Mastering the Art of French Murder: A Charming New Parisian Historical Mystery (American in Paris Mysteries Book 1)

Set in midcentury Paris, this novel features Julia Child's fictional best friend, Tabitha Knight, a young American recently arrived from Detroit. The story blends historical fiction with murder mystery, centered around Child's years at Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. Tabitha is learning to cook through her friendship with Julia Child, an American expat who has embraced Parisian life. While tutoring French and enjoying the city's food culture, Tabitha's routine is disrupted when a body is discovered in the cellar of Julia's building. Tabitha recognizes the victim from a party the previous night, and the murder weapon is a knife from Julia's kitchen. Complications arise when Inspector Merveille reveals that a note in Tabitha's handwriting was found in the victim's pocket. Tabitha must navigate Paris—from the Tour Eiffel to Montmartre's streets—to identify the real killer before she or her friends face imprisonment or worse.