Murder at the Moulin Rouge: A Blackwell & Watson Time-Travel Mystery

by Carol Pouliot

Paris, 1895. When a cancan dancer at the Moulin Rouge falls to her death from the top of one of Montmartre’s highest staircases, the police dismiss it as an accident. But, Madeleine was one of Toulouse-Lautrec’s favorite models, and the artist is certain she was murdered. Enter Depression-era detective Steven Blackwell and 21st-century journalist Olivia Watson who travel back in time to Paris to hunt down the killer. Before long, they learn that a second dancer—a ballerina and favorite model of painter Edgar Degas—has died. Two dancers dead in two weeks. Two artists grieving. Is the killer targeting young dancers, or, does this case involve the enigmatic Paris art world?

From the moment Steven and Olivia arrive, Steven is out of his element. The small-town cop has no idea what techniques the French police use in 1895. Worse, he has no official status to investigate murder in one of the world’s largest cities. The sleuths soon discover disturbing secrets at the Paris Ballet. And when Olivia insists on going undercover to visit a suspect’s house alone, Steven fears he’s made the biggest mistake of his life.

Travel back in time with Steven and Olivia, as they enter the back-stabbing world of dance in one of the world’s greatest cities. Murder at the Moulin Rouge is their most daring and dangerous case to date.

Genres: Mystery, Historical

324 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2025

About the author

An unexplained vision led Carol Pouliot to create the acclaimed Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries, traditional police procedurals that take place in 1934 and the present day. At the core of the series, a seemingly impossible relationship between Detective Steven Blackwell and journalist Olivia Watson simmers behind the mysteries. With their fast pace and unexpected twists and turns, Doorway to Murder (Book 1), Threshold of Deceit (Book 2), and Death Rang the Bell (Book 3) have earned praise from readers and mystery authors alike.

Carol is President of her Sisters in Crime chapter and a founding member of Sleuths and Sidekicks. A former teacher and business owner, she now enjoys the peace and quiet of the countryside in Upstate New York where she happily works on her series as the snow reaches over 13 feet every winter. And, as an avid traveler, her passport and suitcase are at the ready for her next adventure.

Reviews

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

MURDER AT THE MOULIN ROUGE (A Blackwell & Watson Time-Travel Mystery) by Carol Pouliot is an intriguing historical mystery as well as a time-travel romance all intertwined with memorable protagonists. This is the fifth book in the series, and they keep getting better and more captivating with each story. I do recommend reading them in order, while the crime plots are completed in each book, the main protagonists, Steven and Olivia’s relationship continues to progress and evolve over the series.

Depression era detective Stephan Blackwell and 21st century journalist Olivia Watson are relaxing after their last adventure, when they are shocked by the appearance of Steven’s deceased artist mother as her younger self asking them to return with her to Paris in 1895 to help her friend, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. One of his models, Madeleine, from the Moulin Rouge has been murdered, but the Paris detectives have called it an accident. Henri has set Stephen up with a detective friend from the Surete Nationale and the three set out to discover who killed Madeleine.

The sleuths discovered Madeleine started at the Paris Ballet but moved to the Moulin Rouge. They also discover another young ballerina died from poison just a few weeks before. Are the two cases connected? Stephen and Olivia are both trying to uncover a killer while trying to navigate a time where both are trying to fit in.

I always enjoy a trip through time as Olivia helps Stephan with his cases in 1934, but this book takes both to a completely new city and time period, Paris in 1895. The descriptions of the historical artists who inhabited the city at this time and the life of the fictional dancers pulled me in and I felt like I was there. The intricately plotted and paced crime mystery kept me turning the pages and I was very satisfied with the conclusion. The research is evident in the details of the city and inhabitants’ lives. Stephen and Olivia’s relationship continues to grow even with the difficulties of living in different moments in history. I always look forward to getting the next book in this series with its great mix of history, crime mystery, and romance.

I highly recommend this engaging historical mystery/time-travel romance in the Blackwell & Watson Time-Travel Mystery series.

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of time traveling books, I think they are so fun and when you add a murder to solve with a touch of romance, I'm totally 100% in !! And author Carol Pouliot does it perfectly with her Blackwell & Watson Time-Travel Mystery series.

