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In the Spirit of French Murder

Part of An American In Paris Mystery

Author Colleen Cambridge On Tour

Hardcover

$27.00 US

| $37.00 CAN

Kensington

On sale Apr 28, 2026 | 320 Pages | 9781496751225

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Fiction > Mystery & Thriller > Crime Fiction

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After moving to France, Tabitha Knight has a new friend in fellow expat and Cordon Bleu student Julia Child, whose culinary tips can come in quite handy. But something’s cooking in postwar Paris, and it isn’t just cheese soufflé…

Tabitha has enjoyed an entertaining afternoon in Julia’s kitchen, but her return home is a bit jarring. As she arrives at her grandfather’s rue de l’Universitémansion, a woman bursts out the door babbling about messages from spirits and a warning Grand-père must heed. Oncle Rafe angrily sends the woman on her way, and neither man will answer Tabitha’s questions.

It’s not the last she sees of the mysterious visitor. While she’s on a date that evening, she’s accosted by her again—and learns that Madame Vierca is a medium who claims to have visions of a dark fate that awaits Grand-père and Oncle Rafe. The very next night, Tabitha’s messieurs host a soiree at their new restaurant, inviting fellow Resistance fighters from the war known as the Nine Bluets. To commemorate the work of the Resistance network, the vase on the dinner table sports nine of the pretty blue flowers.

But shortly after the revelers leave the restaurant, one of Grand-père’s old friends is found dead on the street . . . and one of the nine flowers is missing from the vase. When a second member of the Nine Bluets is found poisoned the next day, and a bluet flower is left with the body, Tabitha cannot ignore Madame Vierca’s frightening predictions about her dear messieurs. She has no choice but to share her suspicions and fears with the enigmatic and unruffled Inspecteur Merveille.

Tabitha soon finds herself caught up in an investigation that takes her and Merveille to the seediest, most dangerous parts of the Left Bank—home of strange, fantastical legends, disquieting events, and unusual people. As she and Merveille desperately try to find a killer, they know they don’t have much time before the rest of the Nine Bluets are targeted . . . including Grand-père and Oncle Rafe.

Praise for The American in Paris Mysteries by Colleen Cambridge

“One needn’t have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this installment, but don’t be surprised if readers want to go back and see what they missed. Come for the historical Parisian setting and mystery, stay for the food and wine.”—Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW for A Fashionably French Murder

“It’s Child’s ebullient personality that is the heart of the book. Part historical fiction, part mystery, Mastering the Art of French Murder is totally delectable entertainment for fans of lighthearted detective fiction.” —The Washington Post on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“If a murder mystery can be delicious, this one is.” —The Sunday Denver Post on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“[Cambridge] expertly evokes postwar Paris: its elegance and weariness, as well as the droves of Americans who bring fresh energy (and perhaps less-welcome elements) to the city. Julia's joie de vivre and enthusiasm for food will be familiar to fans of her cooking show or writings, and Tabitha proves an engaging narrator: she has a nose for clues and a total disregard of any danger she might encounter…Witty, well-plotted, and full of délicieux culinary concoctions, Tabitha's first adventure is an entertaining start to Cambridge's new mystery series.” —Shelf Awareness on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“Buttressing Tabitha’s investigation are witty culinary tips from Julia (including pointers for making crepes ‘as delicate as a man’s ego’), vivid historical tidbits about postwar Paris, and elegant descriptions of couture gowns. Shrewd, fair-play clues and vibrant characters who continue to evolve as the series progresses are a bonus. This is terrific fun for foodies and Francophiles alike.”—Publishers Weekly on A Fashionably French Murder

“Savor the loving descriptions of French cuisine and couture.” —Kirkus Reviews on A Fashionably French Murder

“Wonderfully set, characterized, and paced, this is another winner in a delightful series. Add it to sure-bet lists and suggest to readers wanting to sink into a good story.” —Library Journal on A Murder Most French

“It’s Julia’s sensuous recipes, lusciously described visits to the market, and fascinating tour of a subterranean mushroom farm that give this book its tantalizing flavor. The results will satisfy foodies, armchair travelers, and old-fashioned mystery lovers alike.” —Publishers Weekly on A Murder Most French

““Hard to imagine, but this sophomore offering in the American in Paris series, set in 1950, is even better than the debut.” —firstCLUE on A Murder Most French

“[An] enchanting series launch…Expect to leave this vacation hoping for a return trip.” —Publishers Weekly on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“Agatha Christie meets cozy mystery in this fun tale from Cambridge. Historical fiction readers and fans of cozy suspense will want to add this mystery to their to-be-read pile.” —Library Journal on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“The City of Light, whose ancient streets Tabitha traverses on her bike as she hunts for the truth, is vivified here, with even its cuisine described in mouthwatering detail…Mastering the Art of French Murder is a delectable historical mystery novel set in romantic postwar Paris.” —Foreword Reviews on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“This cute and clever mystery is perfect for historical fiction buffs.” —Buzzfeed on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“Cambridge skillfully blends fact with fiction… [and] captures Julia’s joie de vivre and passion for French cuisine, transporting readers into her kitchen during her early years at Le Cordon Bleu cooking school…Mastering the Art of French Murder is a love letter to the sights, sounds and delights of Paris, from the small daily markets to the thriving nightlife. Readers will enjoy navigating the city alongside Tabitha as she untangles the mystery, as well as getting to see a whole new side of the beloved Julia Child.” —BookPage on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“Clever…Cambridge has clear affection for both subject and setting. The amount of butter used is totally authentic, and Julia gets the last word.” —Christian Science Monitor on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“Who knew Julia Child and murder mystery was the crossover we needed for 2023?” —Country Living Magazine on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“We loved the descriptions of the atmosphere, architecture, history, and food to be found in the City of Light. But expat Tabitha Knight’s friendship with Julia—Tabitha is newly arrived from Detroit and learning how to cook so she can feed her French grandfather—is great fun too…Adding an intriguing murder mystery, which takes us to some of the grimier areas of the city, makes this series starter a thoroughly enjoyable read. For foodies and mystery fans though, spending time with Child is simply the cherry on le sundae.” —Amazon (May 2023 Editor’s Pick) on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“I don’t often find cozy mystery super accessible, but Colleen Cambridge has whetted my appetite by contextualizing her historical mystery in post-World War II Paris, where (fictional) American expat Tabitha Knight befriends none other than Julia Child.” —Paste Magazine on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“A first-rate traditional mystery with strong characterization that is certain to appeal to a broad readership, especially fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Rhys Bowen, and Cambridge’s own Phyllida Bright series.” —First Clue, STARRED REVIEW on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“An absolute delight from beginning to end…The scenes featuring Julia Child’s cooking are a highlight of the book, and made me hungry as I was reading them. Her gregarious personality and genius in the kitchen are conveyed very well. The book gives you a wonderful sense of Paris just after World War II and the German occupation as rationing is coming to an end, and the city is coming back to life.” —Historical Novel Society on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“A delightful and enchanting murder mystery full of charm and wit.” —Mystery and Suspense Magazine on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“A fun romp through post-war Paris in the company of the fictional Tabitha and the very real, very inspirational Julia. Viewing Paris through Tabitha’s eyes is such a delight…It’s wonderful to follow along as Tabitha sleuths and, just as importantly, learns how to cook under the tutelage of the charming Julia Child herself. What home chef hasn’t dreamt at least a little of learning to cook in Paris with one of the most famous names in culinary history?” —Criminal Element on Mastering the Art of French Murder

“A wonderfully and cleverly constructed mystery…The setting of post war Paris is wonderful, and Cambridge really gives the reader a feel of being there as things begin to open up again.” —Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine on Mastering the Art of French Murder

Colleen Cambridge is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the American in Paris Mysteries, the Lincoln’s White House Mystery series, and the Phyllida Bright Mysteries, the first of which, Murder at Mallowan Hall, was an Agatha Award finalist and an Indie Next Pick. The first American in Paris Mystery, Mastering the Art of French Murder, was both an Indie Next Pick and a LibraryReads selection. An accomplished historian whose meticulously researched novels appeal to fans of historical fiction and mysteries alike, she also writes under the pennames C.M. Gleason, Colleen Gleason, and Alex Mandon. She lives in the Midwest and can be found online at ColleenCambridge.com.