Even when I’m not crazy about a book, I’ll usually remark on it here. I can honestly say Tessa Lunney’s debut, April in Paris, 1921, was not for me. On the other hand, I have a friend who loves poetry and Paris and even the sound of the main character, and she’s excited about reading this book. Wouldn’t the world be blah if we all loved the same books? All the more reason to share reviews because some of you may want to discover this novel.
Kiki Button was a nurse on the front lines during World War I. Now, in 1921, the Australian is back in Europe. Her wealthy parents wanted her to marry a landowner while she just wanted to be free. By April, she’s established as a gossip columnist in Paris, working for a British paper. She attends all the right parties, drinks the night away, sleeps with men and women. She’s modeled for Picasso, and screwed with him when his wife was out of town. And, Olga is out of town because someone stole a portrait Picasso painted. He asks Kiki to turn detective and find the thief, someone who attended a party at his home.
Kiki has a bigger problem, though. During the war, Dr. Fox, a British surgeon, recruited her as a spy. Although she tried to quit, she was blackmailed into continuing, even working in a bordello, with the knowledge that a childhood friend could be accused of treason for desertion. Fox holds that over Kiki’s head. Despite Tom’s feelings about it, she allows herself to be used to search for a mole, someone who is ready to betray the British.
I actually reviewed this book as a mystery. Oh, there’s a little suspense in it. Who is the mole? Who stole the painting? Who really cares? Readers who enjoy the book will appreciate the atmosphere, Paris in 1921, after the war when Kiki isn’t the only one searching for freedom. The free love, drunkenness and debauchery is common in Kiki’s artistic and expat circles.
I found the book a little tedious. Fox and Kiki spoke and corresponded in code, using Keats’ poetry. Those exchanges went on and on. Kiki did look at everyone as a possible sex object. And, by the end, even she had to admit she was in it for the excitement.
Lunney’s debut isn’t for everyone. It definitely wasn’t for me. But, by the time the review comes out, my friend will have read my copy. I can’t wait to see what she thinks. And, perhaps April in Paris, 1921 is just the book you’re hoping to read.
Tessa Lunney’s website is www.tessalunney.com
April in Paris, 1921 by Tessa Lunney. Pegasus Crime, 2018. ISBN 9781681777757 (hardcover), 304p.
*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I received the book to review for a journal.
I love poetry and war stories = Manning Coles – but this does not sound like my cup of tea either. Thanks.
You're welcome, Gram. Don't bother. Kaye didn't finish it. I don't know who will actually appreciate this novel.
Hi Lesa,
Nice post. Glad I am not alone; I share your opinion about this book. Lovely cover though.
Thanks for your honest review – this one wasn’t for me either. I was expecting something along the lines of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. There were some lovely passages of writing though.
I’m wondering about 2 possible anachronisms.
1. There’s a reference to Bertie’s first true love “fertilising Flanders for the past five years with his very own version of blood and bone” (p42) (when was blood and bone fertiliser first available?)
2. Kiki and Tom are dancing and Kiki likens it to “part of a multi-part dance robot”. While automata had been around since Da Vinci drew designs for a mechanical man in 1495, the term robot was only first used in 1921 by Karel Capek, a Czech playwright, in his play R.U.R. (Published 1920, performed January 1921). It wasn’t performed in English until 1922 (America) and 1923 (London). Perhaps multi-lingual Kiki read it in another language, but even so, Capek’s robots were assembled organic matter, not the mechanical devices we now think of as robots.
I’d be interested to hear anyone else’s thoughts on this!
Cheers,
Vas
P.S. I chuckled when I had to tick the box stating I’m not a robot in order to post this.
Vas, You're a lot more informed than I am, although I recognize the name of Karel Capek and R.U.R. It does sound as if those are both anachronisms, though.
I’m surprised that the editor didn’t pick these up!
Did your friend end up liking this one?
Vas
No, Vas. She gave up on it, and said it wasn't for her, either.