This was an enjoyable cozy historical fiction mystery. I’m a sucker for books set around art, I just love the descriptions around them. This one did not disappoint! Set around the 1900s and the Paris Exposition, there was no lack of culture or art. And being set around a murder, equally just as entertaining to read!

I went into this one not knowing what to expect. I knew it was part of a series, Book #7 in fact of the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series, and while, this can easily be read as a standalone, I will admit especially at the beginning, the little snippets we’re given about past drama between our characters, I definitely want to go back and read the rest of the series! I need to hear the tea! Though I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to know the previous books to enjoy this one, I found this to be easily a fun cozy mystery to read without having read the predecessors.

The pacing flowed easily, a little slower initially as we’re still getting acquainted with our characters. But as we get sucked into the murder mystery and the details around it, I didn’t want to put it down. I especially enjoyed following Frances’ train of thought as she put together details that I never would have thought to connect the dots to.

If you’re looking for a cozy historical mystery set around the 1900s with Parisian vibes and filled with art, definitely consider picking this one up!

Absolutely fabulous!

This was my first read from this author, and it did not disappoint! It was cheeky and fun while having this wild mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat! I couldn't put it down!

George and Frances are an amazing investigative team. They have a really sweet collaboration and trust with one another. When George's aunt writes from Paris that she fears her friend has been murdered and she needs them to come and see what they can find, off they go to find out that there is much more than they expected going on. When George's aunt also winds up dead and they end up with her 15 year old daughter as their ward, let the real trouble begin!

With twists and turns and suspects galore, this book will keep you guessing until nearly the end. There are lots of surprises with some easier to discover than others, but the gentle humor throughout made this such a great read.

An Art Lovers Guide To Paris and Murder is the seventh book in the A Countess Of Harleigh Mystery series by Dianne Freeman.

It’s July 1900, and Francis has suggested that since they didn’t have a honeymoon, they should travel to Paris and visit the World Exposition. George has just received a letter from his Aunt Julia asking him to come to Paris for a private conversation. Francis and George pack and head for Paris. When George learns from Aunt Julia that she was going to ask him to investigate the death of her ex-lover and an artist, Ducasse, his death has been ruled as an accidental drowning, but she feels it was murder. But Aunt Julia has changed her mind. Then, the next day, George witnessed what turned out to be the murder of Aunt Julia. Further enjoyment of the World Exposition will have to wait until Francis and George learn who killed Aunt Julia and determine if Ducasse died from accidental drowning or was murdered.

I love this series. The series is well-written, well-plotted, and historically accurate. The characters are well-developed, enjoyable, and are very believable. There were enough twists and turns that I kept guessing about the killer's identity until the end of the book.

I’m looking forward to the next book in this beautiful series.

BOOK: AN ART LOVER'S GUIDE TO PARIS AND MURDER
AUTHOR: DIANE FREEMAN
PUB DATE: 25 JUNE, 2024
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REVIEW- 2.8 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I was excited to read this book, but I didn't really like it because it was mundane. The story was a typical murder with romance, secrets, and money involved. I liked that the MCs worked out to find the culprits, but I was disappointed when they were revealed at the end. I would have wanted something less typical.
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For this kind of book in a series where the MCs met in the first book and finally got married, I would have wanted to see more lovey-dovey scenes with Frances and George. But, I didn't feel any chemistry between them, and it was disappointing because it was this part I was looking forward to the most.
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That being said, the book was okay for a novice who just started to read mysteries. But, for someone like me? I want plot twists, I want to be surprised.
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While Frances and George are in Paris for their honeymoon, tragedy strikes. Investigating the murder, they become entangled in a web of secrets in the art world. As they uncover the truth, will they become the killer’s next targets?

I love the characters and the relationships in this cozy mystery. The plot is full of interesting twists that kept me guessing until the end. The tone is lighthearted with a hint of humor.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This is my first Countess of Harleigh mystery. I was entertained by the story of Frances and George and kept guessing by the mystery. There was not one but two murders to solve. Paris at the height of the World Exposition of 1900 sounds amazing. I enjoyed the arm chair visit to the past.
I recommend reading An Art Lovers Guide to Paris and Murder.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read this book.

First of all, I wish I had known about this series earlier! I absolutely loved the characters. Frances is a favorite. I need to get the rest of the books as soon as possible.

(That being said, the author does a great job with character development and catching the reader up on previous important details. This is book 7.)

I love cozy historical mysteries and this book was so good. So many twists and turns and surprising events. As mentioned, Frances is such a great character. I loved her wit and charm. George too is great. Every character was written well and I adored Fiona. (As well as other characters I don’t want to say, just in case!)

The author does an expert job of planting seeds that had me turning pages fast and making my own assumptions. All the while, enjoying a very pleasant, cozy historical mystery. I hope the author will write more books in this series but I have more to enjoy by starting at the beginning of the series.
Huge thank you to the publisher for the Netgalley link. .

Once again, I plunged into a series because the description of this one sounded so intriguing. It's set in Paris in 1900, at the World's Fair and involves artists and I'm not patient enough to read six previous books just so I can get to this one (although after reading this one, I plan to double back and catch up.) Historical cozies are rapidly becoming some of my favorite reads and this one is no exception. Theplot took some unexpected turns and the setting absolutely fascinated me. I know I've missed lots of back story about the characters, but was able to enjoy the book without worrying too much about what I didn't know.

Another fun installment to this historical mystery series. I have really enjoyed seeing Frances getting over her bad marriage, struggling free of his family and falling in love again. Frances and her new husband George are a good couple in love and in mystery solving. Saying that, in this book they spent more time apart then I would have liked to have seen (not due to any argument or anything).

This definitely had lots of suspects, red herrings and convoluted back stories that sometimes meant I couldn't keep track of exactly who was who and their connections to one another. But overall, a fun book with lots of mentions of the Paris Exhibition that added very interesting historical facts.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

When George’s aunt reaches out, and Francine’s to Paris to see what they can do for her. Unfortunately, they get there too late, as Julia it’s one of the victims in a bridge collapse. was it an accident? Or is there something behind her deck that’s tied to her request for help?

Usually, I’m not a fan of historical cozies. However seeing “Paris” in the title change everything for me on this one. And it did not disappoint. I would definitely spend more time with George and Frances in the future.

City of Light, mystery, and death!

Well this was a most enjoyable read! Paris of the 1900 with the Exposition Universelle and artists in Montmarre! How exciting! It just so happens that George Hazelton’s, aunt Julie who’s apparently been living in Paris for years, painting and making perfumes gets in touch with him. She wants to make provision for her daughter whom none of the family knew about.
Then George receives a letter from Julie thinking someone murdered her dead lover (of years ago).
George’s wife, the Countess Frances, has been wanting to visit Paris, taking their daughter Rose. A perfect opportunity until they’re all embroiled in murderous undertakings.
I really enjoyed the metaphorical walk around Paris of these times pursuing lines of inquiry that lead to deception and intrigue.

A Kensington Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Here’s to another beloved series that I thoroughly enjoy. The Art Lover’s Guide to Paris and Murder book 7 by Dianne Freeman in the Countess of Harleigh mystery series is another thrilling affair full of intrigue, secrets and murder. We find our beloved couple split between a Paris Holiday with their sights set on the Paris Exhibition and honoring the request of George’s Aunt Julia’s wish that he put his detective skills to investigate the suspicious murder of artist Paul Ducasse. Julia succumbs to her own mysterious downfall stabbed to death amid the chaos of a footbridge collapsing. What follows is nothing short of scandalous behavior, buried secrets and no shortage of suspects. Anyone who enjoys murder mysteries set in the Victorian era can expect to enjoy this!

Frances and George are heading to Paris at the behest of his Aunt Julia. While she originally seems to imply that she wants them to look into the death of artist Paul Ducasse, she isn't so sure once they arrive. There are a number of people introduced including some we have seen in previous books like the woman Frances's husband had an affair with.
While Julia seems hesitant about following up with Frances and George, they are not going to let her go, especially after there's a break in at her lodging. Then, there's a death and they are going to have to search through parts of France to protect not only themselves but a lost family member.

Four stars
This book comes out June 25, 2024
Countess of Harleigh #7
Follows a Newlywed's Guide to Fortune and Murder
ARC kindly provided by Kensington and Edelweiss
Opinions are my own

I received a copy of this title from the publisher, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. After having put off their honeymoon, Frances jumps at an opportunity to visit Paris during the World Exhibition when George's aunt Julia sends a letter asking for his help. Upon their arrival, they discover that Julia believes the recent death of the artist Ducasse was murder and not the accidental drowning it has been ruled. Julia has changed her mind and refuses to tell George and Frances why she thinks he was murdered and instead asks them to just forget about investigating. Unfortunately, Julia is killed in what originally appears to be a tragic accident while visiting the Exposition, but when it is determined to be murder George is suspected. Now they must try and solve Julia's death to bring a murderer to justice as well as clear George's name.

I really enjoyed the descriptions of Paris and the Exposition; Ms. Freeman does an excellent job of making the reader feel like they are there. The mystery of who the killer is was enjoyable as well as a secondary mystery about a secret Julia hid for years before her death. Frances and George are well matched and I like how he doesn't try too often to keep her out of the investigation. I hope the next book features more of Frances's family including her daughter Rose and her aunt Hetty as I love both characters. I'm definitely a fan of this series and hope to see many more titles.

I thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance reader copy of “An Art-Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder.” All opinions and comments are my own.

A suspicious death is at the heart of “An Art-Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder,” Dianne Freeman’s latest Frances Hazelton mystery, set in 1900 during the Paris Exposition. Husband George’s Aunt Julia is convinced that a local artist doesn’t just drown; he was murdered. So, off they go, to visit the exposition and see what’s up. But then Aunt Julia herself is killed, stabbed to death. Things are now very personal, and when Julia’s daughter turns up, whose father was the dead artist, it’s time to get down to business.

We have suspects galore, a painting covered in black paint, a kidnapping, thievery, and a whole lot of explaining to do by certain people, because scandal in society means disgrace. “An Art-Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder” finds Frances at her best, ensuring that nothing is overlooked in her quest for justice.

Author Freeman includes a short travelogue of the Paris Exposition, which included a moving sidewalk, quite the attraction. “An Art-Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder” educates and entertains, all at the same time. You’ll be page-turning for sure.

Frances and her husband, George, have two points of interest in Paris. One is an impromptu holiday to visit the Paris Exposition. The other is personal. George’s Aunt Julia has requested her nephew’s help in looking into the suspicious death of renowned artist Paul Ducasse. At the exposition, swarming with tourists, tragedy casts a pall on the festivities. A footbridge collapses. Julia is among the casualties. However, she was not just another fateful victim. Julia was stabbed to death amid the chaos. With an official investigation at a standstill, George and Frances realize that to solve the case they must dig into Julia & Paul’s lives and question everything and everyone in Julia’s coterie of artists and secrets.
The seventh book in the series & another well written entertaining murder mystery. The characters are well portrayed & I love both George & Francis & thoroughly enjoyed their Parisian adventure. There are plenty of suspects, as well as twists, turns & red herrings. Plus the couple do get in Inspector Cadieux’s way, it’s witty & charming.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

I have read all the books in this series and I loved this one the best. I would give it more than 5 * if I could. As usual the characters were well written and the mystery flowed well. The twists and turns kept me guessing till the end with a few surprises along the way. The description of Paris and the Exposition made it a more delightful read than books set in London. You could feel the excitement. It can be read as a standalone but once you have read it, you will want to go back and do a catch up read. I now look forward to their next adventure and see where this storyline leads. I received this as an ARC and freely give my review.

I just finished this book and immediately went looking for all the previous titles in this series. This is the first book I’ve read in the series and now I need to read them all! Needless to say I really enjoyed following Frances and George’s exploits in France. What a fun book and series! I highly recommend this book. I found it enjoyable as a standalone and had no problem figuring out relationships and filling in some of their background stores. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I've wanted to read this series and am glad to have finally done it because this was delightful! Set in the Victorian era and featuring a charming couple/sleuthing duo, I enjoyed the dynamic and banter between Julia and George and how they worked together. The mystery was well-plotted and kept me guessing. There was a wide suspect pool and plenty of misdirection. The writing is excellent, well-paced, and entertaining from start to finish. What stood out most to me was how beautifully and organically all the various bits of historical detail were incorporated. It made me feel like I was there, from the dialogue to the incredible imagery of the Paris Exposition. It was fascinating, never reading like a dry historical account. I must go back and read the previous books in this series. I can see why this series is so beloved!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the free book!

This is a delightful series featuring a couple who ends up investigating murders at the turn of the 19th to 20th century. The protagonist, Frances, is a mix of a traditional, aristocratic wife and a new woman who is much more independent. In this novel, Frances and her lovely husband, George, are in Paris during the 1900 Paris Exposition when they end up investigating two murders. The characters they encounter are interesting and the mystery unfolds at a nice pace. I enjoyed spending time in Belle Epoque Paris.

I’ve enjoyed the earlier books in this series. I am not sure if this book is as enjoyable if you haven’t read those books for this entry in the series. But I heartily recommend the entire series.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.