Murder at the White Palace - A Spotlight

I read a lot of books and with so many great reads coming out, it's hard to keep up. I get behind in series without even realizing it!. Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on one such series. I read the first and today I discovered the sixth book in the series will be released this week. The book? Murder at the White Palace by Allison Montclair. 

Blurb: 

In post-WWII London, the matchmakers of The Right Sort Marriage Bureau are involved in yet another murder.

In the immediate post-war days of London, two unlikely partners have undertaken an even more unlikely, if necessary, business venture—The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. The two partners are Miss Iris Sparks, a woman with a dangerous—and never discussed—past in British intelligence and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge, a genteel war widow with a young son entangled in a complicated aristocratic family. Looking to throw a New Year’s Eve soiree for their clients, Sparks and Bainbridge scout an empty building—only to find a body contained in the walls. What they initially assume is a victim of the recent Blitz is uncovered instead to be a murder victim—stabbed several times.

To make matters worse, the owner of the building is Sparks’ beau, Archie Spelling, who has ties to a variety of enterprises on the right and wrong sides of the law, and the main investigator for the police is her ex-fiancée. Gwen, too, is dealing with her own complicated love life, as she tentatively steps back into the dating pool for the first time since her husband’s death. Murder is not something they want to add to their plates, but the murderer may be closer to home than is comfortable, and they must do all they can to protect their clients, their business and themselves.

A Murder Most French - A Review

 Review

A MURDER MOST FRENCH by Colleen Cambridge
The Second American in Paris Mystery

Tabitha Knight is a horrible cook, but with her good friend and neighbor Julia Child teaching her, she’s slowly improving. To further Tabitha’s culinary knowledge Julia insists she accompanies her to her school where the Chef Beauchȇne is giving a demonstration. The demonstration turns disastrous, however, when the chef opens a rare bottle of wine, sips, and keels over dead. When a second chef is killed in the same manner the following day, right in front of Tabitha and Julia again, the pair can’t help but be intrigued. Who would want to kill these chefs? And why? Does it have anything to do with the vandalism at the markets? 

Tabitha makes such a great protagonist. She's smart, ingenious, and capable. She's also devoted to her friends and family. I love the relationships found in this series, Julia and her husband (and I love that this relationship mirrors their real life one), Julia and Tabs, Grandpère and Oncle Rafe, Tabitha and her messieurs, and Tabitha and Merveille. I can't wait to see what develops.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and how excited both Tabitha and Julia were at the possibility of solving another murder. Although I had a good inkling on who the killer was, I didn't know the motive. I loved seeing how everything all came together.

One of my favorite things about the American in Paris Mystery series is how Julia Child joyously describes food and cooking. Her enthusiasm is catchy and makes me feel happy. I still picture the dancing chicken breasts!

A MURDER MOST FRENCH is a scrumptious postwar mystery that will have you wanting to cook, but maybe passing on any rare wine.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading A Murder Most French by Colleen Cambridge. This book is the second in the American in Paris Mystery series. 

Tabitha Knight is a horrible cook, but with her good friend and neighbor Julia Child teaching her, she’s slowly improving. To further Tabitha’s culinary knowledge Julia insists she accompanies her to her school where the Chef Beauchȇne is giving a demonstration. The demonstration turns disastrous, however, when the chef opens a rare bottle of wine, sips, and keels over dead. When a second chef is killed in the same manner the following day, right in front of Tabitha and Julia again, the pair can’t help but be intrigued. Who would want to kill these chefs? And why? Does it have anything to do with the vandalism at the markets?

Under the Paper Moon - A Review

Review

UNDER THE PAPER MOON by Shaina Steinberg
The First Bishop and Gallagher Mystery 

Evelyn Bishop is no stranger to danger and death having served in the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. Working as a private detective in 1948 Los Angeles Evelyn is following an old family friend, a munitions dealer during the War, who's suspected of adultery. She's stunned when she runs across Nick Gallagher, the man who led her close knit band during the War. The man she loved. The man who betrayed her. When George is killed, it seems that more is going on than just a cheating spouse. With signs pointing back to the War Evelyn refuses to let the matter rest. Teaming up with Nick one more time the pair will hunt for answers, and hope they survive the outcome.

World War II was a time when women stepped out of the home and came into their own, taking on jobs previously only held by men and finding their place in the world. Evelyn Bishop is such a woman. Unwilling to be a socialite planting a Victory Garden she instead joins the OSS. Not content, or competent, to be a secretary in London, instead she joins an elite team going on missions behind enemy lines risking life and limb...and heart. After the war, like so many soldiers, she has difficulty reassimilating to civilian life.

What lengths would you go to for someone you loved? Would you do the same for your country? How far would you go to forget? I appreciate the gritty realism found in UNDER THE PAPER MOON, from the war torn countryside of France to the hardboiled streets of LA. Loyalty, secrets, and betrayal are the key themes of the first Bishop and Gallagher Mystery. Twists, turns, and shocking surprises kept me enthralled while dark humor, finely drawn characters, and as exquisite backdrop kept me entertained.

Pulse pounding action, heart wrenching drama, and an intricately plotted mystery make UNDER THE PAPER MOON an outstanding novel. Learning it's the first of a series is icing on a wacky cake. I look forward to seeing how the characters develop and what challenges they'll face next!

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Under the Paper Moon by Shaina Steinberg. This book is the first in the Bishop and Gallagher Mystery series.

Evelyn Bishop is no stranger to danger and death having served in the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. Working as a private detective in 1948 Los Angeles Evelyn is following an old family friend, a munitions dealer during the War, who's suspected of adultery. She's stunned when she runs across Nick Gallagher, the man who led her close knit band during the War. The man she loved. The man who betrayed her. When George is killed, it seems that more is going on than just a cheating spouse. With signs pointing back to the War Evelyn refuses to let the matter rest. Teaming up with Nick one more time the pair will hunt for answers, and hope they survive the outcome.