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The Grand Tour: Four International Mysteries
ADVENTURE TRAVEL IN AN ARMCHAIR … AT AN UNBEATABLE PRICE!
Armchair travelers who happen to love cozy puzzlers won't be able to resist this deal. Four of Michaela Thompson's delightful international mystery novels—set in France, Italy, and India—each featuring bright and funny leading ladies, are on sale as a box set.
Take the grand tour! Cuddle up and enjoy these exotic and thrilling adventures one after the other.
MAGIC MIRROR
SACRE BLEU! THEY KILLED A MAN FOR A MIRROR!
Florida transplant Georgia Lee Maxwell doesn't take to Paris at first, despite the fact that she's at least leaving a no-good man and a hated job as a society editor. Now she's a Paris correspondent, thank you very much—a dream come true for any journalist.
There's just a slight down side—she arrives in freezing rain, gets caught in a traffic jam caused by a bomb scare, and hates her apartment; but the real Bonjour is finding herself face down on a museum floor during a robbery. Three terrifying masked gunmen shoot the unfortunate security guard and make off with only a mirror. Does it have some prophetic ability? Does someone know something the gendarmes don't? Here's what Georgia Lee knows: If she finds out first, she's a journalistic hero. If she doesn't, she's dead.
A TEMPORARY GHOST
A GHOST-WRITING GIG IN PROVENCE--SHE'S LIVING THE DREAM! UNTIL THE KILLING STARTS...
In journalist Georgia Lee Maxwell's second adventure, she leaves her new home in Paris for Provence, where she's been offered a lucrative ghost-writing job. But her co-author, suspected murderess Vivien Howard, the widow of a wealthy New York financier, seems strangely uninterested in writing her memoir Vivian was widely believed to have murdered her husband but was never charged with the crime, and now she promises to tell all.
Amid the beauties of Provence, settled in, a charming renovated farmhouse, Georgia Lee finds a household full of ill-feeling, not to mention suspicious characters. Frustrated by Vivien's lack of cooperation and unnerved by threatening letters, Georgia Lee soon realizes that she has become a player in a more dangerous game than she could have imagined. And then there's another murder.
VENETIAN MASK
AT CARNIVAL IN THE FLOATING CITY—AN ARTLESS YOUNG AMERICAN, A MYSTERIOUS MASKED COUNT, AND MURDER
The surreal splendor of Venice glitters and mesmerizes as six so-called friends who, it turns out, barely know each other meet at Carnival to play a malignant game that quickly turns murderous. Sally, the “Tallahassee lassie” spurned by the rest as a virtual hayseed, is swept up by a mysterious count, attending masked balls, operas, and Carnival revels even as she mourns her marriage and dodges a deadly pursuer. “Things should happen at Carnival,” says her unlikely protector, who resembles Harlequin in more than his costume. “If they go on just the same, there’s no reason for Carnival at all.” There’s absolutely no chance of that in this psychological tour de force of surging identities wrestling to emerge in people forced by violence to confront their inner Harlequins and Medusas.
FAULT TREE
HELLO, IT’S YOUR PAST CALLING…
“Placing blame&rdqu
854 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2016
1574 people are currently reading
893 people want to read
About the author
Michaela Thompson
23 books59 followersI've written seven mystery-suspense novels, set in wide-ranging locales: Hurricane Season and Riptide explore the beaches and swamps of the Florida Panhandle, where I grew up; Paper Phoenix features a romance between a disillusioned divorcee and a younger crusading journalist in 70's San Francisco; a failure analyst chases private demons to India in Fault Tree; a group of friends plays a deadly game at the Venice Carnival in Venetian Mask; and Magic Mirror and A Temporary Ghost recount the dangerous adventures of freelance journalist Georgia Lee Maxwell, who moves to France with her cat and ends up solving murders in Paris and Provence.
I've been a mystery fan my entire life. I love the form because it's endlessly flexible, yet the structure is always there.
I live in New York City, but spend time in the Florida Panhandle. My books were originally published under the name Mickey Friedman.
I've been a mystery fan my entire life. I love the form because it's endlessly flexible, yet the structure is always there.
I live in New York City, but spend time in the Florida Panhandle. My books were originally published under the name Mickey Friedman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 25, 2019
The first two stories featuring Georgia Lee were quite good and I felt invested in the story and characters.
The Venetian story had its moments but overall it was more a psychological thriller than a mystery.
I thought the last one The Fault Tree was lame.
The Venetian story had its moments but overall it was more a psychological thriller than a mystery.
I thought the last one The Fault Tree was lame.
June 2, 2025
Only read the first two books - which go together - the third book I couldn't stay with.
August 30, 2022
This collection has four stories in it. The first is called "The Magic Mirror", the second "A Temporary Ghost", the third "Venetian Mask" and the last "Fault Tree". The first two introduce detective Georgia Lee Maxwell. She leaves Florida and moves to Paris, France where she gets involved in mysteries. "The Magic Mirror" is about a stone that is believed to be the mirror that Nostradamus looked into to see the future. A murder happens when Georgia Lee goes with a restorer of artifacts. Good story. The second also involves Georgia Lee Maxwell when she is asked to ghost-write a book with a woman that is thought to have killed her husband. The woman, Vivien Howard, claims she is innocent and wants to explain herself in the book. They meet at a rented home in Provence and another murder occurs. "Venetian Mask" does not involve Georgia Lee Maxwell, but a list of other characters. An American couple goes to France and experience marital problems. The husband, Brian, gets involved with a group of people that meet to talk unknowingly being the subject of the group leader to become part of his next book. They all go to Venice, where one of the group gets murdered during Carnival. The final story, "Fault Tree" is about a woman who investigates accidents that involve large corporations. She starts with a fault tree that shows the undesired event and brings in all factors of the accident and helps guide her to what happened to cause the accident. The accident she is investigating is a roller coaster mishap where two teens are killed and several injured. Earlier, she and her sister were in India where the sister became involved with a cult.
June 1, 2022
Really enjoyed these, and though many readers found books 3 and 4 disappointing, I think it's simply because they don't continue what was expected from the first 2 (which involve the same protagonist and are sequential).
I enjoyed the sense of place and atmosphere in all four books, especially having lived in France since 2004. For the action set in Venice, it was less familiar as a setting but still well-written and evocative. Similarly, The Fault Tree has a large section set in India, which I've never visited but felt very aware of thanks to the selective writing: not too flowery or excessive, enough to place you in the environment.
I think the main difficulty is reader expectation: Book 1 leads to Book 2 and both are in the vein of Cozy Mystery, then Book 3 is a departure from this in geography and characters (yes, not very likeable characters but that's also true of life!). The Fault Tree seemed like two very different types of novel in one, initially an investigative, procedural novel about an accident investigator, then a sort of mystical/romance set in India. In the end, they do tie together but the connections probably should have been given more space, more time.
However, I have to say that I enjoyed all the books in their own right,and congratulate the writer on being able to convey the different atmospheres and not sticking to a format. Long live creativity!
I enjoyed the sense of place and atmosphere in all four books, especially having lived in France since 2004. For the action set in Venice, it was less familiar as a setting but still well-written and evocative. Similarly, The Fault Tree has a large section set in India, which I've never visited but felt very aware of thanks to the selective writing: not too flowery or excessive, enough to place you in the environment.
I think the main difficulty is reader expectation: Book 1 leads to Book 2 and both are in the vein of Cozy Mystery, then Book 3 is a departure from this in geography and characters (yes, not very likeable characters but that's also true of life!). The Fault Tree seemed like two very different types of novel in one, initially an investigative, procedural novel about an accident investigator, then a sort of mystical/romance set in India. In the end, they do tie together but the connections probably should have been given more space, more time.
However, I have to say that I enjoyed all the books in their own right,and congratulate the writer on being able to convey the different atmospheres and not sticking to a format. Long live creativity!
