Protagonist Zoe, of what I hope will be a new series, takes readers to an atmospheric 1920s Paris. Zoe is an ex-pat artist who lives in a bijoux home and has weekly poker games to keep her finances in order.
Paris in the 1920s was a vibrant city that attracted writers, artists and dancers among others. Zoe knows many of them; everyone from the Hemingways, to Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to Djuna Barnes and, and, and…Readers who recognize these names will enjoy that insider feeling.
In true fact, Hadley Hemingway once lost many of her husband’s works when a suitcase containing them was stolen. What happened to them after they were taken? Were they lost forever? Ms. Webb has some ideas about this.
In her desire to help Hadley, Zoe goes to the rundown outbuilding where two ex-pats were living because Zoe was told they were involved. Some think that one of these Russians was Anastasia. To her surprise, Zoe finds no manuscripts but rather their murdered bodies. What happened? Why? Who did this? And who went on to commit more murders?
There is so much to enjoy in this historical mystery. Recommended for those who like stories with a strong sense of place, a mix of real and fictional people and a good mystery complete with Zoe’s backstory.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 04 April 2023
“Lovers of post-WWI Paris will have fun.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Perfectly frothy fun, supported by a wealth of tasty historical tidbits.”
—Booklist
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 