The Paris Mystery

by Kirsty Manning

Publisher: Vintage
Ginasbookreport Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Mystery / Cozy Mystery
Read This If You Love: Agatha Christie / cozy mysteries

“Check your facts…then check them again.”

Charlotte “Charlie” James is a new journalist for The Times of London, and she finds herself assigned to cover the Paris elite. On her first assignment, she attends the Circus Ball hosted by Lord and Lady Ashworth. While Charlie is there to get background information and make connections, she soon finds herself covering a murder when a scream rings out and a bloody knife makes an appearance.  

One tiny criticism about this book and cozy mysteries in general: I REALLY wish more books included a dramatis personae at the beginning of the books. It just really helps to have a list of characters in these cozy mysteries that are set in a time or place where naming conventions vary from our current conventions.

I really enjoyed this cozy little mystery, and it’s perfect for fans of the genre. I found the aspect of Charlie as a female reporter during a time when the industry was male dominated to be an interesting back drop. Charlie is a clever character who uses the limitations society tried to place on her to her advantage.  

“Instead, hands covered mouths as the guests huddled closer together. For it was not music they were listening to: it was a terrifying scream.”