Dianne Freeman takes her sleuthing couple, Frances Wynn, once the Countess of Harleigh, and now Mrs. George Hazelton, and her husband, George, to Paris in this atmospheric mystery set in 1900 during Paris’ World Exposition. An Art Lover’s Guide to Paris and Murder combines all of those elements, art, Paris, and mystery in an engrossing story.

While Frances wants to go to Paris to see the exposition, George has family business there, but doesn’t want to reveal too much to Frances. George’s Aunt Julia is quite secretive about her life there, and most of the Hazelton family thinks Julia is exploring the world, not living in France. But, Julia believes artist Paul Ducasse was murdered. He fell in the Seine and drowned, but she’s reluctant to reveal too much to George. Ducasse was once her lover, a well-known fact in Paris. When Julia accompanies Frances and George to the Exposition, a bridge collapses, and Julia is one of the victims. However, when the police show up to interview the Hazeltons, they reveal that someone took advantage of the tragedy at the Exposition to stab Julia.

Because the police investigation doesn’t seem to go far, the Hazeltons decide to investigate themselves. They question the artists who shared studio space with Julia and Ducasse in Paris. They stick their noses into the investigation into Ducasse’s death, but Julia was the only one to insist it was murder. And, they head to Julia’s farm and perfumery in Chartres, where there are a few surprises awaiting them. Because George is responsible for Julia’s estate, he has to take charge of everything involved in it. But, Frances is an independent woman with her own opinions, and she has a stake or two in this investigation.

There are so many mysteries set in Paris in recent years. An Art Lover’s Guide to Paris and Murder is a complex mystery, but a delightful look at Paris in 1900. Francophiles should check it out.

Dianne Freeman’s website is https://difreeman.com/

An Art Lover’s Guide to Paris and Murder by Dianne Freeman. Kensington Books, 2024. ISBN 9781496745118 (hardcover), 304p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a .PDF to review for a journal.