AN ART LOVER'S GUIDE TO PARIS AND MURDER (Countess of Harleigh Mystery #7) by Dianne Freeman will be released on June 25, 2024 by Kensington Books.
Frances and her husband, George, travel to France to attend the Paris Exposition and to look into the suspicious death of artist Paul Ducasse. George’s Aunt Julia had an affair with Ducasse years ago and is the father of her daughter. And she is determined to learn the truth behind her former lover’s death. While visiting the Paris Exposition, Julia dies from a stab wound during the chaos of a bridge collapse. There is a long list of suspects who might have wanted Ducasse dead and was willing to murder Julia as well. When the police arrest George for Julia’s death, Frances must team up with Julia’s teenage daughter to find the killer.
AN ART LOVER'S GUIDE TO PARIS AND MURDER is a great addition to the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. It was interesting to see Frances and George in a new location with some new characters. That being said, I did miss some of the secondary characters that have made appearances in the first six novels of the series. George’s cousin Lissette and her caretaker, Christine, are going to fit in well and add some new subplots going forward. Aside from the ending being a bit abrupt, the novel was very well plotted and written. There were plenty of suspects who all had viable motives. The French police focusing on George as a suspect added some heightened drama and really put the pressure on Frances to find the killer.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.