Night Train to Paris by Fliss Chester
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Night Train to Paris by Fliss Chester
Series: Fen Churche Mystery #2
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Paris, 1945. Fen looked out over the rooftops as the sun was setting. The letter she was holding, written on blue paper, was the clue she’d been searching for. She wiped away a tear and pulled herself together. Who would want to murder her dearest friend?
Fen Churche arrives in Paris, determined to put the horrors of the war behind her. But the city of lights has lost its spark, except inside the beautiful apartment of Fen’s godmother, artist Rose Coillard. Fen can’t wait to hear about Rose’s war work – under the nose of prominent Nazis, Rose created a secret list of the precious paintings they stole. Now Rose will be able to return them to their rightful Jewish owners.
But after a blissful few days reuniting with old friends, Fen finds Rose dead: stabbed through the neck with one of her own paintbrushes. Bewildered and scared, Fen is determined to solve her beloved friend’s murder, just like she does with her favourite crossword puzzles. Then she discovers the cypher that unlocks Rose’s list is missing. Could Rose’s death be linked to the brave work she did during the war?
When Fen finds a blackmail letter in Rose’s mailbox, accusing her of selling Jewish-owned paintings to the Nazis, she can’t believe what she’s reading. Then another member of Rose’s Resistance network, who transported the artwork, dies in a volley of gunshots and Fen is sure the deaths are the work of the same villain. One who will stop at nothing to keep their treachery hidden.
Can Fen clear Rose’s name and catch this devious killer?
You won’t be able to put down this utterly addictive historical mystery! The absolutely perfect treat if you love Rhys Bowen, Charles Todd and Jacqueline Winspear.
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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links, meaning I’ll receive a small commission should you purchase using those links. All opinions expressed are my own. I receive no compensation for reviews.
This is the second book in the Fen Churche Mystery series and although I haven’t read the first I wasn’t lost in this one. I will say that I am planning to go back and read the first because I enjoyed this one so much.
Fenella (Fen) has left Morey-Fontaine in Burgandy and is on the night train to Paris with her new friend James. Her plans are to stay with a family friend in Paris and to get back to feelings she had before the war. A way to reconnect as many people did during that time.
While staying with the friend, Rose, she begins to hear rumors about stolen art work that belong to the Jewish families displaced or killed during the war. Most of us know this history and many of the stories behind it but I must say I loved hearing it from Fen’s point of view. She made it all seem so much more real as she is hearing the stories herself.
One day she return’s to Rose’s apartment only to discover that Rose has been murdered. Together Fen and James decide that they will figure out who would want to kill Rose. The woman that so many people seemed to like with no conflicts.
As I said earlier I enjoyed this book so much. There was so much history there but also so much depth. Fen is a great character who loves crosswords and was very intelligent. The secondary characters were all so wonderful as well.
About Fliss Chester
Fliss Chester lives in a little village in Surrey, UK, and writes historical cozy crime. When she is not killing people off in her 1940s whodunnits, she helps her husband, who is a wine merchant, run their family business. This means she’s never far from a decent glass of something, which makes her very happy indeed.
Before writing her Fen Churche Mysteries cozy crime series, she wrote fun and flirty romances – the sort of thing that might make your mother blush. Not hers though, as it was her mother who always encouraged her to be ‘anything you want, darling, as long as it’s not dull’. Hopefully readers will attest to the fact that whether it’s death by cyanide or a smooch in a hot tub, there’s nothing dull about Fliss’s books.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, especially Amazon. This means I may earn a commission should you chose to purchase a book or product using my link.
21 Comments
heather
I so want to read this book it sounds amazing and I love the cover too.
bn100
intriguing premise
Victoria Alexander
Sounds like it’s a series I’ll enjoy, thanks for sharing!
Barrie
Wow. this sounds like a great mystery read. I love books that make it hard to put down and make me think about who “dun it.”
rochelle haynes
Sounds like a nice book i would love to go to Paris
Sandra Dufoe
Sounds like an amazing read love to read books about places haven’t been.
Phyllis Huebbe
Sounds like a good mystery read.
Jenn
This sounds like quite a journey! I would definitely be immersed in this book.
megan allen
This one sounds juicy! I love a story that pulls me in and I cant stop reading until its over!! Thanks for recommending this one!
Veronica Lee
The book title and cover really grabbed my attention! Sounds like an intriguing read!
Rust
Your review is compelling. This book sounds like one I’d enjoy!
Melissa Storms
This sounds like a great mystery .
Erin
I am so intrigued! I can’t wait to read this. Thanks so much for the preview!
Monica McConnell
OOOHHHH I love a good mystery. Sounds so exciting!!!
Adriane
This is right up my alley! A mystery in a historical period I fine fascinating
Tara Gauthier
This book sounds like one that I would love, a war story and a great mystery. I will have to add it to my TBR list.
bn100
sounds mysterious
AuntySuzany
I love a good mystery! Thank you for sharing!
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Judy Thomas
I love a good ‘whodunnit’. It sounds like a page turner.
Antoinette M
This book sounds great! I like the cover.