A Murder Most French

An American in Paris #2

by Colleen Cambridge, Polly Lee (Narrator)

Postwar Paris is surging back to life, and its citizens are seizing every opportunity to raise a glass or share a delicious meal. But as American ex-pat Tabitha Knight and chef-in-training Julia Child discover, celebrations can quickly go awry when someone has murder in mind . . .

The graceful domes of Sacré Coeur, the imposing cathedral of Notre Dame, the breathtaking Tour
Eiffel . . . Paris is overflowing with stunning architecture. Yet for Tabitha Knight, the humble building that houses the Cordon Bleu cooking school, where her friend Julia studies, is just as notable. Tabitha is always happy to sample Julia’s latest creation and try to recreate dishes for her Grand-père and Oncle Rafe.

The legendary school also holds open demonstrations, where the public can see its master chefs at work. It’s a treat for any aspiring cook—until one of the chefs pours himself a glass of wine from a rare vintage bottle—and promptly drops dead in front of Julia, Tabitha, and other assembled guests. It’s the first in a frightening string of poisonings that turns grimly personal when cyanide-laced wine is sent to someone very close to Tabitha.

What kind of killer chooses such a means of murder, and why? Tabitha and Julia hope to find answers in order to save innocent lives—not to mention a few exquisite vintages—even as their investigation takes them through some of the darkest corners of France’s wartime past . . .

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, France

11 pages, Audiobook

First published April 23, 2024

About the author

Colleen Cambridge is the pen name of Colleen Gleason, an award-winning USA Today and New York Times bestselling author.

Colleen Cambridge writes mostly historical-set mysteries with famous people as the sidekick or friend of her protagonists and has a blast doing so. She's written about Agatha Christie's (fictional) housekeeper, Abe Lincoln's (fictional) aide, and Julia Child's (fictional) best friend in Paris.

Colleen lives in the midwest United States with her family and two dogs, and is always plotting her next murder—er, book.

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down. This second outing for the "American in Paris" series was not as good as the first. Julia Child was still great, but the MC was a bit frustrating & worse, the mystery was easily guessed. The post-war Parisian setting, however, was awesome, so a mixed review...

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Julia Child's bestie gets entangled in another crime, the duo try to figure out who's killing local chefs with poisoned wine. Love the Paris setting. Great historical mystery with memorable characters and tons of rich food and history. Can't get enough of this series and Colleen Cambridge's other one about Agatha Christie's employee solving crimes with the Dame is away. In this installment, we take a look on the seedier side of Paris and the Catacombs beneath the delightful city. Definitely recommended!

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

A MURDER MOST FRENCH (American in Paris Mystery Book #2) by Colleen Cambridge is an entertaining amateur sleuth historical mystery featuring an American woman in Paris living and befriended by the not yet famous Julia Child in 1950 postwar Paris. This second book in the series is easily read as a standalone.

Tabitha Knight is trying to decide what she wants to do with her life. She has travelled from her home in Detroit to live in Paris with her Parisian grand-pere and his longtime friend who she refers to as oncle. She also becomes friends with Julia Child and her husband who lives nearby. Julia is attending The Cordon Bleu cooking school and helps Tabitha with her cooking as well as being a sounding board for the murder investigations Tabitha seems to continually fall into.

When Julia and Tabitha attend a cooking demonstration at the Cordon Bleu, the instructing chef falls dead of poison after tasting a rare vintage wine he has been gifted. The very next day at a wine gathering the same thing happens to another famed French chef. Tabitha is once again in the middle of one of Inspector Mervielle’s murder investigations and while she promises to not interfere, when her grand-pere and oncle are almost poisoned in the same way, she cannot help but get involved, but it may be the last investigation she ever attempts to solve.

I love the characters in this series and the murder mystery is well paced and plotted. Tabitha is a wonderful protagonist who has led an interesting life to date but is still deciding on her future. With her curiosity, varied interests, and tidbits she learned from her detective father in America, how could she not become involved? Adding Julia Child and her cooking to the story, not only makes my mouth water, but acts at times as a very effective red herring. I also enjoy the growing personal interest between Tabitha and the Inspector. With discussions of fine wines, French cooking, The Parisian catacombs, the German Occupation, which is only a few years past, and more clues about Tabitha’s grand-pere and oncle’s pasts in the Resistance, this story is captivating as a cozy amateur sleuth historical mystery. I am anxiously waiting for the next.

I highly recommend this historical murder mystery, both books in the series to date, and this author’s other mystery series as well.

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Murder Most French by Colleen Cambridge
2nd book in the An American in Paris mystery series. Historical cozy mystery with Julia Child as a secondary character.
Postwar Paris is surging back to life, and its citizens are seizing every opportunity to raise a glass or share a delicious meal. The Cordon Bleu cooking school often holds open demonstrations, where the public can see its master chefs at work. One night when Tabitha Knight and Julia Child are in attendance, a premier bottle of wine, that was hidden from German forces, is opened and the chef begins the tasting. He promptly drops dead. It’s the first in a frightening string of poisonings and Tabitha, and occasionally Julia, are ready to help the inspector in finding clues. Tabitha has the experience since this is not her first murder scene.

Tabitha is exceptionally good at finding and remembering scenes and clues. A little too good per the inspector. But he can’t deny she has a skill. Even if he doesn’t want her in the middle or a murder scene.
Intriguing setup and roll out of the mystery and clues. Interesting historical facts surrounding the mystery. First me, the fun is listening to the Julia Child actor’s voice and imagining the times and how someone might benefit from her cooking skills.
I don’t cook. Have no desire, skill or interest, but can imagine the wondrous benefits of knowing a Cordon Bleu chef. Tracking down clues for a mystery, I’ll leave to the books as well.
The mystery was good but easily guessed. The relationships are getting deeper in this second book. I picked up the first for the uniqueness of the setting. Who can resist Julia? But you should know that Julia is very much a secondary character and it’s Tabitha that is in the middle of the meddling. Excuse me, the investigating. 🙂
3.5

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fav 2023 mystery debut now boasts a delicious sequel, returning us to post-WWII Paris, where Julia Child is studying at Le Cordon Bleu, while her young American friend Tabitha learns to cook with her and solves murders in her spare time.

We travel to iconic sights across Paree, including the bustling markets where Julia picks fresh ingredients daily, and underground to the spooky Catacombs, following the murder of poisoned chefs. And what about that priceless French wine stolen by the Germans during the war? Does some remain hidden in Paris and could it be linked to the murders?

Best of all, are the lively snapshots of Julia in her tiny kitchen:

"Watching Julia cook a meal was like watching a single person play every instrument in a jazz quintet . . . and in perfect time. She swept from task to task with hardly a pause: stirring, poking, peeking, flipping, measuring, pouring, chopping, sprinkling, sniffing and, of course . . . tasting. 'Ye gods,' she moaned as she sampled the sauce for the sole fillets. 'This is going to be one of the best things you’ve ever tasted, I promise. It’s just so . . . so . . . voluptuous.'"

Readers, I promise this culinary mystery will make you scoop up book #1 ("Mastering the Art of French Cooking") and wait as breathlessly for #3 as I am. Bon appetite!

Thanks to Colleen Cambridge, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

[Julie Durnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

No doubt about it, these are entertaining cozy mysteries set in Paris. Filled with historical facts, culinary/food descriptions, and Julia Child thrown in for good measure! This had a nice subplot of the French Resistance and the catacombs beneath Paris.

[Shannara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder mysteries aren’t usually my thing, but I actually really enjoyed this one! The Julia Child aspect was so much fun!! The first book of the series was a little too much about mayonnaise and it sort of bothered me, but this was more subtle. This time, she was just a great addition!! And the murders were revolved around food and wine, which was very interesting. I loved learning about all the French wines. This is laced with history and I have decided it made the story seem more realistic.

The characters were fun too. Tabitha is our feisty main character who sort of falls into the investigation and just can’t help herself from getting in the middle of things. Of course there’s Julia who is almost a comedic relief because she’s constantly talking about food, even in the midst of dead bodies popping up. And I also love Tabitha’s Grandpere and Oncle Rafe. They are just adorable and I love the representation they bring to the table!!

I recommend this to those who enjoyed the first in the series and those who are into murder mysteries. This is fun, short, and easy to devour.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as much as the first in the series - a good cast of characters, great setting and an engaging mystery.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've noticed other reviewers comparing A Murder Most French unfavourably to its series predecessor, Mastering the Art of French Murder. I have to say that I disagree - I thought this second book was just as delightful and exciting. Colleen Cambridge captures the feel of post-war Paris (this book is set in January 1950) and the youthful enthusiasm of American ex-pat Tabitha Knight, as she explores the delights of the city itself and of French cuisine.

This instalment takes Tabitha and her good friend Julia Child from their usual haunts at the produce market on Rue de Bourgogne, to Le Cordon Bleu cookery school - where Julia is a student - to the spooky catacombs beneath the streets of the city. Someone is bumping off famous chefs who were associated with a legendary pre-war restaurant - but who? And why? Much to the chagrin of Inspector Merveille of the Sûreté, having witnessed the first murder Tabitha and Julia are on the case again, once more placing themselves in situations of some danger as they close in on a dangerously obsessed killer.

[Shawna Seed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I somehow missed the first installment in this delightful series (Mastering the Art of French Murder).

In the second of Colleen Cambridge's series, A Murder Most French, Tabitha Knight is still in post-war Paris, still trying to learn to cook from her friend Julia Child, and once again stumbling into a crime scene.

The weapon this time is poisoned wine, and Tabitha is on hand to witness the deaths of the first two victims, prominent chefs.

This was a fun, breezy read (yes, I finished it all in one sitting), yet the author deftly conveyed important facts about French culture and the trauma of the Nazi Occupation.


I received a review copy from NetGalley.

[Lisa Leone-campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Murder Most French is a delicious addition to the Tabitha Knight/Julia Child imaginative murder mystery series. The second to be exact, and hopefully not the last. The series revolves around a young American chef in training who becomes friends with the not yet too famous Julia Child, and they find themselves in extraordinary dangerous predicaments which they along with an eclectic funny cast try to assist the police in solving. All the while, Tabitha's mentor, Julia, helps to teach her student how to cook mouthwatering dishes which the reader is fortunate enough to glimpse.

As the story opens, we find Tabitha and Julia at the French outdoor market buying ingredients for Tabitha's dinner which she will prepare (hopefully correctly) for her Oncle Rafe and Grand-Pere whom she lives with while living in France.

When Julia invites Tabitha to the Cordon Bleu Cooking School where Julia is studying to watch a presentation on wine, never in either of their wildest dreams did they imagine they would witness a premiere chef open a very old, expensive bottle of wine, take a sip and drop dead!

Unfortunately, the bottle had been given to Tabitha to give to the chef by a young street boy. It was sealed and had a tag on it. But when the police arrive and confiscate the bottle, Tabitha realizes the label is missing. Why?

Of course, Tabitha becomes a suspect along with everyone else in the room and decides she must poke around to see how this could have happened. And of course, her detective frenemy tells her to stay out of it! And then a second chef is killed in the exact same way only this time the tag is still on the bottle. Finally, a clue! But what does it mean?

As Tabitha and Julia go down Alice's rabbit hole of trying to figure out just what is happening, they soon learn of tunnels under the restaurants which store vintage and expensive wines brought over by the German during the war. Could this be a clue?

As Tabitha takes the reigns and Julia cooks the meals, Tabitha, against the advice of the lead detective with whom she has a love-hate-love relationship with finds herself in a dangerous situation as she discovers the killer is on to her.

A Murder Most French is a wonderfully humorous story with a delightful plot, scrumptious recipes (which are from Julia Child) and of course, a surprise ending. As I wrote when I reviewed the first book in the series, Mastering the Art of French Murder, as you read, please hear Julia's words as you know she would say them. It makes the story even better!

Thank you #NetGalley #Kensington #ColleenCambridge #AMurderMost French for the advanced copy.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

Tabitha Knight goes about her business and hanging around Julia Child in post WWII France, when things are getting back to normal after the Nazis were hung.

Julia Child invites her to a lecture/demonstration by a top chef. Someone sends him a bottle of rare, expensive wine. It's poisoned. Knight, Child, and the supercop soon-to-be-paramour, get on the case. It's tough to tell whether they're more worried about the murders, or poisoning great wine.

Pretty good. I liked how Child is a major character, but not the protagonist or the sleuth.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Murder Most French, is the second series installment of An American in Paris by Colleen Cambridge. While I thoroughly enjoyed book 1, Mastering the Art of French Murder, Cambridge is definitely on a roll with this one. It’s a comfy cozy that delivers with familiarity, style, and French finesse. The storytelling is simple, refined, and intricate just as a mystery with a background in French cooking should be. #goodreadsgiveaway.

[OsiriaGrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, cozy, quick read that deviated from my usual genres. To most accurately describe this would be an adult Nancy Drew mystery. Tabitha is literally friends with Julia Child and has rich grandfathers. Therefore, she has all kinds of connections and is super resourceful. It was a fun read, but I kept waiting for it to get to the point, and it was predictable. I loved all the side characters, but Tabitha wasn't my favorite FMC. I wanted to yell at it her several times. However, it didn't deter me, and I definitely would pick up other books in the series.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tabitha attends a cooking demonstration at the Cordon Bleu cooking school where her friend Julia Child is studying, but before the demonstration begins, one of the master chefs drops dead after drinking from a glass of wine. When additional poisonings occur in short order, Tabitha and Julia investigate – not only to save lives, but to save a few valuable vintage wines with a history that goes back to the Great War.

This is the second book in this series, and I enjoyed it as much as the first one. I know the friendship between Tabitha and Julia is fictional, but it’s fun watching them interact. It’s easy to imagine real-life Julia getting so excited about cooking and what she’s learned, and I can almost hear her in my head as she explains cooking to Tabitha – not just the how, but the why.

Since there was more than one murder victim, the first part of the story was spent trying to figure out what the victims had in common. Once a tenuous connection was made, the search for suspects and motives began. There were so many possibilities, with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure, I gave up trying to figure it out until things became almost obvious near the end of the book. I probably should not have been surprised by the killer’s identity or the motive, but I was.

Ms. Cambridge is becoming one of my favorite cozy authors and I’ve enjoyed the historical bits I’ve learned from these books and from her Phyllida Bright series as well. I look forward to returning to Paris for another visit with Tabitha, her grand-pere and Oncle – and of course, more cooking lessons from Julia as well.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Karen Wrobel · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I read the first book and didn’t love the main character, but thought the plot and addition of Julia Child as a protagonist was fun. I’m to the point in book 2 where I’m close to loathing old Tabs, and in conjunction with that, this author’s editors must ban her from using the following expressions or any permutation of: adventurous internal imp, curious internal sprite or curious internal adventurer. Enough. Anyway, once again, the plot isn’t bad, the side characters are fine, but it’s hard to cheer for a main character when you hope she will get lost in the catacombs.

Lastly, and this is driving me crazy - I lived in Europe for several years and spent a lot of time in France. Granted this was 25 years ago, and this book supposedly takes place in the early 1950s. However, 25 years ago, mademoiselle was only used for a young girl, never for an adult woman. If you were over 18, you were madame, marital status notwithstanding. I’m curious to know if this applied in the 50s, because if it did, stop already with the mademoiselle.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 rounded down. While I always LOVE the premise of these books and enjoy the characters within, they just never quite deliver for me. The history was interesting and the I enjoyed the Paris setting, but overall, it fell flat. I felt like the author ran out of words around the 200 page mark and had to fill the rest of the book with unnecessary fluff.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not very good and I loved it.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

After relishing the first book in the series, I was definitely going to press forward with more amateur detecting in Paris for young Tabitha and her foodie buddy, Julia Child. Colleen Cambridge brings the post-WWII Paris, life of Julia Child at that time, and a clever original character and mystery plots together fabulously.

A Murder Most French is the second installment in the American in Paris mysteries. It’s a standalone mystery, but I enjoyed it more getting it in order and already knowing the regular characters and setting.

In fact, because this wasn’t the first book with the job of introducing the world and characters, I felt more engaged with the story right from the start. Gourmet’s will savor this one- and I did, too- because it takes Tabitha into the world of French fine foods and wines. I was struck by just how much wine is something of a patriotic emblem and this came to a fore during WWII when the Nazis occupied France and attempted to tarnish this through taking it or destroying it from the occupied French.

So, Tabby goes with Julie to an afternoon cooking demo and they watch their instructing chef keel over after consuming an old vintage bottle of wine that Tabby knows was a gift to him because hers truly brought it to him from the messenger boy. Inspector Merveille is on the case once again and he does not welcome Tabby nosing in on his investigation.

Tabby tries to stay out of it by shopping the street market with Julie, learning to cook for her grand père and Oncle, and having an exciting exploration into the catacombs under the city where a Paris mushroom grower shows her and Julie where the magic happens.
But, she can’t seem to help herself when others are dying and her mind latches onto pertinent clues and odd facts. Merveille is worried for her safety after her near death on the last case and he isn’t wrong this time either. Someone is killing off witnesses and anyone associated with a certain five-star restaurant that closed when the Nazis invaded. Tabby won’t give up because her grand père and oncle are among that group.

A Murder Most French had a savory blend of historical background, character development, food!!!, and mystery. I devoured it quickly and the harrowing ending was immensely satisfying. Those who want a superb historical cozy mystery series should definitely consider American in Paris mysteries.

My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 4.6.25.

[Claire Talbot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this second mystery in the "American in Paris" series, which features amateur sleuth Tabitha Knight, and her friend, Julia Child. Tabitha is a young American woman that hails from Detroit where she was a "Rosie the Riveter". Her mother was French, and her father was a detective. Tabitha moves to Paris to stay with her grandfather and his companion, "Oncle Rafe".
The mystery begins when Julia Child invites her neighbor and friend, Tabitha, to attend a cooking and wine demonstration at Le Cordon Bleu. Tabitha gets separated from Julia looking for the bathroom, and ends up intercepting a delivery for the chef from a young street boy. After watching a chef of a once well known restaurant, called the Mason de Verre make a fantastic meal of sole, he opens the gift basket (delivered by Tabitha) and finds a rare French wine - a 1893 Volnay Clos tea Rougette. The chef tastes the wine and much to everyone's horror, drops dead - foaming at the mouth. Tabitha once again begins to investigate on her own, much to the chagrin of Inspector Mervaille. When a second chef dies at a party (that both Julia and Tabitha attend) it is apparent that something sinister is afoot. With vandalism in their favorite market, and a bottle of wine delivered to her Grandfather's house, Tabitha takes the investigation into her own hands - of course, with dangerous results. An entertaining fun read, with all the great elements of a cozy mystery. Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reader copy.

[Pallavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
For all that unnecessary cooking in the first 60% of the book, reducing my ratings!
Happy Reading!!

[PugMom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Murder Most French whisks readers away to the heart of Paris, where the city serves as a backdrop to a tantalizing cozy mystery. Tabitha Knight, friend of the iconic Julia Child, finds herself entangled in a the mystery of a series of poisonings which eventually threatens those closest to her.

The characters are skillfully crafted, each with their own motivations and secrets that add depth to the story. Tabitha's determination to uncover the truth. Her friendship with Julia provides adds an interesting aspect to the story and it's clear that the author did enough research to portray Julia in a delightful way.
This mystery contained well-paced twists and turns that kept me guessing until the final revelation.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

[Melissa Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very cute and imaginative! A very nice light mystery featuring my fav gal Julia Childs!

[Lisa Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. In fact, I also received the first book in the series from a Goodreads giveaway about a month prior to winning this one. How fortunate I was to be introduced to this delightful, cozy mystery series. An amateur American detective, Julia Child as her friendly neighbor, France, food, and murder all combine to dish up a perfectly satisfying story. I look forward to a third book in the series~

[Amye (pagesandplannersabroad) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another delightful imagining of Tabitha Knight, a young American with a French mother who is befriended by Julia Child. Tabitha has moved to Paris to take care of her French grandfather who was part of the French Resistance during WWII. Tabitha spends her days tutoring American children living in Paris in French. Julia Child tries to teach her to cook. Of course, since it is a cozy mystery murder and mayhem ensue.

I love the descriptions of Julia’s cooking. The background of how Paris is recovering after the war is well researched and fascinating. The catacombs are of especial interest in this mystery. How the French hide wine from the Nazis and what the Nazis did with French wine is a crucial part of the plot.

Thank you to Kensington Press and NetGalley for the free Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest review. This is the second book in the series, but you could jump in here and then go back and read the first one. I gave this book 5 stars. I highly recommend this series. I hope to read many more.

[Sarah's Reading Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up!

The historical details and the way Colleen crafts the story make this incredibly accessible and engaging. I specifically LOVE Julia Child in the series... it makes me want to attempt to cook French food. 😂🤷🏻‍♀️ I learned things about wine during the French occupation I didn't know and loved experiencing the catacombs via the main character. Cannot wait for the next in the series!

Note: I will say there were a few things that seemed obvious about the mystery as others have said, but I did not guess the ending and who the actual perpetrator was and why.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little mystery set in 1950’s Paris, France featuring amateur sleuth Tabitha and her friend and neighbor Julie Child. Yes, that Julia Child. Of course while the time line and city and even local establishments are correct, the overall storyline is completely fictional. But it was suspenseful in that I didn’t have it figured out ahead of time.

[Tam Sesto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. The thought of Julia Child playing detective, even if only a little bit, to help her good friend Tabitha (Tabs as Julia would say) to solve the murders she stumbles across, is a hoot. The writer’s words make it easy to hear Julia especially as she discusses food and cooking. The story was full of friendships, family, food, and good wine. In fact, the wine was a character in and of it’s self. In between the fictional story, the author weaved episodes of historical moments. A wonderful read that shouldn’t be missed.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Murder Most French (An American in Paris #2)" by Colleen Cambridge is the second book of this historical fiction cozy mystery set in post world war II Paris, France. Tabitha is living with her grandfather and honorary uncle (one point it refers to him as her grandfather's partner). Her friend, Julia Child, convinces her to come to a cooking demonstration at the cooking school she's attending. While there the chef teaching drops suddenly dead after tasting a rare wine. Then the same thing happens while they're visiting a prominent family's home for a tasting party the next night. What is their connection? Of course Tabitha wants to find out.

This book was a bit different from what I normally read. Being in Paris and post World War II, it put a little bit different of a setting. It was intriguing though. All the same marks of other cozy mysteries I read. I didn't read the first book yet, but that didn't hinder my understanding and enjoyment of this one. I will probably go back and read it now though.

[Susan Mattes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t like the main, recurring characters - grandfather, uncle, Tabitha and Julia Child.