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American Girl Samantha Mysteries #5
Danger in Paris: A Samantha Mystery
Samantha and Nellie are thrilled to visit Paris with Grandmary and the Admiral! But what could be behind the Admiral's secret government meetings? After a suspicious accident and a break-in at their hotel suite, the girls are worried. Is someone trying to harm their beloved grandfather and stop his secret mission? Includes a glossary of French words and an Inside Samantha's World essay about tourism and international tensions in Europe in the early 1900s.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2015
45 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Masters Buckey
29 books47 followersSarah Masters Buckey was raised in New Jersey and lived in Texas for 15 years. Sarah was nominated for the Agatha Award in 2008 for A Thief in the Theater and in 2005 for The Curse of Ravenscourt. She was nominated for an Edgar Award in 2007 for The Stolen Sapphire.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 9, 2025
**
NOTE:
This should be book 4 of the Samantha Mysteries, see the spoiler at the end of the review for details**
Admiral Beemis used to be a high up official in England, though he's since retired. But there's suspicious happenings afoot, and the more they are in Paris, the more danger that lurks behind every corner.
When the Admiral becomes greatly injured, it will be up to Samantha and Nellie to find out who's responsible!
This one was an okay mystery. I liked the whodunit aspect but this one just didn't grip me nearly as much as the other Samantha Mysteries.
I think the pacing was a bit off but to be honest, it might have to do with the politics stuff. It wasn't overwhelming BUT anytime a book uses politics as a plot device, I struggle not to tune out...and apparently that holds true even for children's books.
A Peek into the Past
As with most American Girl books, we have a short section that expands upon a historical point mentioned in the story. Here we learn about why wealthy Americans would tour European countries and what sort of activities they would do on their travels. Additionally, we get a bit more information about the catacombs and the politics of the time.
This should be book 4 of the Samantha Mysteries because:
And what a trip it's been so far! A stolen sapphire on the voyage! Disappearance of rare books in England! And now that they're in Paris, what will happen to the girls?
"Every young lady should visit Europe," Grandmary had told the girls. "It's an important part of your education."
Admiral Beemis and Grandmary sure have a funny way of conducting a European tour for ten-year-olds...but that's not all there is to the mystery.
" 'Then we'll travel to the catacombs.' He smiled. 'A guide there will lead us underground to the land of the dead.' "
Admiral Beemis used to be a high up official in England, though he's since retired. But there's suspicious happenings afoot, and the more they are in Paris, the more danger that lurks behind every corner.
When the Admiral becomes greatly injured, it will be up to Samantha and Nellie to find out who's responsible!
This one was an okay mystery. I liked the whodunit aspect but this one just didn't grip me nearly as much as the other Samantha Mysteries.
I think the pacing was a bit off but to be honest, it might have to do with the politics stuff. It wasn't overwhelming BUT anytime a book uses politics as a plot device, I struggle not to tune out...and apparently that holds true even for children's books.
A Peek into the Past
As with most American Girl books, we have a short section that expands upon a historical point mentioned in the story. Here we learn about why wealthy Americans would tour European countries and what sort of activities they would do on their travels. Additionally, we get a bit more information about the catacombs and the politics of the time.
This should be book 4 of the Samantha Mysteries because:
Read
April 1, 2024I'm so glad I read this book before knowing the year it was published, so I know I come by my dislike honestly and I'm not clouded by my bias against everything Beforever.
January 29, 2024
The great American Girl marathon is slowing down: As of this one, I've read all 44 AG mysteries.
We join Samantha, Nellie, Grandmary, and Admiral Beemis on a ferry across the English channel. It just so happens that all the people we meet on the boat are English-speaking tourists who will be staying at the same hotel as Sam and fam, very convenient. Almost immediately, someone says they've heard that Paris is full of thieves, so yes, one element of the mystery is that a wallet or two — and maybe something more — go missing.
As a reaction, all of our tourists decide to explore the city via a guided tour. We tag along as they go up the Eiffel Tower, down into the catacombs, to the Louvre, to Notre Dame, all the highlights, which is pretty fun. Sam is suddenly nervous about heights, which feels maybe inconsistent for her, but is used to good effect. And the catacombs scene is decidedly eerie.
The other key element is that Admiral Beemis is vaguely involved in some effort of international diplomacy — for the first time, an AG writer seems to recognize that he has a high-powered title that could be used for plot purposes beyond simply being fancy and British. (I am personally convinced that Valerie Tripp originally made him an admiral purely because it sounds good in front of the ridiculous name she gave him.) Anyway, in this plot, his diplomatic work makes him a target, and the poor man gets bashed in the head. (Not fatally, of course. Hot take: If Meet Kirsten had come out in 2015, Marta wouldn't have died, either.)
So with a little theft and a little intrigue, naturally the girls go into investigation mode. Overall, the mystery is good fun and I wasn't too far ahead of the characters in spotting the thieves — the red herrings in this one are effective.
Continuity-wise, it feels like Nellie has taken a step backward. Buckey goes hard on the idea that Nellie is having trouble fitting into her upper class surroundings, which is mostly shown by using the wrong language, or speaking too loudly when she's excited. Isn't this the shy, quiet girl that Grandmary herself said had nice manners early in the series? Feels a little overboard.
More Samantha babble:
Meet Samantha | Samantha Learns a Lesson | Samantha's Surprise | Happy Birthday, Samantha | Samantha Saves the Day | Changes for Samantha
Nellie's Promise
Samantha's Winter Party | Samantha and the Missing Pearls | Samantha Saves the Wedding | Samantha's Blue Bicycle | Samantha's Special Talent | Samantha's Short Story Collection
The Curse of Ravenscourt | The Stolen Sapphire | The Cry of the Loon | Clue in the Castle Tower
The Lilac Tunnel: My Journey with Samantha
We join Samantha, Nellie, Grandmary, and Admiral Beemis on a ferry across the English channel. It just so happens that all the people we meet on the boat are English-speaking tourists who will be staying at the same hotel as Sam and fam, very convenient. Almost immediately, someone says they've heard that Paris is full of thieves, so yes, one element of the mystery is that a wallet or two — and maybe something more — go missing.
As a reaction, all of our tourists decide to explore the city via a guided tour. We tag along as they go up the Eiffel Tower, down into the catacombs, to the Louvre, to Notre Dame, all the highlights, which is pretty fun. Sam is suddenly nervous about heights, which feels maybe inconsistent for her, but is used to good effect. And the catacombs scene is decidedly eerie.
The other key element is that Admiral Beemis is vaguely involved in some effort of international diplomacy — for the first time, an AG writer seems to recognize that he has a high-powered title that could be used for plot purposes beyond simply being fancy and British. (I am personally convinced that Valerie Tripp originally made him an admiral purely because it sounds good in front of the ridiculous name she gave him.) Anyway, in this plot, his diplomatic work makes him a target, and the poor man gets bashed in the head. (Not fatally, of course. Hot take: If Meet Kirsten had come out in 2015, Marta wouldn't have died, either.)
So with a little theft and a little intrigue, naturally the girls go into investigation mode. Overall, the mystery is good fun and I wasn't too far ahead of the characters in spotting the thieves — the red herrings in this one are effective.
Continuity-wise, it feels like Nellie has taken a step backward. Buckey goes hard on the idea that Nellie is having trouble fitting into her upper class surroundings, which is mostly shown by using the wrong language, or speaking too loudly when she's excited. Isn't this the shy, quiet girl that Grandmary herself said had nice manners early in the series? Feels a little overboard.
