A French feast of a novel

Look, if you're picking up a historical cozy mystery featuring Julia Child as one of the main characters, you're in it for the food. And in this regard, Mastering the Art of French Murder does not disappoint. The novel features Tabitha Knight, a (fictional) American in post-war Paris who lives with her maternal grandfather (and his *close male friend*). Grandpère and Oncle Rafe happen to live right across the street from Julia Child, who's pre-cooking celebrity and taking classes at Le Cordon Bleu. It's a lucky thing too, because Tabitha can't cook even simple fare without causing some kind of kitchen disaster. Julia takes Tabitha under her wing for some cooking lessons (much to her grandfather's joy).

As you might expect, the book is full of mouth-watering descriptions of well-made French omelettes, roast chicken, and a braised ham that made me consider getting some groceries. Not only that - Cambridge includes tips and tricks on how to best cook this dishes in question. There's guidance from Julia on how much butter to use (almost always more) and how to make a great mayonnaise - a pursuit that lasts most of the novel. There's something special about imagining food cooked by a renowned master of the craft in a cute little home kitchen. It doesn't get more cozy than a home-made lunch, served by Julia Child for her close friends.

One thing to note is that the novel doesn't contain any recipes or even an aggregate collection of cooking tips at the end. It didn't mar my enjoyment in the least - but it's something I'm so used to in this type of mystery that I thought it might be worth calling out here.

An (anachronistic?) American in Paris

Cambridge clearly did her research while working on this novel, and the attention to detail is wonderful. We're talking everything from shopping habits (open-air markets!) to contemporaneous indecency laws (apparently women could only wear pants if cycling?). Julia and Paul Child feel like real people with real lives. So does Dorothy (Julia's sister) and even her real-life actor paramour Ivan . Purely from the facts, Cambridge has put in the work to make this feel like post-war Paris.

So why the question mark in the title, you ask? The historical accuracy does not always extend to the writing, which is sprinkled with anachronisms. (At one point in my reading notes, I simply wrote down "Database???") Tabitha may experience life like a woman in 1950s Paris - but she doesn't speak like one. Each time I came across such an entry, I'd find myself jolted out of the narrative. And in some ways, this feels like an unfair criticism - after all, the facts themselves are so well-researched! But if the point of a historical setting is immersion and empathy, I found that the modern language threw me out of the world. (I do have high hopes this can be fixed in future entries in the series! It wouldn't stop me from picking up the next Tabitha Knight novel - but a repeat might stop me from round 3.)

Straddling mystery and adventure

So we've got great food, lovely historical details - but what about the murder? One night, Tabitha attends a party at the Childs'; the next night, one of the guests turns up, murdered by Julia's chef's knife. Enter the reticent and surly French inspector who (of course) instantly suspects Julia and Tabitha, for reasons primarily of convenience. Tabitha can't help but nose around the murder investigation, especially since the closed circle of suspects all work with Dort at the theater.

I've been pretty vocal about my thoughts on the "mystery" element of the cozy genre. Usually, I find that these stories are light on the fair-play elements of the mystery, and tend to act more as an adventure. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Cambridge, in Mastering the Art of French Murder , has created more of a puzzle. There are clues and hints dropped earlier than usual for the genre. The solution itself is perhaps a little guessable from a genre-awareness perspective, but I still enjoyed reading it.

That said, there are still some areas for improvement on the mystery. It's tough writing a historical mystery - clues and oddities that would stick out for the characters might not hit a modern audience so clearly. Cambridge struggles with this, at times explaining clues so much you can't help but notice. There are other integration challenges, most notably with the inclusion of a Cold War narrative that only starts midway through the book. Come for the poulet rôti, stay for the spy shenanigans, I guess?

Reader's notes & rating (⭐⭐⭐✨)

If I seem harsh above, it's not because I didn't enjoy the read. Colleen Cambridge has written a wonderfully cozy book that has me wishing for a big plate of French home cooking. Rather, it's because Mastering the Art of French Murder feels like a good cozy that could have been great. Just a little more attention to language and plot integration would have elevated this fun weekend read to one of my favorites of the genre this year. Thus, 3.5 stars, and I'm excited to see what comes next from Colleen Cambridge and An American in Paris.

Read this if...

You want Peak Cozy food vibes and love classic French cuisine

You enjoy fun historical details and a carefully-built world

You enjoy your cozy mysteries a bit more on the mystery side (with plenty of adventure, still!)

Skip this if...

Anachronistic language breaks your historical immersion

You reject the idea that Paris is A Wonderful City to live in

You're not a fan of Julia Child or French food

A locked room mystery set in Julia Child's apartment in Paris sets the stage for a purely fun cozy mystery with Agatha Christie elements. The sleuth, Julia's friend Tabitha, frustrates the police inspector as she stays ahead of him in finding the killer and saving her Julia from being charged. Even the title is fun!

I love Julia Child. I love murder mysteries and cooking cozies. This one was a winner in my book. I'm looking forward to more from this author!

Great series starter book with an enjoyable setting and interesting characters. Looking forward to the next installment!

A delightful new cozy with a great cast of characters. I loved following along with Tabitha’s sleuthing around historic Paris. The only detractor for me was at time I couldn’t tell if this mystery wanted to be a historical mystery or a cozy mystery. Overall a great read with characters I look forward to adventuring with again.

How refreshing to find this new series. A great way to read about Julia Child and her cooking. Loved the expat experience and felt it all to be very authentic. The characters were fun and realistic. The story crackled with brain waves working on solving the murder. Can not wait for the next in the series.

Having recently finished “Mastering the Art of French Murder” by Colleen Cambridge, I am happy to have had the chance for the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy; thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books!

There was a murder (or two) that needed to be solved in this enjoyable trip to France, and Tabitha, the French tutor, metal riveter, and want-to-be-cook, was determined to follow her “internal sprite” for answers. I soaked in the descriptions of France and Julia’s moments in the kitchen, but was especially surprised to find even more specific details of the part of Michigan I am familiar with and call home. From Rock and Rye Faygo “pop”, Boblo Island, Dort Highway and the car factories that were converted to bomber plants during WWII, I soaked it all in and even smiled to myself when “Vernors” was mentioned! (It’s a staple in our house year round, but especially during cold and flu season.)
Reading the historical notes, Ms. Cambridge mentioned growing up in Michigan, so that explains her knowledge of local favorites. I look forward to reading the next installment of “An American in Paris” as more about Tabitha’s work building bombers plans to be part of the story. I’m hoping that will also include more Michigan moments too!

“There was this little sprite inside me that always thought it would be fun to do surprising and unusual things- sometimes things that maybe I shouldn’t.”

This is a well written mystery set in Paris and the characters include Julia and Paul Child at the very beginning of her career. The other main characters are some friends and neighbors of the Childs. They are an interesting bunch including a young American woman who has come to live in Paris with her Grandfather. Tabitha is bright and strong and very likable. The writing is excellent (especially for a debut) and this is a very enjoyable read.

Tabitha, a twenty something American woman with a French mother has recently moved to Paris to help her grandfather and "uncle". She is more comfortable with her Swiss Army knife than with kitchen tools. So she hopes to absorb some of her neighbor's culinary tricks. Yes the neighbor is Julia Child. Then a body is found in Julia's building by the rubbish bins. It is a woman that Tabitha had just met. Time to solve a mystery, cooking lessons will have to wait. The book is enjoyable, a nice picture of Paris in the 1950s when it was a city full on intrigue and spys.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this title.

Mastering the Art of French Murder has such a fun premise. It centers around Tabitha, an American in post-war Paris living with her grandfather and pseudo-uncle, who spends time with her friend and neighbor, Julia Child. Also, murder! This was a fun, cozy mystery with lots of delicious food descriptions thrown in. Tabitha was a likable main character who enjoys reading mysteries and uses that knowledge to her benefit when she can't help but start her own investigation. Overall, if you enjoy cozy mysteries, Julia Child, or talk of cooking amazing-sounding food, this is worth the time. I look forward to future books in the series.

I am excited about this new series by Colleen Cambridge!

Tabitha is staying with her grandfather and her honorary uncle Rafe (her grandfather's partner) in Paris. She is trying to find herself after breaking up with her fiance. He came back from the war (WWII) and she realized she wasn't going to be happy going back to being a housewife after being a Rosie the Riveter. She loves everything about Paris, including her new best friend, Julia Child.

After attending a party thrown by Julia's sister Dort, a guest is found murdered in the basement of Julia's home. Tabitha investigates, even filling in for the dead woman at the theater where Dort and the other guests worked. She wants to move the blame away from Julia and Dort, but she also finds she enjoys the work of being a detective. And she has some talent, to the frustration of Police Inspecteur Merveille.

This book is full of Parisian food and sights, making me want to go back to the City of Lights! It also is a clever and fun mystery. Thanks to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for the advance copy of this book!

With a setting in post-war Paris and mixing historical and fictional characters, this mystery offers a plot that will keep you guessing along with a delightful portrait of Julia Child in her Paris days.

Tabitha Knight is living in Paris with her French grandfather after World War II. Her neighbor and friend, Julia Child, is trying to help her learn to cook. After an evening in Julia's apartment a woman is found dead and the murder weapon is a knife from Julia's apartment. Tabitha wants to clear her friend and begins to try to solve the murder. Will she be able to figure it out before someone else dies?

Cozy mystery but not to my taste. I struggled to understand and see the world through the main character’s point of view. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy as I am less likely to purchase a title similar to this.

Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge is an American in Paris Mystery. With Julia Childs as a secondary character, this book tells a story that parallels Julia’s in some ways. Yet the main character soon finds herself plagued by danger and mystery. This is a fascinating novel and I think my favorite character in this book is actually the setting— Julia Childs’ vivid Paris. It is well worth reading just for that. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This fun mystery, set in post-war Paris, utilizes Julia Child and her social circle as part of the backdrop to a new sleuth in town. Tabitha grew up with a detective father, learning to read with Nancy Drew mysteries. When she is suddenly drawn into a murder that happens right across the street she finds that she can't just let the police do the investigating alone. Bodies pile up, no one is who they seem to be and there might even be a spy ring. A quick and fun read.

Tabitha had moved from the US to Paris where her wealthy grandfather lived. It was 4 years after the end of World War II and Paris was recovering from the war. Tabitha lived across the street from an enthusiastic woman, Julia Child, her husband, Paul and her sister Dort. Julia was studying at the Cordon Bleu cooking school while Paul worked as a diplomat at the US Embassy. Dort worked with a local theatre group with other ex-pat Americans.
One evening Dort brought some friends back to Julia and Paul’s apartment after a performance. The group stayed till 3 am. The following morning Tabitha discovered that , Therese, one of the partygoers, had been killed and left down in an alley near Julia’s apartment.
Tabitha was asked to substitute for Therese at the theater. While there, she tried to solve the mystery of Therese’s death. Soon others who worked at the theatre were killed. Tabitha used her position to help the police uncover a conspiracy and find the murderers.
This book incorporates food preparation with daily life in Paris. The famous Julia Child is a main character but Tabitha is a fictional character. The book will appeal to those who love French food and Paris.
I received this ARC from the publisher and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Tabitha Knight is an American woman living in Paris in the 1950s. She has come to stay with her grandfather and "uncle". She teaches French to Americans living in Paris. And she's made friends with one of her neighbors- and enthusiastic American woman who is learning the secrets of French cooking....Julia Child.

And then one day, a woman Tabitha had met briefly turns up dead. The murder weapon? Julia Child's chef's knife.

The concept is a veritable hoot! The mystery is full of twists and turns and reversals. The writing is breezy and fun. I loved reading this book. I eagerly look forward to more adventures of Tabitha and company!

A truly delightful mystery and a smashing good read!

If this wasn't the coziest, most fun little murder mystery novel than I don't know what is! I'm probably a bit biased in my review because this book has all the elements that interest me in real like - cooking, Julia Child, Paris, mystery; I went in with high expectations, and am pleased to say they were met!⁠
A couple reason that I can sing the praises of this book, aside from the personal interest in topics, is that reader - I have a hard time with historical fiction. I love history, but for some reason I am kinda picky about the historical fiction I read, and this book just kept it interesting about Paris in the 1950s after the German's had left, while also not overwhelming the story.⁠
Additionally, I truly didn't know how the killer was going to be until the moment it was revealed. I appreciate a story that spreads out the suspicion and keeps you guessing till the end. ⁠
And I have to mention that the Julia Child references were amazing. Cambridge captured Julia's essence (from what I understand it to be), as well as her incredible cooking. ⁠
From start to finish, this cozy mystery was a five star meal!

A new cozy series set in postwar Paris that follows Tabitha, an American staying in Paris with her grandfather. She befriends Julia Child there and is learning how to cook from her when a woman ends up murdered after a party. Tabitha starts to investigate although it means looking into her group of friends.

I enjoyed this one although not as much as the Phyllida Bright mysteries by the author. I think though this will be a good new series, and as always, the mystery is good and well written!

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