The first in a new Australian cosy mystery series set in Paris, this novel sees journalist Charlotte James arriving from Sydney to take up a new job for The Times of London. It is 1938 and female reporters are not common on the news desk so she disguises her gender by signing her articles as Charlie James.
Europe is on the brink of war, but Paris society is still partying. Charlie’s first scoop arrives at the extravagant circus ball of Lady Ashworth at the Villa Trianon (based on a real event), where one of France’s leading bankers is murdered. As she was present at the time and The Times photographer was there to take pictures, Charlie is in the prime position of reporting it firsthand. As the number of suspects grows and the motives increase, so do the interview opportunities. Charlie and the police inspector are present at the denouement but there is one last plot twist in the epilogue.
Some of the characters seem a little improbable, but the social mores of the time are shown clearly. Sexism and racism abound. Charlie is escaping from an unfaithful husband and unpleasant divorce proceedings in Sydney and is determined to make a new life for herself in Paris, against the odds. A good start to a promising new series.
Reviewed by Lynne Babbage
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kirsty Manning is the bestselling author of The Paris Mystery, The French Gift, The Lost Jewels and The Jade Lily (published in North America and UK as The Song of the Jade Lily). Her historical novels have been published in Australia and New Zealand, North America, UK, South Africa and translated into several languages including German, Dutch, Hebrew, Russian and Serbian.
Kirsty grew up in northern New South Wales, Australia and has degrees in literature and communications. A country girl with wanderlust, her travels and studies have taken her around the globe.
Kirsty lives in Melbourne. Together with her husband she is a partner in the award-winning Melbourne wine bar Bellota and the Prince Wine Store in Melbourne and Sydney.
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