Steven Blackwell is a detective in the early 1930's while Olivia Watson is a journalist/researcher small business owner in 2015. They are able to time travel between times by walking over the threshold in a bedroom in the house they both own in their timeframe. They are able to venture out together in both timeframes and Olivia helps Steven with his murder cases.

In the fifth book in the series, Murder at the Moulin Rouge, they are going to go way out of their comfort zones when Steven's deceased mother knocks on his door .... and she is a lot younger. A friend of her's in Paris in the year 1895 needs help. A dear friend of his has died, the case was ruled an accident but Henri knows it wasn't.

Before they can even comes to terms with the fact that Steven's mother can time travel as well, they agree to go to 1895 Paris and try to investigate and help Henri. Obviously this is going to be the toughest case they have ever worked on .... what do they know about the year 1895 other than what they may have learned in history class ? That doesn't stop them from diving in head first, working with the local detective, meeting very interesting people and spending time with Steven's mother ... which isn't wierd at all !!!

I'll admit Murder at the Moulin Rouge is not my favorite book in this series. I love spending time with Steven and Olivia no matter where and when they are but I wasn't a fan of Paris. The storyline was captivating and interesting and I was glad they solved the case and were able to return to their own timeframes. I also now know that in future books I will not be surprised wherever they end up traveling to .... looks like nothing is off limits for this duo and I look forward to the next book to see where they go and who they meet.

[Marilyn Tucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved reading mysteries! I fell in love with author Carol Pouliot’s Blackwell –Watson time travel mystery series. What sets this series apart from other mysteries is the significant amount of historical research necessary for the characters to time travel between their eras. You have to read Murder at the Moulin Rouge to really understand the amount of research that helped to take Steven and Olivia into 1895 Paris as crime solvers.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all—vivid historical detail, crackling romantic tension, and a twist-filled plot that keeps you guessing to the very end. Murder at the Moulin Rouge is a dazzling blend of Belle Époque glamour and Golden Age sleuthing. Highly recommend.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance, time-travel, a murder mystery, OOOLALA! What more could you ask?
I jumped into book 5 in this series without reading the prior books and had no trouble reading it as a stand-alone. This is a terrific read. Olivia Watson and Steven Blackwell share a home in a small upstate New York village, only thing is, for Olivia it is 2014 while it is 1934 for Steven! To make this book most interesting, Steven's mother comes to them from 1895 Paris. She needs their help to investigate the death of a young dancer at the Moulin Rouge. Her friend, artist Toulouse-Lautrec is convinced that his friend and model, Madeline was murdered but the police have ruled it an accidental death. The investigation is assisted by a French detective grateful for the assistance from the NY detective and his assistant. The book is filled with references to French traditions, culture of the time, artists and even the first moving picture! Come along as the author takes us back to the Paris of the late 19th century. We even take a ride on the Orient Express. I loved the setting, the characters, their relationships and especially the twists, turns and misdirection in this story. I can't recommend it highly enough!

[BookWormBecky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Vibe, assimilate, threshold…

2 dancers dead of mysterious causes in 2 weeks…

Steven, 1930s small town cop and Olivia, a 2014 journalist go to 1896 Paris to help Detective Etienne Berthot investigate the case.

Coincidence or is there a link between the 2 cases/ victims?

When I first noted that this was a time travel book, I thought this might be out of my comfort zone. I couldn’t have been more wrong - this was a traditional police procedural, although set in 1896. It involved time travel, but IMO it was a minimal part of the story. (Also mystery and a tiche of romance). It was interesting to compare police procedures from today with those methods used in the past.

The time spent on researching must have been phenomenal- Moulin Rouge, the windmill, rumors, customs, fashions, drinks, Paris locations, Orient Express etc, etc, etc.

I’ve never been to Paris but kept thinking of that Vegas classic show Lido (de Paris). I wonder if it was similar? (Lido ran for 32 years…)

I liked the 3 main characters. Fun use of historical artists! Thanks for the cast of characters play list.

Book 5 in a series. I was able to follow the plot and characters.

Enter the cutthroat world of dance. “Fierce and intense- involving the use of ruthless measures…”

And ask yourself WHY would one leave the prestigious Ballet to dance at the Moulin Rouge?

BIENVENUE! Welcome to the Moulin Rouge!

[Kristine Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

In MURDER AT THE MOULIN ROUGE, Carol Pouliot masterfully pulls readers this way and that, convincing – and misleading – us, right up to the surprising, spectacular end. I cannot wait to go back to the beginning of this engaging, clever time-travel series and binge-read forward while I wait for the next installment.

Although MURDER AT THE MOULIN ROUGE is the fifth book in the Blackwell & Watson Time-Travel Mystery series, it’s the first that I’ve read. Right from the start, I appreciated that the author provides an extensive “Cast of Characters” whom readers will meet in the book. Honestly, I only rarely had to consult it because the author didn’t overwhelm me with them, and I could easily keep them straight. Perhaps it helps that practically everyone is a suspect at one time or another.

As a lifelong Francophile (with an upcoming trip to France – SQUEEEEE), I absolutely loved being immersed in Paris. Even though this was the 1895 version of Paris, Carol Pouliot’s richly detailed descriptions are a reminder that the city is timeless. Numerous places I most recently saw in 2014, aren’t much different from the 1895 version described, so it feels realistic and evocative. Plus, the inclusion of French traditions, foods, and words lends authenticity to the story, and Pouliot does it in an organic way so that no translations are needed. Further enriching the story is the sprinkling of interesting historical factoids that are sure to pique readers’ interest. (The fascination with the Paris Morgue? The slanted floors at the Opéra? Who knew?) As a bonus, there’s a “Note from the Author” section at the end that separates fact from fiction, and it even includes links for further exploration.

“It had been worth all of it just to spend this one evening with the woman who was going to become his adored mother.” – Adult Stephen Blackwell, in 1895, speaking of Evangeline, with whom he’d just spent an evening and who would give birth to Stephen sometime in the next several years.

To say it’s complicated is an understatement. Reading the first few chapters of MURDER AT THE MOULIN ROUGE, without having the benefit of the information from the four prior books in the series, I stalled because my head was spinning with loads of logistical questions. But, that’s on me for being late to the series party. By actively suspending my disbelief and giving the author the benefit of the doubt that all has been explained if one starts at the beginning, I was released to enjoy the book as the superior stand-alone mystery it is.

I would be remiss if I didn’t say bien fait, Mme Pouliot, for providing readers a cleanly edited novel. I didn’t notice even a single misplaced accent aigu, and that’s refreshing. Beyond the obvious lack of lead-up details, my only regret starting with book five is that I’ve not had the background and build-up to the relationship between the main characters, Stephen and Olivia. As such, there’s a part towards the end that’s a bit spoiler-ish, but it’s also quite clear that there will be more to come.

MURDER AT THE MOULIN ROUGE is a well-researched historical mystery with sharp writing that gives readers sneak peeks into the lives of both Paris’s upper echelon and the working class, with a bit of social commentary on each. The quick escalation to the story’s surprising big reveal kept me rapidly flipping pages to a quick but satisfying resolution in this oh-so-French novel. Magnifique!

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[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

MURDER AT THE MOULIN ROUGE by Carol Pouliot
The Fifth Blackwell & Watson Mystery

Steven Blackwell has gotten used to the fact that his home is a conduit of sorts, first meeting Olivia Watson who lives in the house in the 2010s and allowing him to visit the future and Olivia the ability to visit his time, the 1930s. What he didn't expect was to see a young version of his deceased mother coming and telling him that he and Olivia need to come with her to solve a murder in 1895 Paris! The pair, stunned, agree and soon are investigating the death of a dancer. While it was deemed accidental, a horrible fall down icy stairs, some things don't add up and Henri Toulouse-Lautrec thinks it's murder. Fortunately for Steven, Detective Etienne Berthot with the Sûreté agrees and is able to help. Soon Steven and Olivia are entrenched in the world of dance both at the ballet and the Moulin Rouge and learn that their glittering world is more than a bit tarnished.

I truly enjoy when real historical people show up in mysteries and I was thrilled to see not only Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, but Edgar Degas and other notable artists of the Impressionistic era. It was also fun to see amazing things around today when they were in their infancy: motion pictures, the Eiffel Tour, and Sacre Coeur! I also loved attending an artistocratic New Year's party. The details were exquisitely portrayed.

While I love the idea of Steven and Olivia being able to enter each other's time lines, and even consider it plausible, given Einstein's theories, I had to give the fifth Blackwell & Watson Mystery more of a willing suspension of disbelief in their ability to travel to 1895, as well as what they learned about time travel itself. Still it opens the series up to a lot more possibilities and I certainly had fun in 1895 Paris, although I'm just as happy in 1934 Knightsbridge, New York.

The mystery was twisty with lots of well placed turns and surprises. I enjoyed how Steven and Olivia work together with Etienne and even Evangéline.

Combining historical facts with a fictional mystery MURDER AT THE MOULIN ROUGE is a delightful trip back in time.

[Teresa Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I walked into Murder at the Moulin Rouge without reading the first four books and still had an absolute blast. In fact it made me want to go back and start the entire series from the beginning. I never thought I would fall for a time traveling detective cozy but here I am singing its praises and wanting more. Carol Pouliot sweeps you straight into France in 1895 with such vivid and meticulous detail that you feel the cabaret lights, the creativity pulsing through the art world, and the pressure placed on young women of the time. Steven and Olivia are summoned by his mother who also has time traveling abilities and the mission pulls them into a world where young dancers are being hunted. The blend of real figures and real places with a completely fictional mystery gives this book a charm that is impossible to resist.

The relationship between Steven and Olivia is dreamy. They fit together in a way that feels natural and warm and I cannot wait to see where they go next. Watching Olivia navigate a world so different from 2014 and the way women were treated and expected to react, adds a spark that makes every scene sing. As someone with a secret love for art I felt giddy every time Edgar Degas or Henri de Toulouse Lautrec appeared on the page. This is more than a crime thriller. It is an atmospheric plunge into history with characters who make you care deeply about the outcome. Lean into this series no matter what you usually read and make sure you get to the end where the author explains the research and care that brings this entire world to life.
PS - Thank goodness for "Not the end"!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at the Moulin Rouge by Carol Pouliot is a fabulous story. I really liked the setting, because... well because it is set in Paris. And you all know I love Paris.
The setting descriptions almost made me feel like I was there. Probably the only reason it didn't is because I know more about contemporary Paris, not the Paris from over 100 years ago. So the people seemed a bit off to me. But hey, it's historical fiction, and I don't know anything about how they acted back then. So that's on me.
The characters were fun. I liked the tidbits of real characters, many of them whom I recognized from learning in college. And the movie Midnight in Paris, which this book reminded me of.
Learning about the dancing industry was a fun take. I had to ask some friends about the "notorious" Can-Can, which I did not know about. I'd heard of it, of course, but didn't know the history. So that was fun.
I would have liked a touch more about food in there. Maybe I just missed some of it, because I'm a foodie at heart, and I expected more than what was in there.
The pacing was good, the roller-coaster ride that is all mysteries was fabulous, and the dialogue was quite fun. The way Ms. Pouliot tossed in french phrases made them very understandable. The clothing was a great resource, and made me picture the characters well, and their habits and dialogue made them come alive to me.
And yes, I wasn't sure who the killer was, but I had an inkling, and I was right. Not because of the clues and red herrings, but just a gut feeling. And yes, the clues were all there, the ah-ha moment came after.

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at the Moulin Rouge by Carol Pouliot is a book by the author involving her Blackwell & Watson time travel mysteries. This book takes our MC, named Steve Blackwell and his 20th century partner Olivia Watson to the past, specifically in 1895 France and the Moulin Rouge. Steve gets roped into investigating the murder of the ballet dancer by the past version of his now deceased mother. If you have never read the other books in the series, Steve Blackwell is a depression based investigator and Olivia Watson is a journalist in the 20th century, that are able to time travel into the past by stepping over the closet in their apartments and go backward and forward in time. The trio of Steve, Olivia, and his mother travel to 1895 Paris France to help solve the murder of Madeleine, the first ballet dancer who was murdered while she was dancing. They find out that there is another murder as they are there. I have read Steven Blackwell and Olivia Watson mysteries before and I really like their partnership and the writing style of this book's author. She makes the stories engaging with the time travel aspects and the research that she did on Paris is well done in this book as you can really feel yourself in Paris. I also love the romance aspect between Steve and Olivia in these books, it makes the read all that more interesting! I recommend to fans of time travel mysteries and romances.

