Assault and Beret

Hat Shop Mystery #5

by Jenn McKinlay

London milliner Vivian Tremont and her American cousin and partner, Scarlett Parker, tip their caps to their beloved shop on Portobello Road in Notting Hill and set off for Paris, where Viv can't wait to teach a hat-making class. But she has another reason to travel to the City of Light: to find the man she impulsively eloped with years ago and have their marriage annulled. William Graham is not only handsome and charming, but he also has a glamorous job as an insurance investigator who works with priceless pieces of art, most recently a small Renoir that has been discovered in a junk shop. But when both Will and the masterpiece suddenly disappear, it's up to the ladies from London to follow the trail of clues. They'll need to hold on to their chapeaus, however, because someone is a master in the art of deception . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook, Romance, France

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2017

About the author

Jenn is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. She is also the winner of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for romantic comedy and the Fresh Fiction award for best cozy mystery. A TEDx speaker, she is always happy to talk books, writing, reading, and the creative process to anyone who cares to listen. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house that is overrun with books, pets, and her husband’s guitars.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've come to really enjoy the Hat Shop Mystery series written by Jenn McKinlay. In this fifth and possibly final (I've heard rumors, but I'm hoping it's not true!) book, Assault & Beret, McKinlay takes us from London to Paris for a caper. I'd give this a solid 4 stars and recommendation to read for any cozy mystery fans.

Scarlett and Viv are in Paris for a hat-making course, but also to find Viv's estranged husband whom no one knew about. Scarlett discovers him, but then he's kidnapped. When they learn he's involved in a heist about a painting that 4 different people claim ownership over, everything goes south. Which one of the 4 kidnapped him? He's just the insurance agent trying to figure out how much it's worth, but someone thinks he knows more about the past forgeries and thefts. Poor guy is caught in the middle... he seems so lovable, why wouldn't Viv want to be with him? Hopefully we find out, is all I kept thinking. And of course, because McKinlay is such a great cozy author, she delivers a powerhouse revelation among everything going on in the mystery and eventual murder that occurs. Where it ends up, you'll have to read to find out!

Scarlett is a wonderful character. I really like following her escapades. Viv's okay, but Scarlett makes the books pop. I love her relationship with Harrison and am so glad how things turned out in the end on this one. I really hope there's another book possibly sending them to the US to visit the Briar Creek library in McKinlay's other mystery series. Thanks for a fun few hours of reading!

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hats off to (Not original, I know) author Jenn McKinlay for what has been another brilliantly entertaining series!

I was so shocked when I heard ASSAULT AND BERET was going to be the last book in the Hat Shop Mysteries. I seems like it just started! However, if it had to end, Jenn McKinlay ended it well.

Fans of the series will be delighted with the sendoff the author gives this in ASSUALT AND BERET. She tied up loose ends, and leaves readers in a good place.

Being the last book in no way changed McKinlay’s writing. Wonderful, and always witty, it felt as though the author put her all into ASSAULT AND BERET. It’s a great mystery that will leave you breathless by the end from the action, and the chuckling.

Thank you, Jenn McKinlay for another amazing ride. I look for to where your imagination takes us next!

And speaking of Jenn McKinlay’s wonderful, fun writing, take a look at the back of ASSAULT AND BERET, and read a sneak peek of CARAMEL CRUSH, the newest in the McKinlay’s Cupcake Bakery Mysteries (my very favorite series of hers) coming April 2017!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of hat making aka the millinery profession, this is a series I love for the characters and setting alone, it why I started reading it. Vivian Tremont is a hat maker, a milliner who has a hat shop in London she runs the shop along with her American cousin, Scarlet Parker.

They are heading to Paris, the city of light and romance so Vivian can teach a hat class at the Paris School of Art and Scarlet is on a mission to find Vivian's misplaced, yes I said misplaced husband so Vivian can get an annulment after a hasty quick marriage.

When Scarlet successfully finds Vivian's husband William Graham, an insurance investigator of priceless art, Vivian does not expect to fall back in love with him. Scarlet is also missing childhood friend and investor of Vivian's hat shop, Harrison who is back in London and is seriously considering breaking her vow of being single for a year despite her mother's dismay. William is abducted and a priceless Renoir painting goes missing.

