Master of the Art of French Murder

 In this blog post, I reviewed Colleen Cambridge’s Master of the Art of French Murder. The first installment in the American in Paris historical mystery cozy series, you’ll be transported back in time to post-war 1950s in Paris, France. For Tabitha Knight, she’s learning how to cook from Julia Child and tutors French to young students. When she discovered a note with her name on it in Therese Lognon’s dead body, it was up to her to find out more about her. She had run into some people that had thrown her some curveballs, while she worked behind the scenes as a coat check girl in a French theater. She had gotten to know the potential suspects without getting into the crosshairs of the potential killer. When someone else had turned up dead unexpectedly, and was almost hit by a car, it made her more curious as ever to connect the dots without butting heads with Inspector Merveille. As soon as she figured it out, she learned the truth without being discovered to call the police before it was too late.

This compelling historical mystery will leave you hooked on every page.  It’s gripping and puts us front and center of a ghastly crime. I cared for Tabitha, who was simply an American woman, who had gotten into the thick of it all, but had a  good eye for detail. I loved the 1950s settings to transport us to Paris after World War II. The theme is secrets and lies will get you into a heap of trouble.

I rated this enthralling historical cozy mystery novel, four stars.  If you love gripping historical mysteries with plenty of twisted turns and red herrings to throw you in a loop, Master of the Art of French Murder will give you goosebumps. This book is recommended for fans who love historical mysteries like Jacqueline Winspear and Margaret Truman.

Frost Falls on the Potting Shed

 In  this blog post, I reviewed Jenny Kane’s Frost Falls on the Potting Shed, the first installment in the Potting Shed romcom series. This tender-hearted novel is so lovely and endearing about a family coming together during a difficult time. For  Maddie Willand, she just lost her father to a heart attack, and her sister Sabrina is at odds with her for selling the garden center. It’s winter and near Christmas time. So Maddie needs all the help she can get from Jake and her sister’s best friend’s daughter Petra to help her save the business in time. She also acquired the assistance from her family’s lawyer, Ed Tate, to help brainstorm ideas to make a sellable profit. And while Sabi wants to buy her dream house, she also meets Leo Cresswell, from BIG, who wants to destroy the market for something else. While she remained uncertain about her feelings for Ed, he helped advocate for her and her family to prove him wrong. With a turnabout decision, her family supported her to find new ways to keep the business going and got her happily ever after in the end.

This heartfelt romcom was a delightful read.  It’s moving and profoundly wonderful to read any day of the year. I cared for Maddie, who was at odds at her sister, and torn about the family business. But she had her unusual quirks that makes her special with a green thumb. I loved the wintry locations in England.. The dual themes of the story is about family  coming together, and sisterly love to overcome difficult challenges.

I rated this enchanted romcom novel, five stars.  If you love heartfelt romcoms with family ties, and heartfelt nonstop  romantic action, Frost Falls on the Potting Shed would have you feel tingly all over. This book is recommended for fans who love Hallmark romcoms,  Debbie Macomber, and Kristen Cavanagh.