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The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26Hugo has led an exciting life as an FBI profiler and the United States embassy's head of security, but now he's ready to embrace a quieter existence as a bookseller in the Marais district of Paris. His former employer, however, has other plans for him. A prominent American citizen is the COO of a boutique chocolate emporium in Paris, where they've received a mysterious and threatening note. A blackmailer who goes by the name The Shadow wants half a million euros or else their "darkest secret will be revealed."
Eclat de Chocolat is housed in a chateau dating back to the 1700s. The building, which served as a convent in the first half of the twentieth century, where the angelic Sister Evangeline and her order of nuns helped countless orphans during World War II, has been beautifully converted into a chocolate factory. So what dark secrets could a chocolatier be hiding? The COO has no idea.
Involving his friend, Lieutenant Camille Lerens, Hugo begins to investigate. But soon a second note appears on the premises, canceling the blackmail threat. The same day, the body of an employee is found in an old graveyard behind the chocolatier. Now Hugo and Lerens have a murder on their hands, but is it connected to the blackmail attempt? As they dig for secrets and motives, it becomes clear The Shadow's grave work has just begun . . .
Eclat de Chocolat is housed in a chateau dating back to the 1700s. The building, which served as a convent in the first half of the twentieth century, where the angelic Sister Evangeline and her order of nuns helped countless orphans during World War II, has been beautifully converted into a chocolate factory. So what dark secrets could a chocolatier be hiding? The COO has no idea.
Involving his friend, Lieutenant Camille Lerens, Hugo begins to investigate. But soon a second note appears on the premises, canceling the blackmail threat. The same day, the body of an employee is found in an old graveyard behind the chocolatier. Now Hugo and Lerens have a murder on their hands, but is it connected to the blackmail attempt? As they dig for secrets and motives, it becomes clear The Shadow's grave work has just begun . . .
272 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 31, 2026
15 people are currently reading
5486 people want to read
About the author
Mark Pryor
32 books659 followersMark Pryor is a former newspaper reporter from England. He moved to the US in 1995 and subsequently spent 16 years working as a prosecutor with the Travis County District Attorney's Office, in Austin, Texas. He is now a partner at the law firm of Cofer & Connelly, in Austin.
His upcoming book DIE AROUND SUNDOWN is the first in a new series of historical mysteries set in Paris during WW2. It will be published August 16, 2022, by St. Martin's/Minotaur.
Mark is also the author of the Hugo Marston mystery series, set in Paris, London, and Barcelona. The first in the series, THE BOOKSELLER, was a Library Journal Debut of the Month, and called "unputdownable" by Oprah.com, and the series has been featured in the New York Times. Mark also wrote the psychological thrillers, HOLLOW MAN, and its sequel, DOMINIC. As a prosecutor, he has appeared on CBS News's 48 Hours and Discovery Channel's Discovery ID: Cold Blood.
Of his books, reviewers said:
"[G]ood character development, increasing levels of action and suspense, a complex and deranged antagonist, and--once again--appealing Paris settings. The Hugo Marston series now belongs on every espionage fan's watch list."
--Booklist
"Haunting imagery in Père La Chaise cemetery sets the stage for Pryor's chilling sophomore entry, and the City of Light becomes a backdrop for Marston's adventures. The clever antagonist leads him on a merry chase that will keep the reader entertained throughout."
--RT Book Reviews
"Two young lovers make the fatal mistake of sneaking into Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery the same night as a bone-stealing psychopath in Pryor's propulsive second novel starring affable former FBI profiler Hugo Marston.... The engaging characters sweep readers into a suspenseful chase from Pigalle to the Pyrenées."
--Publishers Weekly
The third Hugo Marston novel, THE BLOOD PROMISE, was released in January 2014. It may be his best yet...
"Mark Pryor is one of the smartest new writers on the block. His new novel is a doozy."
--Philip Kerr, author of A Man Without Breath, a Bernie Gunther novel
"Pryor seems to have hit his stride in this series, as he adroitly juxtaposes the light banter between Marston and Green with some scenes of intense emotion.... And, all the while, the suspense ramps up. Top-notch mystery in a skillfully delineated Parisian setting."
--Booklist
Mark is also the author of the true crime book, AS SHE LAY SLEEPING, which is the account of a "cold" murder case he prosecuted. Published in January 2013, Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "compelling" and "riveting."
His upcoming book DIE AROUND SUNDOWN is the first in a new series of historical mysteries set in Paris during WW2. It will be published August 16, 2022, by St. Martin's/Minotaur.
Mark is also the author of the Hugo Marston mystery series, set in Paris, London, and Barcelona. The first in the series, THE BOOKSELLER, was a Library Journal Debut of the Month, and called "unputdownable" by Oprah.com, and the series has been featured in the New York Times. Mark also wrote the psychological thrillers, HOLLOW MAN, and its sequel, DOMINIC. As a prosecutor, he has appeared on CBS News's 48 Hours and Discovery Channel's Discovery ID: Cold Blood.
Of his books, reviewers said:
"[G]ood character development, increasing levels of action and suspense, a complex and deranged antagonist, and--once again--appealing Paris settings. The Hugo Marston series now belongs on every espionage fan's watch list."
--Booklist
"Haunting imagery in Père La Chaise cemetery sets the stage for Pryor's chilling sophomore entry, and the City of Light becomes a backdrop for Marston's adventures. The clever antagonist leads him on a merry chase that will keep the reader entertained throughout."
--RT Book Reviews
"Two young lovers make the fatal mistake of sneaking into Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery the same night as a bone-stealing psychopath in Pryor's propulsive second novel starring affable former FBI profiler Hugo Marston.... The engaging characters sweep readers into a suspenseful chase from Pigalle to the Pyrenées."
--Publishers Weekly
The third Hugo Marston novel, THE BLOOD PROMISE, was released in January 2014. It may be his best yet...
"Mark Pryor is one of the smartest new writers on the block. His new novel is a doozy."
--Philip Kerr, author of A Man Without Breath, a Bernie Gunther novel
"Pryor seems to have hit his stride in this series, as he adroitly juxtaposes the light banter between Marston and Green with some scenes of intense emotion.... And, all the while, the suspense ramps up. Top-notch mystery in a skillfully delineated Parisian setting."
--Booklist
Mark is also the author of the true crime book, AS SHE LAY SLEEPING, which is the account of a "cold" murder case he prosecuted. Published in January 2013, Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "compelling" and "riveting."
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
See the review on Echoing Books!
First, I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book. This was a short and easy read. If I had the time, I could have read this in a few hours, but I like to listen to books while I’m at work and the Netgalley reading app has the option to read out loud, so I used that until I had a few breaks at work to read instead of listening.
This book started of first as a blackmail that Hugo needed to investigate. If you don’t know Hugo is the main character in this book that’s planning on opening a Mystery, Thriller and crime bookstore in Paris. He was once in law enforcement but now it looks like he is investigating freelance…. Like any other cozy mystery books. Now like I said it started off as blackmail that at first wasn’t seen as to serious but later escalated to a murder investigation. I liked reading the story in Hugo’s POV. The character development was good, and the flow of the story was so natural that I haven’t figured out who the murderer was until the end.
