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Travel P.I. Mysteries #1
Knifed In Nice
“I hadn’t planned on a trip to the French Riviera, but then, I hadn’t planned on shooting a London crime lord in his well-padded derrière.”
Meet Angel Doyle, a semi-reformed thief and accidental P.I.
During an unfortunate incident at her first legit job in years, Angel fires a ketamine dart into one of London’s most notorious gangsters. Now she’s in disguise and on the run. With a bunch of thugs on her tail, she embarks on a mad chase across France, determined to stay one step ahead of the villains.
At least, that was the plan.
The moment out-of-work actor Sidney Foggington-Smythe sits next to her on the train to Paris, Angel has no idea she’s just met the second half of their crime-solving duo. How can a fashion-obsessed posh boy be anything but a hindrance? When fate forces the two twenty-somethings into the same stolen Mercedes, Angel is hampered by an unwanted sidekick, a kidnapped cat, and a corpse with a tendency to pull a Houdini. Now Angel and Sidney are in a race against time to reach Nice, find the killer, and clear their names before their next destination is the morgue.
Meet Angel Doyle, a semi-reformed thief and accidental P.I.
During an unfortunate incident at her first legit job in years, Angel fires a ketamine dart into one of London’s most notorious gangsters. Now she’s in disguise and on the run. With a bunch of thugs on her tail, she embarks on a mad chase across France, determined to stay one step ahead of the villains.
At least, that was the plan.
The moment out-of-work actor Sidney Foggington-Smythe sits next to her on the train to Paris, Angel has no idea she’s just met the second half of their crime-solving duo. How can a fashion-obsessed posh boy be anything but a hindrance? When fate forces the two twenty-somethings into the same stolen Mercedes, Angel is hampered by an unwanted sidekick, a kidnapped cat, and a corpse with a tendency to pull a Houdini. Now Angel and Sidney are in a race against time to reach Nice, find the killer, and clear their names before their next destination is the morgue.
320 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2021
715 people are currently reading
3607 people want to read
About the author
Zara Keane
42 books987 followersZara Keane is a USA Today bestselling author of Irish cozy mysteries and romantic comedies.
Zara grew up in Dublin, Ireland, but spent her summers in a small town very similar to the fictitious Ballybeg and Smuggler's Cove.
She currently lives in Switzerland with her family. When she’s not writing, Zara loves knitting, running, unplugged gaming, and adding to her insanely large lipstick collection.
Don't miss a new story! For news, giveaways, and TWO free stories, sign up for Zara's Mailing List at https://zarakeane.com/newsletter/
Zara can also be found in her Facebook Reader Group, the Mystery Mavens.
Zara grew up in Dublin, Ireland, but spent her summers in a small town very similar to the fictitious Ballybeg and Smuggler's Cove.
She currently lives in Switzerland with her family. When she’s not writing, Zara loves knitting, running, unplugged gaming, and adding to her insanely large lipstick collection.
Don't miss a new story! For news, giveaways, and TWO free stories, sign up for Zara's Mailing List at https://zarakeane.com/newsletter/
Zara can also be found in her Facebook Reader Group, the Mystery Mavens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
October 2, 2021
As Angel Doyle sweltered in her disguise – a blonde wig and pregnant belly – she successfully made it onto the train bound for Paris. With the sunglasses disguising her eyes darting around, watching for those chasing her, she found herself beside a young man who talked nonstop, causing Angel to grit her teeth in frustration. Sidney Foggington-Smythe was on his way to a new job at the British Embassy, one he didn’t want. So, when Angel proved to be in trouble, Sidney stepped up to help her out.
Their arrival in Paris and their departure in a stolen car was mind boggling. But they needed to get as far from the thugs who were after them as possible. Sidney was sticking by Angel’s side, but when they discovered a cat in the rear of the car, things took a bizarre turn. As they powered their way to Nice, their next discovery was a body in the boot of the car. What more could happen? Would they discover what was going on – who was framing Angel? Or would this be the last journey through France they would make?
Knifed in Nice is the 1st in the Travel PI series by Zara Keane, well known for the Maggie Doyle series (which I love). Action packed, Angel Doyle (Maggie’s cousin) thinks on her feet, (mostly) always staying one step ahead of the bad guys. And there were plenty of them. It’s also laugh out loud funny in some places. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait for book 2 coming in 2022. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Their arrival in Paris and their departure in a stolen car was mind boggling. But they needed to get as far from the thugs who were after them as possible. Sidney was sticking by Angel’s side, but when they discovered a cat in the rear of the car, things took a bizarre turn. As they powered their way to Nice, their next discovery was a body in the boot of the car. What more could happen? Would they discover what was going on – who was framing Angel? Or would this be the last journey through France they would make?
Knifed in Nice is the 1st in the Travel PI series by Zara Keane, well known for the Maggie Doyle series (which I love). Action packed, Angel Doyle (Maggie’s cousin) thinks on her feet, (mostly) always staying one step ahead of the bad guys. And there were plenty of them. It’s also laugh out loud funny in some places. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait for book 2 coming in 2022. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2021
Angel witnessed a murder, now she tries to escape from an ex-boyfriend who is a hired killer!
"My transformation from Goth chick to pregnant Barbie wasn’t voluntary.
I hadn’t planned on shooting a London crime lord in the arse.
I had to board the train to Paris. If I stayed in London, I was as good as dead."
Sidney is much more like to spend his last weekend of freedom with a runaway girl from an attacker with a knife instead of his boring job. They meet on the get-away train.
