Book 2 is like Book 1--an absolute gem. Julia Child and her gregarious personality steal the show again. Although she's a supporting character, she elevates the book in a wonderful way. The mystery is intriguing and the whole series is just a hoot! You'll get some cooking tips from Julia too.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

This was such a fun sequel! These are the perfect cozy mysteries for me. They are engaging and twisty and the atmosphere is so fun. Julia Child’s cooking always makes me hungry and the light romance we get is keeping me on the edge of my seat! I can’t wait for the next one!

I’m no stranger to Colleen Cambridge’s enchanting storytelling, but this is my first time meeting her sleuth, Tabitha Knight. It can be a gamble picking up book two in a series without reading the first, but I am happy to report that the kindhearted, yet fierce Tabitha dazzled me right from page one, and by page two, she felt like an old friend. The warm, inviting way in which Cambridge writes her characters (and the settings they inhabit) has a mesmerizing effect on the reader.

We meet Tabitha in the most idyllic of scenes, venturing through a Parisian market, musing about one of my favorite things: food. Tabitha is soon derailed by her dear friend, the absolutely charming Julia Child. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Julia’s personality in this book. As a historical figure, and one I’ve seen portrayed in film and TV, I had this image in my head that she would be a stiff, reserved figure, but oh, how Cambridge’s Child bursts from the page with life. She’s the confidante we all want to help us with a mystery, ready and eager to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire.

As with my past experiences with Cambridge’s writing, her mystery didn’t disappoint. Although we take a few chapters to get there, Tabitha is handed a bottle of exquisite wine to deliver to the esteemed Chef Beauchene at the famous Le Cordon Bleu school right before a cooking demonstration. As the avid mystery reader I am, I knew something was fishy, and it wasn’t the bouillabaisse. When Beauchene drinks the wine in front of a room full of eager cooking enthusiasts and plummets to the floor dead moments later, the mystery takes off, bringing the reader on a twisting journey full of excellently placed red herrings while showcasing the wonders of 1950s Paris with breathtaking style. Add in the charming characters we meet along the way—especially Tabitha’s grandfather and his partner—and you’re in for a fascinating ride.
I could write a whole post about the food descriptions Cambridge teases us with alone. Simply put, eat before you read this, or you will find yourself aching for the dishes Julia and Tabitha tackle together.

Although this is my first time visiting with Tabitha and Julia, I will most certainly be booking a return journey to 1950s Paris. A delightful read from start to finish, A Murder Most French is a must for historical mystery enthusiasts!

Thank you, Netgalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book.

In the second installment of An American in Paris mystery series, we follow Tabitha Knight, best friend to Chef, Julia Child, end up solving yet another murder.

Or more like a trail of murders. The whimsical Tabitha, the cooking Julia Child, Grand-Pere and Oncle Rafe, bring the humor yet amazing story to life.

I enjoyed going through the catacombs of Paris, being wrong about the culprit, and of course wishing I was drinking some delicious wine.

I adored this cozy historical mystery. I can't wait for the next on the series.

This is another delightful imagining of Tabitha Knight, a young American with a French mother who is befriended by Julia Child. Tabitha has moved to Paris to take care of her French grandfather who was part of the French Resistance during WWII. Tabitha spends her days tutoring American children living in Paris in French. Julia Child tries to teach her to cook. Of course, since it is a cozy mystery murder and mayhem ensue.

I love the descriptions of Julia’s cooking. The background of how Paris is recovering after the war is well researched and fascinating. The catacombs are of especial interest in this mystery. How the French hide wine from the Nazis and what the Nazis did with French wine is a crucial part of the plot.

Thank you to Kensington Press and NetGalley for the free Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest review. This is the second book in the series, but you could jump in here and then go back and read the first one. I gave this book 5 stars. I highly recommend this series. I hope to read many more.

After I finished this cozy mystery set in postwar Paris, the word that immediately came to mind was “delightful!” Going down easy like a fine glass of wine, this second installment in the American in Paris series improved on the first, bringing us a tighter mystery, faster pace, and even more Julia Child!

I found myself eager to dive back into this book every chance I got and reveled in the descriptions of the city, the detailed cooking scenes, and the moments rooted in historical events, like how the French went to great lengths to hide wine during the German occupation. While the killer’s motivation did fall a little flat for me, the book’s final moments more than made up for the lackluster reveal.

This is turning into a favorite cozy mystery series of mine and I will be crossing all my fingers that there’s a third installment in the works!

This second book in the mystery series is also set in post war France. Tabitha lives with her grandfather and his partner. A friend of Julia Child, she accompanies her to a cooking demonstration when a murder occurs. After a second murder the next day, again with Julia and Tabitha present, Tabitha becomes involved with the investigation, to the disapproval of the inspector. The interactions between Tabitha and Julia are fun, with descriptions of delicious French specialties. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The second American in Paris mystery finds Tabitha and her friend Julia Child investigating the death of a cooking instructor via bottle of poisoned wine.

This series is so enjoyable! Julia is a perfect side character and Tabitha is a great main character. I’m intrigued to see if we get more romance in the future with her and Merveille. But even beside that, the clues and pacing are great for a cozy style, and it’s just so fun!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Murder Most French is book two in Colleen Cambridge’s An American in Paris mystery series and is equally as delightful as last year’s first entry into the series: Mastering the Art of French Murder.

Readers once again are out and about in 1950s Paris with American ex-pat Tabitha Knight and chef-in-training Julia Child. Julia attends the legendary Cordon Bleu cooking school and invites Tabitha to attend one of the school’s open demonstrations. Tabitha, always trying to improve her cooking, is excited to see a master chef at work. Everything is lovely until one of the chefs pours himself a glass of wine from a rare vintage bottle and suddenly drops dead in front of all the assembled guests! And this is only the first in a string of poisonings. As a witness to this terrible crime, Tabitha is determined to find the culprit so that everyone is safe.

This is such an enjoyable, creative series–a wonderful mix of mystery and cooking! I adore the friendship between Julia and Tabitha, and Cambridge really does capture Julia so perfectly. I also would be remiss if I did not mention how much I adore Tabitha’s Grand-père and Oncle Rafe. I love exploring Paris with Tabitha and I hope there are many more coming in this series. @kensingtonbooks

I loved reading this book! If only life and responsibilities hadn't gotten in the way, I would have read it in a day. I may have enjoyed A Murder Most French a little more than Mastering the Art of French Murder. For my review of Mastering the Art of French Murder, click here.

A Murder Most French is the second book in the An American in Paris series. The series is set in post-war Paris and focuses on Tabitha Knight, a 30-something woman trying to find herself and what she wants from life. Tabitha has become fast friends with a neighbor who lives across from her, an American. That friend? Someone by the name of Julia Child, yes, that Julia Child. While Julia is not the story's main character, she adds a terrific dimension. The author states that many of Child's actions are true to life, but many others are not. You'll just have to read the series to determine which is which.

The second installment picks up Tabitha's adventures mere weeks after the conclusion of the first installment. I don't think you would have to read Mastering the Art of French Murder to understand the story, but why wouldn't you?

A Murder Most French has an expanded cast of characters. You see Tabitha going to the market with Julia and their interactions with many of the vendors. There are also more wonderful interactions with Inspecteur Merveille.

Alas, again, I shall mourn the book's lack of recipes. I know I could research them and find several variations, but I would still love to have the ones Julia made in the book. No matter what, you will find yourself hungry while reading. And when you're preparing your food, you may think, "What would Julia do?" I know I certainly did.

Do you enjoy reading cozy mysteries? What about historical fiction? Books that feature real people? What about delicious food and beautiful descriptions? Then what are you waiting for? Get yourself a copy of A Murder Most French!

A Murder Most French is the second in the charming An American in Paris mystery series which centers around Tabitha Knight who grew up in America, but travels to post-war France to learn more about her French heritage. She is staying with her Grandfather and his companion and works as English tutor. The hook of the first novel was that she had become best friends with Julia Child who was studying cooking and would pass along tips to clueless in the kitchen to Tabitha. In this novel Child again is found throughout and brought alive by Cambridge from what feels like considerable research into Julia's life and interests, as well as, cooking.

The mystery this time is culinary in nature. Famous chefs are being poisoned by rare vintages of wine. Tabitha can't resist being curious about not only the mysterious wine gifter, but also who has been recently vandalizing shopkeepers' stalls in the local market. I liked how like the last mystery this one works some history in with what triggers the murderer to act rather than feeling like it could be something set in any place or time. The novel will appeal to foodies, fans of Julia Childe, and historic mystery lovers; if like me you are all three than it is sure to be a fun, enjoyable read.

I am loving all of Colleen Cambridge's historical cozy mysteries, and the second in this series with Julia Child as a major character is absolutely intriguing and engaging. Tabitha, the main character, is discovering all kinds of things about French history (particularly the at the time of the book fairly recent history of World War II) and culture- and cooking. Obviously, with Julia Child as a character and the story set in Paris, this book has lovely descriptions of food, but the mystery is interesting on its own.

After loving Mastering the French Art of Murder last year, I eagerly anticipated this follow-up, and it did not disappoint! This delightful series is set in post-WWII Paris and features Tabitha, an American living in France who is learning to cook from her friend, Julia Child, a student at Le Cordon Bleu. Tabitha also finds herself doing some amateur sleuthing along the way.

I love Cambridge's writing style, and this is a well-paced and well-plotted mystery that is fun to read. The series has a beautiful setting, and the historical elements are fascinating. Through Tabitha's experiences, we see post-war Paris through the eyes of a newcomer. In this book, we explore the catacombs, visit the markets and cooking demonstrations, learn about valuable wines, and discover more about what happened during the occupation.

One of the things that makes a mystery series for me is the characters and how they become more multi-faceted as the books go on. This series has some that were wonderful and quirky right out of the gate but are even more delightful in this story, especially Julia Child. Cambridge has captured her energy and spirit so well that she steals every scene she is in. She provides cooking tips, and the food she whips up is mouthwatering! Tabitha is a likable sleuth, inquisitive, bright, and resourceful. She lives with her French grandfather and his companion "Oncle" Rafe, two very charming gentlemen, and then there's the intriguing Inspector Merveille. I love the dynamic among this core group and cannot wait to read more of the adventures that await them!

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

Julia Child was a delight to watch as she brought her love of cooking into the homes of her fans. Colleen Cambridge brings all of Julia’s enthusiasm and cooking skills as she encourages Tabitha Knight to investigate a murder. When she brings Tabitha to a cooking demonstration at the Cordon Bleu the chef is presented with a bottle of wine containing poison. The following day they attend a wine tasting where a second chef is poisoned after receiving a bottle of vintage wine. Tabitha almost lost her life when she was involved in a past murder investigation and she is warned to leave this case to the police by Inspector Merveille. She has an internal imp, however, that sees no harm in just looking into it. Her father was a police inspector and she grew up reading Agatha Christie so she is drawn to the investigation. The bottles were both wrapped in the same distinctive paper and tied with the same ribbon. When her grand-pere and Uncle Rafe receive a similar bottle, she is determined to find the killer.

The murdered chefs were partners in a restaurant before the war. When the Germans arrived one of the chefs settled in London while the other stayed behind and hid their collection of vintage wines. The wine was believed to have been found and destroyed by the Germans, but now it is being used to kill the people connected to the restaurant. Grand-pere and Rafe were frequent patrons of the restaurant, but was the bottle meant for them or is Tabitha getting too close to the murderer? As Tabitha and Julia search the market stalls for the freshest ingredients, they are also drawn into another mystery. Someone has been vandalizing the stalls and one of the vendors is found attacked in the catacombs under the market. There is a connection between the two cases and Tabitha must find that connection before harm comes to her family or she becomes the next victim. Cambridge’s scenes of Tabitha and Julia in the kitchen will have your mouth watering and their strolls through the markets brings Paris alive. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this book for my review.

A Murder Most French is book 2 of An American in Paris series. I listened to book 1 Mastering the Art of French Cooking. If you enjoy audiobooks, I would recommend this series as I enjoyed the audiobook slightly more than reading it myself. You don't need to read book 1 to enjoy book 2.

Tabitha is still trying to figure out what she wants to do but for now she is enjoying her time in Paris and trying to learn to cook with Julia Child as her teacher. She's not learning from Julia's cooking show or cookbook. No, Tabitha lives across from Julia Child!

The descriptions in this book are so very vivid. Tabitha is extremely observant so it makes sense that the descriptions would be detailed. And it isn't just the people she encounters but the city and definitely the food. Don't read this book when you are hungry. I so wanted to make a mushroom cream sauce after reading about it in the book (I settled for making myself an Asian-style mushroom soup which was very tasty and less fattening!)

