This is a well written mystery of the disappearance of a young woman on holiday in Paris from America. Enter a persistent journalist, Charlie James, bent on getting to the bottom of the disappearance. Diligently she peruses lead after lead coxing the police department to see this is not just a young woman on a romantic interlude. Very good historical fiction. I was given an advanced reader copy of this well written book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review. #netgalley @netgalley #Kristymanning @authorkristymanning #knopfpantheonvintageandanchor @knopfpantheonvintageandanchor

Thoroughly enjoyable. I loved the twists and turns. The denouement felt just right. Would definitely read more by this author.

"Intrepid reporter Charlotte "Charlie" James investigates the mysterious disappearance of a well-connected American tourist, unaware of the trouble that awaits her...

At a glitzy gala in the ballroom of the Ritz Hotel in pre-War Paris, young American tourist Maisy Bell meets an intriguing man and accepts his charming offer to take her on a day-trip. But when Maisy doesn't return to the Ritz the following day, alarm bells ring and Maisy's aunt Clementine files a missing persons report. The Paris police laugh the request away. Plenty of tourists 'disappear,' having lost themselves in foolish flings. After all, summer in Paris is the perfect time for pour un beau couple d'amoreux. Weeks pass with no sign of Maisy. Then Clemetine Bell starts to receive telegrams and ransom notes...

Enter investigative reporter Charlotte 'Charlie' James. As a young Australian journalist who moved to Paris to reinvent her life, Charlie James feels a kinship with this missing American graduate on the cusp of a dazzling career and adventure. As she follows Maisy Bell's designer footsteps around Paris, Charlie is plunged headlong into the heady world of diamonds, haute couture, opera, bohemian wine bars and soirees in grand country chateaux, before being pulled headlong into the sordid underworld.

Readers will adore this next adventure with Charlie James: glamourous, fearless and taking on the world, glass of champagne in hand."

Because the sordid underworld is always there, keeping pace with the wealthy.

5/5 stars: This is Manning's second entry in the Charlie James Mystery series, which is a Historical Mystery set in Paris 1938. Featuring an Australian investigative reporter living and working in Paris as she finds herself turning sleuth in search of a missing young American oil heiress who's disappeared without a trace. After the Paris police laugh off the American's aunt's missing persons report, stating that plenty of tourists ‘disappear,’ losing themselves in foolish flings. But soon her aunt starts to receive telegrams and ransom notes. Feeling a kinship with the missing American, she follows the young woman's designer footsteps around Paris and soon finds herself plunged headlong into the heady world of diamonds, haute couture, opera, bohemian wine bars and soirees in grand country chateaux, before being pulled headlong into the sordid underworld. Despite the obstacles thrown at her by her editor, male colleagues, the missing woman's family and a dashing police detective, she's determined to find the woman before it's too late.

With plenty of twists and turns, Manning has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Manning's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced. The historical research Manning's done is evident and well done without overshadowing the overall mystery plot and providing a sense of time and place perfectly.

While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, The Paris Mystery.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Vintage in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.