the end which was quite a surprise, and which I really did take issue with. But enough said about that (no spoilers here). On the plus side, I did enjoy Charlie, who comes across as strong, confident, intelligent and interesting.

So, not really a bad book, just not what I was expecting (or maybe hoping for).

Kirsty Manning takes readers into the opulence, glamour and decadence of 1930s Paris in her historical mystery, The Paris Mystery. The atmospheric story is an excellent introduction to pre-World War II Paris as seen through the eyes of an outsider, reporter Charlotte “Charlie” James.

Charlie was a successful reporter in Sydney, Australia, and she hopes to continue that career in Paris, fleeing there after her separation from her husband. In 1938, she’s hired by the British-based newspaper, The Times, but her editor is surprised to discover his new reporter, Charlie James, is a woman. She’s going to have to prove herself. He tells her to get to know Lord Rupert Ashworth and his wife, Eleanor. Lord Ashworth is a diplomat, and his wife knows everyone who counts in Paris. Lady Ashworth will hold her annual Circus Ball on the eve of the summer solstice, and Charlie’s boss expects her to attend, take a photographer, and uncover secrets.

Thanks to her new friend, Violet, the administrative assistant who runs The Times office, Charlie gains access to Lady Ashworth, to high couture dresses she normally couldn’t afford, and to the Circus Ball. The ball is more decadent than Charlie expected, with bare-bosomed women on ponies, tightrope walkers, and a murder. And, it’s another foreign correspondent, a woman from Harper’s Bazaar, who has a bloody knife in her hand when a wealthy, powerful man is found dead in the gardens. Now, Charlie’s boss wants her to cover the story, while avoiding British politics and the Ashworths as much as she can.

Manning brings a sparkling pre-war Paris to life. What struck me, though, was Charlie’s discovery and conversations. She was just one person who came to Paris to try to escape her past history, her marriage and the ugly end of it. She’s told that people came to Paris to reinvent themselves “in the city that flouted rules”. Despite the drinks, the dresses, the parties, the wealth, Charlie realizes she can’t really escape her past. She’ll have to live with it, and move on.

I’ve read other mysteries set in Paris in this time period. The Paris Mystery features one of the best-developed, most interesting amateur sleuths. Pair her with Inspector Benoit Bernard who is running the current investigation, and the murder investigation is intriguing.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read this early!

The Paris Mystery is a solid start of a series! I am not sure if this one is for me and if I will continue reading them. Though the characters, plot were incredibly well thought out and developed I was every so slightly underwhelming.