Series: Lucy Stone #21
Format Read: hardcover
Source: PR firm in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: September 30, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon*
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Blurb from goodreads:
Tinker's Cove is abuzz with excitement when Norah, the queen of daytime TV, comes to town and selects Lucy and her pals to be featured in her "Women Who Make a Difference" episode. In recognition for their charitable work, the ladies and their husbands are awarded a dream vacation in Paris, complete with classes at Le Cooking School with renowned pastry chef Larry Bruneau. But their bon voyage is cut short when Lucy discovers the chef in a pool of blood on the second day of class... If she's going to enjoy her vacation, she'll have to unpack her sleuthing skills and clear her name. But will she be able to track down a killer more elusive than the perfect macaron?
Today's review is from a personal friend of mine, Elizabeth L. We often trade books and discuss authors. At a recent library book sale, we found books for each other for almost as often as we found books for ourselves. I still plan on reading this but I'm so backed up I asked Elizabeth to help out and she graciously agreed.
Elizabeth L's Thoughts:
"French Pastry Murder" is the latest installment in Leslie Meier’s Lucy Stone mystery series. As the title would suggest this story takes place in Paris, France after Lucy and her friends win a trip. Lucy is excited about this trip because not only has she always wanted to visit Paris, but her daughter Elizabeth now lives and works in Paris as well. The book follows the typical cozy mystery plot line as Lucy, her friends, and their husbands embark on being tourists. I have to be honest and say that there were times I was uncomfortable reading this book due to blatant stereotypes of people of French and Middle Eastern heritage; if I was not reading the book to review it I most likely would not have continued to read it. I also did not expect the plotline to include subplots of international terrorism. Throughout the book the various travelers seemed to have mood swings and at times lost all common sense regarding safety, which is not typical of the characters in the other series’ installments. Most of the plotline was wrapped up nicely at the end of the book, with a little bit of a surprise to the ending as well. However there were also a couple subplots that were not tidied up and made me wonder “Why was that even added to the story?”. In the past I have always enjoyed reading all of the Lucy Stone mysteries, and still plan on tracking down some of the older books which I have not had the opportunity to read yet. I was however, personally disappointed in this latest installment.
I hate stereotypes, too bad those side plots weren't wrapped up. I would love to travel to Paris though.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was disappointed to hear about the stereotypes and the unfinished side plots. I usually like these books but now I'm less eager to read this one.
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