Zoe Barlow is an artist in Paris during the 20's. Her friends, the Hemingways, have lost a valuable valise with the undiscovered Ernest's manuscripts. But in her efforts to find it, she comes across a murder of two Russians. One is reported to be Anastasia herself! But the further she digs, the more her friends meet untimely deaths.

Woven into the story is Zoe's backstory. And what a backstory it is. Growing up on a plantation in Mississippi, she experienced the worst in racism. Her marriage and pregnancy only added to her woes. Also woven into the novel is the story of the invalid wife of her current lover.

Well written, and with a nice twist for the ending, I highly recommend this wonderful period mystery.

This very visual look at 1920’s Paris brought this period to life with the detailed descriptions of the settings, fashion, and culture. It starts when Zoe finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation after trying to help her friend Hadley Hemingway find a missing valise. Her suspicions lean to one of her friends as the killer. Zoe was an interesting character. She’s a talented artist, a slick poker player, and benevolent to the lower class. Her impulsiveness lands her in danger over and over again. I like how the author portrayed Paris so accurately especially with its rich versus poor culture.

In December, 1922, Hadley Hemingway left a valise filled with Ernest's manuscripts on a train, and someone stole it. Although Alabama-born artist Zoe Barlow dislikes Ernest, Hadley is a friend, so Zoe attempts to find the case. She asks enough questions at the train station to track the thief to a village, and hires an Armenian driver to take her there. Although she finds the shack with two Russians in it, they've been shot dead, and some of Hemingway's pages are burning in the fireplace. After answering questions from Inspector Henri Challiot, Zoe becomes even more popular with her inquisitive friends in the artist community. Now, she's determined to find the rest of Hemingway's papers, but also wants to find a killer. When several of Zoe's friends and killed, and she finds the bodies, Challiot warns her that she's become a target.

The author of the Lena Jones mysteries begins a historical mystery series featuring members of the Lost Generation in post-WWI Paris. The compelling story, filled with actual artists, models and writers, will appeal to readers who enjoy fact-based mysteries involving history, racism and conditions in post-war Paris.

Zoe Barlow is a friend of Hadley Hemingway on 1920s Paris. The story begins when Hadley has lost the valise of Ernest's manuscripts at the train station on the way to meet him in Switzerland. Zoe decides to help her friend find the manuscripts and sets out on the search.
Paris is awash with artists, writers, and musicians - many from the US - in the years between WWI and WWII. This is the Lost Generation and the Jazz Age that Zoe fits into. We find out early on that she is from the southern US and has been cast out by her wealthy family but it takes the whole book yo find out why. Not sure that was necessary to the story; it was just some context that didn't really add to the narrative. Zoe has an allowance from her family so she is able to help some of the starving artists by holding a dinner once a week. Some of the famous names of Parisian residents come into the story but are only there for background.
The mystery as to who took the Hemingway manuscripts, who were the Russian couple found dead in the forest shack, why two of Zoe's friends were shot to death, and who was warning her to stop her sleuthing is the real story. I found the ending somewhat unsatisfactory in that while the mystery was cleared up, Zoe's visit to her lover's paralyzed wife was supposed to be good for Zoe, we didn't get Gabrielle's view of how the relationships were going to work out. and did Zoe ever find her child. Maybe there is a sequel in the works.

Zoe lives in the most vibrant city in Europe- Paris. With famous artists, poets, and actors circling her orbit, she should be on top of the world, but secrets from the past won’t stay buried. When her good friend, Hadley Hemmingway misplaces a suitcase carrying all of her husband’s writings, Zoe offers to search for it, only to come across one murder victim after another.

Suddenly Zoe finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation and all roads seem to lead back to one of her friends as the killer.

Set in 1920’s Paris at the end of the First World War, the author brings the time period to life with stunning detail to fashion and the french setting with its rich versus poor culture.

Zoe is a complex character. She’s a talented artist in her own right, a slick poker player, and an ingénue. Caring, loyal, and impulsive, which lands her in danger over and over again. I like how the author inserted true-life people into the storyline, adding an element of recognition and a natural curiosity to the reading experience.

An entertaining read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen.

Paris in the 20s- yes!

Ms Webb's research and use of real people along with historically significant events add a great deal to a terrific story, a protag and a cast of characters i thoroughly enjoyed. I can't wait for the next one!

This book was everything I wanted it to be. It had me turned pages without even realizing. It was so good!

Lost In Paris is a story about a young lady named Zoe who found herself living in Paris following some tragedies at home. As her mind and heart slowly heal, she becomes good friends with a group of artists who come from a variety of backgrounds and places. One day of them loses the important work of her husband, a famous writer. Zoe takes it upon herself to track down these papers, but in doing so finds herself caught up in the middle of multiple murders. Will she be able to keep her name clear, or will it cost her life ?

This story was a pretty interesting read, I enjoyed all of the historical details that many other authors tend to overlook.

Zoe's back story hurt my heart so much ! I would have loved to have read about more of it as opposed to waiting so long in the book to get into the important details.

The way her artistic group of friends was written was pretty spot on and enjoyable.

I'm on the fence about what is going on with Henri, on one hand it shows Zoe in a different light morally speaking. On the other hand I'm not really feeling that spark between them and don't fully trust him.

For spice I give this one star out five because there are no sexy scenes, it is great if you're looking for a clean read.

While Lost In Paris doesn't leave on a major cliff hanger, there's several loose ends not tied up and also a certain character that will play a huge part in the next book in a bad way.

Overall I give this story three point five stars out of five.

A really interesting novel that places famous people from history's past in such a way that it is very entertaining, almost wish this was being made for a tv show or into a movie, the flow of the story is very promising especially in such formats.

Betty Webb really has a talent for storytelling and I look forward to what else is to come from this author. Thanks to netgalley for sharing this piece of work with me.

Paris, 1922: Hadley, wife to the unknown then Ernest Hemingway, loses all of jis manuscripts. Well, not exactly 'loses'; 'get stolen' is more of an accurate word. Cue Zoe Barlow, painter and friend of Hadley's, goes out of her way to find this valise containing said manuscripts. But what happens when there is a double murder and Zoe's life and a lot of her loved ones are put into danger?

This book has an abundance of great elements. First of all, the setting: Paris during the 20s. The arts, the fashion, imagining the perfume of the French, the smell of delicacies. But alos, its darker side: the poverty, the malnourishment, the criminality, the suffragettes fighting for their own rights and yet being imprisoned for wanting the most given. Apart from that, Ms. Webb let us in on the perspective of the time, historical information, which is so important for historical fiction book, and for that I applaud her.

Character-wise: amazing really. I absolutely loved Zoe. She was a young girl, who was kicked out of her home for not doing anything hurtful, and she is a brilliant artist. She is caring to her friends, and not only to them, she is fiercely loyal to them. She's also street-smart, and can be quite calculating, given that she is also an experienced poker player. But, she also has skeletons in her closet. She is not perfect; she makes mistakes; she is impulsive; she is emotional. At the end of the day, thos characteristics of hers made me to have her as a friend. Another character I adored is Avak. This pure soul of a taxi driver, eager to always help Zoe, having the role of a friendly uncle in her life. And what can I say about dear Jewell, such a sweet individual with a development that I didn't expect. Lastly, I didn' like Henri at all, mostly because of his behaviour to his wive, and how he was incompetent to his work, even though he cared about Zoe.

The plot came naturally. It was well-thought, the progress wasn't unnatural, and the plot-twists that the book had actually helped to the plot and not just to woe the reader. And the ending was... Unexpected, but well-deserved.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book is out on April 4th 2023!

From the mention of Hemingway, I was hooked. This talented author has written a book of historical fiction that reads like nonfiction…it would make a great movie…the characters make the story…their actions are so diverse that the reader wants more…turning the pages quickly. The Great War…changedthe world…this novel allows the reader to insights of those who experienced that time period. This book was sent to me by Netgalley electronically for review. Thanks to the publisher. Enjoy…be transported back in time..

If you're a fan of historical fiction, you'll enjoy Betty Webb's latest novel, Lost in Paris. If you're a fan of The Da Vinci Code and/or The Gilded Age, you'll love Lost in Paris. This book mixes cozy mystery and historical fiction with abandon, while leaving room for some romance and strong female friendships. You are transported to the 1920s where you follow Alabama debutante Zoe Barlow as she embarks on a new life in Paris after being exiled for disgracing her family. Despite her difficult past, Zoe has formed a new family among fellow expats and artists, including Hadley and Ernest Hemingway, Kiki de Montparnasse, and many more recognizable names.

When a valise holding all of Ernest's manuscripts goes lost, Zoe offers to assist Hadley in locating it. Unfortunately, the valise leads to two murders: the railway porter who stole the bag and a young woman shot to death on the outskirts of a tiny settlement. With far more at stake than the lost manuscripts, Zoe is willing to put her life on the line to discover who among her adopted family is a murderer.

Webb writes lyrically and with clarity, transporting us to 1920s Paris, complete with its fashion and culture. The characters are well-drawn and realistic, and the plot is fast-paced and audacious. I was particularly taken with the depiction of racial relationships and class differences, which is rarely addressed in historical fiction.

However, I found that some characters were underdeveloped, which was the novel's main flaw for me despite its wonderful world building and suspenseful turns. How can you write about someone as ''great'' as Ernest Hemingway and not expand on his character beyond a few points?

Note for the publisher/editor: I noticed a few mistakes in the French spellings throughout the book. For example, ''Sainte-Germaine des Prés'' is written numerous times (proper spelling is Saint-Germain-des-Prés), the novel refers to Kiki Du Montparnasse (proper spelling is Kiki de Montparnasse). I am not sure if this is intentional, but as a francophone reader, this was disorienting.

Review to be posted to Instagram closer to publication date.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Charming protagonists! It is enchanting to follow the steps of the protagonist and discover her journey. Good storyline. Thank you!

Lost in Paris by Betty Webb is a great post-WWI - era historical fiction that kept me eagerly turning each page from beginning to end.

I enjoyed this historical fiction that takes place in Paris during the infamous decade that was the 1920s.

I enjoyed exploring this pivotal decade and the mixture of decadence and glamour with devastation, loss, and poverty is a dichotomy that really represents the time.

I liked Zoe as a main character and amateur sleuth. The elements of history, mystery, and suspense really made this book unique and engaging. I also liked the addition of well-known historical individuals within the narrative as well. Made for a very entertaining read.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Poisoned Pen Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/4/23.

It was nice to go through a mystery book where I could try and solve it, I enjoyed the time-period used. It was a great mystery going on in the book, the characters worked a lot in this story. I enjoyed the way Betty Webb wrote this book and the mystery inside. I had enjoyed previous mysteries from Ms. Webb so I was excited to read this one.

"Are the police insane?” Not waiting for an answer, Béatrice continued, “And yet they arrest that poor man! If what the newspaper says is true, how strange it would be for so many people to be murdered over a parking dispute at the Gare de Lyon. Or that your taxi-driving friend is an anarchist assassin with the ability to be in two places at one time? But he is Armenian, and we both know how Armenians are treated these days.”

I was given an ARC by Netgalley & sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts are my own opinion. Saw this on Netgalley and thought this could be interesting as I’ve always been fascinated by the Romanov’s. But historical fictions are always a hit or miss for me. ⁣
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We meet Zoe Barlow she has disgraced her family and exiled. But she has created a new family in Paris among painters Hadley & Ernest Hemingway. When Ernest life works goes missing Zoe offers to find them. But this leads to two murders one who might be Anastasia Romanov. Zoe might be next if she’s not careful. ⁣
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I really liked Zoe’s character and how she is willing to do anything to clear her friends name. I liked the paint analogies and how Zoe would rather paint people verses flowers. I liked the mystery element and the possibility of it being Anastasia. ⁣
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Be sure to find out how the story ends on April 4,23.