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Paris Bookshop Mystery #1
The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris
Hugo Marston, former head of security at the U.S. embassy in Paris, has retired and is ready to realize his lifelong dream of owning a mystery and antiquarian bookshop. But when a blackmail scheme targeting a chocolatier leads to murder, Hugo is again called to investigate in the first Paris Bookshop Mystery for readers of Charles Finch, Tasha Alexander, and Lev AC Rosen.
Hugo has led an exciting life as an FBI profiler and the US 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 US 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 . . .
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2026
About the author
Mark Pryor
41 books686 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
Hugo Marston is leaving his position as head of security at the US Embassy in Paris in order to open his own bookshop and lead a quieter life. However his former employer has one more job for him to do. Luckily he easily finds a reliable person to take care of the books while he returns to investigating.
Interesting characters, a good setting, and an intriguing mystery make this a very readable book. The title is a little misleading since the book shop has very little page time and is never in any way mysterious but maybe in the next book..... I will just have to read it and find out.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Interesting characters, a good setting, and an intriguing mystery make this a very readable book. The title is a little misleading since the book shop has very little page time and is never in any way mysterious but maybe in the next book..... I will just have to read it and find out.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 31, 2026
I need to talk about The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris like we’re sitting on your couch, half a bottle of wine in, because I have feelings. Conflicted ones. The kind where I’m like “I had fun” but also “you absolutely lied to me, sir.”
Because tell me why this book is titled like it’s about a quirky, possibly haunted, probably magical bookshop… and instead we spend 95% of our time in a chocolate factory with a murder problem. Not even Willy Wonka chaos, just… corporate chocolatier blackmail. I felt catfished in the most Parisian way possible.
So we’ve got Hugo, who is basically if a retired FBI profiler decided to cosplay as a cozy bookstore owner but couldn’t stop solving crimes because apparently peace and quiet is not in his brand. He’s opening this mystery bookshop in the Marais, which sounds like my personal heaven, and then immediately abandons it to go investigate a blackmail note at this fancy chocolate place called Eclat de Chocolat. The note is from someone calling themselves The Shadow, which is objectively dramatic and I respect the commitment to branding.
And listen, the setup is actually kind of delicious. A centuries old chateau that used to be a convent, wartime history, mysterious nun who disappears, secret tunnels, a graveyard out back… like yes, absolutely, give me gothic chocolate murder realness. At one point there’s even a snowstorm trapping people there, and I was like oh we’re doing full Agatha Christie cosplay now, okay, I see you.
But here’s where I start side eyeing. The mystery itself is solid enough to keep you listening, but it unfolds in this very calm, methodical, almost aggressively chill way. Hugo just kind of strolls through the investigation like he already knows he’s the smartest person in every room, and everyone else is like “yes king, absolutely, take your time.” Meanwhile I’m sitting there like can someone please challenge this man just once.
And the thing is, Hugo is interesting… but also a little exhausting. He has this habit of being like “I have a theory” and then refusing to elaborate, which is the narrative equivalent of someone texting “we need to talk” and then going offline. Sir. I need you to respect my anxiety.
Now, Camille Lerens, his police friend, deserved more. She’s compelling, she’s dealing with real workplace discrimination, and every time the story brushed up against that, I perked up like oh, here’s something with weight. But then the book would kind of… drift away from it before it could fully land, and I was left wanting just a little more depth, a little more follow through.
Also, can we talk about how this is technically the start of a “new” series but is absolutely carrying the emotional baggage of like nine previous books. Because I went in thinking fresh start, clean slate, and instead it felt like I showed up to a party where everyone already knows each other and I’m in the corner holding my drink like “who is Tom and why does everyone care.”
Now let’s get into the audiobook situation, because Todd McLaren… buddy… we need to chat. On one hand, I genuinely respect the range. Multiple accents, distinct voices, you can tell who’s speaking without checking, and that’s not easy. On the other hand, the pacing is so slow it felt like the book was being narrated by someone gently explaining a museum exhibit to me. I bumped up the speed and it still had this very old school audiobook vibe, like I accidentally time traveled to 2008. And one of the voices absolutely took me out because it sounded like Winnie the Pooh wandered into a murder investigation and honestly, that’s a crossover I was not emotionally prepared for.
