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Justine French Mysteries #1
The French Fraud: Cozy Mystery
When making a fresh start, try to avoid finding bodies in the forest. If the worst happens, and you stumble upon a crime scene, do not get personally involved with the subsequent police investigation. Especially if you’re a fake psychic who already knows too much about the murder. All Justine French wants to do is forget she ever used the word ‘psychic’ to describe her extraordinary powers of observation. Unfortunately, it’s the only word on the mind of the man who has been sent to expose her as a fraud. And there’s no limit to how far he’ll go to get the job done. To make matters worse, when she reveals one too many details about the murdered man covered in mushrooms that she found in the forest, she risks ending up on the wrong side of the law. Settling down in a quiet little French town and starting her therapy business will have to wait until the murder has been solved, but when the gendarmes choose an easy confession over a proper investigation, it looks like justice won’t be done. Someone’s got to solve this murder. One last mystery can't hurt... can it? This is the first book in a funny and uplifting cozy mystery series set in France. If you love quirky British sleuths, laugh out loud drama, and clever crimes, you will love the Justine French Mysteries! Start reading today!
- GenresMystery
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2021
77 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 31, 2021
A definitely delightful story. Justine is something else, is she really psychic, who knows. Either way, there’s no stopping until you read to the end. Loved it.
February 11, 2021
Very good mystery. Great characters and lots of fun. I enjoy reading many of Myrtle Morse/Ruby Loren series but right now, I think this is the best.
Justine French has moved to a small town in France to escape the mess she made of her life back home. Justine is a therapist with keen observation abilities. So, when she finds a body, she can't help but get involved in solving the mystery. A 'fraud exposer' has followed her to her new home and is interfering in her new life because of what happened in her old life. A town police officer has been warned off from investigating when the national police take over the case providing an ally for Justine. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series.
Justine French has moved to a small town in France to escape the mess she made of her life back home. Justine is a therapist with keen observation abilities. So, when she finds a body, she can't help but get involved in solving the mystery. A 'fraud exposer' has followed her to her new home and is interfering in her new life because of what happened in her old life. A town police officer has been warned off from investigating when the national police take over the case providing an ally for Justine. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series.
February 15, 2021
Therapist Justine (FMC) is the fraud in this book. Well only if you count telling a lie that gets out of hand a fraud? The lie being that shes a psychic which is not exactly the truth. Its more that she can read people because she observes them. Having to leave London she ends up in France but trouble follows her there. Thats where the caper begins. Its a enjoyable read with plenty of humour. Im looking forward to more books in this series
April 29, 2022
A solid 3.5! What a pleasant surprise after finding it by searching for “French cozy mystery” to fill a block in my reading bingo! The protagonist is a little annoying sometimes but I like that it breaks from some of the cozy tropes, even while it embraces others.
January 31, 2021
The French Fraud earns 5/5 “Croissants and Crime”...Totally Entertaining!
Justine French is a fraud, well, of sorts. She is quite skilled in the powers of observation, like Sherlock Holmes where even the smallest of details does not escape notice. However, a little white lie exploded beyond her control. Unable to explain how she knew details about an ongoing investigation, she passed herself of as a “psychic,” and when her identity was leaked to the press, “Psychic Solves Robbery!”, her new found fame was hard to ignore. She rationalized her answering the plea of those who believed in her skill as just a way to help people, like she did when she worked as a therapist...but you can only expect trouble when you profess to be something you’re not. A huge misunderstanding with a client forces her to take a holiday, maybe start a new, or just plain escape. She finds herself in Sellenoise, France. But, trouble follows with a threatening letter, the discovery of a dead body, befriending a wayward dog, and arrival of someone from her past making her idyllic life...a nightmare.
Myrtle Morse is the pen name for Ruby Loren, an author whose work I read, enjoy, and am a fan. As Myrtle, she writes the enjoyable four-book Courtside Cafe Mystery series and her new Justine French Mysteries is quite promising. The drama unfolds using the traditional cozy formula I enjoy with a small town setting (France is a big plus), varied characters, clever set-up, and a murder investigation that occurs early in the story and engulfs the lead character. Twists. Turns. Misdirection. An ending that left me surprised and satisfied. I enjoyed the fact that the lead is oddly tainted and flawed, and trying to rationalize that “one mistake does not a bad person make.” It is human. Often cozies have characters dealing with tragedies and troubles not of their own making and trying to survive, but Justine is in many ways culpable and her efforts to atone or make-up for her lapses in judgement or avoid further entanglements are realistic and admirable, but she’s trapped in her past persona and personal desire to help others when the dead body appears. The drama is a great length allowing room to go beyond the murder mystery, clues, and search for a killer with lots of background and insights and descriptions of the French countryside, buildings, and varied supporting characters. I really like the choice of a first-person narrative from Justine’s viewpoint and enjoy her inner voice as well as vicariously participating with the “I” perspective along with witty banter. I loved this first-in-a-series! Book two?
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Justine French is a fraud, well, of sorts. She is quite skilled in the powers of observation, like Sherlock Holmes where even the smallest of details does not escape notice. However, a little white lie exploded beyond her control. Unable to explain how she knew details about an ongoing investigation, she passed herself of as a “psychic,” and when her identity was leaked to the press, “Psychic Solves Robbery!”, her new found fame was hard to ignore. She rationalized her answering the plea of those who believed in her skill as just a way to help people, like she did when she worked as a therapist...but you can only expect trouble when you profess to be something you’re not. A huge misunderstanding with a client forces her to take a holiday, maybe start a new, or just plain escape. She finds herself in Sellenoise, France. But, trouble follows with a threatening letter, the discovery of a dead body, befriending a wayward dog, and arrival of someone from her past making her idyllic life...a nightmare.
Myrtle Morse is the pen name for Ruby Loren, an author whose work I read, enjoy, and am a fan. As Myrtle, she writes the enjoyable four-book Courtside Cafe Mystery series and her new Justine French Mysteries is quite promising. The drama unfolds using the traditional cozy formula I enjoy with a small town setting (France is a big plus), varied characters, clever set-up, and a murder investigation that occurs early in the story and engulfs the lead character. Twists. Turns. Misdirection. An ending that left me surprised and satisfied. I enjoyed the fact that the lead is oddly tainted and flawed, and trying to rationalize that “one mistake does not a bad person make.” It is human. Often cozies have characters dealing with tragedies and troubles not of their own making and trying to survive, but Justine is in many ways culpable and her efforts to atone or make-up for her lapses in judgement or avoid further entanglements are realistic and admirable, but she’s trapped in her past persona and personal desire to help others when the dead body appears. The drama is a great length allowing room to go beyond the murder mystery, clues, and search for a killer with lots of background and insights and descriptions of the French countryside, buildings, and varied supporting characters. I really like the choice of a first-person narrative from Justine’s viewpoint and enjoy her inner voice as well as vicariously participating with the “I” perspective along with witty banter. I loved this first-in-a-series! Book two?
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
January 31, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in a very promising series! Justine French is running away from a big mistake she made in London and ends up in the very small town of Sellenoise in France. We are introduced to some really great characters in Justine, policeman, Marius and Marissa! Justine is a therapist with an uncanny ability to read people and situations which got her into trouble in London. Deciding to take a walk to clear her head when she comes across a dead body with an axe in his back. Having no cell service, she takes the long hike back to report the murder when a dog, looking hungry and abandoned follows her back and becomes her new pet. Leaving the investigation to the police, she feels they are not doing a very good job with a chief who wants to take the limelight and arrests an old man who apparently confesses but with no evidence to back anything up. She decides to open a therapy business when Marius comes to her and doesn't believe the old guy did it. With her uncanny ability to see details she decides to help Marius since he quietly disagrees with his boss. At the same time, we see someone trying to scare or kill Justine. Why? Who is the stranger in town? You must read this book to get into the beginning of a fun new cozy mystery series! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own!
January 30, 2021
Justine French is running from her past. Her recent life, and a recent client who has it in for the fake physic.
Justine is a therapist who had past herself off as a physic to give some information to the police concerning a case they were working.
A journalist caught wind of her, and her “Physic” abilities made her famous.
After moving to France to get away from it all. Justine takes a walk through the woods and finds a body with a hatchet in his back. She also finds a dog, or rather the dog found her.
Lucien Martin is a contract employ who works with various police agencies, and also does private contract work.
He is there for two reasons. To help the Gendarmes, and to settle the score with Justine’s former client.
A good story with developed characters, and a bit of humor.
Myrtle Morse, aka Ruby Loren is branching out into a different type of story from her other works.
This one is more serious, and has a few rougher characters making this more of a traditional mystery than her cozies.
Although I did enjoy the story, I still have a couple of reservations about this series.
I’m definitely going to read the next in the series as I have a feeling that this may be the best work she has put out so far.
Justine is a therapist who had past herself off as a physic to give some information to the police concerning a case they were working.
A journalist caught wind of her, and her “Physic” abilities made her famous.
After moving to France to get away from it all. Justine takes a walk through the woods and finds a body with a hatchet in his back. She also finds a dog, or rather the dog found her.
Lucien Martin is a contract employ who works with various police agencies, and also does private contract work.
He is there for two reasons. To help the Gendarmes, and to settle the score with Justine’s former client.
A good story with developed characters, and a bit of humor.
Myrtle Morse, aka Ruby Loren is branching out into a different type of story from her other works.
This one is more serious, and has a few rougher characters making this more of a traditional mystery than her cozies.
Although I did enjoy the story, I still have a couple of reservations about this series.
I’m definitely going to read the next in the series as I have a feeling that this may be the best work she has put out so far.
January 29, 2021
Justine French had extraordinary powers of observation. She claimed to be a psychic. This got her into some trouble in England, so she went on holiday to Sellenoise, France. While walking in the woods she decided to explore and so went off the beaten path. She was enjoying the countryside until she suddenly came upon a body with an ax in its back. She tried to call the police but had no signal on her cell phone. While debating what would be the best thing to do a dog came running up to her. There was no one with the dog. She headed back to report the murder and the dog came with her. Who is the dead man? Why was he killed and who did it? Who is Lucien Martin? Why does he seem to show up where ever Justine is? There is intrigue, suspicions, murder, twists, an innocent person is arrested. Come along and see how this case is solved. You will be surprised at the end. The plot is well thought out and well constructed. The story is very well written.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
February 3, 2021
Justine French wants to forget she ever used the word ‘psychic’ to describe her extraordinary powers of observation. Now staying Sellenoise, France to get away from it all she comes home one day and finds a note on her door. It was from an ex-client who was not happy with her work and was threatening her. She goes for a walk in the woods to clear her mind and come upon a body with mushrooms throw all over the body. With no cell service she has to walk back to town to report the body. The police don’t really believe her since she is new in town and they feel she would never have found her way back to town from the forest. They finally go with her and discover she was telling the truth. Turns out the dead man was a member of their community that no one really liked. A stranger Lucien Martin, shows up in town claiming he is there to observe the local police. But why does he seem to show up where ever Justine is? This story is intrigue, suspicions, murder, twists, an innocent person is arrested. But some people feel they have the wrong person in jail. Great and fun read. So if you enjoy a good mystery with a bit of humor this is a must read.
January 31, 2021
Justine French has recently moved into a pied-à-terre in the French town of Sellenoise where she hopes to leave her “fake psychic” past behind. When she finds a threatening note pinned to her door, she realizes that her hopes of a new life might already be compromised. Upset and needing fresh air, she sets out for a long walk but unfortunately discovers a dead body with an axe in his back. Justine has astute powers of observation which is what has gotten her in trouble in the past. She notices more than most people and when the gendarmes arrest the wrong person, Justine cannot help herself. She has to help. Claiming to a be a psychic has already gotten her into trouble in the past but this time she makes sure her help is as someone who just wants to aid in the investigation. A new home where she can have her therapy practice while living in a town she hopes will become her forever home is all Justine wants. I am going to enjoy this series. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.
February 2, 2021
This is a great start to a new series. After allowing people to believe that she was a psychic and having a very irate customer, Justine French moved to a quiet town in France to start a new life. However, there was someone in town that had been sent by her irate ex customer, who was determined to make her pay. She was a genuine therapist, so she wanted to start a new business in an entirely new place. She had not been there long when, during a walk in the forest, she discovered a dead body. She reported it to the police and lead them back to the body. Someone was immediately arrested, but neither she nor the younger of the two police officers felt that they had the right person. As she was very good at noticing all the tiny details, she decided to help the young police officer to find the real murderer.
February 15, 2021
Justine French is such a fascinating character in herself as she retreats from London to a remote village in France to re-examine her career as a therapist or, as some have called her a psychic. Perhaps she hasn’t traveled far enough as a threatening letter awaits her on her front door. A walk in the dense forest only finds Justine discovering an axe murder. Justine is quickly known to the villagers. What I liked best in this book are the twists and turns—whether comical, sinister or threatening—as the villagers find themselves drawn to this newcomer. Can this therapist help the villagers find the murderer in their midst as well as other secrets hidden among the villagers? I certainly am pulling for Justine because this could be the start of a totally captivating series. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily giving my honest review.
February 22, 2021
I have been a great fan of this author for the books past several years. The Justine French series is a new favorite of mine.
All the tangled mayhem, fun and intrigue of the Courtside Cafe series with lighter humor.
British raised half French Justine is a keen observer of details and humanity. Her transplant to a small French village in back of beyond is roaringly funny, and filled with insights, humor and intrigue
Her settling in to Sellenoise features a lost dog who found her, a policeman who is a bit of a puzzle and who is limited by French law in how and what he can investigate, a perverted landlord, an interfering postmistress who might become a friend, and a Security Agent who is definitely not friendly
Fun and fabulous reading!
All the tangled mayhem, fun and intrigue of the Courtside Cafe series with lighter humor.
British raised half French Justine is a keen observer of details and humanity. Her transplant to a small French village in back of beyond is roaringly funny, and filled with insights, humor and intrigue
Her settling in to Sellenoise features a lost dog who found her, a policeman who is a bit of a puzzle and who is limited by French law in how and what he can investigate, a perverted landlord, an interfering postmistress who might become a friend, and a Security Agent who is definitely not friendly
Fun and fabulous reading!
June 4, 2021
Offbeat Cozy
This was a refreshing change from pretty much all of the cozy mysteries on the market. Instead of a woman in her 20s or 30s trying to forget a bad breakup by moving to a small town where she has inherited a house and/or business from an elderly female relative and falls for a hottie cop while solving a murder her friend was blamed for, we get a woman on the lam who moves to a small town in France and almost immediately stumbles upon a murder victim. It's as much about the cat and mouse game she plays with a nemesis from her old life as it is about solving the murder. The story is told in a breezy manner and is just plain fun. I will be snapping up the next book in the series right away.
This was a refreshing change from pretty much all of the cozy mysteries on the market. Instead of a woman in her 20s or 30s trying to forget a bad breakup by moving to a small town where she has inherited a house and/or business from an elderly female relative and falls for a hottie cop while solving a murder her friend was blamed for, we get a woman on the lam who moves to a small town in France and almost immediately stumbles upon a murder victim. It's as much about the cat and mouse game she plays with a nemesis from her old life as it is about solving the murder. The story is told in a breezy manner and is just plain fun. I will be snapping up the next book in the series right away.
January 30, 2021
Justine is an observer, she watches, learns, and forms her opinions. In ways she reminds me of a trendy Sherlock Holmes. She has moved to a small town in France from England where she used her skills as a “psychic”. After a bad experience, she left for a new home and go back to her job as a therapist. Unfortunately, not only has she been followed by someone from her past, but she has walked her way into a murder which she can’t help trying to solve.
I loved this new series and can’t wait for more. I thoroughly enjoyed Justine and the dog she found along with the murder. There are definitely some villagers that I would like to know better.
I loved this new series and can’t wait for more. I thoroughly enjoyed Justine and the dog she found along with the murder. There are definitely some villagers that I would like to know better.
January 31, 2021
THE FRENCH. FRAUD.
..Ruby Loren./ Myrtle Morris
Trouble and her seemed to go together a psychic well close, knowing somethings which she couldn’t explain,.even to the police,
Thought by saying she was would be the end of it, till it was on the newspaper headlines. The letters, the people and their requests, wanting a break from it all she is in a small French town,
The plot reads like a personal diary with the thought, emotions and failures. The local gossip on the topic of murder. Marius was praised for his police work, and with a fake psychic beside him he would do fine.
Enjoyable, amusing with a good flowing plot.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
..Ruby Loren./ Myrtle Morris
Trouble and her seemed to go together a psychic well close, knowing somethings which she couldn’t explain,.even to the police,
Thought by saying she was would be the end of it, till it was on the newspaper headlines. The letters, the people and their requests, wanting a break from it all she is in a small French town,
The plot reads like a personal diary with the thought, emotions and failures. The local gossip on the topic of murder. Marius was praised for his police work, and with a fake psychic beside him he would do fine.
Enjoyable, amusing with a good flowing plot.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Read
February 20, 2021Justine French has moved/vacationing in a small French village. She is blessed/ cursed extra ordinary observation, abilities that is similar to psychic like abilities to some people. Justine naturally applies her observational skills to everything in her life. In some places she would be called a Mentalist. This causes some problems she tries to avoid.
But when she discovers a murder in the forest....she reports it tries to keep out of it but...when the lazy Head of the police department arrest the wrong person... She cant let an innocent person go to jail and the real murderer get away. This is the first in series, cant wait for the next book!
But when she discovers a murder in the forest....she reports it tries to keep out of it but...when the lazy Head of the police department arrest the wrong person... She cant let an innocent person go to jail and the real murderer get away. This is the first in series, cant wait for the next book!
April 10, 2021
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion. Like all the other cozy series Ms. Morse writes, the start of this new series is absolutely delightful. The characters are not overly flamboyant and are easy to relate to. Cozy mystery fans will find all of their favorite elements here: an amateur sleuth who teams up with a member of law enforcement who accepts their help begrudgingly, a small-town setting, the requisite pet, a baffling murder, and several unexpected twists. I enjoyed the homage paid to Sherlock Holmes in Justine's excellent observational skills. I look forward to the next books in the series.
January 31, 2021
What a great start to a new series! Justine French moves to a small town in France to start a new life...and to escape a mistake in her old one. As expected of this author, this cozy murder mystery is skillfully written with a tight plot and believable characters. It was an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to future installments. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
January 31, 2021
The French Fraud is the first book in a new series by Ruby Loren. I can already tell it will be a favorite! Justine French has settled in a small French village. Blessed with super powers of observation, she appears to be psychic to some. Justine naturally applies her observational skills to everything. This proves useful when she stumbles across a body in the woods. She is forced to investigate the murder when the police arrest the wrong person! I thoroughly enjoyed my trip with her!
January 31, 2021
Start to Great New Cozy Series
The Willing Suspension of Disbelief or Choosing to Believe the Unbelievable. This series should be great fun. An English woman with great powers of observation tries to start anew in a small French town. Once again, her attention to detail causes others to think she is psychic. She gets all tangled in a murder investigation and it threatens her new life before it even gets started. I love this author's books. I can't wait to see where this series goes!
The Willing Suspension of Disbelief or Choosing to Believe the Unbelievable. This series should be great fun. An English woman with great powers of observation tries to start anew in a small French town. Once again, her attention to detail causes others to think she is psychic. She gets all tangled in a murder investigation and it threatens her new life before it even gets started. I love this author's books. I can't wait to see where this series goes!
February 1, 2021
Well, I never before felt the urge to move to France, but this quirky French town quite stole my heart. The British main character is Sherlock Holmes-level observant and having once cut through awkward explanations by "admitting" she is psychic finds it hard to shake the label. This is a rich source of fun. The mystery is cleverly plotted and jauntily written; you really get the sense the author is enjoying herself. I'll be recommending this series to my friends.
February 2, 2021
Justine French has a knack for observing things that others don’t which help her to put together clues to solve mysteries. Justine runs into dangerous situations while trying to find the killer and get an innocent man out of jail.
This is an interesting new series full of twists and turns to keep you reading.
I enjoyed reading this books and looking forward to the others in the series. Thanks for a great plot and interesting characters.
This is an interesting new series full of twists and turns to keep you reading.
I enjoyed reading this books and looking forward to the others in the series. Thanks for a great plot and interesting characters.
Read
February 5, 2021The French Fraud: Cozy Mystery (Justine French Mysteries Book 1), my thirty-eighth cozy mystery read from author Ruby Loren and the first writing as Myrtle Morse and her new Justine French Mysteries (obviously I enjoy her writing). I can't help but be amazed by the sheer volume of good writing she can produce with multiple settings & characters. I'll read more by her in the future and look forward to her next work. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
January 30, 2021
Great start to a new series by lovely author Myrtle Morse. Justine, Marissa, Marius are great characters living in the French town of Sellenoise. Justine has great observational skills and becomes embroiled in a murder. Can hardly wait to read the next book. I was given a free ARC by the author. My review is freely and honestly given
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February 2, 2021Justine French moved to France to escape the consequences of portraying herself as a psychic. She is not psychic, but really super observant. I think this is a great start to a new series with intelligent, likable characters. The descriptions of the small French town make it so appealing. I received a review copy and am voluntarily reviewing. I can’t wait for more of this series.
February 7, 2021
I loved this book! Justine is funny and relatable. A cozy mystery that will make you giggle, a relatable heroine, and a small French town. Justine's powers of observation and a slip-up acting as a psychic have landed her in the French countryside, and into a mystery she wasn't expecting. An enjoyable read. I can't wait for book 2!
December 5, 2021
what a rollicking little tale
Ruby and Myrtle certainly have a knack for developing characters, plot, and quirky situations. I wanted to give them a full 5 stars, but when I see paragraphs that practically run for a full page, I had to ding them. Girls, you’d better hire a professional editor and a formatter.
Ruby and Myrtle certainly have a knack for developing characters, plot, and quirky situations. I wanted to give them a full 5 stars, but when I see paragraphs that practically run for a full page, I had to ding them. Girls, you’d better hire a professional editor and a formatter.
January 30, 2021
A great introduction to Justine French. I was confounded until the villain was finally exposed.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Scary. Twisted. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Scary. Twisted. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.
January 31, 2021
Great characters, as always, and an an interesting plot that will keep you reading and laughing to the end of this one. I have read and enjoyed a lot of this author’s books and this one ranks among my favorites. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.
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