More Samantha babble:
Meet Samantha | Samantha Learns a Lesson | Samantha's Surprise | Happy Birthday, Samantha | Samantha Saves the Day | Changes for Samantha
Nellie's Promise
Samantha's Winter Party | Samantha and the Missing Pearls | Samantha Saves the Wedding | Samantha's Blue Bicycle | Samantha's Special Talent | Samantha's Short Story Collection
The Curse of Ravenscourt | The Stolen Sapphire | The Cry of the Loon | Clue in the Castle Tower
The Lilac Tunnel: My Journey with Samantha
October 9, 2020
When this book released, my library didn't get a copy, but a little girl whom I babysat had one on her shelf, and she let me borrow it. Her mother was amused that I was so excited about it, but it was a great book, and since the last Samantha mystery had been a letdown for me, I enjoyed this one's clever plot, more complex mystery, and unusually high level of suspense.
I recently bought a used copy of this book online, and I enjoyed reading it again. It's very well-written and engaging, and is a fun continuation of Samantha and Nellie's travels in Europe with Grandmary and the Admiral. Granted, they solve three mysteries on one European tour, and perhaps that's a bit much, but if you can suspend disbelief, it's great fun to see them solve mysteries in new and different settings, especially since other American Girl mysteries were set by necessity in the girl's hometown and immediate community. This book adds a dash of international intrigue in the lead-up to World War One, and is a very suspenseful and engaging mystery with great twists.
I recently bought a used copy of this book online, and I enjoyed reading it again. It's very well-written and engaging, and is a fun continuation of Samantha and Nellie's travels in Europe with Grandmary and the Admiral. Granted, they solve three mysteries on one European tour, and perhaps that's a bit much, but if you can suspend disbelief, it's great fun to see them solve mysteries in new and different settings, especially since other American Girl mysteries were set by necessity in the girl's hometown and immediate community. This book adds a dash of international intrigue in the lead-up to World War One, and is a very suspenseful and engaging mystery with great twists.
October 5, 2024
I like Samantha Parkington. She has always been my favorite American Girl, for many reasons. There's the time period she is from (1904 - 07), with the lovely fashions and the talk of Women's Suffrage. There's the fact that she's from one of my favorite cities, New York, in that time period. There's the fact that she doesn't have a usual family: she lives with her Grandmary when we meet her, and then is adopted by her aunt and uncle.
Even though she's rich - and perhaps not the average American Girl of the time - her social position makes for very interesting stories like this one: a trip to Paris. I also like that even though Samantha is living a wealthy girl's life, she is not snobby, and makes friends with Nellie, a poor girl. In doing so, they do a good job of showing both sides of the coin in the Samantha stories.
They are also very good a representing the changing times in Samantha's world. There is Grandmary, who represents the old ways. And there is Aunt Corneila (and Samantha herself), who represent the changing attitudes for women of the period. Samantha stories are always very well balanced, and I like that a lot.
I've always wondered why Sam calls her grandmother "Grandmary." I've never heard that term before. In this book, I noticed that someone called her grandmother "Mary." So that's her first name. If her first name was, say, Betty, would it be "Grandbetty"? Interesting.
I once read a review of American Girls that said Samantha has a "Savior complex." Wow! Well, IF that's true, she only reminds me more of myself, I guess. She wants to help people, I've always seen that as a good trait, albeit maybe a bit unusual for someone of her young age.
In this book in particular, she gets involved in stuff that is way above her "pay grade," shall we say. There is some political intrigue that hints at WWI. She takes matters into her own hands a lot more than I ever would have, of course, but I was a kid who worried about adult matters quite often, too.
This book is well written. I didn't know who the thief would turn out to be until it was revealed. And a long the way we had a lovely tour of Paris with Samanatha and Nellie. The scenes in the catacombs were especially interesting. I didn't know that there were bones and skulls openly visible down there.
So, if you like Samantha, you will like this book. If you think she has a Savior complex, well, maybe you can skip it. :)
Even though she's rich - and perhaps not the average American Girl of the time - her social position makes for very interesting stories like this one: a trip to Paris. I also like that even though Samantha is living a wealthy girl's life, she is not snobby, and makes friends with Nellie, a poor girl. In doing so, they do a good job of showing both sides of the coin in the Samantha stories.
They are also very good a representing the changing times in Samantha's world. There is Grandmary, who represents the old ways. And there is Aunt Corneila (and Samantha herself), who represent the changing attitudes for women of the period. Samantha stories are always very well balanced, and I like that a lot.
I've always wondered why Sam calls her grandmother "Grandmary." I've never heard that term before. In this book, I noticed that someone called her grandmother "Mary." So that's her first name. If her first name was, say, Betty, would it be "Grandbetty"? Interesting.
I once read a review of American Girls that said Samantha has a "Savior complex." Wow! Well, IF that's true, she only reminds me more of myself, I guess. She wants to help people, I've always seen that as a good trait, albeit maybe a bit unusual for someone of her young age.
In this book in particular, she gets involved in stuff that is way above her "pay grade," shall we say. There is some political intrigue that hints at WWI. She takes matters into her own hands a lot more than I ever would have, of course, but I was a kid who worried about adult matters quite often, too.
This book is well written. I didn't know who the thief would turn out to be until it was revealed. And a long the way we had a lovely tour of Paris with Samanatha and Nellie. The scenes in the catacombs were especially interesting. I didn't know that there were bones and skulls openly visible down there.
So, if you like Samantha, you will like this book. If you think she has a Savior complex, well, maybe you can skip it. :)
January 1, 2026
decent read- vastly underwhelmed with this after reading the addy one earlier this year but a fine mystery, nonetheless!
March 20, 2025
An extension of the American Girl Beforever (Historical) series about the Victorian girl, Samantha, this book is a fun little fast-read adventure for children. Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the catacombs are visited and a mild mystery unfolds. While not in any way scary, I wouldn’t recommend it for a child about to go on a vacation trip since there are numerous scenes where someone sneaks into their hotel room in the middle of the night, a “bad guy” posing as a room service worker and pickpockets hiding in tourist areas who steal wallets so I’d hate to think of a child worried about strange sounds in the middle of the night in a hotel. Otherwise super tame so I definitely will have my ten-year-old read this…after we come home from our next adventure!
September 10, 2019
These American Girl Mystery books are so much fun. My 8 year old loves reading them with me. I've enjoyed her making predictions and assumptions based on clues in the writing, and exclude some from the "who done it" list because of certain ways the story was written. She has a mystery writing unit coming up in school and I'm excited to see what she comes up with!
March 7, 2021
The last Samantha mystery, and I think it might be the best. The Paris setting is used well, and the espionage storyline is different from Samantha's other mysteries and pretty exciting. Nellie and Samantha made a great crime solving duo.
September 15, 2018
Another fun mystery that I read with my daughter. this one has a good amount of suspense and keeps you on your toes a bit!
October 13, 2018
As much as I usual find Samantha herself pretty vanilla this was an entertaining mystery! I honestly didn't see the who done it coming! Plus Paris is cool :)
November 28, 2018
Awesome
This is a good book. Though I would suggest it to children form age 5-9 about. Because some parts that are a little scary, but is an easy read.
This is a good book. Though I would suggest it to children form age 5-9 about. Because some parts that are a little scary, but is an easy read.
June 22, 2020
This book is really good! I couldn't put it down! I started it and finished it in one day!
November 29, 2021
A fun little mystery best appreciated by young fans of Samantha and Nellie. I did love seeing their adventures in 1907 and the hints at European turmoil leading up to WWI.
December 24, 2021
This was the best book in the Samantha mysteries, and sadly it was also the last one.
July 27, 2023
This was so good, probably my favorite Samantha mystery I’ve read to date. I enjoyed the Paris setting and reading more about the Catacombs. I did not see the end coming at all.
September 5, 2023
*3.5/5 stars
October 28, 2025
Samantha was never my favorite but I like diving back into my old little girl obsession
October 14, 2020
A fascinating mystery that shows what travel was like in the early 1900's and what tourist saw in Paris at that time. The mystery itself was quite well done for children with a whole cast of characters for suspects.
March 9, 2015
This mystery follows Samantha and Nellie's travel adventures. After they leave England, they head to Paris where the girls discover their new grandfather is an important person. He's secretly carrying a letter to the British Ambassador that will guarantee the safety of Europe (in 1907- 7 years before WWI). When the Admiral is injured on a tour of the catacombs and his wallet is taken, Samantha begins to suspect it was not an accident. The girls start to compile a list of suspects: there were three German speaking people on the tour; one boy, his parents and nanny; one widow and a Frenchman. Could one of their new friends be hiding a dastardly secret? There's only one way to find out - investigate!
This book was really good until the end. The lame and unrealistic ending completely ruined the whole story. I loved the Parisian setting and the descriptions of Paris life. Their new friends are a motley crew and I had my suspicions about the same people Samantha did and I apologize to them because I was making assumptions based on what I know of the time period. I wasn't surprised by the reveal because at that point I had already guessed but I was a bit surprised at the depth of deception. One thing that drove me crazy in this book is that the author describes what everyone else was wearing except Nellie and Samantha!
I felt the depiction of Nellie is in line for what we know about her. She's a worrier due to her hard life. This time she's coughing in the cold air of Paris and worries she won't be allowed back in the U.S. and she'll never see her sisters or adopted family again. She should have confided those fears to GrandMary but Nellie is a bit in awe of GrandMary and afraid to approach her. Plus GrandMary was not around after the Admiral's accident, so I'll let that part of the plot be acceptable. Samantha is bright and inquisitive but she lacks a lot of common sense sometimes. Nellie is more practical. I liked catching up with them and learning more about Nellie.
This book was really good until the end. The lame and unrealistic ending completely ruined the whole story. I loved the Parisian setting and the descriptions of Paris life. Their new friends are a motley crew and I had my suspicions about the same people Samantha did and I apologize to them because I was making assumptions based on what I know of the time period. I wasn't surprised by the reveal because at that point I had already guessed but I was a bit surprised at the depth of deception. One thing that drove me crazy in this book is that the author describes what everyone else was wearing except Nellie and Samantha!
I felt the depiction of Nellie is in line for what we know about her. She's a worrier due to her hard life. This time she's coughing in the cold air of Paris and worries she won't be allowed back in the U.S. and she'll never see her sisters or adopted family again. She should have confided those fears to GrandMary but Nellie is a bit in awe of GrandMary and afraid to approach her. Plus GrandMary was not around after the Admiral's accident, so I'll let that part of the plot be acceptable. Samantha is bright and inquisitive but she lacks a lot of common sense sometimes. Nellie is more practical. I liked catching up with them and learning more about Nellie.
Want to read
March 14, 2015Looks good will have to read it, it is a must read
June 12, 2015
To be honest, this was great! It was nice to see Samantha and Nellie after they were both adopted and getting along. It was also great to see Grandmary and her new marriage!
November 14, 2015
Soooooooooo good
January 31, 2016
Good
This is super cool and fun.This was a great story to read and great for eleven year olds.Very good!
This is super cool and fun.This was a great story to read and great for eleven year olds.Very good!
October 10, 2016
I think that this book was intriguing and mysterious. I would suggest it, but I'm not pressuring anyone.
March 19, 2021
I love Samantha mysteries. I love Paris. I love this book
July 20, 2022
I wish it would acknowledge the other mysteries that were on this trip. I wish Grandmary was a bit more present.
February 7, 2025
"Let us hope there's never another war in Europe."
*spends the entire rest of the book crying*
*spends the entire rest of the book crying*
May 7, 2015
Lots of adventure. Loved reading about Samantha and Nellie solving a mystery together.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews