My Thoughts /

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publisher Kensington Books, and author Dianne Freeman, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for June 25, 2024.

An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder is the seventh book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. Drawn to the title, I went back and scoured my 'have read' list to see whether I'd read any of this series previously, which revealed - Book #1, A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder - ✅.

Quickly refamiliarizing myself with the start of the series - American-born Frances Wynn, the Countess of Harleigh has just ended the mandated period of mourning for her late husband, Reggie. To gain some independence from her late husband's family, Frances decides to relocate herself and her young daughter, Rose, away from her late husband's family estate in the country, to a house in Belgravia.

Fast forward to July 1900, and we are into book #7 of the series, and there has obviously been a bit going on. For a start, our heroine is now Frances Hazelton. Interestingly, her new husband, George Hazelton, happened to be her neighbour in book #1, and one of only a very few who knew the full story about her late husband's death. Settling into married life as newly-weds the pair are living in their town-home in Belgravia with Frances' eight-year-old daughter, Rose.

George has received a letter from his aunt who lives in Paris. In the letter, George's Aunt Julia has hinted that she might need his assistance. She's looking into the death of an old friend, an artist by the name of Paul Ducasse. It would mean travelling to Paris. Frances hinted to George that while he is tied up doing business with his aunt, she meanwhile could explore the sights and sounds of the Paris Exposition. A world's fair, held in Paris, to celebrate the achievements of the past century and to accelerate development into the next. Frances, for one, was keen to attend such a highly celebrated and hugely successful international exhibition. That settled, the Hazeltons are now Paris bound!

Arriving in Paris it seems that Aunt Julia has done an about face and has decided that she no longer needs George's assistance. When questioned why, Julia is quite secretive about her reasons and George is certain she's hiding something. Frances and George take Julia on an outing to spend the day at the Exposition, but it was this day that a bridge chose to collapse. There were many people who sustained serious injuries because of the collapse. Aunt Julia was also injured and died on scene.

Aunt Julia's injuries were not consistent with having been caused by the bridge collapse, and both George and Frances are concerned that someone had deliberately killed her and made her death appear as part of a freak accident. As both George and Frances start to investigate, they will need to work with Inspector Cadieux of the French Police to ultimately solve not one mystery, but two. Who killed George's Aunt and, whatever happened to Paul Ducasse?

I found this to be quite a complicated story, more so than the first book. There is a long list of suspects who might have wanted Ducasse dead (all those years before) and the same list of suspects could well be said to have reasons for wanting Julia dead as well. I had first thought to categorise this as a cosy, but really, it's a much more intricate and complex mystery, that has at times seemingly confusingly interrelated parts. I guess what I'm saying is - it's more of a historical mystery, and once I had decided that I could settle my thoughts into a more logical order.

This was an interesting and well plotted story that incorporated themes of art and the history of art in France, fraud, family ties, and, of course, murder. Our MCs are engaging, likeable characters and both play of each other to successfully solve this mystery. I enjoyed the inclusion of real events, like the Paris Exposition and the Paris art world theme was also particularly interesting.

I really must go back and read the titles I've missed.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to publisher, Kensington Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

#AnArtLoversGuidetoParisandMurder #NetGalley

Frances and George are a nice couple, but I would say I can stop here for now with their series. By now as detective stories they are not even particularly interesting and the story between the two of them is already "over." It was nice while it lasted.

Frances e George sono una bella coppia, ma direi che per ora posso fermarmi qui con la loro serie. Ormai come gialli non sono nemmeno particolarmente interessanti e la storia tra loro due é giá "conclusa". È stato bello finché e durata.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

Frances and her husband, George, travel to France to attend the Paris Exposition and to look into the suspicious death of artist Paul Ducasse. George’s Aunt Julia had an affair with Ducasse years ago and is the father of her daughter. And she is determined to learn the truth behind her former lover’s death. While visiting the Paris Exposition, Julia dies from a stab wound during the chaos of a bridge collapse. There is a long list of suspects who might have wanted Ducasse dead and was willing to murder Julia as well. When the police arrest George for Julia’s death, Frances must team up with Julia’s teenage daughter to find the killer.

AN ART LOVER'S GUIDE TO PARIS AND MURDER is a great addition to the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. It was interesting to see Frances and George in a new location with some new characters. That being said, I did miss some of the secondary characters that have made appearances in the first six novels of the series. George’s cousin Lissette and her caretaker, Christine, are going to fit in well and add some new subplots going forward. Aside from the ending being a bit abrupt, the novel was very well plotted and written. There were plenty of suspects who all had viable motives. The French police focusing on George as a suspect added some heightened drama and really put the pressure on Frances to find the killer.

Although this is the seventh book in the series, Ms. Freeman continues to deliver a cast of well-rounded characters, a story that moves quickly and enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the dramatic reveal. Ms. Freeman's descriptive narrative made Paris and the Paris Exposition come alive as we follow Frances and George throughout the city looking for clues.

I loved the historical significance of the Exposition and the art scene at this time in Paris. Ms. Freeman ably wove the historical facts along with French societal rules and the changing art scene into this intricate mystery that kept me turning the pages.

This was a nice story that had developed characters and a decent plotline.
I found the pacing to be a little slow though.

This might be my favorite book in this series. Now that George and Frances are settled into married life, Paris and another mystery come calling. Featuring mysterious deaths, artists, french countrysides, and the Paris Exposition. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end, and I loved the twist for the two new characters introduced in this book.

I have read all prior books in this series, but a reader could pick this novel up and never realize there were earlier books. France and George travel to Paris for the 1900 Exposition and also to help George’s Aunt Julia.

There are fabulous descriptions of the city of light, as well as the world’s fair. I have enjoyed all the books in the series, but this one may be my favorite. There are twists and turns and a great deal of action. There is art, fraud, murder, and some teenage angst. All the while, Frances and George support each other in trying to figure out the murder mystery and keeping their ward safe.

It is a fun read but also the reader learns some history too.

Frances and George travel to Paris. Their cover story is a visit to the Paris World Expo in 1900, but really George's Aunt Julia wants them to look into the death of her friend Paul Ducasse. Julia's murder shortly after they arrive leads them deeper into the secrets of her life and has them working with (and sometimes competing against) Inspector Cadieux to learn what happened.

Fast-paced, interesting new characters who may become regulars, lots of motives and suspects in a complex plot. It works as a standalone, especially since George and Frances are removed from their usual lives in a new setting, but it's worth reading the other books to see how their relationship developed. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for the ARC.

In this entertaining tale, Frances and George are off to Paris at the request of George’s Aunt Julia, an independent woman and amateur artist who has lived in France for a number of years. She asks George to help investigate the recent death of a fellow artist, Paul Ducasse. Although the police have ruled his death an accident, Julia thinks he may have been murdered.

The Hazeltons arrive in Paris during the Paris Exposition, which has attracted millions of visitors to the city. Once they meet up with Julia, she is strangely reluctant to share any details as to why she believes Paul’s death was not accidental. She changes her mind about having George investigate and soon George and Frances have two murders to try to solve as Julia is also killed.

Complicating the picture is the fact that—unbeknownst to most of her family-- Julia had a daughter with Paul Ducasse and George is named as the guardian of 15-year old Lisette.

#AnArtLoversGuidetoParisandMurderr is another charming mystery in this series from Dianne Freeman. The interactions between Frances and George are engaging as always and thanks to the Paris location, the cast of characters is enlarged with several new faces. The mystery is well paced and wll plotted with a number of possible suspects and theories. Thanks to #NetGalley and #Kensington for the advance copy.

Another great mystery by Dianne Freeman! I love this series and the gripping adventures of Frances and George!

This time we travel to France for a change of scenery and get to meet several new characters that will for sure stick for the next books.

As always the chemistry between Frances and George is amazing, the story so well designed that I did not have a clue about the culprits until almost the end.

A pity Hetty was not there but the other characters made the story fun and kept me on my toes.

Can't wait for the next chapter of this amazing series!

Thanks to the author and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

The seventh entry in the Countess of Harleigh series, An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder, by Dianne Freeman, sees Frances and George in Paris, tracking down the murderer (or not?) of a famous artist. Frances, formerly the Countess, and her husband George are a great pair, equals at a time when that was rare, and able to move between the privileged and ordinary in society. Mix in the sights and sounds of Paris in 1900, the art world, murder (or not), and mayhem — it's a great read. 

The storyline of the main characters continues from the prior books in the series. Still, this also works well as a standalone or introduction to the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I did not realize this book was a part of a series but I feel like it worked fine as a stand-alone as well. I will definitely go check out the rest from this author though because I loved this book!

I haven't read the others in this series but got hooked on this one and I'm ready to go Eighth in the series but I haven’t read any of the others and got caught up quickly enough. Frances is assertive but charming and George is just the best golden retriever, and they work well together. I loved the Paris setting and impressionist art scene details, although the Lisette character being unlikable for most of the book made it a little hard at times. A well-paced cozy mystery that hits all the beats and even made me want to go back and start the series from the beginning. back and read the rest before book 8 come out.