"If we’re now partners in crime, I deserve to know.
We’re not partners in anything, Sidney. We’re temporary traveling companions.
Temporary traveling companions in a stolen car and on our way to deliver ransom money."
One criminal group following her is not enough, she stole a very suspicious id card from a lady with a suitcase with lots of money and seems the lady is from another criminal group and wants to save someone's life.
A very precious life! Césaire! Someone is going to pay one hundred thousand euros for a cat. They are in big trouble if the Césaire owner comes after them.
"Anyone who’d kidnap a cat is a terrible human being. I wouldn’t put anything past them."
If you think that escaping for saving lives, protecting a cat, and getting away from kidnappers is not enough, they find a dead Russian man in their stolen car. Also, add Angel's mother, a former pornstar who shows up with suspicious activity and acquaintance. IT IS A MESS!
The first book of a start for a fun cozy mystery! I enjoyed the story, Angel and Sidney's friendship, and as they were hired for a new mission I very like to read more about them.
Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read Knifed in Nice (Travel P.I., Book 1) by Zara Keane, I have given my honest review.
"My transformation from Goth chick to pregnant Barbie wasn’t voluntary.
I hadn’t planned on shooting a London crime lord in the arse.
I had to board the train to Paris. If I stayed in London, I was as good as dead."
Sidney is much more like to spend his last weekend of freedom with a runaway girl from an attacker with a knife instead of his boring job. They meet on the get-away train.
"If we’re now partners in crime, I deserve to know.
We’re not partners in anything, Sidney. We’re temporary traveling companions.
Temporary traveling companions in a stolen car and on our way to deliver ransom money."
One criminal group following her is not enough, she stole a very suspicious id card from a lady with a suitcase with lots of money and seems the lady is from another criminal group and wants to save someone's life.
A very precious life! Césaire! Someone is going to pay one hundred thousand euros for a cat. They are in big trouble if the Césaire owner comes after them.
"Anyone who’d kidnap a cat is a terrible human being. I wouldn’t put anything past them."
If you think that escaping for saving lives, protecting a cat, and getting away from kidnappers is not enough, they find a dead Russian man in their stolen car. Also, add Angel's mother, a former pornstar who shows up with suspicious activity and acquaintance. IT IS A MESS!
The first book of a start for a fun cozy mystery! I enjoyed the story, Angel and Sidney's friendship, and as they were hired for a new mission I very like to read more about them.
Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read Knifed in Nice (Travel P.I., Book 1) by Zara Keane, I have given my honest review.
October 27, 2021
2.5 stars
Travel P.I. Mysteries is a spin-off from Keane's Movie Club Mysteries - Angel Doyle, the main character of this series first appeared in Apocalypse Meow. Angel is Maggie's cousin. I think Keane decides to take the characters out of Whisper Island because, how many people will be killed in an ISLAND?? *laugh*. Angel intrigued me there, so I was quite interested with this new series.
ALAS, it wasn't my taste. This book have dead Russian, seemingly mysterious organization, a character whose grandmother was an ex-KGB, so many crime lords connection involving illegal blackmail, illegal import, cross country zig-zag avoiding villains, and so on.
It's too much for me.
I prefer my murder mystery to be "local" or staying put in one place or deeply rooted. A plot like this, I prefer to watch it on TV/Movie rather than reading it. Because it's tiresome :(. Also it doesn't give a lot of space for characters development.
I don't think I will add this to my "series to follow" list.
Travel P.I. Mysteries is a spin-off from Keane's Movie Club Mysteries - Angel Doyle, the main character of this series first appeared in Apocalypse Meow. Angel is Maggie's cousin. I think Keane decides to take the characters out of Whisper Island because, how many people will be killed in an ISLAND?? *laugh*. Angel intrigued me there, so I was quite interested with this new series.
ALAS, it wasn't my taste. This book have dead Russian, seemingly mysterious organization, a character whose grandmother was an ex-KGB, so many crime lords connection involving illegal blackmail, illegal import, cross country zig-zag avoiding villains, and so on.
It's too much for me.
I prefer my murder mystery to be "local" or staying put in one place or deeply rooted. A plot like this, I prefer to watch it on TV/Movie rather than reading it. Because it's tiresome :(. Also it doesn't give a lot of space for characters development.
I don't think I will add this to my "series to follow" list.
September 30, 2021
A sometimes funny book, but highly unbelievable in that soooooo many things happen in a weekend. Angel and her not really invited traveling partner Sidney face a multitude of dead bodies and criminals, not to mention getting abducted, and shot at. None of it really new to Angel, who appears to come from a family of criminals anyway. It is a first book, although when I first started reading it, I though that I must be reading a sequel that takes up where the previous book ended. A rather confusing start, if you ask me.
October 5, 2021
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. If you enjoy non-stop action with adventure, humour, good guys and bad guys, and family you should read this book. It reminded me of the Fast and the Furious franchise, Crazy, Stupid Love (Steve Carell), Mission Impossible, and Spy (Melissa McCarthy). Yes, the situations are extreme but Zara has a talent for writing visuals that made this run like a movie in my mind. Angel's sketchy past and Sidney's staid background make them a wonderful pair as the main characters. I honestly cannot wait to read the next book. This has completely captured my interest and imagination.
September 27, 2021
Angel Doyle is on the run after shooting a mob boss with a tranquilizer to escape after she witnesses him killing her boss.
