I love cozy mysteries, and Anna A. Armstrong has quickly become one of my favorite writers of them. Both her modern-day and historical versions hold a special place in my heart, and I rush to read them!
About the Book
Chaperoning a princess should be simple, right? Not for Lady Flora Farrington.
Flora thought her stay at a picturesque château outside Paris would involve little more than chaperoning Princess Firuza, her spirited goddaughter, ahead of an arranged betrothal to Crown Prince Dimash. But when a dead footman turns up on her bedroom floor and disappears without a trace. Flora finds herself swept into a web of intrigue, danger, and forbidden romance.
To make matters worse-or better, depending on how you look at it-Inspector Busby, the maddeningly charming detective she’d really rather avoid, is also at the château. Sparks fly as the two find themselves working together to uncover the château’s many secrets. Who can focus on murder when there’s bickering to be done and stolen glances to be shared?
With romance and a gripping mystery at its heart, Flora’s French Murder Mystery is an irresistible tale of love, danger, and intrigue in the glittering world of 1920s high society.
My Thoughts
Now, I will address the elephant in the room. For the majority of us, egregious wealth makes us feel a little weird at the moment. Or, that might just be something happening in the United States. But, despite that, we all seem to be finding extra comfort in the arms of shows like Bridgerton, etc. So, don’t let the diamonds, princesses, and such scare you off. Even if you can’t relate to men only wanting you for your money, most of us of the female persuasion can certainly relate to men only wanting us for something or other. Really, the surprising similarities that one can draw between the experiences of women in the 1920s and the 2020s are not as happy-making as we’d probably like.
Sure, those of us in middle and lower classes at least don’t, for the most part, have to have chaperones, dowries, or permission to marry people. And we don’t have to worry about being married off for politically advantageous gain. But when you read this and see other familiar behaviours that haven’t gone away, you might laugh at first, but then groan a little, too. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
I don’t want to drop any spoilers, but this book was full of the romantic pleasantness and plenty of will-they, won’t they – that cozy mysteries are famous for. This is our first full-length Flora novel, but we got a taste of her in a short Christmas novella. I loved that one, and it was such a delight to get a full dose of Flora and Busby. I can’t quite recall, since this is set in the past, if Flora and/or Busby were ever mentioned so far in her Cotswold/Fitzmorris mysteries series, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I know who they are. Either way, I enjoyed all the romantic entanglements.
The mystery was also interesting. I had my suspicions early, but I didn’t quite solve anything until the end, which is always satisfying. There were also plenty of subplots/stories to keep me well intrigued. I’m so grateful to the author and LBT for including me, and I can’t wait until the next story comes out!
Who’s It For?
If you love a good cozy mystery, you’ll love this author’s work! If you also love historical fiction, this one will definitely be for you! Lots of glitz and glamor, princes and princesses. Diamonds, fancy dresses, and even some adorable pups! Of course, since it’s a murder mystery, there are some potentially disturbing things, but the thing I love about cozy mysteries is that somehow they take disturbing topics and make them feel soft around the edges. I mention them, just in case.
Content Warnings: This book contains topics that may disturb some readers, including, but not limited to, Murder, Partner Death, Sibling Death, Arranged Marriage, Fire, Religious Ideology, Adult Situations, and Possibly More.
About the Author
Anna A. Armstrong writes uplifting, cosy mysteries. Set in rural villages, they overflow with friendship, warm family relationships, delicious food, beautiful gardens and romance as well as the odd murder to spice things up. At the heart of her stories are her colourful characters who have their own varied foibles. There is nothing like a spot of murder for revealing who people are and what makes them tick.
Growing up in home counties England, Anna was surrounded with dogs and horses as well as the wide variety of people who make up village life. Her observation skills were further honed by studying Anthropology at university. Much to her family’s embarrassment, she often can’t resist pulling out a pad and sketching random strangers in a restaurant.
When not indulging her love of travelling, Anna divides her time between the quintessentially English village of Burford in the Cotswolds and the rugged Isle of Man, the jewel of the Irish Sea. She is passionate about food, her garden, her three dachshunds, family and latterly trick riding, just in case running off to the circus becomes an option!
Links
Amazon US: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228741952-flora-s-french-murder-mystery
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Floras-French-Murder-Mystery-Farrington-ebook/dp/B0DZD1LZ85/ref=sr_1_1
Bookshop US: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9781739421762
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228741952-flora-s-french-murder-mystery
Author’s Website: https://thecotswoldwriter.com/
Flora and Busby’s First Christmas Review
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Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram.