I have mixed feelings about this book. It was really a struggle for me to get into. I love all things Paris, and the book is well written. I think I'll read book 1 and then try this one again.

The Books of the Dead is the second in a series, following Death in Paris, which I have not yet read. I found The Books of the Dead to be a novel that will appeal to lovers of cozy mysteries who are able to suspend some disbelief.

Our two sleuths, Magda and Rachel, are American ex-pats who live in Paris. They have a relationship with a French Inspector, Boussicault, who involves them in solving some of his cases. Why this would happen is the what requires a reader's suspension of disbelief.

The case involves several murders and the theft of valuable pages from historic books. Suspects include those who work for or do research at the Biblioteque Nationale. Each suspect has a backstory that gives credence to why they may have committed the crimes. While solving the case along with our detectives, the reader gets to dash around Paris, spending a sufficient amount of time in cafes and bars.

The end of the book includes some extras. For example, there is a glossary of French terms.

I found this book to be an easy and relaxing read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I did not finish this book - just didn't hold my interest and seemed very 'formula'. Also, a huge irritation for me - using random french words in text. Readers don't need to be reminded that the events are in another country and dumping in très difficile, etc just pulls the reader from the story narrative.

Its been a while since I last read a cozy mystery. As a person in love with everything about Paris I gave this book a shot and I am glad I did. A lighthearted and interesting mystery with pleasant characters.
Two friends plan to try and sole a murder, what they want happens but in a totally different way than they are expected. I should say the characters are not very deep. And surprisingly the author admits she has never been to Paris, yet she describes the city very nice. The story is predictable with pleasant twists and turns and exciting ending.
Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Brilliant and heart pounding, Addictive, Unputdownable. The Books of the Dead will have You turning pages late into the Night.

The Books of the Dead by Emilia Bernhard is the second book in this series and was an engaging read . I had not read the first book in this series but Ms. Bernhard provided enough of a backstory for Rachel, Magda and Allen that I didn't feel left out while reading.

The plot is smoothly paced, the characters are developing as they sleuth through Paris, there were twists and turns to keep a reader guessing and only a few suspects as the body count grew. I enjoyed reading the descriptions of Paris provided throughout the book as Rachel and Magda investigated by following their suspicions.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

The second book in Emilia Bernhard's charming Death in Paris series, featuring two American sleuths in the City of Lights, is perfect for fans of M. L. Longworth and Juliet Blackwell.

Parisian summers are for strolls in the park . . . and solving a murder--or two.

When American sleuth Rachel Levis stumbles upon an employee of the French national library strangled in the bathroom of a cafe, she's not surprised to be asked to help with the investigation by her old acquaintance Capitaine Boussicault--after all, she and her best friend Magda solved a tricky murder only eighteen months before.

But right from the start, this case proves to be très difficile. When Rachel goes undercover as a librarian to determine which of his book-loving colleagues loathed the man enough to kill him, the library is rocked by more bad news: a priceless antique book has been mutilated. And the very next day, her favorite suspect for the murder is found dead in the stacks.

Just as the case is heating up, Boussicault pulls Rachel from the investigation. Undeterred, she and Magda decide to forge ahead with their own investigation--even if it could put them at odds with the police and in serious danger. With evidence and suspects piling up, it will be up to them to find the culprit--and stop more innocent books from being harmed--before anyone else checks out for good.

This was quite fun to read! I really enjoyed Rachel and how she handles the situations that come up. Great plot well-developed characters.

*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

A second in a new mystery series, ex-pat Rachel, and her friend Magda are mystery buffs, living in Paris. Their hobby becomes real when Rachel stumbles upon a dead body in a men’s room of a cafe. A light entertaining read.

Books, Paris and a mystery! This book had all the ingredients for a good read. But ... the characters and setting both came off as flat. Overall, I was disappointed. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

A soldi mystery. The main character is engaging and the supporting characters are interesting. The plot has enough twists and turns to keep most readers guessing. The setting in Paris, and more importantly at the Bibliotheca National, is done very well and makes the novel stand out. This is the second in a series but enough is explained that the reader can read this one without having read the first.

I loved the setting (Paris) and the sleuths so much that I went back and got the first book in the series. Highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I didn’t realise this was the second in a series. I’d recommend reading the first one, just so you have all the ideas and background, although I managed ok starting with book 2.

The best thing about this book is for once I had no idea how it was going to end. I love books that confuse me and totally take me by surprise!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

New author to me and this was an interesting book. It is the second in the series and I didn't read that one but this was still good not knowing any background. The characters were good and the story was well written.

This is the first I have read of this author, but I would categorized this title as a cozy. Some may not recognized it as such and I wasn't sure at the start. However, once that clicked, I settled well into the read. The setting is in France and the book is laced with French terms but a glossary is provided with translations for those unfamiliar with the language.

An interesting little mystery! Enjoyed the characters and the story. Kept me guessing til the end! Thank you for the early copy

A delightful book about the theft of pages from the rare book section in the French Bibliotheque Nationale. This is the second offering in the series of "A Death in Paris Mystery" but is easily read as a standalone. Don't be put off by the frequent French phrases because the author has thoughtfully included a guide with translations.

The characters are skillfully crafted and easily imagined to be real people. The murders are clever. I had no idea who the culprit was until the reveal. The thoughts of the protagonist, Rachel Lewis, are interesting: "Solving a murder... was ordering the world...a demonstration that ugliness did not always win."

I received an Advanced Readers Copy from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley.The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
#TheBooksOfTheDead #NetGalley

I read the first book in this series and wasn’t really impressed. In fact I found it just silly but with potential so I wanted to read the follow up. And I am so glad I did. This story is SO much better! A very clever mystery and the main character, Rachel, has been developed in a much better way than in the first book. Fun dialogue and a lovely and well described setting for the mystery. I am now really looking forward to the next mystery for Rachel! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

There is one thing I just couldn’t understand. Why would a policeman need the help of a civilian who thinks she is in a crime book and can’t add anything to the investigation? The way she acts is just plain stupid and I couldn’t stop thinking: why her? What does she have that makes her the perfect choice to help with the investigation? I read the first 20% of the story and I still didn’t have that answer so I stopped reading.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy.

Fun whodunnit with a pair of amateur sleuths. A murder mystery with a beautiful Parisian backdrop that will keep you guessing! 3.5 stars.

The main characters, Rachel and Magda, were a bit fussy and prissy for me. It detracted slightly from my enjoyment of the overall book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the ARC.

Rachel was ecstatic to be included in the Paris police force as a consultant, which left her best friend and investigative partner out. Magda was ticked but soon changed her mind when Rachel calls for her help after realizing the police were patronizing her and she hated to be patronized. Together they went about trying to solve the two murders that were obviously linked to the stealing of the antiquarian illustrations. These two had their own personal style and rules for their sleuthing. An intriguing and entertaining package.