A Most Parisian Murder follows Opal (a milliner and London lady shunned by high society) as she joins a Parisian cabaret and tries to solve the murder of one of the dancers. Unfortunately, I found the book extremely difficult to get into. The book needed some support for dialogue and pacing. I also found the dialogue tags to be extremely distracting.

It was hard to see why Opal specifically would get involved in investigating this murder. Her personality alternated between a wall flower, to a ball=buster, challenging the lead detective trying to find clues. It seemed out of character.

This book didn't appeal to me, but could be a better fit for those who want a story in 1930s Paris, and like amateur cozy mysteries.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me review this book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Millicent Binks for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Most Parisian Murder coming out May 13, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love cozy historical mysteries! I thought the characters were really interesting. The setting was fun and glamorous. I loved the mystery! I would definitely check out more books in this series and other books by the author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

Historical cozy set in 1930s Paris.

The Honourable Opal Laplume and her mother operate a millinery shop in Marylebone, London. Opal loves designs and her mother sends her off to Paris to do costume headdresses alterations on the showgirls for a new production that actually will star and feature her cousin, Clementina Lalonde, at the fabulous Casino de Paris. Unfortunately, tragedy struck before her arrival when one of the dancers, Valentine Beaumanoir, ended up dead on the street below her hotel balcony. No one knows how it happened and if it was suicide, accident, or murder. Amidst all the drama, Opal makes friends with the assorted characters involved with the show as she tries to parse the clues after yet another person dies.

This was mostly a satisfactory debut but something was missing or it was just that the character of Opal didn’t really feel realistic given the time period and setting. I didn’t warm to her. I’m still trying to figure out how big that tube of red lipstick was that someone could use it for drawing and writing so often. Also, and here we go, I’m tired of the new cliche where all of these amateur lady sleuths have a pet and far too much of the narrative is focused on it. The mystery was OK and some of the story drug a bit, but it was solved as you’d expect it to be while also having the inevitable peril for the main character. I may or may not try another installment featuring this character.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publisher. The narrator, Antonia Beamish, tried her best to do all the different accents from plummy English, to Cockney, to French with varying degrees of success. She also had to do all the male characters, which was hit and miss. As always, this audio book would have benefited from having a male narrator as well. I enjoy how a good production enhances my enjoyment of a book.

Opal sent across to Paris to help out as a lead milliner was too good to be true. Her mother seemed to want to bundle her away from home, and join up with a cousin from the other lower side of the tracks was a puzzle in itself but Opal was determined to make the best use of the time and learn something from the time spent.

What she didn’t envisage was becoming lead detective on murder in this most fascinating part of Paris - the theatre, the chorus girls, the machinations of many striving to be top dog. There are love interests, glamour, history - it is 1930 after all and lots to recommend this as a cozy.

This charming little mystery kicks off the Opal Laplume series and leans more cozy than cutthroat. Set in the early 1900s, we meet Opal, a sharp Englishwoman working in her family’s hat shop after their fall from high society. Out of the blue, her mother ships her off to Paris to help design headpieces for a cousin she’s never met—one who, until now, was treated like a family secret thanks to her career as a dancer.

Once in Paris, Opal is thrown into the glamorous, chaotic world of the stage, where a fellow dancer’s sudden death is brushed off as suicide. But rumors are swirling, and Opal’s keen eye for detail quickly pulls her into a deeper mystery involving a missing ring, a suspicious boyfriend, and a cast full of secrets. Between solving a murder, recovering stolen goods, and escaping danger, Opal proves she’s more than just a milliner.

The Honourable Opal Laplume, renowned for her exquisite hat designs at her mother’s millinery shop in London, finds herself unexpectedly thrust into a new adventure. Her mother has suddenly arranged for Opal to journey to Paris, where she is to create elegant headpieces for a cabaret show featuring her cousin Clementine. Opal is quite eager for the opportunity to spend time with her glamorous cousin.

However, tragedy strikes even before Opal’s arrival in Paris. One of the show’s dancers, Valentine, tragically falls to her death from a hotel balcony. Another dancer, Zsa Zsa, claims to have heard a disturbance in Valentine’s room that night and insists that Valentine was not alone before her fatal fall.

As Opal arrives in Paris, she is confronted with these unsettling circumstances. And, as things soon prove, Valentine’s death is not the only strange occurrence. An exceptionally valuable necklace goes missing, and then someone disappears. The situation escalates when Opal’s dear cousin Clementine also meets with a tragic end. Detective Inspector Prosper Delacroix is on the scene to investigate these events, but Opal feels that he is clueless when it comes to uncovering the truth. Determined to find answers, Opal takes matters into her own hands and begins her journey as an amateur sleuth.

Armed with only a small clue—a napkin with an enigmatic inscription—and concerns about a questionable liquid popular among the dancers, Opal sets out to unravel the mystery. Were the deaths unfortunate accidents, and are the other events mere coincidences? Opal firmly believes otherwise and resolutely proves determined to find justice for her cousin and others involved.

This cozy mystery story offers a refreshing and elegant setting, complete with a captivating cabaret show and beautifully designed costumes. Opal’s talented and detailed sketches add to the story’s charm, as does her beloved dog Napoleon, making it a delightful read. This charming tale sets the stage for an exciting new series, leaving readers eager to discover Opal’s next adventure.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Opal Laplume is from an English aristocratic family; she has a genteel job in her mother's millinery shop in a fashionable place in London. She is bored and longs for adventure, which materialises from a surprising source when her mother insists she visit her estranged cousin at a dance theatre in Paris. In the wake of a suspicious death, a web of deceit, envy and mystery draws Opal on an exciting, but potentially dangerous adventure. I liked Opal, who embodies the independence of the era with an insightful nature. The pacing is gentle, but the short title chapters keep the reader focused and involved in the action. The characters are complex and easy to imagine. The mystery is twisty, immersive and perfect for the cosy mystery genre.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A cozy murder mystery set in Paris set in the 1930s seemed a promising start. Sadly I just couldn't connect to Opal.

There were some interesting twists in the plot, but I found it a bit of a struggle to get to the end and then somehow it felt a bit flat.
I have a sense that this series is for many, but just not my cup of tea

My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my advance reader copy in exchange for and honest review.

This was a cute cosy murder mystery. It didn't reinvent the wheel but then it didn't need to. All the familiar elements are here, and they work so well. A plucky MFC, a rag tag assortment supporting cast, a mystery that is solved by the end but also an overarching mystery that leaves just enough threads left to make you want to read the next one.

Setting it in Paris is a nice little twist, so many of these are in a small English village, so I enjoyed that, although I would have loved a little more Paris vibes. It was still fun and the potential love interest was cute but also mysterious. Something is going on there!

The murder mystery itself was a fun romp, and the pace didn't let up. There were so many things going on, murder, missing girls, theft. It was good fun and the clues by and large were all there to be seen, which I always like.

There was maybe a little too much silliness in words used for her eyes, the things she did with them but that's just a minor issue I had with the writing style. It certainly won't stop me coming back to book two when it comes out!

A Most Parisian Murder is the debut novel of Millicent Banks and a very enjoyable novel it is. I flew through reading this with its snappy, cliffhanger chapters. I adore cosy crime and I think historical cosy crime is becoming a firm favourite.

We are introduced to The Honourable Opal Laplume who is a hat designer and works in London at her mother’s shop in the wealthy part of London. Despite this, Opal is quite a down to earth character, whose family don’t actually that much money anymore so she is happiest with her little dog, Napolean and sketching hat designs. When her mother tasks Opal with visiting her cousin Clementina at the Casino de Paris dance theatre, where she is star of the cabaret show there, Opal jumps at the chance of visiting the cousin she has never really met before and is the black sheep of the family having become a cabaret star! Opal becomes a member of the costume fitting team and helping to design the flamboyant headwear.

When one of the dancers is heard struggling in her room and then found dead after plummeting over the balcony to her death, Opal and another dancer, decide to investigate!

Opal is the perfect sleuth – a younger, moss glamourous Miss Marple with sharp, observant skills and also finds something, apart from hat making, that she is very good at. Having lived an almost sheltered life in London, the Paris Opal is free to make her own life and not be married off to satisfy her mothers need for a title and a return to high society life.

I must admit, I wish I was an observant as Opal as I really didn’t pick up half the clues that Opal did although the author did manage to add in some twists and turns to keep us distracted!

A lovely well written debut and I’m excited to learn that Opal will be returning but this time in Hollywood – excited already!

This was so much fun. Behind the scenes at Parisian cabarets, cameos by Josephine Baker, Chanel and others, and the fashion. Especially the hats! I really identified with Opal who was down to earth, sure of her abilities but socially awkward and under the thumb of her mother whose views were particularly Victorian. It was great to see her taking her first steps in a bold new life and even a chance at romance, not her mother's choice who has the nickname of Turkey!

Opal was sent by her mother to help her cousin who was the star of a new cabaret show. They were in desperate help to make the headpieces needed for the show and Opal just happened to be a great hat maker. Opal didn't understand why her mother is sending her off to her cousin when before this her mother had very much disapproved of that side of the family. And, her mother was going off to visit her father who was in Papua where her mother swore she would never go again.

But besides that little mystery Opal quickly becomes immersed in the cabaret world. There were much bigger mysteries here. What really happened to the dancer who fell to her death from behind locked doors but witnesses heard her yelling at her paramour to get off? Then another dancer went missing and her cousin got a death threat. More mysteries follow and when the police seemed helpless Opal is determined to find out the truth. And maybe she found out about her own family drama.

This was a delight. The characters felt real, the atmosphere was wonderful and the mystery was solid. I can't wait to read more of this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Murder, mystery and suspense
Keep this read feeling tense
There's also humour and surprises
As clues Opal realises!

Sent to support her cousin she'd never met before
Travelling to Paris to work on show headdresses galore!
But one of the dancers has already died unexpectedly
Suicide say the police but what can Opal see?

The victim was in a room locked inside
With nowhere there for a killer to hide.
So why did she call out someone's name
Was he the killer? Was he to blame?

An etched deadly note threatens another dancer who
Is unsure just what she should do!
Another victim, what is going on?
Can Opal solve it before more are gone?

An intriguing cozy murder mystery
Set in the 1930s period of history.
A story filled with drama, diamonds and more
As well as Napoleon, a dog to adore!

For my copy of this book, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

“A Most Parisian Murder” is such a fun, glittery ride, and I’m thrilled it’s the first in the series.

Set in 1930s Paris, it’s all feathers, showgirls, and cabaret vibes, with a juicy murder mystery thrown in. Opal Laplume, a seamstress at a glamorous cabaret, steps up as an amateur detective when the star dancer, Valentine Beaumanoir, takes a fatal fall from her balcony. The police call it an accident, but Opal’s not buying it, especially with clues like a mysterious white rose and a locked room that scream foul play.

I loved diving into this book. Opal’s bold and sharp, sniffing out secrets among jealous chorus girls, a shady costumier, and a whole cast of suspects who all had reasons to want Valentine out of the spotlight. The twists kept me guessing, especially when another murder hits the stage and the killer slips away like a ghost. The Paris setting is so vivid! Think sequins, champagne, and smoky cabaret nights. Plus, there’s a cute dog for extra charm.

I read it in one sitting and had a great time. It’s the perfect book for fans of Agatha Christie or anyone craving a quick, glamorous puzzle.

olalala! An entertaining and light historical mystery that I enjoyed. Full of potential, vivid historical background, witty and funny
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A Most Parisian Murder by Millicent Binks is a delightful historical cosy mystery set in 1930s Paris. The story follows Opal Laplume, a British milliner who finds herself entangled in a murder investigation at a glamorous cabaret. When the star performer falls from her hotel balcony under suspicious circumstances, Opal steps in to uncover the truth behind the locked-room mystery.

Binks crafts a vivid portrayal of Parisian life, complete with feathers, diamonds, and showgirls, immersing readers in the era's charm and intrigue. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end. Opal's character is both bold and intelligent, making her a compelling amateur sleuth.

This novel is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and T.E. Kinsey, offering a blend of glamour, mystery, and wit. It's an engaging start to what promises to be an exciting series.

Another lady and her dog solving mysteries trope. Set in the 1930s this is the first in a new series. Its not a bad start the setting is good but the pace was a little slow and it took a while to get going but it is enjoyable enough read and should grow into a good series as more books seem likely to be forthcoming. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Opal Laplume is a milliner in 1930s London. Sent to Paris by her mother, Opal must help her cousin, Clementine, who is appearing in a cabaret show.

When one of the stars of the cabaret, Valentine, dies after falling from the balcony in her room, the police insist it is suicide. Opal doesn’t believe it is suicide, and following another death, she believes both women were murdered.

I did find this cozy mystery rather slow-paced, but I was glad that I persevered, as overall, it was an enjoyable story.

Opal wasn’t the easiest of characters to get to know, and I felt she came across very childlike at times.

I also liked the clues in the story which helped with how someone can be murdered in a locked room with no one else appearing to be there.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fun, new cozy mystery series following Opal. Her mother owns a hat shop, and Opal works there designing and selling hats, with her precious pooch Napoleon.
Her mother is sending her to Paris after her cousin asks for some help with her cabaret show.
There was a murder, of course, a theft, and Opal is just curious enough to put her nose where it doesn't belong and try and solve this herself.

I had fun with this, I enjoyed both Opal and a lot of the other characters from the theater, and I hope Opal keeps in touch with them in future books. Solving the mystery of who the killer was kept me guessing, and I had no idea who it was or how it was going to end until it was revealed.

I will definitely read the next books in the series

A new cozy mystery series starring the rather unusually named Opal Laplume, a British Honourable and milliner. Opal is rather suddenly sent by her mother to Paris where Opals cousin Clementine is starring in a new cabaret show. It’s all very mysterious to Opal as her mother and aunt have been estranged for many years. Set in 1930 and told from Opal’s perspective this is a book that actually grew on me the further in I got.

Briefly, shortly after her arrival one of the cabaret show’s stars, Valentine Beaumanoir, is found dead after falling from the balcony of her hotel room. The police are happy it is suicide but Opal wants proof! Then a second death occurs, again looks accidental, but this time Opal is convinced that it’s murder.

I do love Opal as a character and her cute travelling companion Napoleon. It’s not a particularly fast paced read and there is a large cast of characters but it moved along nicely and it was easy to remember who was who. The police characters in book came across as inept as Inspector Clouseau type characters, although he at least solved his crimes! Opal was definitely the heroine and the crime element was really very good, with some great clues peppered through the book. I did rather enjoy this cozy crime and would definitely read the next book.

I do love a good historical cosy crime, so when I saw A Most Parisian Murder by new (to me) author Millicent Banks, I leapt on the opportunity.

Our sleuth is Opal Laplume, a hat designer and maker who lives in London. When she travels to Paris, she finds herself involved in a set of mysterious circumstances, and naturally decides to investigate.

I enjoyed this book. It was great fun getting to know Opal. She isn’t always the quickest to connect things together, but this is her very first case, with no detective training. And she certainly does a better job than the police!

Opal is an interesting character, she’s a little naive and unsure of herself (not surprising with her upbringing and age), but easy to get along with. I liked her, and I feel that as she gains experience, she’ll gain confidence and really come into her own.

The setting was a very enjoyable one. Behind the scenes at the Casino de Paris (a theatre) is a fascinating place, full of interesting characters. I got a real sense of them all having their own lives and motivations, even with some of them having very little page time.

The only tiny thing that slightly detracted was some of the use of language wasn’t to my taste. How do you whip someone with your eyelashes, for example? They tended to take me out of the story slightly, but I’m sure most readers won’t notice, or will enjoy the inventive use of language.

Overall, this was a strong start to a new series, with an intriguing mystery, an engaging main character, and a host of mysterious suspects!

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.