Steal a random ladies suitcase, use her passport to get to France, become involved in a ransom plot against a different mob boss while trying to shake an unwanted helper all over France.
Oh yes, she also runs into her estranged mom who she hasn't seen or spoken to in years while being blamed for the attack against her former step-father.
Fun story with developed characters and a bit of humor.
Steal a random ladies suitcase, use her passport to get to France, become involved in a ransom plot against a different mob boss while trying to shake an unwanted helper all over France.
Oh yes, she also runs into her estranged mom who she hasn't seen or spoken to in years while being blamed for the attack against her former step-father.
Fun story with developed characters and a bit of humor.
December 24, 2022
This grew on me - loved Sidney! 3.5 stars rounding up
September 28, 2021
ARC received from author for an honest review
What a jolly ol' romp around the French Riviera in this brand new series from Zara Keane.
If you have read her latest Movie Club Mysteries story, Apocalypse Meow, you have met our dashing leading lady Angel Doyle. But it doesn't matter if you haven't as this can be read as a stand alone from that series.
I must say, the ability to stumble across bodies seems to run in the Doyle genes, as the bodies count continues to rise.
Angel sure can get herself into some predicaments, and gets out of them in amusing and creative ways.
And with her new side-kick Sidney (who is a bit of a dark horse, I gotta say), we never knew what was going to happen next.
There were as many twists and turns in this story as the roads around Nice. Throw in a red herring or two and you have a classic Keane mystery.
Well developed and intriguing characters, I was left wondering all along who I could trust and just what was *insert name here) up to!
I am looking forward to more of the Travel PI series.
a>
What a jolly ol' romp around the French Riviera in this brand new series from Zara Keane.
If you have read her latest Movie Club Mysteries story, Apocalypse Meow, you have met our dashing leading lady Angel Doyle. But it doesn't matter if you haven't as this can be read as a stand alone from that series.
I must say, the ability to stumble across bodies seems to run in the Doyle genes, as the bodies count continues to rise.
Angel sure can get herself into some predicaments, and gets out of them in amusing and creative ways.
And with her new side-kick Sidney (who is a bit of a dark horse, I gotta say), we never knew what was going to happen next.
There were as many twists and turns in this story as the roads around Nice. Throw in a red herring or two and you have a classic Keane mystery.
Well developed and intriguing characters, I was left wondering all along who I could trust and just what was *insert name here) up to!
I am looking forward to more of the Travel PI series.
a>
September 15, 2022
Thank you Zara Keane for the free book club books and bonus material. All opinions expressed in my review are my own and not affected by the giveaway.
Angel Doyle hadn't meant to take a trip to Paris, but then she hadn't planned on shooting a London crime lord in the butt with a ketamine dart either. On the run after witnessing the murder of her boss, Angel is traveling as "pregnant Barbie" with a stolen passport and a stolen suitcase, that curiously contained a fake pregnant belly and a sizeable wad of cash. On the Eurostar she meets Peregrine Sidney Roland, a chatty wannabe actor on his way to Paris to start a new job at the British embassy. Along the way they run afoul of Angel's ex-boyfriend, Cam Carruthers, a nasty baddie who is supposed to be in prison. When Sidney tries to defend Angel, he uniwttingly becomes involved in her chaotic escape. Their journey takes them to Montpellier and Nice, on a mysterious mission to rescue a man they've never heard of. Along the way they must dodge scary thugs, crazy assassins and an even crazier cat. Not to mention Angel's estranged mom!
This book is non-stop zany fun. I couldn't put it down. It's not your traditional "whodunit" murder mystery but still has murder, mystery and a whole lot of mayhem. Some parts resemble Apocalypse Meow, the story that introduced Angel, but this series is going to be a lot different. I liked armchair traveling with Angel and going along for the crazy ride.
Angel is a difficult character to like. The daughter of an Irish career criminal and French adult film star, Angel has largely been on her own. Her mother, a selfish woman who has married several times, is not a part of her life and her father is the one who got her into this mess in the first place. Angel is used to living by her wits, doing what she has to do to survive, even if it means bending - or breaking- the law. While initially horrified at what Angel did to get to Paris, I became more sympathetic once the villains were introduced. Plus I think she more than paid for her crime with what happens next! Her sidekick, Sidney, sounds like a typical, spoiled, privledged young man without much in the ol' brain box. Sidney is a slightly smarter, more loyal version of Lenny from Whisper Island. He's a good guy. I have my suspicions that his foppish nature is just an act though. After all, his father is a diplomat and Sid speaks several languages fluently. Either way, he provides a lot of comic relief.
Jerry Gallo, one of Angel's nicer former stepfathers, is a costumier in Nice. She thinks she can take refuge with him and hide out from the bad guys. Unfortunately, she's forced to come face to face with her past and confront her own mother for the first time in years. Angel thinks her mother could be a murderer but the same goes the other way around, showing just how estranged the two are. That's very sad but unsurprising. She also discovers her mother's old friend, Francie, working for Jerry. Francie seems to have a personality transplant partway through her scene. At first she's kind and welcome to Angel but then flips and turns on Angel. I suspect she may be up to no good or she knows more about what's going on than she lets on. Angel also meets Luc, a crusty coffee ship owner with whom she crossed swords. Luc and Angel spar but for some reason he is willing to help her. He's ex-military and a lawyer but for some reason he chooses to own a coffee shop. I am guessing he has hidden depths. I think his sparring with Angel pushes her to be a better person, to not make assumptions and to ask for help when she needs it. She, in turn, pushes HIM not to make assumptions, particularly about women and to be a little more sympathetic.
Césaire is a riot and reminded me of another character in Apocalypse Meow. He's scary and nasty one minute and sweet the next. Why did someone kidnap him and hold him for ransom? Who is the person with the money and who are the kidnappers? The situation is very bizarre.
Who is Monique Beaufour and why was she carrying a suitcase full of cash and a fake pregnancy belly? Angel's theory, and I agree, is she must be a private detective on the trail of some criminal. Why else would the mysterious message on the satnav say "no funny business" and "no police." Her disguise is very silly but it worked. Who would suspect a ditzy, fashion-obsessed young woman of being a P.I. or a spy?
Frank O'Malley, Angel's late boss at the Lucky Charm pub, sounds like he was a hustler. Not only was he running a rub, he was also selling black market goods. Was that enough to get him killed? Booze and cigarettes? Other than being a criminal, he sounds like he was a good guy. He was kind to Angel and helped her out when she needed a job and didn't have a reference or skills. Angel's co-worker, Becky, was once friendly with Angel but now she has accused Angel of killing their boss and sold the story to the tabloids. Angel tries to be sympathetic, knowing Becky has a kid and needs money, but really? I agree with Angel. There's the need for money so desperate you'd do anything and then there's things like ethics and friendship. Angel didn't think Becky was THAT down and out. That makes me suspicious that Becky lied. I wonder if she's more deeply involved in Frank's illegal operations or whatever got him killed?
The villains are kind of cartoonish. Angel witnessed mob boss Monty Carlyle shoot up the bar where she worked and kill her boss. Angel, fearing for her life, grabbed the nearest weapon she could find, which happened to be a dart gun. Monty was raging mad when last Angel saw him and now he's chasing after her because he doesn't like to leave witnesses behind. Boris and Ivan, his twin minions, are pretty stereotypical villains. The hired muscle to do Monty's dirty work, they're after Angel on their boss's behalf. They're tough but not all that bright or fast. They are terrible people who have given Angel a hard time in the past. Cam Carruthers, Angel's ex-boyfriend, is a more dangerous criminal because he's smart. Really smart. He's smart enough to hack the tightest security and create deep fake videos. What he can do with that skill is chilling and it landed him in jail. For some reason, he's out on parole and after Angel. Is he working for Monty or independently? Either way, he wants Angel dead in revenge for either ratting him out to the police and/or shooting Monty. The kidnapper villains are really cartoonish and 2D. Funny, but not well developed.
I enjoyed this wild ride with Angel and can't wait to see what she and Sidney get up to next. I have a feeling they will be taking on a new sidekick!
Angel Doyle hadn't meant to take a trip to Paris, but then she hadn't planned on shooting a London crime lord in the butt with a ketamine dart either. On the run after witnessing the murder of her boss, Angel is traveling as "pregnant Barbie" with a stolen passport and a stolen suitcase, that curiously contained a fake pregnant belly and a sizeable wad of cash. On the Eurostar she meets Peregrine Sidney Roland, a chatty wannabe actor on his way to Paris to start a new job at the British embassy. Along the way they run afoul of Angel's ex-boyfriend, Cam Carruthers, a nasty baddie who is supposed to be in prison. When Sidney tries to defend Angel, he uniwttingly becomes involved in her chaotic escape. Their journey takes them to Montpellier and Nice, on a mysterious mission to rescue a man they've never heard of. Along the way they must dodge scary thugs, crazy assassins and an even crazier cat. Not to mention Angel's estranged mom!
This book is non-stop zany fun. I couldn't put it down. It's not your traditional "whodunit" murder mystery but still has murder, mystery and a whole lot of mayhem. Some parts resemble Apocalypse Meow, the story that introduced Angel, but this series is going to be a lot different. I liked armchair traveling with Angel and going along for the crazy ride.
Angel is a difficult character to like. The daughter of an Irish career criminal and French adult film star, Angel has largely been on her own. Her mother, a selfish woman who has married several times, is not a part of her life and her father is the one who got her into this mess in the first place. Angel is used to living by her wits, doing what she has to do to survive, even if it means bending - or breaking- the law. While initially horrified at what Angel did to get to Paris, I became more sympathetic once the villains were introduced. Plus I think she more than paid for her crime with what happens next! Her sidekick, Sidney, sounds like a typical, spoiled, privledged young man without much in the ol' brain box. Sidney is a slightly smarter, more loyal version of Lenny from Whisper Island. He's a good guy. I have my suspicions that his foppish nature is just an act though. After all, his father is a diplomat and Sid speaks several languages fluently. Either way, he provides a lot of comic relief.
Jerry Gallo, one of Angel's nicer former stepfathers, is a costumier in Nice. She thinks she can take refuge with him and hide out from the bad guys. Unfortunately, she's forced to come face to face with her past and confront her own mother for the first time in years. Angel thinks her mother could be a murderer but the same goes the other way around, showing just how estranged the two are. That's very sad but unsurprising. She also discovers her mother's old friend, Francie, working for Jerry. Francie seems to have a personality transplant partway through her scene. At first she's kind and welcome to Angel but then flips and turns on Angel. I suspect she may be up to no good or she knows more about what's going on than she lets on. Angel also meets Luc, a crusty coffee ship owner with whom she crossed swords. Luc and Angel spar but for some reason he is willing to help her. He's ex-military and a lawyer but for some reason he chooses to own a coffee shop. I am guessing he has hidden depths. I think his sparring with Angel pushes her to be a better person, to not make assumptions and to ask for help when she needs it. She, in turn, pushes HIM not to make assumptions, particularly about women and to be a little more sympathetic.
Césaire is a riot and reminded me of another character in Apocalypse Meow. He's scary and nasty one minute and sweet the next. Why did someone kidnap him and hold him for ransom? Who is the person with the money and who are the kidnappers? The situation is very bizarre.
Who is Monique Beaufour and why was she carrying a suitcase full of cash and a fake pregnancy belly? Angel's theory, and I agree, is she must be a private detective on the trail of some criminal. Why else would the mysterious message on the satnav say "no funny business" and "no police." Her disguise is very silly but it worked. Who would suspect a ditzy, fashion-obsessed young woman of being a P.I. or a spy?
Frank O'Malley, Angel's late boss at the Lucky Charm pub, sounds like he was a hustler. Not only was he running a rub, he was also selling black market goods. Was that enough to get him killed? Booze and cigarettes? Other than being a criminal, he sounds like he was a good guy. He was kind to Angel and helped her out when she needed a job and didn't have a reference or skills. Angel's co-worker, Becky, was once friendly with Angel but now she has accused Angel of killing their boss and sold the story to the tabloids. Angel tries to be sympathetic, knowing Becky has a kid and needs money, but really? I agree with Angel. There's the need for money so desperate you'd do anything and then there's things like ethics and friendship. Angel didn't think Becky was THAT down and out. That makes me suspicious that Becky lied. I wonder if she's more deeply involved in Frank's illegal operations or whatever got him killed?
The villains are kind of cartoonish. Angel witnessed mob boss Monty Carlyle shoot up the bar where she worked and kill her boss. Angel, fearing for her life, grabbed the nearest weapon she could find, which happened to be a dart gun. Monty was raging mad when last Angel saw him and now he's chasing after her because he doesn't like to leave witnesses behind. Boris and Ivan, his twin minions, are pretty stereotypical villains. The hired muscle to do Monty's dirty work, they're after Angel on their boss's behalf. They're tough but not all that bright or fast. They are terrible people who have given Angel a hard time in the past. Cam Carruthers, Angel's ex-boyfriend, is a more dangerous criminal because he's smart. Really smart. He's smart enough to hack the tightest security and create deep fake videos. What he can do with that skill is chilling and it landed him in jail. For some reason, he's out on parole and after Angel. Is he working for Monty or independently? Either way, he wants Angel dead in revenge for either ratting him out to the police and/or shooting Monty. The kidnapper villains are really cartoonish and 2D. Funny, but not well developed.
I enjoyed this wild ride with Angel and can't wait to see what she and Sidney get up to next. I have a feeling they will be taking on a new sidekick!
October 5, 2021
Zara Keane begins a spin-off cozy mystery series with Angel Doyle (Maggie Doyle's cousin) and a little story of suspense that takes place in the French Riviera. Angel Doyle isn't afraid to put herself out there as she's had her share of trouble that she had to get out of. There's disguises and thievery and a dead body and a whole lot of sometimes cute, sometimes laughable fun that goes on between the pages.
Zara Keane does a good job of taking a slightly improbably story and turning it into a fun tale of suspense with a good dose of fun. I'm eager to see where this series is going to go. I can't say that I've totally connected with Angel yet, but I think she has lots of spine and I'm eager to learn more about her.
So a nice start to this new series and I'm looking forward to more stories from Angel (and Zara!)
Zara Keane does a good job of taking a slightly improbably story and turning it into a fun tale of suspense with a good dose of fun. I'm eager to see where this series is going to go. I can't say that I've totally connected with Angel yet, but I think she has lots of spine and I'm eager to learn more about her.
So a nice start to this new series and I'm looking forward to more stories from Angel (and Zara!)
October 13, 2021
Thefts, Murders, and an Exotic Animal, Oh My! Knifed in Nice follows Angel and Sidney's crazy journey across France to escape the bad guys trying to frame Angel for murder. It's fast-paced, funny, and light. Something crazy happens to Angel in pretty much every scene, but it kept me reading. I enjoyed the story and it left me wanting more of some characters (Luc)! I kept feeling like there was a hidden depth to Sidney that I'm not sure ever fully revealed itself, but maybe in the next book in the series.
December 26, 2021
This was a fun, super fast-paced story that had so much going on, it was hard not to want to keep reading. The characters were quirky and likeable and I enjoyed getting to know them, including the secondary characters. There was humor and tension, drama and adventure; just so much going on that you would think it would be hard to keep up. Fortunately, the author recapped enough that you could follow the long, twisty plot line and follow the story. I liked this one enough to continue with the series.
I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2021
Starts off with Angel taking off because she hit a dart into a gangster and now they are after her.
She changes into a Barbie who is pregnant so that she can escape London and go to France.
Meet Angel Doyle, a semi-reformed thief and accidental P.I.
Her plan has some exceptions including running into Sidney on the train to Paris.
They head off to nice after Sidney has decided to stick with her. Will she make it or will the gangsters get her before? A very easy fast pace book. Alot of humor as well.
She changes into a Barbie who is pregnant so that she can escape London and go to France.
Meet Angel Doyle, a semi-reformed thief and accidental P.I.
Her plan has some exceptions including running into Sidney on the train to Paris.
They head off to nice after Sidney has decided to stick with her. Will she make it or will the gangsters get her before? A very easy fast pace book. Alot of humor as well.
November 14, 2021
This story starts with a bang and doesn't let up until the very end. There were a lot of plot twist throughout the story with lot of laughs and danger around every turn. Angel just could not catch a break. She was constantly finding herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. The characters were quirky and entertaining, especially Sidney. Sometimes there was a little too much going on which made the story a little overwhelming, but overall this was an enjoyable cozy mystery.
November 3, 2024
4.5 stars
I'm exhausted! It seemed that every chapter of this book had a plot twist that hurtled me through the story. It certainly makes for a fast read! I like the characters, the settings are suitably exotic, and there are nice bits of humor. This spin-off of Ms Keane's Ireland-set series promises to be fun.
I'm exhausted! It seemed that every chapter of this book had a plot twist that hurtled me through the story. It certainly makes for a fast read! I like the characters, the settings are suitably exotic, and there are nice bits of humor. This spin-off of Ms Keane's Ireland-set series promises to be fun.
September 19, 2025
Humorous cozy mystery but not my favorite.
October 1, 2025
the story was so farfetched it was ridiculous 🙄
January 8, 2022
A lot of fun
Hilarious read. This promises to be an entertaining series following Angel and Sydney as they bumble their way through intrigue and danger with Murder thrown in.
Hilarious read. This promises to be an entertaining series following Angel and Sydney as they bumble their way through intrigue and danger with Murder thrown in.
August 10, 2025
I have been reading Keane's Movie Club Mysteries and am really enjoying them. So, when I saw Knifed in Nice was also by the same author, I decided to give it a try. It didn't quite hit in the same way for me. I am not sure why, but overall, I found it just okay.
March 12, 2025
This was the most pleasant surprise. It had the perfect balance between an intriguing plot, in which you weren’t quite sure how it was all going to pan out, and lighthearted storytelling, which enabled me to relax and unwind whilst reading. I honestly couldn’t put it down and read it in a day.
October 5, 2021
Angel Doyle is a semi-retired theft and has her first legitimate job in years but that changes when Angel goes on the run from a London crime boss after accidentally shooting him in the behind with a ketamine dart gun.
After stealing someone's suitcase on the tube, Angel is now in disguise and races to the airport for France to escape the thugs after her. Unfortunately, her seat mate, Sidney Foggington-Smythe, an out of work actor, hasn't heard the phrase, silence is golden, and talks non stop and little, does she know, he becomes her over eager sidekick in this mad adventure. She breaths a sigh of relief when the flight leaves but her relief is short lived when she lands in Paris only to find the terrible twins, who work for the crime boss that Angel shot with a dart gun, waiting there for her.
This begins an on the run adventure across France that also includes saving a kidnaped cat and finding a dead body in the trunk that disappears.
The only con I have, and this is subjective to the reader, is that Sidney's character really annoyed me at the beginning but the further along I read, the character got better.
I would recommend this cozy mystery to all readers loving the genre . It definitely holds your interest with the non stop action and colorful characters.
Please note: I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
After stealing someone's suitcase on the tube, Angel is now in disguise and races to the airport for France to escape the thugs after her. Unfortunately, her seat mate, Sidney Foggington-Smythe, an out of work actor, hasn't heard the phrase, silence is golden, and talks non stop and little, does she know, he becomes her over eager sidekick in this mad adventure. She breaths a sigh of relief when the flight leaves but her relief is short lived when she lands in Paris only to find the terrible twins, who work for the crime boss that Angel shot with a dart gun, waiting there for her.
This begins an on the run adventure across France that also includes saving a kidnaped cat and finding a dead body in the trunk that disappears.
The only con I have, and this is subjective to the reader, is that Sidney's character really annoyed me at the beginning but the further along I read, the character got better.
I would recommend this cozy mystery to all readers loving the genre . It definitely holds your interest with the non stop action and colorful characters.
Please note: I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 9, 2021
I received an ARC for my honest review. Knifed in Nice is one of the most fun books I've read in quite a while. The book follows Angel Doyle, a petty criminal who is on the run from a mobster. While making her escape, she picks up a sidekick, Sydney, on the train to Paris and who sticks with her during her escape. There are a large cast of colorful characters that all play a part in Sydney's complicated situation. There are lots of twists and turns before the story comes to a satisfying ending. Angel and Sydney are so likeable that I could excuse their little lapses into criminal activity. I felt like I was there right there with Angel and Sydney as they traveled through France from Paris to Nice. The description of various locations reminded me of my own travels and I could picture each one clearly. The story was fun from beginning to end with a lot of humor. I can't wait until the next book in the Travel P.I. Mysteries. Warning: There is some violence in the book, but nothing graphic and it doesn't take away from the fun story. There are some typos in the Kindle version that may be corrected in the final version.
September 28, 2021
I've read most of Zara's books, after I read 'Dial P for Poison' and really enjoyed it. I went on to read lots more as I like the way they are written. This is a new series and after meeting Angel in Apocalypse Meow, it was lovely to discover what happened to her after she was in that story, and the fact that we as the reader get Angel's own viewpoint rather than that of her cousin Maggie. She has certainly led an interesting life and is a great character.
In this first story Angel is chased across France, unsurprisingly to Nice, and it is fast-paced, funny and enjoyable especially with her unexpected partner-in-crime-solving Sydney who continues to surprise as the story unfolds. We also meet some other great characters, including Angel's Mum, with whom she has had a rather estranged relationship :-)
It has some elements of the plot that whilst reading I was wondering how that could be, but everything gets explained in the end. I can see why it's classified as a cozy mystery, and fits in great with Zara's others. More Phryne Fisher than Miss Marple and that makes for an enjoyable read with a few laugh out loud moments along the way.
I also found it hard to put down and am sad I'm going to have to wait a while for the next one.
Highly recommended.
(I had an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, which is a first for me)
In this first story Angel is chased across France, unsurprisingly to Nice, and it is fast-paced, funny and enjoyable especially with her unexpected partner-in-crime-solving Sydney who continues to surprise as the story unfolds. We also meet some other great characters, including Angel's Mum, with whom she has had a rather estranged relationship :-)
It has some elements of the plot that whilst reading I was wondering how that could be, but everything gets explained in the end. I can see why it's classified as a cozy mystery, and fits in great with Zara's others. More Phryne Fisher than Miss Marple and that makes for an enjoyable read with a few laugh out loud moments along the way.
I also found it hard to put down and am sad I'm going to have to wait a while for the next one.
Highly recommended.
(I had an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, which is a first for me)
October 7, 2021
ARC received from author for an honest review
Each book I read from Zara Keane just keeps getting better. We were first introduced to Angel Doyle in the last book of the Movie Club Mysteries (if you haven't read these you need to), where she was Maggie's somewhat on the other-side-of-the-law cousin. In the first book of this series, Angel shows up on a train using a disguise that she discovered when she stole someone's suitcase. She is on the run from some bad people and just wants to get to France. She is hoping to quietly escape when she gets a set mate - Peregrine Sidney Roland, but everyone calls him Sidney. Sidney is on his way to a boring job at the British Embassy in Paris thanks to his dad.
What ensues is a marvelous journey that includes many bad guys with different agendas, a cat (or is it), some old friends, a relative and maybe just maybe a new way of life for both new friends Angel and Sidney.
Each book I read from Zara Keane just keeps getting better. We were first introduced to Angel Doyle in the last book of the Movie Club Mysteries (if you haven't read these you need to), where she was Maggie's somewhat on the other-side-of-the-law cousin. In the first book of this series, Angel shows up on a train using a disguise that she discovered when she stole someone's suitcase. She is on the run from some bad people and just wants to get to France. She is hoping to quietly escape when she gets a set mate - Peregrine Sidney Roland, but everyone calls him Sidney. Sidney is on his way to a boring job at the British Embassy in Paris thanks to his dad.
What ensues is a marvelous journey that includes many bad guys with different agendas, a cat (or is it), some old friends, a relative and maybe just maybe a new way of life for both new friends Angel and Sidney.
October 10, 2021
This is my first book written by the author. It is a start of a new series and I’m excited to read a new series!
I receive an advanced readers copy and in exchange I am providing a review that is of my own opinion
This is my first time meeting Angel and her sidekick Sidney. They are definitely opposite personalities! I love the chemistry and the tension between them. The dialogue is fun with all the banter.
Besides great dialogue there is a lot of action! I was laughing during the scenes with the cat. I don’t like to give too much away but those were very funny!
I think anybody who enjoys the cozy mystery genre with funny main characters will definitely enjoy this book! The fast paced action kept the book flowing. It is well written and easy to understand what is going on. The plot takes you on a lot of twisty turns! Enjoy!!
I receive an advanced readers copy and in exchange I am providing a review that is of my own opinion
This is my first time meeting Angel and her sidekick Sidney. They are definitely opposite personalities! I love the chemistry and the tension between them. The dialogue is fun with all the banter.
Besides great dialogue there is a lot of action! I was laughing during the scenes with the cat. I don’t like to give too much away but those were very funny!
I think anybody who enjoys the cozy mystery genre with funny main characters will definitely enjoy this book! The fast paced action kept the book flowing. It is well written and easy to understand what is going on. The plot takes you on a lot of twisty turns! Enjoy!!
October 3, 2021
KNIFED IN NICE (TRAVEL P.I., #1)
This is my first foray into the crime thriller genre, so I was somewhat confused to be dropped into the middle of a chaotic scene at page one. Who is this disguised, thieving protagonist and why are these thugs chasing her through a crowded railway station?
I really enjoyed the main characters, Angel and Sidney Foggington-Smythe, who will eventually become Angel's cohort in crime solving. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
All in all, it was an enjoyable read, and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
ARC received from author for an honest review.
This is my first foray into the crime thriller genre, so I was somewhat confused to be dropped into the middle of a chaotic scene at page one. Who is this disguised, thieving protagonist and why are these thugs chasing her through a crowded railway station?
I really enjoyed the main characters, Angel and Sidney Foggington-Smythe, who will eventually become Angel's cohort in crime solving. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
All in all, it was an enjoyable read, and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
ARC received from author for an honest review.
December 2, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up
This was an interesting start to a new-to-me series by an author I recently discovered. The misadventures that came Angel's way were over the top, and some of the other circumstances she faced were just as ridiculous. That said, the mystery itself was good, and I didn't figure out exactly what was going on and who was responsible until just before it was revealed in the book. I'll look for the next book in the series when I'm in the mood for an eye-rolling, farcical story.
This was an interesting start to a new-to-me series by an author I recently discovered. The misadventures that came Angel's way were over the top, and some of the other circumstances she faced were just as ridiculous. That said, the mystery itself was good, and I didn't figure out exactly what was going on and who was responsible until just before it was revealed in the book. I'll look for the next book in the series when I'm in the mood for an eye-rolling, farcical story.
September 29, 2021
Who has all the action and adventure of James Bond, worse luck than a black cat, and the crankiest feline traveling companion ever? Angel does! It all starts with trying to be nice and covering for a friend who can’t make it in to work. From there she sees her boss get murdered and accidentally shoots a mob boss in the behind with a ketamine dart, which, admittedly, gives her time to get away, but puts him in a really foul mood wanting revenge. She goes on the run, to give him time to cool off, but doesn’t even have her purse, so she steals the luggage and passport from a lady who looks kind of like her, at least close enough she can pull off the passport, and hops a train. Her seatmate, Sidney, just won’t stop talking and talking and talking, and he’s such a gentleman. He insists upon helping her with her luggage and switching trains, oops, I forgot to mention that in the stolen luggage Angel found a convenient disguise, a pink wig, a fake baby bump, and maternity clothes. While she’s trying to ditch the helpful Sidney, she sees her ex-boyfriend that she helped put in jail (when did he get out!) and two of the mob boss’ thugs there to catch her. She leaves everyone behind, getting out of the train station as fast as she can, only to be delayed by helpful Sidney, catching up to her with her luggage and a gentleman who gives her the keys to the car that Monique (the lady she’s pretending to be) had waiting. With bad guys on her tail, she takes the car, Sidney jumps in and they’re off to the next snag, the car has a briefcase full of money in it and security navigation programmed to direct them to a ransom drop! Angel can’t leave someone to die because she stole their rescuer’s passport, so she and Sidney decide to make the drop, only to discover that they haven’t save someone’s life, they have saved a cat’s life! A very upset and cranky cat. Who pays ransom for a cat? They decide to find an animal shelter and drop off the cat, surely his owner will be able to find him, but what’s this? There’s now a dead body in the boot of the car and someone’s shooting at them! Time to head out again! No, I haven’t even given you spoilers, this is just the first little bit of the book! I totally enjoyed it. The perfect cozy mystery, no swearing, no sex, and if you figure it all out ahead of time, you’re the bomb! I did have one little tidbit figured out that we didn’t find out about until the very end, but that was it. I totally enjoyed every page, and it was a page turner – double bonus for me because I do most of my reading while run/walk/jogging on the treadmill. A book that makes me keep going for just a few more pages is just fabulous!
October 5, 2021
It’s satisfying to see an author grow and develop her craft. I have read – and enjoyed – a number of Ms. Keane’s Movie Club Mysteries. Featuring Maggie Doyle and a cast of cozy characters, and set on Whisper Island, Ireland, they are worth reading – fairly well written, with good humor and enough mystery that the reader will buy the next book in the series. But pretty straightforward.
With Knifed in Nice, Ms. Keane starts Angel Doyle, Maggie’s cousin with a “complicated” past, on a series of her own. Doing this, Ms. Keane finds herself as a writer of humorous mysteries
While still comfortably within the “cozy” genre, Knifed presents a much more complex story, with parallel mysteries and plenty of plot twists. Ms. Keane handles the new level of complexity very nicely, keeping things interesting but not confusing.
And her characters have more meat on them. Angel is basically a skilled thief and conwoman with a complicated non-relationship with her mother. She is on the run in France from a London gangster. As the story develops, she finds herself able to use her talents to solve several mysteries – and keep from getting killed. And she learns that her mother is more than she knew and a considerable mystery herself.
Sidney, her accidental and initially unwanted companion, is the callow, chatterbox scion of aristocracy who wants to be an actor and avoid the family tradition of a career in the diplomatic corps. Over time, it turns out that he is actually quite a good actor and uses his craft to get Angel and himself out of some tight spots. Initially an innocent, his latent talent for solving crime develops to the point that he becomes an essential partner to the much more street-smart Angel.
The supporting characters – the mother, Angel’s favorite ex-stepfather, the cafe owner, et al.) follow a similar theme. They are not who Angel thought they were and, by the end of the book, she still has much to learn about them.
Zara Keane is herself a delecoping character, and I very much look forward to her next writing.
[Disclosure: I am an ARC reader, but I really enjoyed the book and bought a copy for my collection.]
With Knifed in Nice, Ms. Keane starts Angel Doyle, Maggie’s cousin with a “complicated” past, on a series of her own. Doing this, Ms. Keane finds herself as a writer of humorous mysteries
While still comfortably within the “cozy” genre, Knifed presents a much more complex story, with parallel mysteries and plenty of plot twists. Ms. Keane handles the new level of complexity very nicely, keeping things interesting but not confusing.
And her characters have more meat on them. Angel is basically a skilled thief and conwoman with a complicated non-relationship with her mother. She is on the run in France from a London gangster. As the story develops, she finds herself able to use her talents to solve several mysteries – and keep from getting killed. And she learns that her mother is more than she knew and a considerable mystery herself.
Sidney, her accidental and initially unwanted companion, is the callow, chatterbox scion of aristocracy who wants to be an actor and avoid the family tradition of a career in the diplomatic corps. Over time, it turns out that he is actually quite a good actor and uses his craft to get Angel and himself out of some tight spots. Initially an innocent, his latent talent for solving crime develops to the point that he becomes an essential partner to the much more street-smart Angel.
The supporting characters – the mother, Angel’s favorite ex-stepfather, the cafe owner, et al.) follow a similar theme. They are not who Angel thought they were and, by the end of the book, she still has much to learn about them.
Zara Keane is herself a delecoping character, and I very much look forward to her next writing.
[Disclosure: I am an ARC reader, but I really enjoyed the book and bought a copy for my collection.]
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