I know some books feel weighed down when there is a lot of description but that's not the case with this book. It fully immerses the reader in the story. You will feel like you are there in the Paris market or the kitchen with Julia and Tabitha.

I love having Julia as a character. As far as we know the real Julia Child did not get involved in any murder mysteries. She lived in Paris following the war and attended cooking classes at Le Cordon Bleu. She a lively character and Cambridge captures her spirit well. It is one of the big reasons I loved listening to the audiobook of the first book - the narrator did a perfect imitation of Julia.

I like the other characters as well. Tabitha is a resourceful young woman and while she is definitely privileged she is not snobby. She is grateful to be living with her grandfather in Paris and being allowed to discover what she wants in life instead of just being married off to the first eligible bachelor who shows interest.

The mystery is interesting and we get to learn a little about France - farming Paris mushrooms, the catacombs, and of course, wine!

If you love cozy mysteries and French food, then you need to read this book!

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Tuesday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/04/a-murder-most-french-by-colleen.html

Another fine mystery involving Tabitha Knight and Julia Child. Famous chefs are being poisoned by rare vintage wines and Tab and Julia are on the case. The trail takes them to the catacombs of Paris, to an underground series of tunnels leading to one of the famous restaurants- now closed, but moving them closer to the truth. Delightful characters and Julia Child's food as always is exceptional. l.ove the characters and cannot wait for the next in the series.

I so adore this series! The heroine, Tabitha, is an American in Paris after WWII. Helpfully, she speaks fluent French since her mother is French, and now she is living with her grandfather and his close friend. And to her (and our) great good fortune, she lives across the street from Julia Child. This is the Julia who is just studying French cuisine and experimenting with cooking whatever fresh goodies she can find in the local marketplace. Julia’s exuberant personality comes through in every scene. It is not Julia Child who is the amateur detective in the novel, but Tabitha who is brought into the murder mystery through her friendship with Julia. As Tabitha investigates the clues that come her way, she keeps encountering the handsome police detective. I sense we’re witnessing a low-burn romance between them that will develop over the series. And I hope this will be a long-lasting series with many entries.

The series has everything! The mystery was well done. I didn’t figure it out although there were clues that were present. The ambiance of post-War Paris as the population is recovering, but still bitter over the Nazi occupation is interesting. The side characters are distinct and remain people I want to see more of. The heroine is smart and not quite TSTL as happens in some mystery series where the amateur detective is a woman. She has her own skills that she uses to get herself out of jams. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would give it more than five stars if I could.

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.

J'adore this series!
American Tabitha Knight has been living in Paris with her grandfather and his partner for less than a year. She has become friends with her neighbor, Julia Child, who is learning to cook French cuisine by taking classes at the Cordon Bleu cooking school. As part of Julia's effort to teach Tabitha how to cook more than a simple roasted chicken for her household, the two attend an afternoon demonstration by a master chef; but when he drops dead after sampling a bottle of wine, Tabitha finds herself involved in her second murder investigation in a matter of weeks. She can't help but pursue leads that take her around Paris and into the catacombs, much to the dismay of police inspector Merveille. While I usually try to figure out who the murderer is ahead of the reveal, these "American in Paris" mysteries are such a joy to read, with interesting characters, historical tidbits, Tabitha traipsing around 1950's Paris, and Julie Child's culinary tips, that I find myself just enjoying the "tour" and trying to savor every moment of the book before I reach the end.

I enjoyed this but liked the previous one better. We need some romance. Liked the facts about hiding the wine from the Germans and coke's foray into the market. Loved the catacombs. Overall good mystery with a focus on relationships.

A Series of Poisonings..
The second of the An American in Paris series of mysteries and ex-pat Tabitha Knight together with chef in training Julia Child find themselves grappling with a series of bizarre wine poisonings. The deaths are shocking and quick and it is not long before cyanide is discovered lacing the wine bottles - but things are about to get personal. Another hugely enjoyable instalment to this entertaining and well written series with a pair of likeable and credible protagonists, a well imagined and atmospheric setting, a deftly drawn cast of supporting characters and a solid mystery at its very heart.