The Clock Struck Murder cover featuring a young woman and a clock had this Nancy Drew wannabe intrigued in this historical fiction mystery set in a Paris teeming with tourists in town for the 1924 Olympics.
In her second Lost in Paris Mystery, Betty Webb winds a tale of longing, jealousy, prejudice and murder into a compelling story when artist and American ex pat Zoe Barlow finds a lost Marc Chagall painting as a canvas wrap for a Montpernasse flea market find. Discovering the treasure, she goes in search of the beautiful young French woman who had sold and wrapped her faux Louis XIV art nouveau clock, unearthing not only more of her friend’s paintings but the woman’s dead body as well.
Not wanting her married lover/police inspector to become involved with the case of her friend’s paintings, the 24-year-old takes on an investigation to find both the killer and the art thief putting her own life in jeopardy.
In true historical fiction fashion, Webb introduces us to the post-WWI Paris scene, other artists, writers and even Johnny Weissmuller, known more for his role as Tarzan than his five Olympic gold medals in this Francophile mystery. The author also brings the reader along through a more personal secondary investigation for Zoe, from her past in Alabama.
I recommend The Clock Struck Murder for fans of historical mysteries, especially those set in France. I received this advanced reader copy of A Clock Struck Murder from Poisoned Pen Press. Order online or buy now at your favorite independent bookstore. Mine is Sellers Books and Art in Jim Thorpe, PA.
In her second Lost in Paris Mystery, Betty Webb winds a tale of longing, jealousy, prejudice and murder into a compelling story when artist and American ex pat Zoe Barlow finds a lost Marc Chagall painting as a canvas wrap for a Montpernasse flea market find. Discovering the treasure, she goes in search of the beautiful young French woman who had sold and wrapped her faux Louis XIV art nouveau clock, unearthing not only more of her friend’s paintings but the woman’s dead body as well.
Not wanting her married lover/police inspector to become involved with the case of her friend’s paintings, the 24-year-old takes on an investigation to find both the killer and the art thief putting her own life in jeopardy.
In true historical fiction fashion, Webb introduces us to the post-WWI Paris scene, other artists, writers and even Johnny Weissmuller, known more for his role as Tarzan than his five Olympic gold medals in this Francophile mystery. The author also brings the reader along through a more personal secondary investigation for Zoe, from her past in Alabama.
I recommend The Clock Struck Murder for fans of historical mysteries, especially those set in France. I received this advanced reader copy of A Clock Struck Murder from Poisoned Pen Press. Order online or buy now at your favorite independent bookstore. Mine is Sellers Books and Art in Jim Thorpe, PA.