And yet… I didn’t hate my time here. The Paris setting is doing a lot of heavy lifting, cafes, snowy streets, this eerie old chateau, and there’s something very comforting about the whole thing. It’s like a cozy mystery wearing a slightly more serious coat, sipping espresso, pretending it’s edgier than it is.
By the end, I was entertained, mildly frustrated, and still thinking about how I was promised a bookshop mystery and got a chocolate murder tour instead. Which honestly feels like a metaphor for life.
It’s a solid three stars, the kind where I’d recommend it with a shrug and a “just know what you’re walking into.”
Whodunity Award: For Gaslighting Me With That Bookshop Title While I Was Busy Mentally Decorating Shelves That Never Appeared
And a chaotic thank you to Tantor Media and NetGalley for the ALC, truly out here enabling my audiobook era where I judge fictional detectives while doing dishes like it’s my full time job.
Because tell me why this book is titled like it’s about a quirky, possibly haunted, probably magical bookshop… and instead we spend 95% of our time in a chocolate factory with a murder problem. Not even Willy Wonka chaos, just… corporate chocolatier blackmail. I felt catfished in the most Parisian way possible.
So we’ve got Hugo, who is basically if a retired FBI profiler decided to cosplay as a cozy bookstore owner but couldn’t stop solving crimes because apparently peace and quiet is not in his brand. He’s opening this mystery bookshop in the Marais, which sounds like my personal heaven, and then immediately abandons it to go investigate a blackmail note at this fancy chocolate place called Eclat de Chocolat. The note is from someone calling themselves The Shadow, which is objectively dramatic and I respect the commitment to branding.
And listen, the setup is actually kind of delicious. A centuries old chateau that used to be a convent, wartime history, mysterious nun who disappears, secret tunnels, a graveyard out back… like yes, absolutely, give me gothic chocolate murder realness. At one point there’s even a snowstorm trapping people there, and I was like oh we’re doing full Agatha Christie cosplay now, okay, I see you.
But here’s where I start side eyeing. The mystery itself is solid enough to keep you listening, but it unfolds in this very calm, methodical, almost aggressively chill way. Hugo just kind of strolls through the investigation like he already knows he’s the smartest person in every room, and everyone else is like “yes king, absolutely, take your time.” Meanwhile I’m sitting there like can someone please challenge this man just once.
And the thing is, Hugo is interesting… but also a little exhausting. He has this habit of being like “I have a theory” and then refusing to elaborate, which is the narrative equivalent of someone texting “we need to talk” and then going offline. Sir. I need you to respect my anxiety.
Now, Camille Lerens, his police friend, deserved more. She’s compelling, she’s dealing with real workplace discrimination, and every time the story brushed up against that, I perked up like oh, here’s something with weight. But then the book would kind of… drift away from it before it could fully land, and I was left wanting just a little more depth, a little more follow through.
Also, can we talk about how this is technically the start of a “new” series but is absolutely carrying the emotional baggage of like nine previous books. Because I went in thinking fresh start, clean slate, and instead it felt like I showed up to a party where everyone already knows each other and I’m in the corner holding my drink like “who is Tom and why does everyone care.”
Now let’s get into the audiobook situation, because Todd McLaren… buddy… we need to chat. On one hand, I genuinely respect the range. Multiple accents, distinct voices, you can tell who’s speaking without checking, and that’s not easy. On the other hand, the pacing is so slow it felt like the book was being narrated by someone gently explaining a museum exhibit to me. I bumped up the speed and it still had this very old school audiobook vibe, like I accidentally time traveled to 2008. And one of the voices absolutely took me out because it sounded like Winnie the Pooh wandered into a murder investigation and honestly, that’s a crossover I was not emotionally prepared for.
And yet… I didn’t hate my time here. The Paris setting is doing a lot of heavy lifting, cafes, snowy streets, this eerie old chateau, and there’s something very comforting about the whole thing. It’s like a cozy mystery wearing a slightly more serious coat, sipping espresso, pretending it’s edgier than it is.
By the end, I was entertained, mildly frustrated, and still thinking about how I was promised a bookshop mystery and got a chocolate murder tour instead. Which honestly feels like a metaphor for life.
It’s a solid three stars, the kind where I’d recommend it with a shrug and a “just know what you’re walking into.”