August 1, 2017
These are four standalone novels complete within the book. The author creates interesting stories all of which were well told and all quite different. All four are about a woman from the USA that travels to a foreign country as part, or all of, the mystery. From the other reviews, I can see I liked the third novel a lot more than some other people. I found the beginning of the fourth one very confusing and hard to read and so I almost gave up, I think I’d skipped a chapter and from there it was a good story. The only complaint I had was some over-wrought descriptions of emotions, especially in the fourth story, which I find tiring. Definitely recommended.
December 9, 2019
Loved the last story
It took a little while before I was able to get into the story, though this female engineer was something of a MacGyver. I enjoyed the Indian customs and learned why visitors are treated with honor. The mystery was constantly unfolding even as I was seeing the last few pages coming to an end. So much movement right thru. The ending was satisfying. A great read.
It took a little while before I was able to get into the story, though this female engineer was something of a MacGyver. I enjoyed the Indian customs and learned why visitors are treated with honor. The mystery was constantly unfolding even as I was seeing the last few pages coming to an end. So much movement right thru. The ending was satisfying. A great read.
May 26, 2017
Magic Mirror and Temporary Ghost are worth 5 stars. I did not enjoy Venetian Mask or Fault Tree.
Venetian Mask has not one likable character in it and while I could figure out who did it early on, I really didn't care. These are the dregs of humanity. Fault tree was a slightly better mystery but is in my opinion predictable.
Venetian Mask has not one likable character in it and while I could figure out who did it early on, I really didn't care. These are the dregs of humanity. Fault tree was a slightly better mystery but is in my opinion predictable.
April 13, 2019
Mismatch
The first two stories were ok but why were these four stories out together? The Venetian story was confusing and I just wanted it to end! I was annoyed as having ghastly as two linked stories this was a complete departure. The fourth story was ok but the combination of the four was annoying g and dissappointing
The first two stories were ok but why were these four stories out together? The Venetian story was confusing and I just wanted it to end! I was annoyed as having ghastly as two linked stories this was a complete departure. The fourth story was ok but the combination of the four was annoying g and dissappointing
May 23, 2019
Very good author
I read four books by Michael's Thompson and I found her writing style changes dramatically from book to book. I really was surprised to find the different genres added to my enjoyment in reading her books. Thompson was not predictable in any of her works. I plan to read more of her books. I recommend her books for mystery fans.
I read four books by Michael's Thompson and I found her writing style changes dramatically from book to book. I really was surprised to find the different genres added to my enjoyment in reading her books. Thompson was not predictable in any of her works. I plan to read more of her books. I recommend her books for mystery fans.
May 28, 2019
The Magic Mirror was a cute and at times witty mystery story. I enjoyed getting to know Georgia Lee and the people involved in her life. I giggled a few times at what the author put her through to try to retrieve the magic mirror. If you like light mysteries, you will like this story. I haven't read the others yet, but plan to do so later.
January 11, 2020
Enjoyable Interesting Entertaining
Although highly improbable I found that I would get lost in the story. I found the guilt aspect to be irritating. After thinking about the main character and her guilt or perceived guilt I came away with a greater appreciation for letting guilt go. The book does cause one to ponder.
Although highly improbable I found that I would get lost in the story. I found the guilt aspect to be irritating. After thinking about the main character and her guilt or perceived guilt I came away with a greater appreciation for letting guilt go. The book does cause one to ponder.
May 30, 2020
I thought the first 2 books were good and I really enjoyed the last one too. I was not too impressed with the 3rd book. It was good, just not what I expected and kind of weird. Definitely dated in the 80’s which brought backlots if memories of what life was like back when there were no cell phones, social media, etc.
November 26, 2021
Four mysteries, the first two are part of a series with Georgia Lee Maxwell as a features journalist who relocates to Paris on a whim. The other two star women who've been thrown off balance by something. Not the happiest of endings in those two but they end up as life might actually have turned out for them.
June 30, 2019
Four mysteries
The first two Mysteries seemed related. The second two were totally original and very interesting. I would definitely be interested in reading more from this author.
The first two Mysteries seemed related. The second two were totally original and very interesting. I would definitely be interested in reading more from this author.