Though I did not know this book was a spin off series so all the recurring character that appeared made it harder for me to keep track on all the characters. Anyway, I still enjoyed this book and might even check out more of Mark Pryor’s books when my TBR pile for the next few months get smaller. This book gets a 3 start/heart rating for a good cozy mystery read. I also liked that the setting was in Paris. It is so rare that I read a book that is set in Paris, so it was a nice change for once.
First, I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book. This was a short and easy read. If I had the time, I could have read this in a few hours, but I like to listen to books while I’m at work and the Netgalley reading app has the option to read out loud, so I used that until I had a few breaks at work to read instead of listening.
This book started of first as a blackmail that Hugo needed to investigate. If you don’t know Hugo is the main character in this book that’s planning on opening a Mystery, Thriller and crime bookstore in Paris. He was once in law enforcement but now it looks like he is investigating freelance…. Like any other cozy mystery books. Now like I said it started off as blackmail that at first wasn’t seen as to serious but later escalated to a murder investigation. I liked reading the story in Hugo’s POV. The character development was good, and the flow of the story was so natural that I haven’t figured out who the murderer was until the end.
Though I did not know this book was a spin off series so all the recurring character that appeared made it harder for me to keep track on all the characters. Anyway, I still enjoyed this book and might even check out more of Mark Pryor’s books when my TBR pile for the next few months get smaller. This book gets a 3 start/heart rating for a good cozy mystery read. I also liked that the setting was in Paris. It is so rare that I read a book that is set in Paris, so it was a nice change for once.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hugo Marston is back and starting a new job in Mark Pryor’s “The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris”. As fans of the series know, Hugo Marston was the head of security at the U.S. embassy in Paris, where he had nine previous adventures. He has finally retired from that role and is ready to realize his dream of owning a used bookstore, focusing on mysteries, both rare and everyday.
But even as he’s trying to get set up and started, the US Ambassador comes in and asks him for a favor, one that he wants to keep off the books. A specialty chocolatier in Paris has received a blackmail note, threatening to expose their secret. This comes at an awkward time as the publicity could have them lose their royal warrant, forego any expansion plans, and even possibly bankrupt the company. As Hugo agrees to take a look, it soon becomes evident that (supposedly) there are no secrets that would be worth half a million euros.
As Hugo starts to investigate with his police friend Lieutenant Camille Lerens, a second note is found, basically saying “never mind”. That would have probably ended the investigation, except that one of the chocolatier’s employees is found murdered. Now Hugo and Camille have to uncover a murderer who may or may not be tied to the blackmailer.
Or is the secret ties back to the history of the château? Back during the war it was a convent then an orphanage run by a saintly nun who disappeared mysteriously after the war. Hugo is going to have to do a lot of digging in the past to understand how it affects the present. All of the elements of a good classic mystery are here: Disturbed graves. Trapped in a sudden snowstorm. Mysterious tunnels. Hidden agendas. Can Hugio and Camille catch the killer before they strike again?
I am not sure why this is billed as the start of a new series, since all of the characters are a continuation from the previous nine books (although Tom does not really contribute to this story). And as such, this book suffers from some of the same flaws as the others (from my previous reviews): The short "interludes" from the Shadow were distracting and could have easily been edited out. And most worryingly, Hugo has gotten a bit more annoying than usual (and he could be annoying to begin with): he constantly flaunts the rules and procedures, just because (he thinks) he's the smartest person in the room. And everyone around him puts up with / encourages this behavior. And his smug "I'm not sharing my theory" behavior adds to the frustration. What’s new is that even though this is set in a bookshop we barely even see the store and it truly plays no part in the story, although I appreciate the tieback to Mr. Pryor’s Henri Lefort series.
But enjoy this series, look past the quibbles and enjoy Paris…
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Kensington Publishing, Kensington via NetGalley. Thank you!
But even as he’s trying to get set up and started, the US Ambassador comes in and asks him for a favor, one that he wants to keep off the books. A specialty chocolatier in Paris has received a blackmail note, threatening to expose their secret. This comes at an awkward time as the publicity could have them lose their royal warrant, forego any expansion plans, and even possibly bankrupt the company. As Hugo agrees to take a look, it soon becomes evident that (supposedly) there are no secrets that would be worth half a million euros.
As Hugo starts to investigate with his police friend Lieutenant Camille Lerens, a second note is found, basically saying “never mind”. That would have probably ended the investigation, except that one of the chocolatier’s employees is found murdered. Now Hugo and Camille have to uncover a murderer who may or may not be tied to the blackmailer.
Or is the secret ties back to the history of the château? Back during the war it was a convent then an orphanage run by a saintly nun who disappeared mysteriously after the war. Hugo is going to have to do a lot of digging in the past to understand how it affects the present. All of the elements of a good classic mystery are here: Disturbed graves. Trapped in a sudden snowstorm. Mysterious tunnels. Hidden agendas. Can Hugio and Camille catch the killer before they strike again?
I am not sure why this is billed as the start of a new series, since all of the characters are a continuation from the previous nine books (although Tom does not really contribute to this story). And as such, this book suffers from some of the same flaws as the others (from my previous reviews): The short "interludes" from the Shadow were distracting and could have easily been edited out. And most worryingly, Hugo has gotten a bit more annoying than usual (and he could be annoying to begin with): he constantly flaunts the rules and procedures, just because (he thinks) he's the smartest person in the room. And everyone around him puts up with / encourages this behavior. And his smug "I'm not sharing my theory" behavior adds to the frustration. What’s new is that even though this is set in a bookshop we barely even see the store and it truly plays no part in the story, although I appreciate the tieback to Mr. Pryor’s Henri Lefort series.
But enjoy this series, look past the quibbles and enjoy Paris…
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Kensington Publishing, Kensington via NetGalley. Thank you!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris is part of Mark Pryor’s series featuring former FBI profiler Hugo Marston. It’s the first one I’ve read, but that did not prevent me from following the action and enjoying the mystery.
When the story begins, Hugo recently retired from the security team at the U.S. embassy in Paris and has decided to open a bookshop. Just as he’s getting set up, Hugo’s old boss at the embassy asks for a favor: he needs someone to investigate a blackmail threat made to a local high-end chocolate factory. The ambassador assigns a driver to take Hugo to Eclat du Chocolat to interview the staff, which consists of an American COO, an English CEO, and three French employees.
The company is housed in a chateau dating back to the 1700s with an adjacent cemetery and a rich history. During World War II, the building served as a convent and a refuge for orphans. The most famous leader of the convent/orphanage was the somewhat unconventional Sister Evangeline, who hosted a group of Buddhists shortly before she disappeared in the 1950s.
According to the blackmail note, signed by “The Shadow,” the company must cough up half a million euros or their “darkest secret will be revealed.” When Hugo interviews the staff, no one can offer any suggestions about who could be extorting them, nor what the big secret might be.
Hugo brings in the Paris police, led by his friend, Lieutenant Camille Lerens, and the two have a great working relationship. Just when they find a suspect, a second note appears, canceling the blackmail threat. Then the same day, one of the employees is found dead in the cemetery; the death appears to be a murder. One of the graves has been disturbed, so Hugo and Lerens wonder if there is a connection.