I absolutely adore this series. Frances and George are finally taking their wedding trip to Paris, but it gets all turned around when George's secretive aunt, who had wanted him to investigate some mysterious matter, suddenly changes her mind - and is then murdered.

This was a great installment in this series. Hijinks and mystery, it's fun and funny and I loved it.

This is my first book in the highly regarded Countess of Harleigh Victorian histfic series, and while it works perfectly as a standalone, I now want to circle back and read the entire series! Set in France during the Paris Expedition, the story of murder in the art world grabbed my attention from the start. Recommended!

I love this series & eagerly await each new title. This one did not disappoint! I really enjoyed being in Paris during the World's Fair with George & Frances, and there were some twists that I didn't see coming. I loved the characters, both old & new, and especially enjoyed the French police inspector. Being in the art world of turn of the century Paris was quite fun. While this could work as a standalone because backstory is explained when needed, I think it is most enjoyable if you've read at least a couple other books in the series. I highly recommend this book & this series if you enjoy cozy British mysteries!

Thanks to NetGalley & Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Its 1900 and Paris is hosting the World’s Fair. Frances Wynn, and her husband George, haven’t had a proper honeymoon yet, so when George’s Aunt Julia reaches out to him that she may need his assistance with investigating a friend’s murder in Paris, they are soon packing their bags, hoping to combine work and play. Another enjoyable book in the Countess of Harleigh series. Dianne Freeman does a fabulous job of making the reader feel the excitement of the Exposition, with her deft descriptions of its sights and sounds. A variety of characters add to the excitement and mystery, including Aunt Julia, her murdered former lover, artist Paul DuCasse, Alicia Stoke-Whitney (the former lover of France’s deceased husband), Julia’s daughter Lissette (who turns out to be Paul’s love child), Gabrielle DuCasse (Paul’s wife), Christine (Lissette’s caretaker when Julia is traveling) and a new head of police to exasperate with France’s interference into the murder investigation. Fashionable Victorian parties, bohemian artist communities, and a World’s Fair provide a wonderful backdrop for this latest who-dunnit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington books for allowing me to read the ARC in this wonderful series.

This was a wonderfully done seventh book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series, it worked with every that I enjoyed from the other books. The characters were what I was hoping for and enjoyed the feel of this book. Dianne Freeman has a great writing style and I'm excited to read more in this series. It uses the Victorian element perfectly and glad that it had a strong concept and loved the way the characters worked in this universe.

I am absolutely obsessed with this series! It seriously never fails to thrill me! It's like the perfect blend of cozy mystery and historical fiction set in Victorian times—what's not to love?! The banter between Frances and George is just too witty and charming! Plus, diving into Victorian society? So fascinating! It's like stepping into a whole other world. And the mystery and suspense? Total page-turner material! I just can't get enough of this series and just want more and more!!

So, George's Aunt Julia kicks off this crazy investigation into a mysterious death, and let me tell you, things get intense real quick! Frances and George are on a mission, digging into secrets and grilling everyone in Julia's circle. It's like being a detective in a fancy Victorian-era escape room! And the suspects? OMG, talk about a wild lineup! From Paul's cryptic widow to his sketchy art dealer, and don't even get me started on Julia's friend with a major jealousy problem.

But what truly stole my heart was Freeman's masterful portrayal of the Victorian era. The lavish parties, the intricate social customs, the palpable tension between classes—it was like stepping into a time machine.

The dialogue is snappy, the plot keeps you guessing, and the characters are totally relatable. I couldn't put it down, and now I'm dying to know what's next for Frances! Seriously, if you're into mystery, romance, and historical vibes, "An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder" is a must-read!

An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder by Dianne Freeman is the seventh, yes seventh in the Countess of Harleigh Mysteries and my first foray into the adventures of Frances Wynn, the American born Countess of Harleigh and her husband George.

This couple's dynamic intrigued me and I was keen to get into it to see if American Victorian sensibilities would play out differently than I am accustomed to in the cozy's I have read to date and especially as this adventure takes part in Paris, during the Paris Exposition

There is no shortage of drama abound in this mystery! George's aunt has invited the couple to Paris due to a suspicious death of her friend, the artist Paul DuCasse, however, on a visit to the Exposition with Aunt Julia, a bridge collapses, injuring many and resulting in Aunt Julia being unalived by a pointy thing! So much chaos inflicted upon one couple in a jaunt to Paris!

Despite the drama, this is a really fun cozy to read. Fantastic dialogue, a great storyline and characters that are a delight to follow

Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Books | Kensington and the author Dianne Freeman for this ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own