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.

In post WW2 Paris, a young Julia Child is studying the culinary arts at Le Condon Bleu cooking school and has invited her American friend Tabitha Knight to a demonstration by the renowned Chef, Richard Beauchêne at the school. Tabitha is staying with her elderly grandfather and his partner and has to prepare their evening meal but since she knows little about cooking, Julia has taken her under her wing and is teaching her some simple (but delicious) recipes.

Just before the start of the demonstration, a gift of bottle of wine was delivered to Chef Beauchêne, a fine old wine that has surely been hidden away somewhere during the occupation. The Chef can’t resist opening it and tasting it on the spot. Unfortunately, it will be the last thing he ever tastes as he collapses and dies almost immediately.

Tabitha and Julia are convinced that Chef Beauchêne has been poisoned by the wine, as is their old friend Inspector Merveille of the Sûrete. Knowing Tabitha from a previous murder case, Merveille warns her not to get involved in the investigation, but of course that was never going to happen. She can’t help being curious and intrepid even as it will lead her into danger. She also likes to find excuses to visit the handsome Merveille at the police station, although is disappointed to discover a photo of his fiancée on his desk.

The sights and sounds of Paris are a wonderful backdrop to this murder mystery. Tabitha and Julia’s daily visits to the nearby market are full of colour as they select the fresh food on offer, while sharing local gossip with the stall holders. When Julia asks the mushroom seller for champignons for her evening meal, he leads her into the Paris catacombs to pick them and she is fascinated to learn how the underground chambers were used during the war, both by the Parisians and the Nazis. With a cast of wonderful characters and mouth-watering descriptions of Julia’s recipes that she whips up in her tiny kitchen, this is an excellent addition to this delightfully entertaining series.

Who managed to put arsenic in a sealed wine bottle? And why was it sent to the chef? And then to another chef? And now to Tabbie! This is a delightful second installment in a series which features Julia Child (more this installment than in the first). Tabs, as Julia calls Tabitha, is an American who is living with her uncle and his companion and taking cooking lessons. And solving murders This is a classic cozy with a twist. For one thing, it's got great post-War Paris vibes and it's got Julia. Police Inspector Merveille might become a romantic interest (that would make Julia happy) but we're going to have to wait for that to develop. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good cozy read.

A Murder Most French is the second book in a mystery series that follows an American in Paris who is best friends with Julia Childs after WWII. Tabitha is half French and is living in Paris with her grandfather and uncle. She is caught up in another murder mystery in this book.

I liked this book but didn’t love it. I love all of the characters. I thought the plot and mystery were interesting as well. Paris as the back drop for this story is also interesting. I loved the descriptions of the city.

While I usually love food in a mystery, this one was just too focused on food for me. It described food and how it was cooked a lot. I feel like it took away from the mystery. I just felt like some of the other background stuff got in the way of the mystery itself.

If you don’t mind a lot of food talk and other background stuff, you’ll probably like this book more than I did. However, I still liked it and though it was interesting.

Thanks so much to netgalley and Kensington Books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Kensington Books. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Historical Mystery, Culinary Mystery
Gore Factor: Low (sure there are dead bodies but their deaths are not described in gruesome detail)
Representation: Gay side characters, Historical icons

*A MURDER MOST FRENCH* is my first book by Colleen Cambridge, and it reads as a stand-alone if you haven't picked up the first in the series. However, after reading this one, I want to go back and read *MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH MURDER*.

Julia Child is amazing as a fictionalized character—I love how she describes cooking and her joie de vivre! Give me all the food and shopping in the local Parisian market!

But she isn't the main sleuth—Tabitha is an American in Paris, taking care of her grandfather and "uncle"—meaning his partner. Tabitha breaks the mold for the time-period in many ways, but is logically formed as a woman during the post-WWII era. I also loved the cop and his grumpy attitude.

There is a bit of sexual innuendo, but the language was pretty clean. (I'm thinking there was one f-bomb and a few other swears—I noticed a reader commented about the language in the first book in the series, but I can't tell you from personal experience how much swearing is in that one.) This book doesn't have sex on the page or have fade-to-black scenes; it's truly a mystery.

I would recommend this book—I wasn't really sure who the killer was. Maybe you'll figure out whodunit.

Happy reading!

I had originally intended to read this book first, which was due to be published soon, but I thought I'd read the first in the series and then this second. While I am glad I did, it isn't, at this point in the series, necessary to have read the first. Ms. Cambridge does a good job in introducing the characters and obliquely explaining relationships and their past adventure together so that the reader will not get lost. In this book, we learn a bit more about Oncle's background prior to and during the war, enough to intrigue us and set him up to be pivotal in future books. His and Grandepere's relationship is still largely veiled, but it's clear they are an established couple whose long relationship does not seem to bother anyone in 1950 Paris, although it may upset puritanical modern readers. After exploring food and cooking in the first book, Ms. Cambridge turns to the other great love of the French in this second--wine. Interestingly, after having just finished this book, I was having dinner with a man who had just finished reading a nonfiction book about France and the wine industry in WWII, and we began comparing notes about how the fictional book represented the war and French winemakers. It appears that again, Ms. Cambridge has done her homework, as specific things she mentions were well documented during and after the war and recounted in the nonfiction history. Two good books point to a promising series, and I recommend this title, too.

I love this fun series that uses Julia Child as a secondary character in post-WWII Paris! Tabitha, Julia's neighbor, witnesses another murder, this time at Le Cordon Bleu during a cooking demonstration. There is lots of descriptive passages of food and Julia's cooking so be sure to read it after you eat or while you eat! Tabitha's grandfather and his partner are here once again, helping solve the murder as well as the handsome French detective. Cambridge does a great job setting the scene, making you feel like you're on the streets of Paris. So many red herrings in the book, which kept it moving along to the reveal. Overall, a solid, fun, and delectable cozy mystery for the mystery fan!

Tabitha attends a cooking demonstration at the Cordon Bleu cooking school where her friend Julia Child is studying, but before the demonstration begins, one of the master chefs drops dead after drinking from a glass of wine. When additional poisonings occur in short order, Tabitha and Julia investigate – not only to save lives, but to save a few valuable vintage wines with a history that goes back to the Great War.

This is the second book in this series, and I enjoyed it as much as the first one. I know the friendship between Tabitha and Julia is fictional, but it’s fun watching them interact. It’s easy to imagine real-life Julia getting so excited about cooking and what she’s learned, and I can almost hear her in my head as she explains cooking to Tabitha – not just the how, but the why.

Since there was more than one murder victim, the first part of the story was spent trying to figure out what the victims had in common. Once a tenuous connection was made, the search for suspects and motives began. There were so many possibilities, with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure, I gave up trying to figure it out until things became almost obvious near the end of the book. I probably should not have been surprised by the killer’s identity or the motive, but I was.

Ms. Cambridge is becoming one of my favorite cozy authors and I’ve enjoyed the historical bits I’ve learned from these books and from her Phyllida Bright series as well. I look forward to returning to Paris for another visit with Tabitha, her grand-pere and Oncle – and of course, more cooking lessons from Julia as well.

Colleen Cambridge in her historical fiction cozy mystery takes the reader back to the aftermath of World War II with her protagonist Tabitha Knight. Tabitha may be an aspiring cook (chef would be overstating her skill) for her grandfather and his partner with Julia Child as her best friend. An American in Paris, she speaks fluent French which will help with both her missions in the book.

With the primary setting in the Cordon Bleu cooking school and local high end restaurants, murder ensues as rare vintage wine becomes the vehicle of death. The first death occurs in a very public demonstration at the cooking school when the chef pours himself a glass of the expensive wine and immediately falls over dead. He will not be the last to drink a lethal taste of vintage wine followed immediately by death. Tabitha’s curiosity leads her on a chase through the markets, the catacombs, and the city of Paris. Her search for the murderer as she stumbles upon clues appears to be as bumbling as her cooking skills – until it is not.

Those who have watched Julia Child’s presentations will recognize her personality, and the author’s note at the end will give good information about her research to create this reality. This is a light read for those who remember Julia Child fondly and for those who like a cozy mystery set in a historical setting. I read and advance reading copy of the book. It hits the shelves on April 23 and is available for pre-order.

A murder investigation set in Paris at the famous cooking school. Who would do such a thing? It's up to this friend of a student to investigate.

A MURDER MOST FRENCH
Colleen Cambridge

How do you commit murder the French way? I found out recently when I read A MURDER MOST FRENCH by Colleen Cambridge.

A notorious chef collapses in front of his students and dies after taking a drink out of a supreme bottle of French wine. Luckily, Tabitha is there with her friend Julia learning to cook a new dish and they offer to help solve the mystery of the chef’s untimely death.

It’s French, it’s a murder mystery. It’s everything I thought it would be. Let’s talk about A MURDER MOST FRENCH by Colleen Cambridge

For those of you who fell in love with Julia Child in some sort or fashion rather for her life as a spy for the OSS or for her adventures in cooking and bringing French cuisine to American kitchens, this is such an interesting way to explore how the dynamics could have been if she had been involved in a murder mystery.

A classic murder mystery with a French twist. It is set in Paris, and the murder occurs at an observational cooking class at the Cordon Bleu cooking school. Assuredly, the right combination of characteristics for me right now. I’m obsessed with all things French and always love a good murder mystery.

A MURDER MOST FRENCH comes out on April 23, 2024. Be sure to grab your copy!

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books | Kensington for the advanced copy!

A MURDER MOST FRENCH…⭐⭐⭐⭐

I adore this fictional cozy series set in the time Julia Childs lived in Paris. It is so well done and Julia is a hoot. She’s the perfect sidekick for Tabitha. The gourmand influences just make it an even tastier mystery! Do not miss out on this series. It is so well written and filled with red herrings and distractions that you can get blind sided by the reveal at the end.

I loved the first book in this series, Mastering the Art of French Murder, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on the latest installment. I listened to the first one as an audio book, but there wasn't an audio book option for the ARC. I still loved A Murder Most French! Tabitha and Julia Child are on the case again in post-World War II Paris, learning to cook French cuisine and stumbling upon murders that Tabitha can't help but get caught up in. This time around, the murders center around Le Cordon Bleu, the cooking school where Julia is taking classes. Le inspecteur is on the case and wants Tabitha to butt out and stay safe. I really enjoyed the slow buildup of friendship (and possibly more?) between le inspecteur and Tabitha. This was a quick, fun read, and although I did figure out whodunnit kind of early, it was still a great book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Almost one year ago I read Mastering the Art of French Murder, which I had won from goodreads. I posted a review, my first review, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Coincidentally I just finished A Murder Most French, the second book in this series by Colleen Cambridge, and I loved it. I still read Julia Child’s dialogue in her very distinctive voice, I am still rooting for the romance that is blooming, and I still think Tabitha is a fantastic detective. I love the 1950 setting, I love the supporting characters (her 70-something year old messieurs) and I love the beautiful, artistic descriptions of post war Paris. This is a series I will stay with always. 5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Colleen Cambridge for allowing me to read an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this second installment of Colleen Cambridge's 'An American in Paris' series! The main character, Tabatha, is Julia Childs' neighbor and friend in the post WWII period of Paris. One of Julia's beloved cooking instructors is poisoned while sampling a very old, very expensive bottle of wine that was gifted to him, but no one knows who sent it or why. Tabatha and Julia happen to be present when this atrocity happens, and then the two become involved when the murderer strikes closer to home!

I love the period and location details that the author uses to tell her story! It makes me feel like I'm sharing a glass of fine wine and excellent food with Tabitha and Julia Childs in 1949 Paris! (Chef's kiss!)

4.25/5⭐️

This second outing in this Tabitha Knight/Julia Child mystery series set in post WW2 Paris was even better than the debut.

It centers around valuable bottles of wine showing up as gifts but containing something other than just grapes. As Tabitha investigates against Inspector Merveille’s wishes, she finds herself in danger from a surprising source.

Great historical research including trips into the Catacombs and fun cooking lessons from Child.

I’m really enjoying this unique series.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Kensington for providing the free early arc of A Murder Most French for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

All the stars! 5/5! I absolutely love this series and already want more. Please tell me more are coming.

I got the first book for Christmas 2023 and absolutely loved it. How thrilled I was that the second was not only already on its way but also available on Netgalley to request. My deepest thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for approving me.

This mystery had me guessing to the very end. I adore all of the food descriptions (I love a good food writing book and novels centered around food. I also love a classic Agatha Christie who-dun-it so this series is a marriage of all my favorite things. Colleen Cambridge is a master author who does wonderful things with her characters, history, and expertly planning a mystery I couldn't solve without her help! I really like Tabitha and her messieurs and I can't wait to see more of them.

Highly recommend to food lovers, mystery lovers, history lovers, and anyone who likes a well-crafted story.

"The City of Light is surging back to life in the wake of war, and its citizens are seizing every opportunity to raise a glass or share a delicious meal. But as American ex-pat Tabitha Knight and chef-in-training Julia Child discover, celebrations can quickly go awry when someone has murder in mind...

Set in midcentury Paris and starring Julia Child's fictional best friend, this magnifique reimagining of the iconic chef's years at Le Cordon Bleu blends a delicious murder mystery with a unique culinary twist.

The graceful domes of Sacré Coeur, the imposing cathedral of Notre Dame, the breathtaking Tour Eiffel...Paris is overflowing with stunning architecture. Yet for Tabitha Knight, the humble building that houses the Cordon Bleu cooking school, where her friend Julia studies, is just as notable. Tabitha is always happy to sample Julia's latest creation and try to recreate dishes for her Grand-père and Oncle Rafe.

The legendary school also holds open demonstrations, where the public can see its master chefs at work. It's a treat for any aspiring cook - until one of the chefs pours himself a glass of wine from a rare vintage bottle - and promptly drops dead in front of Julia, Tabitha, and other assembled guests. It's the first in a frightening string of poisonings that turns grimly personal when cyanide-laced wine is sent to someone very close to Tabitha.

What kind of killer chooses such a means of murder, and why? Tabitha and Julia hope to find answers in order to save innocent lives - not to mention a few exquisite vintages - even as their investigation takes them through some of the darkest corners of France's wartime past..."

I've been a fan of Colleen's under many different names for years I'm so glad so many people are embracing this new series of hers!

I laughed a lot with that one. As a French reader I really appreciated the depictions of the after war Paris and I must say the author did a very good work with all the French vocabulary. Especially with the very specific slang. I gapped in shock at a character in the background talking about "les Bosches"...
The culinary ambience was a delight and I still wonder how one of the characters managed to fail at making a fricassée ! It's definitely a fun read for cozy murder fans and on the plus side : you can learn some French !