A heavy snowstorm disrupts the investigation and strands Hugo and Lerens overnight at Eclat du Chocolat. Alone in the building, they have the opportunity to search the premises more thoroughly, where they discover a secret tunnel. They also read up on the chateau’s history and end up finding clues that help them solve the current murder.
Having lived in France for a year, I enjoyed reading about the Parisian setting. The mystery was engaging and the characters well-developed. The author also included a bit of social commentary, as Lerens, who is Black and trans, experiences bullying and discrimination in the workplace.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for allowing me to read an advance copy.
When the story begins, Hugo recently retired from the security team at the U.S. embassy in Paris and has decided to open a bookshop. Just as he’s getting set up, Hugo’s old boss at the embassy asks for a favor: he needs someone to investigate a blackmail threat made to a local high-end chocolate factory. The ambassador assigns a driver to take Hugo to Eclat du Chocolat to interview the staff, which consists of an American COO, an English CEO, and three French employees.
The company is housed in a chateau dating back to the 1700s with an adjacent cemetery and a rich history. During World War II, the building served as a convent and a refuge for orphans. The most famous leader of the convent/orphanage was the somewhat unconventional Sister Evangeline, who hosted a group of Buddhists shortly before she disappeared in the 1950s.
According to the blackmail note, signed by “The Shadow,” the company must cough up half a million euros or their “darkest secret will be revealed.” When Hugo interviews the staff, no one can offer any suggestions about who could be extorting them, nor what the big secret might be.
Hugo brings in the Paris police, led by his friend, Lieutenant Camille Lerens, and the two have a great working relationship. Just when they find a suspect, a second note appears, canceling the blackmail threat. Then the same day, one of the employees is found dead in the cemetery; the death appears to be a murder. One of the graves has been disturbed, so Hugo and Lerens wonder if there is a connection.
A heavy snowstorm disrupts the investigation and strands Hugo and Lerens overnight at Eclat du Chocolat. Alone in the building, they have the opportunity to search the premises more thoroughly, where they discover a secret tunnel. They also read up on the chateau’s history and end up finding clues that help them solve the current murder.
Having lived in France for a year, I enjoyed reading about the Parisian setting. The mystery was engaging and the characters well-developed. The author also included a bit of social commentary, as Lerens, who is Black and trans, experiences bullying and discrimination in the workplace.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for allowing me to read an advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5⭐️
I’m going to be blunt… this one just wasn’t for me.
I went in expecting a cozy bookshop mystery (I mean, the title absolutely sells that vibe), but nope. The MMC buys a bookshop, and that’s about where that thread ends. It has basically nothing to do with the actual plot. Maybe that’ll come into play later since this is the start of a series, but right now, it felt misleading and disappointing.
The representation also didn’t land for me. It felt very performative, like boxes were being checked instead of characters being developed. The autistic character falls into the “knows everything, hyper-genius” stereotype, and while I always appreciate inclusion, leaning into clichés does more harm than good. The same goes for the trans representation; it’s there, but it lacks depth and authenticity.
And I’m just going to say it… the COVID mentions felt like lazy writing. It didn’t add anything meaningful and pulled me out of the story more than it grounded it.
Also worth noting: this is technically book one of a spin-off series, and you can feel it. There’s a lot of history with characters and settings that clearly come from earlier books. You can follow along, but I definitely felt like I was missing context that would’ve made me care more.
Now for the audio, narrated by Todd McLaren. This is very much a me thing, but the narration style didn’t work for me. It’s very slow—painfully so, and even speeding it up didn’t fix the overall vibe. It felt dated, almost like a throwback to audiobook styles from 10–15 years ago. And one of the character voices? I swear it sounded like Winnie the Pooh, which completely took me out 😅
That said, credit where it’s due. McLaren handled multiple voices and accents consistently, which is no small feat.
Overall, I think this police procedural will find its audience, especially with readers who enjoy a slower, more traditional style, but for me, it just didn’t click. I’d recommend this more to a 55+ mystery crowd than readers looking for a fast-paced or modern-feeling story.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Tantor Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
I’m going to be blunt… this one just wasn’t for me.
I went in expecting a cozy bookshop mystery (I mean, the title absolutely sells that vibe), but nope. The MMC buys a bookshop, and that’s about where that thread ends. It has basically nothing to do with the actual plot. Maybe that’ll come into play later since this is the start of a series, but right now, it felt misleading and disappointing.
The representation also didn’t land for me. It felt very performative, like boxes were being checked instead of characters being developed. The autistic character falls into the “knows everything, hyper-genius” stereotype, and while I always appreciate inclusion, leaning into clichés does more harm than good. The same goes for the trans representation; it’s there, but it lacks depth and authenticity.
And I’m just going to say it… the COVID mentions felt like lazy writing. It didn’t add anything meaningful and pulled me out of the story more than it grounded it.
Also worth noting: this is technically book one of a spin-off series, and you can feel it. There’s a lot of history with characters and settings that clearly come from earlier books. You can follow along, but I definitely felt like I was missing context that would’ve made me care more.
Now for the audio, narrated by Todd McLaren. This is very much a me thing, but the narration style didn’t work for me. It’s very slow—painfully so, and even speeding it up didn’t fix the overall vibe. It felt dated, almost like a throwback to audiobook styles from 10–15 years ago. And one of the character voices? I swear it sounded like Winnie the Pooh, which completely took me out 😅
That said, credit where it’s due. McLaren handled multiple voices and accents consistently, which is no small feat.
Overall, I think this police procedural will find its audience, especially with readers who enjoy a slower, more traditional style, but for me, it just didn’t click. I’d recommend this more to a 55+ mystery crowd than readers looking for a fast-paced or modern-feeling story.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Tantor Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris by Mark Pryor is a good murder mystery that is only in the most tangential way about a bookshop, mysterious or otherwise. I had the advance listener copy narrated by Todd McLaren and he does a very good job on the audio narration and I had the e-arc and was able to read this book immersively. This is a book in a series featuring former FBI profiler, Hugo Marston. Now, this is the first book in the series that I've read, but it is not the first book in the series. You are given enough information that you do not need to start from book one. Now, as the story begins, we do get the bookstore information; Hugo has recently retired from working for the U.S. embassy in Paris as head of the security team, and he is opening a bookshop. He is just finishing interviewing an employee to hire when the ambassador reaches out to him to ask for his assistance. There has been a blackmail threat to a small high end chocolate company with an American executive who reached out to the ambassador for assistance. They want to keep it quiet to not spook clients. Now, the chocolate company is located in a chateau with some history, and there is an old cemetery adjacent to the chateau. The company has received a blackmail note from someone called 'The Shadow'. The Shadow is demanding half a million euros or the company's darkest secret will be told. A dead body is discovered not long thereafter, and the Paris police comes into the picture. The police office leading the investigation is Lt. Camille Lerens and she is a trans woman. This is significant to the story, because she faces significant hostility within the police force. Hugo and Camille respect each other and have worked together before and I enjoyed the mystery and the characters in the story. Only Hugo and Camille get significant time in this story, but I think with Hugo's new bookshop employee and his journalist girlfriend, we will see more side character development in future stories. This is a well told mystery that I really enjoyed listening to. Thank you so much Net Galley, Tantor Media and Kensington for my advance copies. This book releases on March 31, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC.
Former FBI agent and Embassy staffer Hugo as finally done it. He's resigned his role at the American embassy in Paris and is opening his own mystery bookshop. But just as he's about to open, his old boss has one final request. Check out a blackmail letter left in a gourmet chocolate shop, as requested by a fellow Texan and investor in the business. This is no ordinary factory; this is a former convent with a rich and strange history. But no sooner than Hugo can begin the case, another letter shows up, saying the blackmail was over...and then they find the body. Hugo is now enrobed in a murder mystery he cannot seem to figure out. Who would want to blackmail a chocolate company? What secrets could these walls possibly hold, and who is willing to kill to keep them?
I'm not sure if this is maybe part of a series, but I hope that it is and I just jumped into the middle of it. Because there was very little introduction to any of our main characters. So I'm going to assume there are more stories about Hugo out there. This book surprised me and I'm not sure that it did in a good way. The title is The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris...but the story is not about the bookshop. It's about a murder mystery at a chocolate shop. Once you get over that bait and switch, the story is okay. Felt like Hugo had a Benoit Blanc type of quality to him and I liked that. Hugo is a great character, as are his supporting cast. The character of Camille is awesome and kudos to the author for adding her into the story and also showing the struggles that she faces. The story is short (less than 300 pages) and I feel like we could have gotten a little more. It could have been more suspenseful or added in more detail. Overall it was okay. Honestly, Hugo's side quest into the mysterious cigarette case in his apartment was the best part of the story.
Former FBI agent and Embassy staffer Hugo as finally done it. He's resigned his role at the American embassy in Paris and is opening his own mystery bookshop. But just as he's about to open, his old boss has one final request. Check out a blackmail letter left in a gourmet chocolate shop, as requested by a fellow Texan and investor in the business. This is no ordinary factory; this is a former convent with a rich and strange history. But no sooner than Hugo can begin the case, another letter shows up, saying the blackmail was over...and then they find the body. Hugo is now enrobed in a murder mystery he cannot seem to figure out. Who would want to blackmail a chocolate company? What secrets could these walls possibly hold, and who is willing to kill to keep them?
I'm not sure if this is maybe part of a series, but I hope that it is and I just jumped into the middle of it. Because there was very little introduction to any of our main characters. So I'm going to assume there are more stories about Hugo out there. This book surprised me and I'm not sure that it did in a good way. The title is The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris...but the story is not about the bookshop. It's about a murder mystery at a chocolate shop. Once you get over that bait and switch, the story is okay. Felt like Hugo had a Benoit Blanc type of quality to him and I liked that. Hugo is a great character, as are his supporting cast. The character of Camille is awesome and kudos to the author for adding her into the story and also showing the struggles that she faces. The story is short (less than 300 pages) and I feel like we could have gotten a little more. It could have been more suspenseful or added in more detail. Overall it was okay. Honestly, Hugo's side quest into the mysterious cigarette case in his apartment was the best part of the story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Reader, beware. This book about the Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris is, in fact, not only not about a mysterious bookshop, it's not about a bookshop at all. Here's the background: the main character just bought a bookshop in Paris that sells mystery books. That's it!! I feel... deceived.
I also feel deceived because I hate reading a book in a series if I haven't read the ones prior. This book listing showed that it is the first of the Paris Bookshop Mysteries so (silly me) I assumed it was actually the first of a series. I didn't know this author had written an entire series about the main character already. It wouldn't really matter that much, I suppose, except that the main premise of the book is that Hugo Marston is awesome and famous and well-respected and everyone (except me) knows him, and most of the characters you meet are from the Hugo Marston series. So there's that. The plot is a little ridiculous too - all of the police defer to Hugo, unbelievably so, b/c he's so knowledgeable and smart (also... annoying). Also - I love a book with good rep, but the whole storyline about his trans detective friend felt inauthentic and performative :( The staged scene concluding that storyline was so abrupt and silly and confusing... what?? (What an ally he is! Hugo Marston, everyone!)
I can't believe this is the same author who wrote the Henri Lefort mysteries (which I LOVED!!!). And gotta be honest - to bring Henri and his relatives into this story felt a little cheap, like wow what a coincidence, look folks, it's Henri Lefort coming back to you! (replaying greatest hits already?)
It's not all bad. I enjoyed parts of the mystery. The mystery earns 2 stars.
My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
I also feel deceived because I hate reading a book in a series if I haven't read the ones prior. This book listing showed that it is the first of the Paris Bookshop Mysteries so (silly me) I assumed it was actually the first of a series. I didn't know this author had written an entire series about the main character already. It wouldn't really matter that much, I suppose, except that the main premise of the book is that Hugo Marston is awesome and famous and well-respected and everyone (except me) knows him, and most of the characters you meet are from the Hugo Marston series. So there's that. The plot is a little ridiculous too - all of the police defer to Hugo, unbelievably so, b/c he's so knowledgeable and smart (also... annoying). Also - I love a book with good rep, but the whole storyline about his trans detective friend felt inauthentic and performative :( The staged scene concluding that storyline was so abrupt and silly and confusing... what?? (What an ally he is! Hugo Marston, everyone!)
I can't believe this is the same author who wrote the Henri Lefort mysteries (which I LOVED!!!). And gotta be honest - to bring Henri and his relatives into this story felt a little cheap, like wow what a coincidence, look folks, it's Henri Lefort coming back to you! (replaying greatest hits already?)
It's not all bad. I enjoyed parts of the mystery. The mystery earns 2 stars.
My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
To begin, I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this book. This was my first novel by Mark Pryor, and my introduction to Hugo Marston. I had no idea when I started the book that this was part of a series, but about halfway through I found myself hoping for more of Hugo, only to discover there’s a whole collection to go back and enjoy.
Set against the backdrop of a charming Paris bookstore, a dream for any book lover, the story begins as a cozy mystery but quickly deepens into something more layered and compelling. Hugo’s slow, methodical approach to solving the case feels grounded and believable, and his integrity makes him an especially likable protagonist. As a Texan myself, I also appreciated that, Pryor didn’t use the exaggerated Texan accent for Hugo you sometimes expect.
The audiobook narration added a lot to the experience, especially in capturing Hugo’s thoughtful, deliberate questioning and the story’s quieter humor, though some funny moments are easy to miss if you’re not listening closely. The audiobook narrator is really great. There are a few drawbacks: the pacing can feel a bit long (it’s a slow burn), some side plots distract from the main story, and occasionally the dialogue tries too hard to sound modern for example the saying “mad skills” made me cringe. Also, the female detective’s voice sometimes sounded too manly. I had to remind myself the character was female.
That said, the ending genuinely surprised me, and the dynamic between Hugo and Claudia, especially her teasing about “Bobby”, was a highlight. Their chemistry left me wanting more of their backstory. I appreciate the authors really thoughtful weaving of little pieces of side stories to create a bigger story. Overall, this was an engaging and enjoyable read that has me eager to start the series from the beginning.
Set against the backdrop of a charming Paris bookstore, a dream for any book lover, the story begins as a cozy mystery but quickly deepens into something more layered and compelling. Hugo’s slow, methodical approach to solving the case feels grounded and believable, and his integrity makes him an especially likable protagonist. As a Texan myself, I also appreciated that, Pryor didn’t use the exaggerated Texan accent for Hugo you sometimes expect.
The audiobook narration added a lot to the experience, especially in capturing Hugo’s thoughtful, deliberate questioning and the story’s quieter humor, though some funny moments are easy to miss if you’re not listening closely. The audiobook narrator is really great. There are a few drawbacks: the pacing can feel a bit long (it’s a slow burn), some side plots distract from the main story, and occasionally the dialogue tries too hard to sound modern for example the saying “mad skills” made me cringe. Also, the female detective’s voice sometimes sounded too manly. I had to remind myself the character was female.
That said, the ending genuinely surprised me, and the dynamic between Hugo and Claudia, especially her teasing about “Bobby”, was a highlight. Their chemistry left me wanting more of their backstory. I appreciate the authors really thoughtful weaving of little pieces of side stories to create a bigger story. Overall, this was an engaging and enjoyable read that has me eager to start the series from the beginning.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hugo Marston is back with Mark Pryor’s latest semi-cozy mystery set in Paris. Hugo, a former head of security for the US Embassy, has retired and is fulfilling his lifelong dream of opening a mystery book store. I have always loved mysteries revolving around book stores, so even though I am not a great fan of cozy mysteries, I wanted to read The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris.
I was disappointed, however, to find that almost none of the book pertains to the book store, but rather Hugo’s former boss pulls him back into investigating a blackmail scheme targeting a chocolatier friend of the boss. Eclat de Chocolat is housed in an old 1700 (former convent) chateau with all the stories, secret passage ways and secrets that you would expect.
But the story has it high points with a Paris setting, cafes galore, the historic chateau, snow storms and, every now and then, books. If you forgo the unlikeliness of the plot (because after all it is a cozy mystery) and the almost mystical hero-quality of Hugo (because after all it is a cozy mystery), you can find this novel peaceful and entertaining.
But I enjoy a story with a better mystery to solve – twists and turns, red herrings, surprising reveals – all would be welcome even in a cozy mystery and Pryor’s book had none of these. I know that there is a market for this type of quaint mystery story, but it is not for me. However, if that is your desire in a mystery novel, then I think you should check out Pryor’s books because the writing is straightforward and the story moves as it should.
My rating: 3 of 5
This ARC title was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am providing an unbiased review.
The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris will be published on March 31, 2026.
I was disappointed, however, to find that almost none of the book pertains to the book store, but rather Hugo’s former boss pulls him back into investigating a blackmail scheme targeting a chocolatier friend of the boss. Eclat de Chocolat is housed in an old 1700 (former convent) chateau with all the stories, secret passage ways and secrets that you would expect.
But the story has it high points with a Paris setting, cafes galore, the historic chateau, snow storms and, every now and then, books. If you forgo the unlikeliness of the plot (because after all it is a cozy mystery) and the almost mystical hero-quality of Hugo (because after all it is a cozy mystery), you can find this novel peaceful and entertaining.
But I enjoy a story with a better mystery to solve – twists and turns, red herrings, surprising reveals – all would be welcome even in a cozy mystery and Pryor’s book had none of these. I know that there is a market for this type of quaint mystery story, but it is not for me. However, if that is your desire in a mystery novel, then I think you should check out Pryor’s books because the writing is straightforward and the story moves as it should.
My rating: 3 of 5
This ARC title was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am providing an unbiased review.
The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris will be published on March 31, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I generally reserve 5* reviews for literary novels with gorgeous, poetic writing, but in this case I am over the moon with Pryor's move to resurrect Hugo Marsten after some attempts at other directions. Don't get me wrong, he's a good writer, no matter what story he tells, but his Hugo series captured me from the beginning, and I was sad to see it fade away and am so pleased it's back. Well done, Mr. Pryor!
In this book, Hugo has retired from his security job with the American Embassy in Paris and is opening a Paris bookstore focused on crime fiction. I see a version of Shakespeare and Company in my mind. His ties with the embassy haven't been completely severed, however, so he is asked by the American Ambassador to look into a case "off the record," even as he is setting up for his bookstore's grand opening. All of his old compatriots are in evidence as he investigates, and those who have followed the series from the beginning will enjoy reconnecting with them. But if you haven't ever read a Hugo Marsten book, it's no problem because Pryor fleshes all of the characters, new and old, out so very well.
As Pryor always does so well, the reader is transported to Paris. From the history, the Seine, the city geography, the weather, the shops and cafes, and the chateaux to the culture and language, one feels the atmosphere of the city all around. This is great escapist literature. Add to that a complex and nuanced plot with a strong procedural bent, and the book begs to be read in one sitting even though a part of me wanted it to drag out and provide a longer vacation from daily life.
Pryor cannot write a sequel fast enough for me. I'm waiting...
In this book, Hugo has retired from his security job with the American Embassy in Paris and is opening a Paris bookstore focused on crime fiction. I see a version of Shakespeare and Company in my mind. His ties with the embassy haven't been completely severed, however, so he is asked by the American Ambassador to look into a case "off the record," even as he is setting up for his bookstore's grand opening. All of his old compatriots are in evidence as he investigates, and those who have followed the series from the beginning will enjoy reconnecting with them. But if you haven't ever read a Hugo Marsten book, it's no problem because Pryor fleshes all of the characters, new and old, out so very well.
As Pryor always does so well, the reader is transported to Paris. From the history, the Seine, the city geography, the weather, the shops and cafes, and the chateaux to the culture and language, one feels the atmosphere of the city all around. This is great escapist literature. Add to that a complex and nuanced plot with a strong procedural bent, and the book begs to be read in one sitting even though a part of me wanted it to drag out and provide a longer vacation from daily life.
Pryor cannot write a sequel fast enough for me. I'm waiting...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📱📖 Read on Kobo
⏱ Duration: 4 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Kensington Publishing
📅 ARC courtesy of NetGalley | To be published: March 31, 2026
It took me until the acknowledgments to realize The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris continues a long-running series. That revelation explained so much of my confusion. As a newcomer, I spent most of the book wondering how our freshly minted bookseller, Hugo, seemed to have endless high-level contacts across law enforcement and politics. The mystery of that, it turns out, was purely meta: I had started mid-series without knowing.
For a bookshop mystery, there’s surprisingly little time spent in the actual shop. Hugo hires an assistant and immediately hands him the keys before darting off into Parisian intrigue. That said, the mystery itself? Genuinely engaging. The blackmail angle, the chocolate factory with a layered historical past, and the eventual whodunit all worked for me. Once the investigation was in full swing,
What didn’t quite land for me were the emotional beats on either end of the story. Without the series’ backstory, I felt detached from the relationships and callbacks that longtime readers will likely savor. I can see how fans of Hugo’s previous outings would find this a smooth continuation. But as a standalone, it wobbles just a bit out of context. Unfortunately, both the prelude and the ending leaned heavily on series context, making them feel emotionally flat if you haven’t followed Hugo’s journey from the beginning. I closed the book satisfied with the mystery, but not particularly compelled to go backward or forward in the series.
Would I recommend it?
If you’re already familiar with Hugo Marston’s previous adventures, this one is a worthy addition, mysterious, atmospheric, and laced with chocolate and Parisian charm. But if you’re new like me, you might want to start earlier in the series to fully understand its cast of characters and connections.
⏱ Duration: 4 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Kensington Publishing
📅 ARC courtesy of NetGalley | To be published: March 31, 2026
It took me until the acknowledgments to realize The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris continues a long-running series. That revelation explained so much of my confusion. As a newcomer, I spent most of the book wondering how our freshly minted bookseller, Hugo, seemed to have endless high-level contacts across law enforcement and politics. The mystery of that, it turns out, was purely meta: I had started mid-series without knowing.
For a bookshop mystery, there’s surprisingly little time spent in the actual shop. Hugo hires an assistant and immediately hands him the keys before darting off into Parisian intrigue. That said, the mystery itself? Genuinely engaging. The blackmail angle, the chocolate factory with a layered historical past, and the eventual whodunit all worked for me. Once the investigation was in full swing,
What didn’t quite land for me were the emotional beats on either end of the story. Without the series’ backstory, I felt detached from the relationships and callbacks that longtime readers will likely savor. I can see how fans of Hugo’s previous outings would find this a smooth continuation. But as a standalone, it wobbles just a bit out of context. Unfortunately, both the prelude and the ending leaned heavily on series context, making them feel emotionally flat if you haven’t followed Hugo’s journey from the beginning. I closed the book satisfied with the mystery, but not particularly compelled to go backward or forward in the series.
Would I recommend it?
If you’re already familiar with Hugo Marston’s previous adventures, this one is a worthy addition, mysterious, atmospheric, and laced with chocolate and Parisian charm. But if you’re new like me, you might want to start earlier in the series to fully understand its cast of characters and connections.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book surprised me a bit, I really enjoyed it. A quick read with some fun sprinkled through.
Hugo has led an exciting life as an FBI profiler and the United States embassy's head of security, but now he's ready to embrace a quieter existence as a bookseller in the Marais district of Paris. His former employer, however, has other plans for him. A prominent American citizen is the COO of a boutique chocolate emporium in Paris, where they've received a mysterious and threatening note. A blackmailer who goes by the name The Shadow wants half a million euros or else their "darkest secret will be revealed."
Eclat de Chocolat is housed in a chateau dating back to the 1700s. The building, which served as a convent in the first half of the twentieth century, where the angelic Sister Evangeline and her order of nuns helped countless orphans during World War II, has been beautifully converted into a chocolate factory. So what dark secrets could a chocolatier be hiding? The COO has no idea.
Involving his friend, Lieutenant Camille Lerens, Hugo begins to investigate. But soon a second note appears on the premises, canceling the blackmail threat. The same day, the body of an employee is found in an old graveyard behind the chocolatier. Now Hugo and Lerens have a murder on their hands, but is it connected to the blackmail attempt? As they dig for secrets and motives, it becomes clear The Shadow's grave work has just begun . . .
Hugo has led an exciting life as an FBI profiler and the United States embassy's head of security, but now he's ready to embrace a quieter existence as a bookseller in the Marais district of Paris. His former employer, however, has other plans for him. A prominent American citizen is the COO of a boutique chocolate emporium in Paris, where they've received a mysterious and threatening note. A blackmailer who goes by the name The Shadow wants half a million euros or else their "darkest secret will be revealed."
Eclat de Chocolat is housed in a chateau dating back to the 1700s. The building, which served as a convent in the first half of the twentieth century, where the angelic Sister Evangeline and her order of nuns helped countless orphans during World War II, has been beautifully converted into a chocolate factory. So what dark secrets could a chocolatier be hiding? The COO has no idea.
Involving his friend, Lieutenant Camille Lerens, Hugo begins to investigate. But soon a second note appears on the premises, canceling the blackmail threat. The same day, the body of an employee is found in an old graveyard behind the chocolatier. Now Hugo and Lerens have a murder on their hands, but is it connected to the blackmail attempt? As they dig for secrets and motives, it becomes clear The Shadow's grave work has just begun . . .
January 29, 2026
3.5 stars
Paris, FBI, books, cafe, historic chateau, extreme religious rituals, snow, mysteries and murder, this book has all the good stuff!
We follow the story of Hugo who is an ex FBI profiler, who along with friends and colleagues, is searching for a blackmailer and a murderer, while he is also in the process of opening up a bookshop.
This book has great bones and a fine tale…although, not one tale but really three.
It revolves mainly around the mystery/murder and very little about the bookshop. It seems to be a part of a series, so I assume that will be continued into the next book.
One character was singled out, with mention of their skin colour and gender identity. It bugged me as it didn’t go further, seemed very hollow and didn’t get weaved into the story. Near the end, was a badly written incident relating to this, which was not cohesive to the story, was abrupt, didn’t do justice to the character and should really have just been omitted. To me it all seemed like an afterthought, edited in at the last minute.
Most murder mysteries have twists and turns, this one leads you down a chocolatey and snow laden path, with an abundance of intrigue that never gives up, to keep you hooked till the end. An end you would never guess!
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
#TheMostMysteriousBookshopinParis #NetGalley
Paris, FBI, books, cafe, historic chateau, extreme religious rituals, snow, mysteries and murder, this book has all the good stuff!
We follow the story of Hugo who is an ex FBI profiler, who along with friends and colleagues, is searching for a blackmailer and a murderer, while he is also in the process of opening up a bookshop.
This book has great bones and a fine tale…although, not one tale but really three.
It revolves mainly around the mystery/murder and very little about the bookshop. It seems to be a part of a series, so I assume that will be continued into the next book.
One character was singled out, with mention of their skin colour and gender identity. It bugged me as it didn’t go further, seemed very hollow and didn’t get weaved into the story. Near the end, was a badly written incident relating to this, which was not cohesive to the story, was abrupt, didn’t do justice to the character and should really have just been omitted. To me it all seemed like an afterthought, edited in at the last minute.
Most murder mysteries have twists and turns, this one leads you down a chocolatey and snow laden path, with an abundance of intrigue that never gives up, to keep you hooked till the end. An end you would never guess!
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
#TheMostMysteriousBookshopinParis #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the 10th book by Pryor featuring Hugo Marston, former FBI profiler and head of security at the Paris U.S. Embassy, but promises to actually be the first in a new series as he embarks on a new career as the owner of a book store in Paris. As he prepares to open the book store, Hugo is approached by the U.S. Ambassador and asks him to help some friends, owners of a specialty chocolate company who have received a blackmail note but do not want it to be known publicly. Working with his friends from the Paris police, Camille Lerens and Jacques Moulin, they must navigate a case that really doesn’t make sense from the get-go. When one of the chocolatier’s employees is murdered, the case becomes much more complex. Why kill the employee, and why on the chocolate factory’s premises? A complex case that unwinds slowly until the end.
I have read several of the earlier Marston novels and was delighted to be selected to read the ARC of this novel courtesy of Kensington Books. Marston is a complex main character, cerebral to a fault, and certainly full of himself, but still an excellent main character. The story does move slowly for a while, but never made me want to stop turning the pages. Looking forward to more books in this new series.
I have read several of the earlier Marston novels and was delighted to be selected to read the ARC of this novel courtesy of Kensington Books. Marston is a complex main character, cerebral to a fault, and certainly full of himself, but still an excellent main character. The story does move slowly for a while, but never made me want to stop turning the pages. Looking forward to more books in this new series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a fun ride this was! I had no idea this was a spin-off from prior Hugo Marston adventures. I will be looking for those books. As this book opens, we find Hugo changing careers. He had been the head of Security for the American Embassy in Paris and is now opening a mystery bookshop in the Marais District of Paris. The ambassador however is not quite ready to have him completely out of the picture. He has a special request, that Hugo meet with the American COO of a specialty chocolate maker whose company has received a blackmail note. As Hugo has just hired an associate to help in the bookshop and it is not open yet, he agrees to meet the man. One meeting leads to more than one murder investigation, 75 year old mysteries, blizzards to be survived and so much more. Hugo, Camille, Inspector Moulin and new employee Blake dig in to solve all of these and still open the bookshop on time.
I expect many more Hugo Marston adventures and I am excited to read all of them!
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy of this in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I expect many more Hugo Marston adventures and I am excited to read all of them!
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy of this in exchange for my honest thoughts.
March 22, 2026
A few years ago, I read the first of Mark Pryor's Hugo Marston mysteries, The Bookseller, and although I did like the book's window into Parisian life and its strong mystery, the characters failed to "click" with me. I decided to give Hugo another chance in Pryor's The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris, the first in his new Paris Bookshop series.
Once again, I was transported to Paris. I enjoyed watching Hugo and his assistant, Blake Holmes, talk mysteries while getting the shop ready for business. I learned a great deal about the chocolate business, and the 18th-century chateau and former convent was the perfect location for Eclat de Chocolat. I even learned about what is entailed in being given a Royal Warrant.
The mystery is strong and kept me guessing, but-- once again-- the cast just didn't click with this character-driven reader. Why? It's a mystery to me because I do like Hugo Marston and his friends. It's like real life, I suppose. I've met many people that I've liked, yet had no desire to further an acquaintance with them.
However, don't let my lukewarm reaction keep you from giving this book a try. There's a lot to like about it, and it may just be your perfect cup of tea.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
Once again, I was transported to Paris. I enjoyed watching Hugo and his assistant, Blake Holmes, talk mysteries while getting the shop ready for business. I learned a great deal about the chocolate business, and the 18th-century chateau and former convent was the perfect location for Eclat de Chocolat. I even learned about what is entailed in being given a Royal Warrant.
The mystery is strong and kept me guessing, but-- once again-- the cast just didn't click with this character-driven reader. Why? It's a mystery to me because I do like Hugo Marston and his friends. It's like real life, I suppose. I've met many people that I've liked, yet had no desire to further an acquaintance with them.
However, don't let my lukewarm reaction keep you from giving this book a try. There's a lot to like about it, and it may just be your perfect cup of tea.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
March 22, 2026
The start of a new series where a former FBI agent takes an early retirement to open a bookstore in Paris. He has an on-again-off-again relationship with a reporter, shows support for his friend and colleague in the French police force who is a trans and black woman, and accepts a “one time only” assignment from the US Ambassador to France to help with a special case at a famous chocolatier’s chateau. And he hired his first employee on the spot: a man with misophonia who also has excellent research skills and may be a little on the spectrum. If that’s not enough, throw in some immigration issues, COVID-related fallout, and bad actors who are white supremacists and transphobic. I think the author has covered a lot of special interest bases with this case!
All that is to say this is a multi-layered story with an interesting premise and an even more interesting conclusion. I would definitely read more in this series. The audiobook narration (with multiple accents and genders) is very good.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @TantorAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheMostMysteriousBookshopinParis for review purposes. Publication date: 31 March 2026.
All that is to say this is a multi-layered story with an interesting premise and an even more interesting conclusion. I would definitely read more in this series. The audiobook narration (with multiple accents and genders) is very good.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @TantorAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheMostMysteriousBookshopinParis for review purposes. Publication date: 31 March 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first installment in the Paris Bookshop series featuring the character of retired head of security at the US embassy, Hugo Marsden, who has appeared in a previous book, The French Widow (not part of the series).
Hugo is preparing to open Hugo’s Mystery & Antiquarian Bookshop in the fashionable Marais district when he’s asked to look into a blackmail incident at the Eclat de Chocolat located in an 18th C former convent. A threatening note has been received from someone called The Shadow requiring a ransom of a half a million euros or secrets will be revealed. The next day another note appears and an employee s body is found past the graveyard on the property. From there this cozy mystery delivers on twists and turns.
I liked Hugo and the bookshop especially. I think the cast of characters that revolve around Hugo were interesting, especially Camille. Overall, I enjoyed the read and think this could a nice cozy mystery series. More Hugo please!
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.
Hugo is preparing to open Hugo’s Mystery & Antiquarian Bookshop in the fashionable Marais district when he’s asked to look into a blackmail incident at the Eclat de Chocolat located in an 18th C former convent. A threatening note has been received from someone called The Shadow requiring a ransom of a half a million euros or secrets will be revealed. The next day another note appears and an employee s body is found past the graveyard on the property. From there this cozy mystery delivers on twists and turns.
I liked Hugo and the bookshop especially. I think the cast of characters that revolve around Hugo were interesting, especially Camille. Overall, I enjoyed the read and think this could a nice cozy mystery series. More Hugo please!
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Description- Hugo has led an exciting life as an FBI profiler and the United States embassy's head of security, but now he's ready to embrace a quieter existence as a bookseller in the Marais district of Paris. His former employer, however, has other plans for him. A prominent American citizen is the COO of a boutique chocolate emporium in Paris, where they've received a mysterious and threatening note. A blackmailer who goes by the name The Shadow wants half a million euros or else their "darkest secret will be revealed."
This is the book 1 in the Paris Bookshop mystery series. Its my first book by Mark Pryor. I enjoyed the story. Its a really good who dunnit mystery. I usually prefer psychological thrillers more than mysteries. But this one was enjoyable. I look forward the next books in this series.
The audible performance was by Todd McLaren. His voice made for easy listening. Very enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley and Tantor Media for my ALC in exchange for my honest review.
I recommend you mark your calendar for the release date of March 31 2026.
This is the book 1 in the Paris Bookshop mystery series. Its my first book by Mark Pryor. I enjoyed the story. Its a really good who dunnit mystery. I usually prefer psychological thrillers more than mysteries. But this one was enjoyable. I look forward the next books in this series.
The audible performance was by Todd McLaren. His voice made for easy listening. Very enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley and Tantor Media for my ALC in exchange for my honest review.
I recommend you mark your calendar for the release date of March 31 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery! Sometimes you just need one of those books where no one swears, you get to solve a mystery, and learn a little bit of history about a boutique chocolate emporium.
I hope they make this into a series because I really liked Hugo and I hope to read more stories with him and his friends, especially Blake!
It all starts with a chocolate emporium receiving a blackmail note and leads to a murder. Hugo is sent to investigate. He was the former head of security for the US embassy in Paris now retired and purchased a bookshop to carry out his days.
This was a fun audio to listen to. I didn't think there were that many characters so I was able to keep up and the narrator did a great job, especially with the accents.
if you want a fun weekend read this is book for you
.
I want to thank NetGalley, Mark Pryor and Tantor Media for an advanced audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I hope they make this into a series because I really liked Hugo and I hope to read more stories with him and his friends, especially Blake!
It all starts with a chocolate emporium receiving a blackmail note and leads to a murder. Hugo is sent to investigate. He was the former head of security for the US embassy in Paris now retired and purchased a bookshop to carry out his days.
This was a fun audio to listen to. I didn't think there were that many characters so I was able to keep up and the narrator did a great job, especially with the accents.
if you want a fun weekend read this is book for you
.
I want to thank NetGalley, Mark Pryor and Tantor Media for an advanced audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn't realize going in that this seems to be a spinoff of another series, which I'm unfamiliar with. It wasn't a problem for the main plot but I may have gotten more invested in the characters had I read the previous books and known more backstory.
Lots of nice settings- Paris, a chocolate factory, cafe, and bookstore (although we don't see much of the shop, perhaps in future books?). There's quite a bit of different things going on. The factory holds numerous secrets. The bookshop introduces a subplot that I thought would be an ongoing mystery but wasn't, but did sprout another story that I imagine will continue.
Couple things that bugged me a little and a weird part that had nothing to do with the story. Otherwise a fairly interesting book, and I'd consider checking out the next in this series.
Lots of nice settings- Paris, a chocolate factory, cafe, and bookstore (although we don't see much of the shop, perhaps in future books?). There's quite a bit of different things going on. The factory holds numerous secrets. The bookshop introduces a subplot that I thought would be an ongoing mystery but wasn't, but did sprout another story that I imagine will continue.
Couple things that bugged me a little and a weird part that had nothing to do with the story. Otherwise a fairly interesting book, and I'd consider checking out the next in this series.
March 26, 2026
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t really for me. It seemed to go slow to me. It might not have felt quite as slow if I had physically read it instead of listened to it. I did give it a chance though. It gets 2 stars for the mystery aspect.
I started this book thinking it was about a mysterious bookshop. It isn’t, however, about a bookshop. It mentions the main character opening a bookshop and hiring a staff member to help. Then the bookshop is just referenced here and there throughout the book.
I also didn’t realize this was the first book of a spinoff series from a prior series. Many characters were referenced from that prior series. So I felt a little lost.
I think maybe reading that series before picking this book up would help understand this book better.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook.
I started this book thinking it was about a mysterious bookshop. It isn’t, however, about a bookshop. It mentions the main character opening a bookshop and hiring a staff member to help. Then the bookshop is just referenced here and there throughout the book.
I also didn’t realize this was the first book of a spinoff series from a prior series. Many characters were referenced from that prior series. So I felt a little lost.
I think maybe reading that series before picking this book up would help understand this book better.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook.
February 16, 2026
Although the title is a little misleading, this made for a fun and exciting mystery! The main character, Hugo, former FBI and embassy security, gets involved in a mystery that occurs at a local chocolate factory.
This story wove together historic mysteries, blackmail, and murder. There were many aspects I really enjoyed, but the ending fell a bit flat to me. I also didn’t realize this was a spinoff of another series, and it’s possible I hadn’t built a connection with the characters I may have had otherwise.
Overall, an enjoyable cozy mystery that was fast-paced. The storyline can definitely be read without the earlier related series.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #KensingtonPublishing for this ARC
This story wove together historic mysteries, blackmail, and murder. There were many aspects I really enjoyed, but the ending fell a bit flat to me. I also didn’t realize this was a spinoff of another series, and it’s possible I hadn’t built a connection with the characters I may have had otherwise.
Overall, an enjoyable cozy mystery that was fast-paced. The storyline can definitely be read without the earlier related series.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #KensingtonPublishing for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I always enjoy a Hugo Marston story, and this one is no exception. Hugo has retired, is opening a bookstore, and is so happy it is almost insufferable. His former boss at the embassy has asked him to help an American in an odd blackmail situation. Hugo winds up in a murder case, helping his French police friend, Camille, and her assistant, Jacques. They both want to throttle Hugo at various times when he says he has some thoughts and theories but can't disclose them yet, so as to not prejudice the investigation. That's like waving a red flag at a bull. And at this reader! It is an intricate puzzle and the solution is satisfying.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. This is a mix of cozy mystery and thriller--set in Paris and having a chocolate factory being at the forefront of the story. As I got into the book, I felt that the main character seemed very well developed for being the first in a series. A quick search on Goodreads informed me that he has a whole earlier series and this is the first in his "second wind" career. The mystery was good and I liked the relationships between the main characters. I look forward to enjoying both the next in this series and discovering the previous ones featuring Hugo.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was my first foray with Hugo who has a former series as head of security at the US Embassy. Now, Hugo is retired and opening a new bookstore in Paris with his friends' support. He gets a call from the US Ambassador to look into a bit of blackmail at a chocolate emporium nearby. Blackmail soon turns into murder and Hugo and his Paris inspector friends work together to solve the two mysteries. I really loved this mystery that blended history, mystery, and international intrigue. I'm looking forward to the next one and will check out Hugo's previous adventures in the meantime!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris by Mark Pryor
Narrator, Todd McLaren
I thought I would enjoy this book from the title and the description but there is very little about the bookshop and the story was all over the place. Too many characters and more than one mystery. I’m not even sure one of them was solved. When we found out the culprit I had to take a minute to identity who that person was. One storyline was kind of unpleasant. I did finish the book but likely will not go forward with the series. Also not sure I will try the original series due to the narrator who I really didn’t like.
Narrator, Todd McLaren
I thought I would enjoy this book from the title and the description but there is very little about the bookshop and the story was all over the place. Too many characters and more than one mystery. I’m not even sure one of them was solved. When we found out the culprit I had to take a minute to identity who that person was. One storyline was kind of unpleasant. I did finish the book but likely will not go forward with the series. Also not sure I will try the original series due to the narrator who I really didn’t like.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and Mark Pryor for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.
The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris is a phenomenal whodoneit. I feel that Mr. Mark is going to take us on an amazing journey with this series, and I'm here for it all. The character development and world building are chefs kiss🤌🤌. The turns and twists had me shook, when I thought I had it figured out, BOOM I was wrong. I can't hardly wait to see where Mr. Mark is taking us.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to y'all. Trust me on this one.
The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris is a phenomenal whodoneit. I feel that Mr. Mark is going to take us on an amazing journey with this series, and I'm here for it all. The character development and world building are chefs kiss🤌🤌. The turns and twists had me shook, when I thought I had it figured out, BOOM I was wrong. I can't hardly wait to see where Mr. Mark is taking us.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to y'all. Trust me on this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The latest in a long-running series, although the protagonist, Hugo Marston, is embarking on a new career as a bookstore owner. Recurring characters appear in the novel, which may make it difficult for new readers to the series to understand. The setting of Paris is charming with its cafes and the backdrop of a chocolate company. The mystery itself is fine, with Hugo and the police officers he works with making a number of leaps to make the solution fit. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hugo has retired from the FBI and embassy security, and is getting ready to open a bookshop in Paris. His old boss calls him back to help investigate a blackmail note at a chocolate factory, which quickly evolves into a murder mystery. The chocolate factory is housed in an old building with many secrets the team needs to uncover to solve this crime. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. Expected publishing in the US 3.31/2036.
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