Whodunity Award: For Gaslighting Me With That Bookshop Title While I Was Busy Mentally Decorating Shelves That Never Appeared
And a chaotic thank you to Tantor Media and NetGalley for the ALC, truly out here enabling my audiobook era where I judge fictional detectives while doing dishes like it’s my full time job.
June 22, 2026
I haven't read anything by this author previously and am glad that I now have. I found this book enjoyable, fast paced, not full of not needed filler words or adjectives and with an interesting story line.
Protagonist Hugo Marsten is a former FBI profiler and, more recently, head of security at the U.S. embassy in Paris. Now retired, he is fulfilling his dream of opening a bookshop in Paris when he is asked to help solve a crime working as a civilian.
The reason for 4 stars rather than 5 is that the title is a bit misleading because only a small amount of time is spent in the bookshop and because there's a small section at the end, while the culprit is coming to light, that the story is extremely weird and unbelievable ( chapter 40) BUT it straightens itself out in the next chapter.
I'm looking forward to book #2 in this series.
Protagonist Hugo Marsten is a former FBI profiler and, more recently, head of security at the U.S. embassy in Paris. Now retired, he is fulfilling his dream of opening a bookshop in Paris when he is asked to help solve a crime working as a civilian.
The reason for 4 stars rather than 5 is that the title is a bit misleading because only a small amount of time is spent in the bookshop and because there's a small section at the end, while the culprit is coming to light, that the story is extremely weird and unbelievable ( chapter 40) BUT it straightens itself out in the next chapter.
I'm looking forward to book #2 in this series.
March 31, 2026
What an interesting story! And, what a unique premise for a story too!
To be honest, this is the first I’ve read from this author, although, apparently, there’s a whole series surrounding these characters! 😮😮
Hugo, the MMC, has just retired from the FBI. He also held a job as the head of security for the US Embassy in Paris. Now, he just wants to fulfill his dream of owning his own bookstore! (Although, he has had a huge donation from a …ahem…friend… in order to open up said bookstore!)
But, before he even has a chance to ‘open the doors’, his old boss at the Embassy comes knocking and asks for a favor… off the books…
You see, a new elegant chocolatier has opened up, and now they have received a threat! Pay up, or your secret will be revealed! 😳😮
So, as Hugo begins investigating, with a few old friends, he finds that the building where the chocolatier is located has quite a history…. Going back many years… when it was a nunnery… and then later on, became an orphanage.
BUT, what they find out as they explore leaves them with their mouths hanging open!! And many more secrets than they bargained for…
Again, a fascinating story with a very old building with a long history, and then, another story within about opening a new venture… his bookshop!!
4 fascinating, intriguing, fast-paced, bookish stars for me!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
#TheMostMysteriousBookshopInParis by @MarkPryor and narrated nicely by @ToddMcLaren.
This one is being released TOMORROW, 3/31/26, so look 👀 for it on shelves then!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @TantorPublishing and @TantorAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️🩷
To be honest, this is the first I’ve read from this author, although, apparently, there’s a whole series surrounding these characters! 😮😮
Hugo, the MMC, has just retired from the FBI. He also held a job as the head of security for the US Embassy in Paris. Now, he just wants to fulfill his dream of owning his own bookstore! (Although, he has had a huge donation from a …ahem…friend… in order to open up said bookstore!)
But, before he even has a chance to ‘open the doors’, his old boss at the Embassy comes knocking and asks for a favor… off the books…
You see, a new elegant chocolatier has opened up, and now they have received a threat! Pay up, or your secret will be revealed! 😳😮
So, as Hugo begins investigating, with a few old friends, he finds that the building where the chocolatier is located has quite a history…. Going back many years… when it was a nunnery… and then later on, became an orphanage.
BUT, what they find out as they explore leaves them with their mouths hanging open!! And many more secrets than they bargained for…
Again, a fascinating story with a very old building with a long history, and then, another story within about opening a new venture… his bookshop!!
4 fascinating, intriguing, fast-paced, bookish stars for me!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
#TheMostMysteriousBookshopInParis by @MarkPryor and narrated nicely by @ToddMcLaren.
This one is being released TOMORROW, 3/31/26, so look 👀 for it on shelves then!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @TantorPublishing and @TantorAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️🩷
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.
Did Not Finish
April 2, 20264.1.2026
DNF@10%
Kindle/NetGalley
NetGalley Audiobook [Todd McLaren]
Thank you to NetGalley, Mark Pryor, Todd McLaren - Narrator, Kensington Publishing/Kensington, and Tantor Media/Tantor Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
DNF@10%
Kindle/NetGalley
NetGalley Audiobook [Todd McLaren]
Thank you to NetGalley, Mark Pryor, Todd McLaren - Narrator, Kensington Publishing/Kensington, and Tantor Media/Tantor Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2026
Main mystery was a little boring but the historical history was incredibly fascinating
May 7, 2026
I have read the prior Hugo Marston series. This book was a welcome visit with characters I enjoyed in past novels. I hope that more Hugo Marston adventures will continue.
August 11, 2026
The interactions between the main characters were quite good, but the plot was thin, and the title of the book is totally misleading. The mystery had nothing to do with the bookshop.
May 25, 2026
The name of this book is very misleading. It’s about a murder mystery and the main character being pulled back into his previous line of work which some of it happens at the shop. There was very little about the book shop and why it’s mysterious. On top of that I did not enjoy the drone of the narrator so found my self bored and wishing I was listening to a cozy bookshop story and not a murder mystery. On top of that I realized that it’s part of a series which I’ve clearly not read. Had I know it was part of a series I would not have requested this book.
Readers that have read the series and goin knowing it’s not about the shop will undoubtedly enjoy it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the
Readers that have read the series and goin knowing it’s not about the shop will undoubtedly enjoy it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the
April 13, 2026
It was…fine.
June 10, 2026
2.5 stars rounded up.
It was a cute enough “cozy” mystery but the narration of the audiobook had me struggling. IF I read another in the series, it will be the hard copy.
It was a cute enough “cozy” mystery but the narration of the audiobook had me struggling. IF I read another in the series, it will be the hard copy.
July 27, 2026
4.5 stars
Interesting and well written! I plan to read the next book in the series as soon as possible! Narration of the audiobook by Todd MaClaren was great!
Interesting and well written! I plan to read the next book in the series as soon as possible! Narration of the audiobook by Todd MaClaren was great!
October 10, 2026
A fun mystery to get in the mood during October. Not as engaging or mysterious as I hoped. Also not about a bookshop… the audiobook narrator did sound like Tom Hanks, though
July 13, 2026
Seems to be taking the series in a new direction,
Like how it connected Henri Le Forte character from his other series.
Like how it connected Henri Le Forte character from his other series.
September 19, 2026
Enjoyed..
May 11, 2026
I am doing the Audible version and was not a fan. Right from the beginning, I was not a fan of the narrator. I kept waiting for other voices for the many other characters in the book. That might have helped me to keep interest. but I only got to Chapter 4 and decided life was too short to listen to this book.
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.
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.
April 1, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Between the time I requested this book and the time I got it - I completely forgot the premise and went into it blind. A book pet peeve of mine is when a book is titled… inappropriately? Misleadingly? Long story short, the bookshop is not mysterious.
This was a comfy cozy quick read. There were a lot of characters that felt unnecessary. There were scenes that went on too long. This felt like dad fiction to me.
It was okay. But it was not about a bookshop, not really.
Between the time I requested this book and the time I got it - I completely forgot the premise and went into it blind. A book pet peeve of mine is when a book is titled… inappropriately? Misleadingly? Long story short, the bookshop is not mysterious.
This was a comfy cozy quick read. There were a lot of characters that felt unnecessary. There were scenes that went on too long. This felt like dad fiction to me.
It was okay. But it was not about a bookshop, not really.
August 18, 2026
One of the most interesting mystery thrillers. Hugo is realizing his dream of owning his own bookstore in the heart of Paris. He is asked by his former boss the US ambassador to look into a threat at a chocolate factory. Murder soon appears with the death of two people. I won't reveal the end but it's a good one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love Paris, so this book called to me. But as soon as I started reading I was enraptured with the story and mystery. I read this in one sitting and still wanted another when I was done. I hope there is more to come from this author as I love Hugo and his entourage.
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!
April 26, 2026
The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris by Mark Pryor.
Welcome back, Hugo Marston. It’s been six long years since we last entered his world in the brilliant, 'The French Widow,' and now he returns—this time as a bookshop owner. But, as ever, old habits die hard.
Retired from the US Embassy, where he served as an FBI profiler and head of security, Hugo is finally living his dream: running an antiquarian bookshop (surely a dream many of us share). However, peace proves short-lived when a blackmailer known only as “The Shadow” targets a famous chocolatier, pulling Hugo back into action.
As if that weren’t enough, the case soon escalates into a double murder, alongside two intertwined mysteries—one central to the plot and another serving as an intriguing diversion.
Familiar faces return, including Camille Lerens, Claudia, Tom, and Ambassador J. Bradford Taylor. Pryor also introduces a compelling cast of new characters: Jules Moulin, Blake Holmes, and Sophia, the café owner next door to Hugo’s bookshop in the Marais district of Paris.
Together, they create a story that feels both welcoming to long-time readers and accessible to newcomers.
At this point, I may be past objectivity, having admired Mark Pryor’s work since he burst onto the scene with, 'The Bookseller' back in 2016. It remains a great starting point for the Hugo Marston series, though not essential—there are now ten novels to enjoy.
Pryor is very much a 21st-century writer, seamlessly incorporating neurodiversity and non-binary gender identities into his stories as a natural part of everyday life. These elements enrich his characters without distracting from the plot, allowing the narrative to remain the central focus.
His characters are vivid and fully realised—unless, of course, they find themselves on Pryor’s “hit list,” in which case their stories may be cut short. His use of Paris as a backdrop is similarly well judged: understated yet evocative, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the setting without overwhelming the narrative.
As always, Pryor delivers an engaging and cleverly constructed plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The novel is threaded with humour, particularly through the interactions of its recurring characters, adding warmth to the mystery.
One especially clever element is how Pryor connects this story to another protagonist from a different series also written by Mark. This is something I’ll leave readers to discover for themselves but, In short, it's a joy—just like The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris. Highly recommended.
Craig 🙂
Welcome back, Hugo Marston. It’s been six long years since we last entered his world in the brilliant, 'The French Widow,' and now he returns—this time as a bookshop owner. But, as ever, old habits die hard.
Retired from the US Embassy, where he served as an FBI profiler and head of security, Hugo is finally living his dream: running an antiquarian bookshop (surely a dream many of us share). However, peace proves short-lived when a blackmailer known only as “The Shadow” targets a famous chocolatier, pulling Hugo back into action.
As if that weren’t enough, the case soon escalates into a double murder, alongside two intertwined mysteries—one central to the plot and another serving as an intriguing diversion.
Familiar faces return, including Camille Lerens, Claudia, Tom, and Ambassador J. Bradford Taylor. Pryor also introduces a compelling cast of new characters: Jules Moulin, Blake Holmes, and Sophia, the café owner next door to Hugo’s bookshop in the Marais district of Paris.
Together, they create a story that feels both welcoming to long-time readers and accessible to newcomers.
At this point, I may be past objectivity, having admired Mark Pryor’s work since he burst onto the scene with, 'The Bookseller' back in 2016. It remains a great starting point for the Hugo Marston series, though not essential—there are now ten novels to enjoy.
Pryor is very much a 21st-century writer, seamlessly incorporating neurodiversity and non-binary gender identities into his stories as a natural part of everyday life. These elements enrich his characters without distracting from the plot, allowing the narrative to remain the central focus.
His characters are vivid and fully realised—unless, of course, they find themselves on Pryor’s “hit list,” in which case their stories may be cut short. His use of Paris as a backdrop is similarly well judged: understated yet evocative, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the setting without overwhelming the narrative.
As always, Pryor delivers an engaging and cleverly constructed plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The novel is threaded with humour, particularly through the interactions of its recurring characters, adding warmth to the mystery.
One especially clever element is how Pryor connects this story to another protagonist from a different series also written by Mark. This is something I’ll leave readers to discover for themselves but, In short, it's a joy—just like The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris. Highly recommended.
Craig 🙂
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.
April 5, 2026
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris is the first book in a new series by Mark Pryor, but the 10th outing featuring former FBI agent Hugo Marston. Released 26th March 2026 by Kensington, it's 272 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
It's less of a procedural thriller and definitely doesn't have a cozy vibe (despite the Paris bookshop and a former "spook" turning in his badge and gun for the virtuous life of a bookseller). Hugo's not even unpacked and open for business before his former boss/handler calls on him to investigate and liase with an important wealthy American executive in an odd situation with his employer, an French chocolatier with international influence.
There's a lot of side distraction, between off-and-on blackmail and hidden secrets in the lives of the characters who work for the chocolate manufacturer as well as the physical location (a large chateau which has had a storied past as a convent and an orphanage in the past amongst other iterations).
For readers coming into this new series without prior familiarity with the characters in the earlier books, the interrelationships can be somewhat confusing, although with some patience, things do resolve themselves (mostly). It's a large cast of characters with murky motivations.
The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours 22 minutes and is read by Todd McLaren. He does manage to distinguish the large cast of characters with a -wide- range of accents and ages/genders. Some of his interpretations are, honestly, quirky, but his competence with shifting accents at speed in dialogue is unquestionably skilled. Sound and production quality are very high throughout the read.
Three stars. Denouement and resolution are ... surprising and odd. It's not about a bookshop or about Paris, not really.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris is the first book in a new series by Mark Pryor, but the 10th outing featuring former FBI agent Hugo Marston. Released 26th March 2026 by Kensington, it's 272 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
It's less of a procedural thriller and definitely doesn't have a cozy vibe (despite the Paris bookshop and a former "spook" turning in his badge and gun for the virtuous life of a bookseller). Hugo's not even unpacked and open for business before his former boss/handler calls on him to investigate and liase with an important wealthy American executive in an odd situation with his employer, an French chocolatier with international influence.
There's a lot of side distraction, between off-and-on blackmail and hidden secrets in the lives of the characters who work for the chocolate manufacturer as well as the physical location (a large chateau which has had a storied past as a convent and an orphanage in the past amongst other iterations).
For readers coming into this new series without prior familiarity with the characters in the earlier books, the interrelationships can be somewhat confusing, although with some patience, things do resolve themselves (mostly). It's a large cast of characters with murky motivations.
The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours 22 minutes and is read by Todd McLaren. He does manage to distinguish the large cast of characters with a -wide- range of accents and ages/genders. Some of his interpretations are, honestly, quirky, but his competence with shifting accents at speed in dialogue is unquestionably skilled. Sound and production quality are very high throughout the read.
Three stars. Denouement and resolution are ... surprising and odd. It's not about a bookshop or about Paris, not really.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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.
September 15, 2026
A retired FBI profiler, a mysterious blackmail note, a murdered chocolatier employee, an old Parisian estate with a seriously suspicious history, and a bookstore waiting to open? Honestly, this had me like, excuse me, why does everyone in Paris have so many secrets? 😂
I really enjoyed the mystery itself. Hugo is a fun protagonist because he has all this serious investigative experience but is also trying to settle into his dream of owning a crime and mystery bookstore. The investigation starts with a pretty straightforward blackmail situation and quickly turns into something much darker, with the history of the old building and its former life as a convent and orphanage adding a creepy little layer to everything.
I also liked that there was more going on than just figuring out who committed the murder. There are old secrets, questionable motives, and enough suspicious characters to keep me changing my mind about who was actually behind everything. The Paris setting was also a major plus because, obviously, murder is simply more glamorous when it's happening in Paris 💅
My biggest complaint was the narration. I listened to the audiobook and, unfortunately, the narrator's delivery was so flat at times that it made some scenes feel much less exciting than they probably would have been on the page. There were moments when I really wanted a little more personality or tension, especially during the more dramatic parts. I would absolutely recommend reading this one over listening to it.
I also went into this not realizing it was connected to an existing series, so I occasionally felt like I had walked into a party where everyone already knew each other. It wasn't enough to ruin the story, but I definitely would have preferred a little more context.
Still, this was a cute, intriguing mystery with a great setting, an interesting protagonist, and just enough dark history to keep things spicy. I can definitely see myself picking up the next one, preferably in ebook form so the narrator can't personally sabotage my good time....
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.
I really enjoyed the mystery itself. Hugo is a fun protagonist because he has all this serious investigative experience but is also trying to settle into his dream of owning a crime and mystery bookstore. The investigation starts with a pretty straightforward blackmail situation and quickly turns into something much darker, with the history of the old building and its former life as a convent and orphanage adding a creepy little layer to everything.
I also liked that there was more going on than just figuring out who committed the murder. There are old secrets, questionable motives, and enough suspicious characters to keep me changing my mind about who was actually behind everything. The Paris setting was also a major plus because, obviously, murder is simply more glamorous when it's happening in Paris 💅
My biggest complaint was the narration. I listened to the audiobook and, unfortunately, the narrator's delivery was so flat at times that it made some scenes feel much less exciting than they probably would have been on the page. There were moments when I really wanted a little more personality or tension, especially during the more dramatic parts. I would absolutely recommend reading this one over listening to it.
I also went into this not realizing it was connected to an existing series, so I occasionally felt like I had walked into a party where everyone already knew each other. It wasn't enough to ruin the story, but I definitely would have preferred a little more context.
Still, this was a cute, intriguing mystery with a great setting, an interesting protagonist, and just enough dark history to keep things spicy. I can definitely see myself picking up the next one, preferably in ebook form so the narrator can't personally sabotage my good time....
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 27, 2026
"You're opening a bookshop. You can't be anything but a good human being."
"It involves blackmail and chocolate. And potentially a new supervillain."
The above quotes are all you really need to know to enjoy the deliciously entertaining The Most Mysterious Bookshop In Paris, by renowned mystery author Mark Pryor.
Hugo Marston, retired FBI profiler and Head of Security for the U.S. Embassy in Paris, is living his dream of opening up a bookshop in Paris catering to mystery and thriller novels. He's hired the wonderful honestly direct, slightly on the spectrum, Blake Holmes to help run the store. I love their talks.
Just when Hugo thought he was done with security they pulled him back in. An influential American has called in a favor to his old boss at the embassy. Her specialty chocolate factory received a blackmail note threatening to reveal their "darkest secret" if they don't give the blackmailer, The Shadow, half a million Euros. His ex boss needs Hugo to discreetly handle it, but before he can, a dead body is found on the grounds of the chocolate emporium.
To add to the mystery the factory is housed in a 1700s chateau that served as a convent for Sister Evangeline and her order of brave nuns who rescued orphans during WWll. Sister Evangeline had many secrets that disappeared with her years ago. What's her role, if any, in this case?
Voice actor Todd McLaren is a master at accents and emotions. Whether American, French or other accents, he brought the mystery to life with humor, anger, sadness and a bit of romance. I easily see this as a Masterpiece PBS series.
The Most Mysterious Bookshop In Paris is book one in the Paris Bookshop Mystery series. Hugo's younger self has his own Hugo Marston series which you don't need to read to enjoy his bookshop life (but I'm reading it)!
I received a free copy of this book from Kensington Publishing and a free copy of the audiobook from Tantor Media via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
"It involves blackmail and chocolate. And potentially a new supervillain."
The above quotes are all you really need to know to enjoy the deliciously entertaining The Most Mysterious Bookshop In Paris, by renowned mystery author Mark Pryor.
Hugo Marston, retired FBI profiler and Head of Security for the U.S. Embassy in Paris, is living his dream of opening up a bookshop in Paris catering to mystery and thriller novels. He's hired the wonderful honestly direct, slightly on the spectrum, Blake Holmes to help run the store. I love their talks.
Just when Hugo thought he was done with security they pulled him back in. An influential American has called in a favor to his old boss at the embassy. Her specialty chocolate factory received a blackmail note threatening to reveal their "darkest secret" if they don't give the blackmailer, The Shadow, half a million Euros. His ex boss needs Hugo to discreetly handle it, but before he can, a dead body is found on the grounds of the chocolate emporium.
To add to the mystery the factory is housed in a 1700s chateau that served as a convent for Sister Evangeline and her order of brave nuns who rescued orphans during WWll. Sister Evangeline had many secrets that disappeared with her years ago. What's her role, if any, in this case?
Voice actor Todd McLaren is a master at accents and emotions. Whether American, French or other accents, he brought the mystery to life with humor, anger, sadness and a bit of romance. I easily see this as a Masterpiece PBS series.
The Most Mysterious Bookshop In Paris is book one in the Paris Bookshop Mystery series. Hugo's younger self has his own Hugo Marston series which you don't need to read to enjoy his bookshop life (but I'm reading it)!
I received a free copy of this book from Kensington Publishing and a free copy of the audiobook from Tantor Media via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
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