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Moulin Rouge by Carol Pouliot is a wonderful intriguing murder mystery full of crime, deception, secrets, and murder. Young female dancers leave behind their lives to become a dancer in their field only to be forced into dark situations. Two young dancers have died and the investigation is on before others fall to the same fate. The characters defintely played their roles perfectly. I greatly disliked the Madame who forced the young girls into being with "Patrons" in order to keep the ballet afloat. Desperation makes the girls tempted to do what the Madame asks of them. But one such girl wasn't very keen to the idea. She ended up dead...Murder at the Moulin Rouge is a time-traveling, multi-point of view kind of read. I loved it! I wanted to follow detective Steven and journalist Olivia as they time traveled back to Paris during the 1800's to. solve the mystery. It proves a little difficult since it's not their own time period and just strangers in the time period they're inside of at the moment. But nether one quits and works hard to figure out who done it.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this unique mystery series combining time travel and murder investigations. Pouliot has done lots of research to provide a good setting of Paris in the 1890s, including history, culture and layers of society. The investigation moves along well with flashbacks and portions of the narrative from different character viewpoints. It was fun seeing Steven and Olivia function in an era so different from each of their own. It was also good to see some progression in the relationship between the two. As far as the plot, there was a twist at the end I did not see coming at all.

Pouliot has included A Note from the Author at the end of the story and it is as interesting as the novel itself. Don't miss reading it. She has done her research well to portray accurate ideas of the time and culture. This novel is down the line in a series. While there are some references to previous cases the two solved, it was not distracting and this novel reads well on its own.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Ashley Kanazawich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at the Moulin Rouge is a twisty, layered mystery set against the dazzling yet shadowy world of 1895 Paris. I loved the atmosphere of the Moulin Rouge, the ballet, and the art scene, and the way the author wove real artists like Toulouse-Lautrec and Degas into the storyline.

The dual timeline and time-travel element made the mystery feel fresh and unique, and I enjoyed following Steven and Olivia as they worked through clues together. There are a lot of moving pieces: suspects, secrets, shifting timelines, and the mystery side of the story was definitely the strongest part for me.

I also loved the contrast between the glamorous surface of Parisian dance and the darker realities happening behind the scenes. It made the setting feel gritty, dangerous, and fascinating all at once.

If you enjoy historical mysteries, Paris atmospheres, time-travel twists, and a mystery that keeps you guessing chapter after chapter, this one is worth picking up.

[Kathie Bennet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Moulin Rouge. A Blackwell & Watson Time Travel Mystery by Carol Pouliot is an imaginative blend of historical fiction, mystery, and time travel set in the vibrant world of 1890s Paris. When the deaths of two dancers raise suspicion, a unique investigative duo from different time periods steps in to uncover the truth.

What stands out is the setting. The backdrop of the Paris art and dance scene filled with real historical figures and cultural intrigue adds richness and authenticity to the story. The time travel element introduces an extra layer of complexity, especially as the investigators navigate unfamiliar territory.

Overall, it’s a creative and engaging mystery that will appeal to readers who enjoy historical settings, artistic themes, and unconventional detective partnerships.

[Melissa Westemeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

The winter of 1895 glitters with opulence and glamour, but the drama breeds deadly consequences in the City of Lights. A young dancer's death prompts a request across time, entangling Steven and Olivia in an investigation involving performers and patrons of the Opera Garnier Ballet and the Moulin Rouge. Pouliot breathes life into a fascinating cast of fictional and historical characters and keeps the reader en pointe until the final curtain. A twisty, exotic, and engaging story bound to delight mystery fans, armchair travelers, and Francophiles!

[Rosanne Limoncelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to see Steven and Olivia return in Murder at the Moulin Rouge! This fun historical romp reaches back to Paris in the late 1800's and plunges us into fascinating detail about the artists and dancers of the time while the mystery unfolds. It satisfied both my time travel and cozy mystery cravings!

[Nancy Karapin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol Pouliot's best one yet! I have read sll of them and this one tops the list.