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Death in Paris By Kate Darroch
This funny little mystery, which is set in 1970s Glasgow and Paris, is the ideal Sunday afternoon book. Màiri Maguire is a tenacious Scots-Irish schoolteacher who decides to accept a teaching position in Istanbul with a stopover vacation in Paris. This decision is made in an unexpectedly spontaneous manner. As the title suggests, everything goes wrong in Paris, and she and her best friend Lianna become entangled in a murder investigation.
Death in Paris is highly reminiscent of MC Beaton, and it features a clever, twisting mystery scenario that manages to be both serious and humorous at the same time. Màiri is not Agatha Raisin; she can be a touch stuffy and schoolmarmish. She dislikes the French approach to criminal investigation and is keen to discover a decent English tea. I found it endearing that she retains a childish excitement about seeing new places despite being raised in a safe environment.
Despite being short, this novella is able to clearly locate itself in a certain era and location. There were times when I thought the author had truly written this in Paris in the 1970s. The political and cultural milieu of the day are only briefly mentioned, but they enrich and colour the basic mystery plot.
Despite its brief length, I thought the beginning hopped about a little too much and started off slowly. The author provides brief glimpses into Màiri’s life in Glasgow and her travel to Paris, although some of these moments pass by too fast or are not sufficiently described. Once Màiri arrives in Paris, the plot picks up and the mystery becomes really intriguing.
The best parts of the novel, in my opinion, are Màiri’s insights about the supporting characters, some of whom are funny. The Major is a dangerous crazy, but he’s right. That had to be one of the funniest chapter openings I’ve ever read. