4.5 Stars. I adored Tara Moss’ Makedde Vanderwall PI crime series and wholeheartedly recommend it to those who enjoy feisty and intelligent leading ladies. Titles in that series reviewed on this website include Siren #5 (2009) and Assassin #6(2012). But in 2019, Moss significantly expanded her fanbase with the release of The War Widow (aka Dead Man Switch), the first title in this historical PI series starring Ms. Billie Walker.

For readers like me, who fell in love with the fabulous feisty Billie and her eclectic good-hearted posse (read my review of Book 1), it has felt like a long wait for Book 2 The Ghosts of Paris. While I’ll strenuously avoid spoilers, suffice to say the events in this novel were worth that wait!

Dear Alma, wily flamboyant Ella, resourceful Shyla and the enigmatic Hank Cooper all make delightful return appearances, but it is the wonderfully steadfast, loyal and handsome Sam Baker (her assistant) that shares top billing in this outing as Billie’s European travel companion – and the energy between them is utterly delectable. Continue reading: https://www.bookloverbookreviews.com/2022/06/the-ghosts-of-paris-tara-moss-review.html

Tara Moss’s novels starring Sydney wartime reporter turned private inquiry agent Billie Walker are wonderful historical mysteries and feminist takes on hardboiled traditions. In The Ghosts of Paris, it’s 1947 and business is booming for Billie after her exploits in The War Widow. Though she’s getting jaded by all the divorce walk. Stalking infidelity. New client Vera Montgomery offers something fresh: a missing husband. Except he’s been missing for two years, after serving as an official at a post-war trade expo, in Paris. Enticed by twice her daily fee and a chance to revisit old haunts in London and Paris (as well as perhaps dig into what really happened to her own MIA-presumed-dead husband, photojournalist Jack Rake), Billie heads to Europe with her assistant Sam. Moss conjures an intriguing tale with a diverse cast set against a rich backdrop in late 1940s Sydney, London, and Paris, but the real star of the show is Billie Walker, a captivating heroine who pushes against many prejudices during tumultuous times.

Private Inquiry Agent Billie Walker knows a thing or two about love and loss. So, it's no surprise that word's gotten out about her ability to dig up dirt on husbands of Sydney's scorned housewives. She never set out to be the go-to PI for wives on the brink, but, given that her own husband's been missing since the Nazi assault on Poland in 1944, she understands the pain of not knowing. But when she's approached about a new case that could take her back to Europe, Billie jumps at the chance. She's determined to find one of the missing men: either her husband or her client's. The stakes are high, and there's more danger abroad than even Billie can imagine. The case is risky, but Billie's the best man for the job. ⁠
⁠
I went in blind on this one, I'll be honest. I had no idea that this book is part of a series, but now I'm eager to read more about the strappy young female P.I. Billie Walker! I really enjoyed this one, especially the last third of the book. It felt a little slow to start, but the character development was strong enough to keep me interested in the story. And, boy, am I glad I stuck with it! The twists and turns at the end of the book were terrific; I was wholly engrossed in the mystery and suspense of the case, as well as the secondary drama unfolding in the plot. And the atmospheric quality of the writing made me feel like I was back on the streets of Paris, getting me VERY exciting about our trip later this year. I will definitely be reading more of this author's work!

The Second World War is over, and although countries worldwide are still paying the price, trying to rebuild what was destroyed, Billie Walker seems to have finally found herself as a private investigator. Mostly making a living off the discovery of cheating husbands, Billie encounters something out of the ordinary when a wealthy client hires her to find her missing husband, to determine not only his whereabouts, but if the husband is actually missing.
Billie and her assistant, Sam, travel to London and then Paris, following in Mr. Montgomery’s footsteps, and hoping to make some leeway in uncovering his whereabouts. But Paris holds a lot of memories for Billie and she is torn between looking for Montgomery and uncovering the truth about her own missing husband, who was presumed dead in the war. Add to that a very angry group of men who don’t like Billie’s past hunting for Nazis, and both Billie and Sam are quickly in well over their heads.
“The Ghosts of Paris” is the second novel in the Billie Walker series by author Tara Moss. Billie is a grieving war widow, or at least she thinks she is (not knowing the fate of her own husband), following her father’s path into the world of investigation. From Sydney, to the streets of London, to Paris, “Ghosts” takes the reader on an emotional journey that also serves to quench some wanderlust.
Right off the bat this book reads like the sequel it is, although it is not necessary to have read “The War Widow” first (though I highly recommend it!). Moss gave me enough of Billie’s background to be able to piece together anything I might have missed by not reading the first book. Although some of the plot points were predictable (the romance between Billie and Sam was brewing from page one), the powerhouse twist at the end was a complete surprise!
Moss is a self-touted Feminist, and this novel reinforces that. Referring to a “God” as a “goddess” (for example Moss will say “good goddess” instead of “good God”) and having Billie insist on being called “Ms” instead of “Miss” are just a few. Granted, the novel takes place in 1947 so although some things have changed (not enough, unfortunately), I both laughed and cheered when Billie took charge, leaving her male companions baffled and flustered.
I love Billie as a character; not only is she an independent woman who is trying to make a name for herself in a business where, as a female, that just isn’t done, but she blasted stereotypes without thinking twice (and wearing “Fighting Red” lipstick to boot!). Sam, too, was completely atypical as a male “assistant”, but he was charming, dapper and utterly competent, the perfect match to Billie’s personality.
Set in a post-war Europe, with an emotionally gripping storyline and well-developed and relatable characters, “The Ghosts of Paris” (and the entire Billie Walker series for that matter) not only turns the world of private investigation on its head, but it provides ample entertainment and gripping twists and turns to boot!

Before I read the first installment of the Billie Walker books – “The War Widow” – I never thought that I would enjoy a thriller novel. But Moss really got my heart thumping with some of the scenes she had in that novel, and I’ve been waiting with bated breath for this second book ever since. I was therefore not surprised when the prologue already got my blood racing and my first reaction was “damn, this woman can write!” Okay, yeah… things did cool down a bit with the opening chapter, but the embers were still there, and all Moss had to do was wait until the right moment, and blow on them a little to get the flames back up. Sorry for the metaphor here but I think you get my drift.

As before, there’s a whole lot going for this book. We get back to Billie, who I truly loved in the first novel. She’s got that same spunk and internal “little woman” that signals danger for her. She’s still wearing that bright red lipstick, and uses its application at every opportunity, especially when she’s acting calm and collected, while beneath it, she’s feeling apprehensive. We get a fully self-empowered woman who has a hunky man working as her secretary/assistant, who comes in pretty handy. Plus, she’s got her priorities straight (at least to my mind) regarding several political things. For example, she isn’t judgmental regarding homosexuals, and she isn’t happy about the mistreatment of and prejudices against Shyla, the native Australian woman who sometimes assists her with investigations. Yes, she’s my kind of woman!

Now, Billie’s first case in this novel initially felt a bit mundane, but Moss used it as a bit of a set up for the bigger case she gets, which was very clever. I also liked how Moss indicated that Billie had several clients, and that she wasn’t twiddling her thumbs waiting for her next big break. Furthermore, the big case from the first novel also comes into play here, which I found very realistic. That said, I’m sorry to tell you all that if my review tempts you to pick up this book, I would recommend you read the first one beforehand, in order to fully appreciate this story. Mind you, I think Moss does give us enough information from the first book in this one to keep us from being total in the dark, but still…

Admittedly, there were a couple things here that I wasn’t sure about, but I ultimately accepted. For example, often Billie and others use the word “goddess” here where others would say “god” instead. This is a very feminist substitution, and while I don’t doubt it was used, I’m not sure it was as popular as Moss seems to make it feel. I was also a touch surprised at some of Billie’s reactions to certain characters who show up in this book (sorry, for being vague but… no spoilers). I also felt that because there were several plot lines, the conclusions for both the two main mysteries felt a bit too convenient and rushed for my taste.

Even so, these were mostly minor niggles, and Moss once again got my blood pressure rising in a couple of places, but she also had me laughing at some of the dialog. Plus, Moss left us with a few pieces of unfinished business in this novel, but that’s to be expected with a good series – keep them begging for more! Of course, this means I’m now going to be stalking Moss across social media until we get another installment, which isn’t really a bad thing. I’d say this deserves 4.75 stars out of five, but I’ll round it up for the graphic below. If you want some heart-pounding thrills, from a strong female protagonist, Billie Walker is your woman!

It’s 1947 and war reporter Billie Walker has been back in Sydney for three years. Her husband, photojournalist Jack Rake disappeared in Poland in 1944 and is still missing, possibly dead. A strong, independent woman, Billie has taken over her father’s private investigation business following his death and has become quite well known after her capture the previous year of a Nazi war criminal who had been trading in goods stolen from concentration camp victims.

Now Vera Montgomery, a wealthy women has asked Billie and her assistant Sam to go to Europe to look for her husband. He disappeared two years ago on a work trip to London and Paris with a post war exhibition promoting Australia. Now she wants to know if he is dead or has deserted her, in which case she wants a divorce so she can move on with her life.

While in France Billie also hopes to find out what happened to Jack, while trying to trace Vera’s husband. There are lots of ghosts waiting for her in Paris to remind her of her time with Jack. She also soon discovers she is being followed by someone who doesn’t like her snooping around and will do anything to stop her.

I very much enjoyed this historical mystery, especially the sights and sounds of post war London and Paris. Descriptions of the fashions, the cars and the hotels (the Strand Palace and the Ritz) are also full of historical detail. Billie and Sam’s trip on the Qantas Lancastrian service was fascinating to read about. It was considered the fast way to get to Europe (along with the mail) with only three days of travel from Sydney to London with six stops along the way, although several days rest afterwards are required to get over the headache from the noise and vibration of the plane! With Billie and Sam exploring both the highs and lows of Paris life, this is a fun and thrilling read with plenty of action, sleuthing and some added romance.

Wow - The Ghosts of Paris is a great follow-up to The War Widow!! The plucky Billie Walker, private inquiry agent, is back with a new missing person’s case while she tries to move on from the disappearance of her husband during WWII. The majority of the book is set in 1947 in Paris and the historical details and descriptions are so well-described. I was transported into this story and didn’t want it to end. Great pacing, interesting plot, likeable characters, new love interests, a mystery, and an ending that left me dying for the third novel in this series. Billie Walker is a heroine to root for. I love this series!!

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

It is Sydney in 1947 and Ms Billie Walker private inquiry agent is on another case. She is hired by Mrs Vera Montgomery to find her husband Richard who has been missing for 2 years. He attended the ‘Australia in peace and war’ exposition as a member of the Bureau of Information in post war Paris and has not been heard of since. Billy is excited about returning to Europe as it gives her a chance to hopefully lay some personal ghosts to rest. Billy, with her assistant Sam Baker encounter a little more than they anticipate when they arrive in London before travelling on to Paris. There is more going on than Billy realises until the ghost from her past re-enters her life.
I love the strength of character that is developed through Billy. She is a strong independent woman in an era where men ruled and woman were wives and mothers. Her fighting red lipstick and her beautiful dress sense shine through as does her sense of right. She is a woman years ahead of her time and you can’t help but cheer from the sidelines for her.
A great read and although part of a series it can be read as a stand alone book.

ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review

Tara Moss has given us another enthralling story with The Ghosts Of Paris.

Post-war Sydney is not a place for the faint hearted, and being a female private investigator in that time has more than a few hurdles for her overcome.

Billie Walker is one of those women that paved the way for women of today to be able to do and be anything. The old boys club doesn't stand a chance when she puts her mind to something.

I loved Dead Man's Switch, and Billie's story has her not only investigating for her client, but doing a bit of delving in to things from her past too.

Mysterious, emotional and absolutely having the reader need to turn the page to find out what happens, The Ghosts Of Paris is a book that I will be reading again (and I rarely reread anything).

I look forward to seeing where Tara Moss takes Billie Walker and Sam in the future.

Many people went missing after WWII. Some people disappeared on their own accord.
Private investigator Billie is hired to find a client’s husband, who is tired of living in limbo.
Ironically, Billie’s own husband is still missing.
I liked the locations of Sydney and Paris.
Some of the situations were predictable. Billie finds her man, in more ways than one.
I like how Billie soldiers on because what other choice do women have, except keep going.

I thought it was a really well crafted book and i loved the fact that it took place in a earlier point in history. i had high hopes i would really love it and i think the fact that it was set so far in the past might be a reason i didn't fully connect with it but i did think the characters where interesting and the plot was well developed

This book was rich with historical details and information! You follow the spunky Billie Walker, a personal investigator who gets called on a mission to find a woman’s missing husband. He has been missing two years and she needs to find out what happened to him because she wants to remarry. Billie takes on the job, secretly excited that it is taking her to Paris. Her own husband went missing in Paris during the war as well, so she is hoping to kill two birds with one stone. What she uncovers while there changes everything. I really enjoyed this book, even though I did feel a bit lost at first, not realizing it was the second one in a series. Billie was a pleasure to read about though, and all the characters were well put together.

A thrilling tale taking Billie back to Paris to confront enemies and ghosts. When I first started this, I felt I had read it. But that was just background. Although this is second in the series, it could be read as a stand alone.
Thrilling story with a touch of Parisian/Billie glamour.

Billie Walker is back!!

I absolutely loved Dead Man Switch (or The War Widow in the US) and could not wait to dive back into the world of private investigator Billie Walker in 1947 Sydney. Once again, Tara Moss has blown me away. The Ghosts of Paris is a wonderful historical mystery book that was exciting, emotional and addictive. I can't recommend this book and series more

Billie and Sam are hired by a wealthy woman to find her husband, a business man who travelled to London and Paris 2 years ago for work and never came home. The chance to go back to Europe is snapped up by Billie, who sees it as a chance to also do some more digging into what happened to her husband, Jack Rake who never came home from Warsaw during the war. A long 3 day trip and they set straight to work, but it soon becomes clear that this won't be an easy job. A string of close calls and Billie realises that somebody doesn't want them to succeed.

It was fascinating to learn about life after the war, not only in Sydney but in Paris and London. Things that we take for granted these days were just not options in 1947. For Billie, as a woman it was even harder. Being a woman who worked and didn't take no for an answer.

I just love Billie and I hope we will see more of her. The world is changing quickly around her and I can't wait to see how she deals with it.

A big thank you to Netgalley and Dutton Books for my advanced copy of this book to read. The Ghosts of Paris is published June 7th.

I will always be a sucker for WW2 era historical fiction, so when I saw this one on netgalley that was a detective mystery/HF combo I knew it was right up my alley!!
Although the second in a series, Ghosts of Paris was acceptable as a standalone. Moss did a good job of reintroducing characters and touching on background information, and I had no issue with not reading the first novel.

I appreciated learning of the realities of the post-war world; the rebuilding of lives, and the tragedies that continued to occur. The novel was easy to follow, thought provoking, and interesting, I was keen to pick it back up every time I put it down!I loved how Moss constantly pointed out the chauvinistic behaviour of men and how our MC Billie handled it - Real girl power.

I did however feel as though this one was rushed at the end and with a somewhat lack of clarity.

I am very interested to read the next novel, to especially see whats happening with Billie and her love life!

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. I had ZERO idea when I requested and started this title that it was part of a series! I enjoyed this title so much that I'm going back to read the first one to get all caught up. I loved (for me) meeting Walker and learning her journey and story. The journey that Walker and Same take, tracking down a missing husband while she wonders the fate of her own, is fascinating and vivid. This was absolutely a page turner!

Billie is a private detective in Australia. She is hired by a woman to find her husband who went missing in Europe several years ago. Billies husband also went missing, presumed dead, in the same area around the same time so she is anxious to do the job for her client and maybe find out what happened to her husband. Billie is a strong woman in an era where women are relegated to typical roles of wife and Mother. The author takes us back to 1947. The book is well researched and I loved seeing a strong female lead character. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Billie Walker is a strong, smart independent woman in 1947 Sydney. She is former journalist turned investigator. She is hired to find a woman’s husband who went missing in Europe a couple of years prior. Oddly enough, Billie’s husband also went missing in that area and time frame. So she travels to London and Paris to investigate. I enjoyed the period details and the strong female lead character.

I'm in love with Tara Moss' character Billy Walker. Looking forward to more in this well-researched series.

This is an excellent addition to the Billie Walker series, and I'm keen to read more.

Sydney 1947, and Billie is hired to find a missing husband who was last seen in London and Paris two years prior. This takes Billie back to the ghosts of her past, having last seen her missing, presumed dead, husband in Paris also a few years earlier.

Very atmospheric, transplanting the reader in that post war era. Our female private enquiry agent is a wonderful lead character, and this story engages from start to finish.