Scarlet makes it her mission with the help of friends from London to find William and the missing painting, with a murder of a secondhand shop owner along the way, Scarlet also needs to figure out a killer.

Assault and Beret is the best of London and Paris in one cozy mystery. I love British Characters. Romance, Drama and delicious French food made this an excited and delectable read with a shocking, surprising twist that I didn't see coming.It made me look at Vivian's character in a whole new way, she went from a stuffy Brit to a someone who can fall in love and be vulnerable which made me like her more.

The murder didn't happen right away leaving me wondering when it would happen, happening late in the book leaving me disappointed, it almost felt like an after thought to me but a very Entertaining and suspenseful edition to the hat shop mysteries. I can't wait to review the next in the series.

[Carlymor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally fun cozy. This is a very cute and easy to read series. Scarlett travels to Paris with cousin Viv, who is teaching a millinery class and Scarlett has tagged along, well, because it's Paris! Also Viv has recently revealed she impulsively eloped a while ago and needs to find her husband William to get an annulment. Scarlett helps locate him and sparks fly when he and Viv meet up again. But he's suddenly kidnapped and it may have something to do with his job as an insurance investigator and a stolen Renoir. Harrison, business partner to the cousins and potential romance partner to Scarlett comes to help with the search for William. Scarlett is a wonderful character and her budding romance with "Harry" is absolutely charming.

I'm a big fan of the author's cupcake series, which is also a pleasure to read. I highly recommend both series and I'm planning on tackling her Library Lovers series also.

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cousins Vivian and Scarlett are in Paris, Vivian to teach a hat making class, and Scarlett to track down Vivian’s husband, Will. That search actually goes fairly quickly, but Vivian and Will have hardly reunited when he is kidnapped. Now Scarlett has to track him down again. But what is happening?

I hadn’t realized how much I missed Jenn’s writing until I started this book and fell under her spell once again. It engages us from the very beginning, but things really pick up once Will is kidnapped and the real complications start happening. One aspect of the plot isn’t explained, but it is easy to surmise what happened. We meet some fun new characters, but the series regulars manage to find their way over as the book progresses, and they are a delight as always.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well. That was a great read. I was totally gobsmacked at the end; never saw that particular scenario play out like it did.

This was a very good series; I really loved the characters so much and am very sad that I will not be able to "travel" back to Notting Hill with Viv and Scarlett and all of their friends.

[Roxann · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the cover: London milliner Vivian Tremont and her American cousin and partner, Scarlett Parker, tip their caps to their beloved shop on Portobello Road in Notting Hill and set off for Paris, where Viv can’t wait to teach a hat-making class. But she has another reason to travel to the City of Light: to find the man she impulsively eloped with years ago and have their marriage annulled. William Graham is not only handsome and charming, but he also has a glamorous job as an insurance investigator who works with priceless pieces of art, most recently a small Renoir that has been discovered in a junk shop. But when both Will and the masterpiece suddenly disappear, it’s up to the ladies from London to follow the trail of clues. They’ll need to hold on to their chapeaux, however, because someone is a master in the art of deception...

I just found out this is the last in the series. I haven’t read all of them yet, but now I know I will have to find the other books. I enjoyed this book-in was well written, fun and exciting at times. I had read a couple of the other books and it was great how this author wrapped up the sub plots throughout the books. The ending of the book and series was very good.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of all the Hat Shop Mysteries. I loved the setting of Paris...(I'm a French girl at heart!) and I loved the plot of this one with Viv's backstory finally answered in a most mysterious way. This story has the added bonus of great humor and I loved the interactions between Scarlet and Harry(Harrison!)....this was a very satisfying payoff of the first several books in this series and I eagerly look forward to the next installment!!!

[Katelyn Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great way to end out this cute and quirky series. Although this one did not have as much hat making in it (was more of a background theme) it was nice to see a well deserved ending for these characters!

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Viv has been asked to teach a hat making class in Paris! Scarlett of course tags along to hose down anyone Viv manages to annoy, but also to track down Viv's estranged husband, William Graham and ask for an annulment. When Scarlett finds him quickly, she thinks her job will be easy, but when she meets William, she discovers that the handsome, charming man is reluctant to give up Viv. Viv seems conflicted about what to do. When Will shows the cousins a rare and recently discovered possible Renoir that was stolen from a museum, the girls are excited but when Will is abducted by some thugs, the excitement turns to dread. When the Renoir goes missing too, the cousins and their friends decide to get to the bottom of the mystery and find Will before it's too late.

This is the best hat shop mystery and a fitting end for the series. The mystery is so engaging with so many twists and turns. I had a hard time putting it down. I never guessed the plot twists at all. I did wonder, briefly, but I was on the wrong track. This one follows a different pattern than the others in the series. I was completely shocked by the secrets revealed. The romance between Scarlett and Harrison sizzles while still being completely clean, since she's still on her self-imposed man ban. Some of the actions of the characters are a bit confusing Why did Will go through the whole charade of still loving Viv? Why didn't he just agree to sign the papers or confess the marriage wasn't legit? That didn't make much sense. What about the abduction? Was that staged and for whose benefit? Did I read too fast and miss all this? What about Viv? Did some instinct tell her that the relationship was too good to be true? Scarlett is a notoriously bad judge of character, obviously, and Viv, though whimsical, seems to have better instincts.

Scarlett is very reckless in pursuing the mystery. She plunges right in without thinking, even after Viv asked her not to. Also about the romance-it's perfectly obvious Scarlett and Harrison are crazy about each other. There's no way she could doubt his feelings! I don't think she could be in doubt of her own either. The ending was a little silly. Viv's reaction to the whole annulment thing was strange. I understand why she was shaken up after the abduction and scared but usually she's ready to go along with Scarlett and do something crazy. Harrison is wonderful! He finally puts his business management skills to good use and manages to get Scarlett to stick by him and not thwart him. Nick and Andre make an appearance late in the story but as always, manage to add comic relief, especially Nick.

I can't say much about the newcomers because it would spoil the story. There's only one Parisian woman, Suzette, who runs the boarding house where Scarlett and Viv are staying. She shares something in common with Scarlett. I was surprised by how many Americans and Brits they ran into in Paris- for the sake of keeping the story in English I suppose. That seemed a little odd but it worked out ok.

This was a fitting end to the series but I am sad it is ending. It includes a little wink wink to those who read the Cupcake Bakery mysteries and an exclusive sneak peek at the next book in the series.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5 stars.

Murder, art heists, sociopaths, hat-making, Paris - this book has it all. Add in our already stellar cast of Scarlett, Viv, and Harrison and it gets just that much better! We start the book with just Scarlett and Viv in Paris. Viv's teaching a hat-making class and Scarlett's looking for Viv's estranged husband. After some interesting events happen (no spoilers!), Harrison joins them.

I've loved this series from the start and mostly because I love the characters in it! Scarlett, trying to pull herself back together after a dramatic life turn. Viv with her quirky sense of fashion and brilliant hat-making, plus her spontaneous personality. Harrison with his patient, quiet way about him. They're very well-rounded characters and are so wonderful to read about. The supporting characters are also well-rounded and just delightful.

Our setting was a little different this time since we were in Paris instead of "home" in London where we usually see our hero and heroines. I personally enjoyed the detail that Ms. McKinlay put in her book regarding Paris and getting around in Paris. It helped me visualize what it was like for Scarlett to get from point A to point B with very little knowledge of the French language.

I began to suspect about our villains separately towards the middle of the book, but I totally was not expecting them to be working together. That was a great plot twist I hadn't seen coming at all.

In the end, everything works out as it should and the series wraps up on a good note. I really wish it wasn't ending though. I will miss Scarlett, Viv, Harrison, Fiona, Nick, Andre and all the shenanigans they get into!

If you haven't read the series, I highly suggest starting with the first book in the series, Cloche and Dagger. You'll understand some of the nuances better if you start at the beginning. Check it out! It's a wonderful series!

Originally posted at: Valerie's Musings

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ASSAULT AND BERET is the fifth book in the Copy Cap Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay. This is a series that I completely stumbled upon one time while I was looking through Goodreads and the cover intrigued. I read the blurb and absolutely loved the idea of the European setting with two cousins, one of which is an American. I know Jenn McKinlay comes highly recommended so I was excited to try this series.

I found that even though this is my first book I’ve read in the series that I didn’t have much of a problem catching up. We have two main heroines who couldn’t be any more different. As you can expect, the American named Scarlett is a little more forward than Vivian is, but I found that I really enjoyed their dynamic.

It took about a chapter or two to get used to McKinlay’s writing style. I don’t think it’s particularly different or hard but since I had some catching up to do, I did notice there was a bit of a lag in the beginning. However, it’s clear that McKinlay has something amazing here.

I absolutely love the setting. I think that for me is the best thing about the series. I love the heroines and the mystery but the European backdrop is what makes this series unique. I also think it’s a great way for readers to kind of get to know the setting without really going there themselves. It’s a really fun concept and I would love to see more authors try something like this in their books.

Now that I’ve tried my first Jenn McKinlay book, I can safely say that I’m hooked. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of this series and this author.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assault And Beret is the fifth book in the A Hat Shop Mystery series.

Another enjoyable with millinery ladies, Scarlett and Vivian and a visit to Paris. Vivian is going to Paris to teach a hat making class and has asked Scarlett to come along to find her estranged husband, William Graham, in hopes of obtaining an annulment of their marriage. It doesn’t take Scarlett long to find Graham, who is presently working for O’Toole Insurance Co., an insurance company the specializes in insuring valuable works of art.

One evening after having dinner with Vivian and Scarlett and discussing the annulment, Graham asks them to accompany him to O’Toole’s as he wants to share with them a recently found painting that he is trying to authenticate. As Vivian and Scarlett are leaving, a car screeches to a stop and Graham is abducted by the men in the car. So, no sooner is Graham found, he is gone again Scarlett and Vivian need to locate him again. Harrison, Scarlett’s kind of boyfriend, comes to Paris to help in their search. Before it is over, Nick, Andre, Fee, and Alistair have all come to Paris to help wrap everything up.

Another wonderfully told story from McKinlay, Most of the fun and enjoyable characters were in the last quarter, or so, of the story.

Will be looking forward to the next adventures of Scarlett and Vivian. At least, I hope there will be more.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. McKinlay does it again, another great read. Scarlett and Viv are in Paris, Viv teaching a class and Scarlett searching for Viv's husband. When he is found and they see him being forced into a car and a priceless painting is involved you know that the story is going to be taking you to some interesting places. The mystery was excellent, I had no idea who did it. I was afraid that we wouldn't see the usual characters in the series but was thrilled when they showed up to help. I heard that this was going to be the last of the series and that is a shame because between the setting in England (usually), a hat shop and wonderful characters this will be such a loss. Thank you Ms. McKinlay for the fun ride.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed Assault and Beret by Jenn McKinlay. I have not read any of this series before and I was amazed at how quickly I fell into step and how much it felt like a blockbuster movie. So well written, smart, funny and quick witted fun. I enjoyed so much the puns, I wish I could be as quick and clever as Scarlett and Viv and the gang! This was a great read and I felt so very happy with how it all ended. Mystery, Romance and more await in Paris and Assault and Beret!

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2024 rereading: I feel the same as I did back in 2017. A disappointment to an otherwise great series and by far the weakest book in the series for me. Thank goodness she continued the series!
This sadly was the weakest of all the books of this series! I wanted to strangle Viv. The mystery is more a disappearance, with murder on the side. I'm sad this is the last of the series. The previous 4 books were much better than this and I would have loved another book or 5...

[Tracey Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wrong way to end it

The abrupt plot twist at the end ruined what could have been a good book. It gave me an unwelcome whiplash that made no sense to the story I had been enjoying and unnecessarily rushed the ending. Very disappointing.

[Penny Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I read in 2017. Hope every book I read this year is as enjoyable.... just heartbroken that this is the last in the series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!! This book just kept getting better! The story was good and I was surprised with the resolution. I really like the characters in this series and I loved how eventually everyone wound up in Paris (which was a fun change from London). So glad there is at least one more book in the series and I hope there will be more! #readforkimberly

[FangirlNation · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scarlett Parker goes with her cousin Viv to Paris, where Viv is teaching a class on high end millinery and Scarlett is going to hunt down Vivian’s husband whom she left after just a whirlwind romance and a honeymoon in Assault and Beret by Jenn McKinlay. Scarlett locates the husband, William Graham, without much trouble, and finds that he is an insurance art investigator. He refuses to sign any annulment papers unless Viv has dinner with him, so Scarlett drags the highly reluctant Viv to the restaurant, where the estranged couple hits it off amazingly. After dinner, William takes the women to his insurance company to show them a painting by Renoir that has resurfaced and is being fought over in court. But as the trio leave the insurance building, thugs jump Will and abduct him. Immediately Scarlett calls the pair’s business advisor, Harrison, for help. The police don’t consider the situation one in which they can do much. So the ladies are thrilled to see Harrison arrive to their rescue, but things become even more dire when a thug approaches them demanding the painting. They learn that it got stolen from the insurance company shortly after William took the two cousins to see it.

Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation

[meghann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was bittersweet as it is the final in the series. I've loved reading about Scarlett and Viv and their adventures in London. There was a great cast of characters in this series, and I will miss getting to read about them in a new story each January.

Although I hate that this is the last book, I did love how it ended. The mystery was great, and I did not see that twist coming. Like, at all. I think things wrapped up nicely for all the characters, and I look forward to many rereads of this series in the future.

[Marcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding addition to this series by Jenn McKinlay. Viv and Scarlet travel to the City of Lights (Paris) for Viv to teach a hat-making class and Scarlet to look for Viv's estranged husband. When William Graham (Viv's husband) and a masterpiece artwork disappear the ladies recruit their friends to help in the search. This is when the action begins for Viv and Scarlet. The author has a talent for ending each chapter with a "I must keep reading" situation. I am looking forward to returning to London with the characters as their lives, loves, and talents continue and grow.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost cried when I found out that this was the last book in the Hat Shop Mystery series. I love the series sooooo much. This book was pretty good. Like all the books in the series it was funny. Good story line. Some unexpected things happened. Really wish there had been a better ending. The ending was very predictable. The other books in the series were much better. This one was really a let down.

[Julie Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this series and this book in particular. The characters are all so interesting and interact so well with each other. Even though the main character is an amateur sleuth, she is not naive. I loved the ending. There were many loose ends tied up so I am wondering if this is the final book. If so, I really loved the ending.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like McKinlay's writing, but this one was romance-novel formulaic and the mystery plot required the suspension of disbelief. Yet, after several in this series, I am totally involved with the characters, so of course I want to see how everything comes together. An excellent way to spend a weekend afternoon when you have nothing whatsoever better to do.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars because this is like candy. A fun, light read. This time the girls are in Paris (Oui Oui) and mayhem ensues. Even a little bit of up close and personal danger. With a very happy ending! I'm just sad I have to wait an entire year for the next installment.

[Amy the book-bat · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad to see the series end.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series so much! The characters truly make it special, but the mysteries they solve together are always captivating to follow as well.

Scarlett and Viv find themselves in Paris for this story. It's always interesting when a book takes place outside of it's normal setting. I was worried that I'd miss all of the interactions between my favorite side characters, but thankfully they all had a part throughout this book. We finally get to meet Viv's secret husband, Will, and learn more about their whirlwind romance and estranged separation.

As an insurance investigator for fine arts, Will becomes the center of the mystery when he is kidnapped after discovering an original Renoir that went missing decades ago. This whole scenario gave off a Thomas Crown Affair vibe and I loved every minute of it. Full of shady suspects, stolen art and one heck of a reveal that took me by surprise, I was captivated with this investigation from start to finish.

My absolute favorite aspect of this series has always been the banter and flirtation between Scarlett and Harrison. Sigh. It's just so perfect and it was a wonderful highlight during this story. Their chemistry is undeniable and that ending definitely left me smiling.

#readforkimberly

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun addition to the Hat Shop Mystery! Scarlet and Viv are in Paris and I love all the descriptive details the author incorporated into the story -- made me feel like I was right there with them. Happy sigh. And, oh la la -- the heat ramps up in the romance in this fifth book! You'll definitely appreciate it more if you've followed along with Scarlet from the beginning of the series. It will make the swooning that much more satisfying. A solid mystery with tons of surprises and oodles of humour made this a listen all day kind of 'read'. Once again, narrator Karyn O'Bryant delivers a delightful performance.

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, I love the characters and especially the setting. But what makes this 5 stars is just how much fun this series can be. This is why the author is one of my top favorite cozy writers. Glad that all the characters and their story arcs are in this one. Felt like a finale. Glad to know there's going to be another hat mystery.