Monet for Nothing

Teddy Quillfeather Mysteries #3

by P.J. Fitzsimmons

Taking refuge from London’s mating season, Teddy travels to Paris for a little light smuggling but soon finds herself at the centre of the impossible heist of a priceless masterpiece on its way to auction.
Her friends are under the gavel for forgery, fraud, and filching fine art, but sorting the clues from the counterfeits only gets more surreal as Teddy’s seemingly simple smuggling scheme turns into yet another impossible theft, and she must canvas the capricious, suspicious, and radically seditious authors, artists, swindlers, and socialites of the literary Left Bank of 1920s Paris.

Like all Teddy Quillfeather Mysteries, Monet for Nothing aims to frame a caper in comedy for those who take their cosies with a couple of coats of clever.

Genres: Mystery

173 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2025

About the author

I’m a freelance ghost for mainstream genres but when I’m my own man I write strictly for the laughs. I dream of an alternative reality in which PG Wodehouse wrote locked room mysteries, and in which I’m PG Wodehouse.

Reviews

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teddy finds herself in the middle of a lot of artistic shenanigans, between missing items, copies, forgeries and a myriad set of characters that all add to total mayhem and fun.

I never knew what exactly was going on. There's so much mayhem and scatter brained acts that I just read it totally bemused. It was really fun to read.

[Teresa Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always impressed with Mr. Fitzsimmons' work. I'm not sure if he writes the story in "normal language" and then translates it into 20th-century upper-class English, or if he writes it as it is published to begin with. Whichever it is, it must take an enormous amount of work, but the finished product is well worth all the effort he puts into it. If you don't find yourself laughing out loud several times during your reading, you're not paying close enough attention. The Teddy Quillfeather and Anty Booisjoly series are delightful as Mr. Pitzsimmons exaggerates the unconcerned, flamboyant, almost decadent lifestyle and attitude of the well-heeled British high society. But it is all done in good fun and as the backdrop for an excellent mystery. I highly recommend both series, even though I admit to being partial to Anty. I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens, and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.

[Maria Baker]

Monet for Nothing is an absolute delight for readers who love their mysteries clever, witty, and dripping with atmosphere. Teddy Quillfeather makes for a sharp and charming protagonist, half in the art world, half in trouble, and fully irresistible. The 1920s Paris backdrop bursts with life, from smoky cafés to eccentric Left Bank artists, giving the story both sparkle and substance. Fitzsimmons nails the rhythm of a classic caper while keeping the tone modern and fresh. If you enjoy clever twists, champagne-fueled chaos, and dialogue as crisp as a newly minted franc, this one’s for you.

[CB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teddy travels to Paris!! I must admit I had a lot to learn about the painters and had to look quite a few up to see the differences but that didn’t dampen my enjoyment of another exciting mystery! I just love these stories and can’t wait until they’re in audiobook format as well!

[Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teddy Quillfeather's third mystery takes the clever flapper to Paris in order to help out her friends Stella and Dabs. The situation is questionable right from the start - it's something to do with Teddy smuggling a painting out of France to England, and Stel and Dabs and all their circle in Paris are strange characters.

There's a lot going on and a lot to keep track of, and Teddy slips lightly through the entire labyrinth, always seeming to have a plan or a backup plan. Stella is supposed to get a painting of her grandmother back to England, but the trick to it is that the painting may have been done by a famous master, which is why it will need smuggling. Shortly after Teddy arrives, Dabs confesses that he's "enhanced" a signature on what is believed to be an unfinished Monet painting . . . that has been authenticated and is scheduled to go to auction. This unlikely crew comes up with a scheme to make enough copies of the unfinished work to confuse the issue, but then the original is stolen which confuses things even more thoroughly!

The characters are exaggerated and often ridiculous, but oddly likeable for all that. Dabs is supposed to be painting for an upcoming exhibition but he can't concentrate. Stella is impatient for Dabs to finally marry her. Mick and Melda are an author couple who are perpetually hosting parties and roasting each other in the way that only truly loving couples can. Oola La is an over-the-top art agent representing Dabs. Even Teddy's dear friend Stilts makes an appearance.

Delightfully fast-paced and packed full of clever alliterations, word plays, and turns of phrase, the narrative certainly kept my attention, though I felt the clues and important details were in danger of being obscured by so many interesting words. I loved the humor and hilarious visuals I imagined from the descriptions. It's not strictly necessary to read the previous Teddy Quillfeather adventures in order to enjoy this one, but it would set you up to enjoy it even more.

**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Daryl P Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teddy tickles, teases, tempts, traduces and triumphs in Paris.

Our heroine Teddy is capable and cunning. Her capers are notorious amongst her set. Escaping the London season of being paraded for marital marketing is the motive of Teddy pushing off to Paris to help a friend in a felony. Art smuggling will be another string to her quiver of skills, but readers of previous exploits know it will not be so simple as that. Teddy seems to multiply the lawbreaking, deceptions and distracting deviousness so it's difficult keeping track. Friends, acquaintances, adversaries and art valuers are all drawn in to help, hinder or be hurt. Teddy's loyalty is tested, but not so much as she uses and takes advantage of her besotted, lanky, incredibly wealthy suitor, Stilts.

Lots of wordplay and writing skill with some cheeky emulation, but it adds rather than distracting from the story. Teddy's conclusion and solution is very clever and builds her reputation, although not everyone we meet emerges happy. I look forward with relish to see where she goes next.

I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shrikanth Venne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of this author. Money for nothing is another heist hosted by Teddy Quillfeather. This book is based in Paris where Teddy's friend Stel is with Dabs who wants/doesn't want to be an aspiring painter. There is a case of stolen Monet and also a painting to be smuggled to England as well. How this is solved by our own Teddy is the story of the book. All the characters wove their own false story which makes Teddy understanding the plot difficult and solve this. Overall this is a very good book to read and an awesome Goodreads...😀

[Athena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teddy is an absolute delight. I want to be her friend. I want to be her. Never before has Lost Generation era Paris been such a fun place. Even Hemingway couldn't bring down this group. And that is a good and fine thing.

Like every Fitzsimmons book I've read (and I've read all of them), I was incapable of figuring out whodunnit. There were too many gloriously outlandish characters and too many paintings for me to pin down the culprit, and I couldn't care less. I always read these books in a bewildered state of glee.

Funny, charming, and well-crafted; these mysteries never disappoint.

I received my copy from BookSirens.

[Janice Drake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd actually give this a 3.5 stars if I could. The mystery was good, but most of the characters were just too over the top and stupid. The MC, Teddy, was a decent character; I liked her. If she keeps hanging out with these people, I don't really want to read any more of the series.

There were a lot of descriptions that could have been condensed to make the story more enjoyable. I felt like I was slogging through mud in some spots and bored in others.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teddy is in the midst of a heist and this leads to complications. Lots of suspense and mayhem to this intriguing read to keep you captivated to the end. I received this ARC copy via Booksirans and recommend this book to other readers.

[Teddi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Underneath all the banter and sidetracking tangents these books all have, there is a twisty story. You just have to wade in, ignore the extraneous and try to figure out what exactly is going on.
Note: there is quite a bit of French thrown in with no translation just to confuse the reader even more!

[Gayle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madcap cozy mystery with lots of quirky characters. Art heists of a Monet painting and talks of stealing Hemingway manuscripts. Reminiscent of the old black and white movies about high society in the '20s. Lots of humor and shenanigans.

[Lawrence FitzGerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great entry in the series.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great fun - a lively bunch of likeable and funny characters, a tantalising mystery, and delightful Teddy, all against a backdrop of 1920s Paris.

This was my first taste of P. J. Fitzsimmons, and I look forward to reading more.

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.