The Parting of Pierre

Madame's Murder Mysteries #4

by Annette Moncheri

Madame has allowed Mireille to commence gambling at bouillotte at Le Chat Rose, and she fears she will soon regret it. And indeed squabbling and recriminations break out at once. But that's all overshadowed when a customer is found dead. His bereaved wife thinks it's due to his epilepsy. But then why was he being followed?

Soon the Parisian Moral Society shows up to shake a flyer in Madame's face... As it turns out, the bereaved wife is intimately connected to them. Could the Moral Society have something to do with the death?

This is the fourth story in Madame's Murder Mysteries, a historical cozy series with a sense of humor, a taste of the paranormal, and a touch of romance. Perfect for fans of Posie Parker, Ginger Gold, or Lady Katherine.

*These short books can be enjoyed in about 45 minutes - perfect for a long commute or some bedtime reading!*
*These books can stand alone, but you may enjoy the series more if you read them in order.*
*No swear words, no graphic scenes, no gore, and no cliffhangers.*

Genres: Mystery

77 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2018

About the author

Annette Moncheri is une americaine but a francophile! She adores books about French food, culture, parenting, and more. She reads, writes, and speaks French un peu - a little (a very little!). Part of the joy of writing books set in Paris is the excuse to read books and watch films set in Paris. She hasn't been there herself yet, but she feels the need to do some on-site research coming up!

Annette grew up in small towns but has resided in Houston, Texas for more than twenty years. She's married and has a young son and two cats. Art, beautiful things, and live performances of music and theatre are essential to her survival. And she loves to go to La Madeleine Cafe and try to comprehend the expats speaking in French!

Reviews

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madame's Murder Mysteries:
These clean novellas take about 30 minutes to read, maybe 40 for a couple of the longer ones, but they're a good way to unwind when you're brain dead. There's enough to the story to keep the reader interested, enough intrigue to involve the reader but not in an overtaxing way and the storylines and characters are good. Old-style, conversation writing style that's easy and quick to read. Everyone knows many Madams have soft hearts, but a vampire Madam that's doesn't fit the normal formula is the key to these stories, plus Helene the best friend and she's awesome.

The Murder of Mariano, Prequel - Since I had already the first book The Passing of Pascal, I really didn't need to read this prequel. Short and quickly read, there wasn't much new, except for more about the madam's paintings, the naming of the brothel and justice for a murderer. Written with in conversational style but still reminiscent of Christie and company, which is suitable for the time period set in this series. 3.5*

The Passing of Pascal #1 - This is my first read by this author and I found the book OK. The writing style reminds me a lot of Christie, just with a vampire madam. Well written with a continuous pace and quickly read, the storylines are interesting, the characters were likable and the mystery was easy to solve. 4*

The Expiration of Elise #2 - Another well written, quickly read story set in 1920s Paris about a likable Madam. The writing style, continuous pace and interesting dialog keeps the reader immersed in the story. A good mystery, which I found easy to solve. I enjoy the personality of the Madam, her care for her "family"/staff and her way of settling the score. While set in a brothel, the story is clean with the emphasis of daily life and the camaraderie of the customers and the ladies, and the process of solving the murder. You'll be glad to know there's sex after 70. 4*

The End of Isabelle #3 - This read very quickly since the pace was fast and the story intriguing. There are more storylines to add a bit of drama, as well as another murder. Although a vampire and a Madam, she shows the depth of her caring for others; a good vampire if such a thing existed. I still enjoy her method of correcting things. Being a vampire doesn't always work out in certain situations and it's interesting to see more variety in the solutions. The conversational writing style works so well for this set of stories. 4*

The Parting of Pierre #4 - Besides a murder, there's more afoot for La Chat Rose and her vampire Madam. Her ability to change into a bat is humorous in her dealings with several of the dramas unfolded in this story. My favorite character has always be Helene and she's the perfect best friend with all she does in this story. Read quickly, this is a bit more simplistic than the other stories, but still interesting. 4*

The Death of Daisi #5 - I didn't care too much for this story, but I kept reading and think with some of the components, this is probably my second favorite story. I like the attraction between two main characters and the ending was good. Interesting to read, easy to figure the murderer and good storylines. Helene has a good role again. 4*
Madame's Murder Mysteries end.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 1 out of 5]

kindle unlimited, "historical cozy series with a sense of humor, a taste of the paranormal, and a touch of romance. Perfect for fans of Posie Parker, Ginger Gold, or Lady Katherine. No swear words, no graphic scenes, no gore, and no cliffhangers." Have multiple issues with those {not true} statements, but see review for first book {#1 even though is #0 but it is not listed} but main one is on cover which not only shows blood but talks about it in every book & on top of that also keeps talking about can't cross running water yet is in picture with Eiffel Tower which can NOT be reached withOUT crossing bridge/running water from that island, so so much for 'historical' whatever that meant, didn't even bother to check if that church was there and what kind of 'protection' she would feel that high up on it or what kind of clock it had that she wouldn't be able to tell when she landed.

Madame has allowed Mireille to commence gambling at bouillotte at Le Chat Rose, and she fears she will soon regret it. And indeed squabbling and recriminations break out at once. But that's all overshadowed when a customer is found dead. His bereaved wife thinks it's due to his epilepsy. But then why was he being followed? Soon the Parisian Moral Society shows up to shake a flyer in Madame's face... As it turns out, the bereaved wife is intimately connected to them. Could the Moral Society have something to do with the death?


Madame's Murder Mysteries
The Murder of Mariano 0
The Passing of Pascal 1
The Expiration of Elise 2
The End of Isabelle 3
The Parting of Pierre 4
The Death of Daisi 5
The Mortality of Mattias 6

[Krystyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The toss of a card

A decent read. Again started off really strongly and then petered out. I just wish our main character wasn't quite so smug. Okay she has special powers but sometimes it would be good for her to come across a worthy opponent.
She allowed one of her girls to start a card room in the brothel but only with small stakes. However tensions in the card room are rising and when one of their less frequent male guests is found dead in a copper bath it appears that the brothel is again under close scrutiny. The Paris Ladies have focused their laser beams on her brothel. Can she find out what they are planning? Then there is the news that the dead man did not die a natural death but was murdered. Will she piece together how, why and by whom?

[Barb Foerst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth novel in Madame’s Murder Mysteries. The novel is set in a high-class French brothel and the Madame is a vampire. It’s an unusual setting to say the least. Gambling has been introduced at the brothel and leads to all sorts of trouble. This is a novella and has interesting characters. It doesn’t have overt sex. I enjoyed this and will move along to the next novel.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are short stories, but such fun to read. A really different take on brothels and vampires!

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of emphasis on sinners an interesting murder. A little heavy handed with the symbolism this time. However am still enjoying the series. An interesting idea and still nice to see the blossoming love she has for the detective.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read from Annette Moncheri. Madam has been persuaded to allow a small card table in the back room to entertain the clients but although the stakes were small, tempers appear to run high at the table. And after a good game and some fine champagne, Pierre decides to have a soak while waiting for Mireille to change into something more exciting. What he did not bargain for was that he would be dunked in the bath until he drowned. And what of the grieving widows who is also part of the Parisian Moral Society?

Short and sweet with lots of fun. Another winner for Madam and her Murder Mysteries. I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.