Dying to be French

An American in Paris Book #3

by Susan Kiernan-Lewis

From fashion to food and their famous je ne sais quoi attitude toward life itself, everybody wants to be French. But a passion can quickly turn into an obsession.

The City of Light begins to dim when the body of a teenage girl is discovered floating in the Seine—and then another—and it quickly becomes clear that the Paris police are out of their depth.
When the desperate American mother of a newly missing teen comes to Claire to beg for her help to find her troubled daughter before it’s too late how can Claire say no?
This book is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex or strong language
Genre: light cozy mystery, women amateur sleuth, cozy animal (dog)

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2020

Reviews

[Cj · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book, as a boxset from bookbub.
Book 1, was decent. Book 2, felt like all the groundwork for Book 3. And Book 3, was just grotesque.

The minute Claire began purchasing baby items and caring for the child, her attorney should have been contacted. The only thing I gained from this book, is the hope that something mysteries and sad Hadn't happened to Courtney. Obviously, Claire needs to be apart of Robbie's upbringing.

The details was completely grotesque, but I can't stop reading because of the developing relationship between Claire and Robbie. I could have done without the plot altogether. Gratefully, this is the end of the boxset. The entire series, Claire has suffered a number of assaults' and abusive situations. I am extremely grateful, to just be done with it.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first two books were much better. Claire is a PI, not a detective and the idea that she is equipped to catch a serial killer is absurd. Furthermore, she is now charged with caring for her days husband’s love child with a younger woman. She dreams of the relationship her adult daughter will have with this infant half-brother. Finally, there is too much emphasis on her old age. She is 60 and fit. People call her Granny, etc. and that’s just stupid.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blonde female students from an international school in Paris are being abducted and murdered. Claire Baskerville, though feeling out of her depth, is drawn into the investigation all while taking care of a baby - her murdered husband's lovechild.

I'm in awe of Claire. Though she's sixty, she's still actively working cases and taking her lumps. This story was a difficult read; the subject matter is repugnant, but Susan Kiernan-Lewis is so adept at creating her plots that the book is impossible to put down.

Very definitely recommended with a warning that this story is more thriller than cosy.

[J D Griesbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the 3rd book in the "American in Paris Mysteries" series, and I loved them all. I felt like I was immediately taken to Paris and immersed in the stories as though I was there. Everything was described so well that I could almost smell the flowers in the parks and the fresh baguettes and bakery from the boulangeries, taste the various french dishes (and wine) from the charming cafes, and feel the cool shade from the Notre Dame Cathedral when sitting in it's shadow. Not least of all I could feel the terror of being attacked by various characters throughout the series. Great stories, great characters, well written and a very enjoyable read!

[Sally Masek · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was exciting!! VERY fast-moving and hard to put down with the mystery surrounding the serial-killer type deaths of the girls - I really had NO idea who the killer REALLY was until revealed...but there's also the newest problem in Claire's life - the surprise showing up at her door. More to come that's for sure...leaves the reader hanging to find out WHAT will happen next! But I LOVE following the book with my map of Paris OUT to actually see where Susan takes her characters, rue by rue...makes me feel I'm back in that great City of Light!

[Sandra Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third in the series that I have read. I still like the main character Claire, as well as her friends and other characters. I didn't like the storyline in this book as much because it was about young girls being kidnapped and murdered -- not what I want to think about. I try to avoid certain plotlines and this is one of them. So that's why I gave it 3 -stars. Too unpleasant for my taste.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even with laying out a handful of reasonably motivated and suspicious characters as possible suspects, the ending reveal totally caught me off guard and so solidified my appreciation as a reader for this very talented storyteller.

As much of an Agatha Christie fan as I am, her stories often lack the depth and warmth of characters, but I get that fulfillment in this series. I already bought the rest of the books in this series as I know I'll love them.

[Connie]

An American in Paris

This is the third book in this series. I love this series an look forward to reading more by this author. Claire has many ups and downs through her adventures in Paris. They are exciting and keep your interest in wanting to find out where her next adventure will take her.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twists and Turns

This novel had so many twists and turns that even when the killer was revealed, I had trouble accepting it. That it takes place in Paris, as does all the books in this series, makes me enjoy it even more!

[Deborah Wiley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Totally ridiculous. You have a 60 year old Semi-PI who is going to solve serial killings while at the same time taking care of a 5 month year ago love child of her late husband while the baby's mother is partying in Germany.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her books - light - fun - clever lead women characters...

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars (not quite as good as the prior two, but I’ll still read the next one when it comes out!)

[Julia Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series despite all the drama! I can’t wait to find out more about that ending!!

[Bk]

Great book! Next one not on Kindle Unlimited so will need to see if one of the libraries has it! The first three books I got for free!

[Marion Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a page turner! I will read more of her books!

[Betsy Fatzinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good quick read. Filled with suspense. Will read more of this series.