November 25, 2019
I found the lead character annoying. The style of writing and the dialogue kept making me think the lead was a 1930’s flapper and then they would mention word processors. Not really my kind of thing. I did finish the first book in the set but decided no to complete it.
May 4, 2020
Mysteries and intrigue
Well written and well edited. You will enjoy the box set. Michaela s writing is wonderfully different and unpredictable. Other authors I have read use to much of the same fill just to get enough words to make a novel.
Well written and well edited. You will enjoy the box set. Michaela s writing is wonderfully different and unpredictable. Other authors I have read use to much of the same fill just to get enough words to make a novel.
July 5, 2020
What a Treat!
I couldn't believe that I would love all four books! Each book could have been written by a different author, the stories were so different! What they did have in common were totally believable characters, well developed plot and fast paced constant actiob!
I couldn't believe that I would love all four books! Each book could have been written by a different author, the stories were so different! What they did have in common were totally believable characters, well developed plot and fast paced constant actiob!
September 18, 2020
Monotone
I don't think that I had ever read a series more depressing before. I was unaware that you could even write in a monotone. Of the 4 stories the last was the best. Do not read these if you already suffer from depression.
I don't think that I had ever read a series more depressing before. I was unaware that you could even write in a monotone. Of the 4 stories the last was the best. Do not read these if you already suffer from depression.
November 11, 2020
Travel around the world to solve mysteries!
This author will take you to Paris, Venice, San Francisco and Bombay to solve mysteries a d teach you about her protagonist’s skills. Interesting and riveting reads.
This author will take you to Paris, Venice, San Francisco and Bombay to solve mysteries a d teach you about her protagonist’s skills. Interesting and riveting reads.
August 17, 2021
Entertainment
These were very different than what I'm used to reading. You're taken to France, Venice and India. The writing is good, the characters are as they are meant to be. I was entertained.
These were very different than what I'm used to reading. You're taken to France, Venice and India. The writing is good, the characters are as they are meant to be. I was entertained.
October 29, 2022
Very interesting!
These stories are great; hard to put down.
The last one even had my heart rate accelerated.
All the characters are well written. And the stories are indeed a puzzle to solve.
These stories are great; hard to put down.
The last one even had my heart rate accelerated.
All the characters are well written. And the stories are indeed a puzzle to solve.
April 29, 2024
Decent read
The first two books I enjoyed. However, the last two, seemed a 180 IMO from the first two. Perhaps I simply preferred them vs the last. They weren't engaging IMO. Then, let's hurry up and end it within the remainder of pages.
The first two books I enjoyed. However, the last two, seemed a 180 IMO from the first two. Perhaps I simply preferred them vs the last. They weren't engaging IMO. Then, let's hurry up and end it within the remainder of pages.
November 30, 2024
Enjoyed all 4 books. Great storyline and characters 👏
Having 4 books together was great.
I enjoyed the variety of locations and the plots very entertaining 😀 also good female leads in stories.
Having 4 books together was great.
I enjoyed the variety of locations and the plots very entertaining 😀 also good female leads in stories.
May 20, 2017
Four great stories
Each of these four books was well written and intriguing. The story lines were well thought out and kept you involved.
Each of these four books was well written and intriguing. The story lines were well thought out and kept you involved.
October 16, 2017
Interesting places and stories
Someone always finding life interesting stories with intrigue for us to figure out. Some stories were harder to figure out than others.
Someone always finding life interesting stories with intrigue for us to figure out. Some stories were harder to figure out than others.
January 22, 2018
Probably a fine book but just couldn’t get into it
August 15, 2018
Loved the first two books with Georgia Lee as the Heroine. The Venetian Mask was okay. Fault tree was better.
March 25, 2019
Enjoyed all 4 books set in different places even found O had read the wiener one before
May 14, 2020
Very interesting
The stories got more complex as I was reading them. Baxter twist and turns mystery within amystery. Characters were very complex.
The stories got more complex as I was reading them. Baxter twist and turns mystery within amystery. Characters were very complex.
October 6, 2020
Not sure how to rate this as I DNF. First mystery wa about a 3 star the next became a melodrama which I do not enjoy so I gave up at about the half way point.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews