Colleen Cambridge in her historical fiction cozy mystery, A Murder Most French, takes the reader back to the aftermath of World War II with her protagonist Tabitha Knight. Tabitha may be an accidental sleuth and an aspiring cook (chef would be overstating her skill) for her grandfather and his partner with Julia Child as her best friend. An American in Paris, she speaks fluent French which will help with both her missions in the book.
With the primary setting in the Cordon Bleu cooking school and local high end restaurants, murder ensues as rare vintage wine becomes the vehicle of death. The first death occurs in a very public demonstration at the cooking school when the chef pours himself a glass of the expensive wine and immediately falls over dead. He will not be the last to drink a lethal taste of vintage wine followed immediately by death. Tabitha’s curiosity leads her on a chase through the markets, the catacombs, and the city of Paris. Her search for the murderer as she stumbles upon clues appears to be as bumbling as her cooking skills – until it is not.
Those who have watched Julia Child’s presentations will recognize her personality, and the author’s note at the end will give good information about her research to create this reality. This is a light read for those who remember Julia Child fondly and for those who like a cozy mystery set in a historical setting. I read an advance reading copy of the book. It hits the shelves on April 23 and is available for pre-order.