The French Paradox

The French Paradox is the 11th book in the Wine Country Mysteries written by Ellen Crosby and will be published in April, 2021. I was thrilled to receive an early copy through NetGalley, as it is one of my favorite series. The author combines a love of wine, complex investigations, a beautiful Virginia setting, and a balanced historical / political tone in all her books, and this one is no exception. Imagine if Jacqueline Kenney Onassis had a lover before JFK, and she wrote about it in a few journals that someone got their hands on! Murder seems quite obvious, eh?

Lucie Montgomery runs the vineyard we've come to love. She's engaged to Quinn, and both her siblings are back home this season. Eli is mostly in the background but Mia is suspected of murder. Someone they know is found dead in the vineyard after he trashed a local gardener's methods. He also knew about Jackie O's letters, and when Lucie's Pepe returns from France, he as a secret too. In a multi-dimensional cast of powerful, rich, and angry people, which one of them killed the man who knew too much? With names like Cricket and Harry (both women) and Ash (man), there is an old-time charm set in a modern world.

Cozy mysteries have a wide range. While this falls mostly into the edges of the sub-genre, it's not your typical style. It's not light/silly/lovey like some... it's not dark either. Somewhere in the middle, it offers a reality check on life, where everyone's personalities aren't all black and white. Lucie can be tough to handle; she's direct, sometimes ornery... she expects things of others without justification, but she also knows how to love and support. The sibling bonds are extraordinarily real when it comes to fights or tender moments. And the author's knowledge of the geographical area and wine is immense. Half the time, I forget about the mystery and indulge myself in a history lesson. The tone is quite wonderful and feels atmospheric and ripe with tension.

I rate this series in my top 10 to 15 all-time... I must read the books when the come out. Often, the author embellishes history, or picks a fact and makes a lot more out of it. As readers, we should know this is intentionally historical fiction, so we shouldn't be upset. It's part of the magical world of storytelling, and while I adore Jackie O and think we shouldn't tarnish her reputation... thinking she had a secret lover is fun. I want to know who/why/where... what would happen if she was alive today and her journals were released... et al. This is the kind of book (and author) who pushes a reader to involve themselves in the story not because you want to solve the case but because you just need to be a fly on the wall as everything comes undone.

4.5 stars... a few items let open at the end, and a touch of confusion on timelines when the murder occurred. Nothing at all to worry about, possibly personal taste. But oh, now I have to wait another year, so I'll be grumpy. Truthfully, it is worth the wait. Give this one a chance please.

This is the 11th book in Crosby’s Wine Country Mystery Series…and my oh my, does this one have it all!

Lucie Montgomery runs the vineyard that we have fallen in love with throughout this series. She is still engaged to Quinn and in this segment, both of her siblings have returned home for the season. Mia takes the front seat in this installment when she becomes suspected of murdering a man found in the Vineyard after he had trashed a local gardener’s methods. Her grandfather is due back to celebrate Cricket’s 90th birthday and with his arrival, the past and present begin to collide.

This all swirls around the intrigue that has been created around a very famous Jackie…that’s right! Let’s say for a minute, that Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, had had a lover before she met JFK and when she had that secret lover, someone had kept a few journals about the affair and now someone had their hands on it! All of this had been set into motion because Jackie, while study abroad years ago and having a fling, also bought small portraits of Marie Antoinette by a little-known 18th century female artist and those paintings were now going to be sold. Then, when Lucie’s grandfather visits from France, he confirms his knowledge of the journal and is also holding onto a huge secret of his own, casting this cozy mystery into the fringes of this sub-genre. A mix of the lore of Camelot and powerful, rich people with secrets that are capable of undoing generations if all goes to plan…

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am eager to pick up the ones that have come before it in this series. This was great as a standalone novel as I had no prior knowledge of the series, but it also made me want to go back and delve into the earlier books. This was a great read on a weekend when I wanted an escape into a world of wine, intrigue and people with a lot of money and too many problems. If you are a fan of the Agatha Raisin series on Acorn TV, you will love this book.
Book Information

The French Paradox by Ellen Crosby will be released on April 6, 2021 from Severn House with ISBN 9780727891013. This review corresponds to an advanced electronic galley that was supplied by the publisher in exchange for this review.

I have a guilty confession to make. This is the eleventh book in Ellen Crosby's delectable Wine Country mystery series, and although I've greatly enjoyed every one that I've read, I haven't even read half of the series. Now that The French Paradox is one of my Best Reads of 2021, I should have more incentive to read the rest.

What makes The French Paradox-- and the entire series-- so good? Having also read the two books in Crosby's Sophie Medina series (please, ma'am, I want some more!), I have to say it's because Crosby's writing is a feast for the intelligent, curious reader. If you love strong characters, intriguing mysteries, history, art, literature, vivid settings, learning about winemaking, and more, this is an author you should not miss. I read this book with a smile on my face because I felt as though I were spending time with a kindred spirit.

Whenever Crosby uses historical figures in her books, as she does in The French Paradox, she does so with great sensitivity and after doing much research. I am of the age where one of the defining moments of my life is knowing exactly where I was when I learned that John F. Kennedy had been assassinated. (Sitting in my third-grade classroom.) I have a great deal of respect for the Kennedys, and I doubt very much that any of the clan would be upset with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's portrayal in this book.

Another reason to like this book is Crosby's drawing attention to the artist Élisabeth Vigée le Brun, friend to Marie Antoinette of France and the highest-paid portrait painter of her day. Vigée le Brun is a fascinating figure in her own right and certainly deserves more recognition. The mere mention of the artist's name reminds me of the first time I ever saw one of her works. Marvelous!

I called The French Paradox a feast for the intelligent, curious reader, and as you can see by my review, I savored every page. I haven't even mentioned the vivid Virginia setting or the deep roots main character Lucie Montgomery's family has in the area. If you haven't read any of Ellen Crosby's Wine Country mysteries, I urge you to do so. The French Paradox can be read as a standalone, but don't be surprised if you discover you're hungry for more.

This is the 11th in the wildly popular Wine Country mystery series. It can be read as a stand-alone but so many series’ raves have convinced me to devour the whole set.

In this latest, you’ll find Jackie Kennedy, a secret affair, Paris, fine wine, 18th century art, and murder — an irresistible mix, an enthralling read!

5 of 5 Stars

Thanks to the author, Canongate Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021
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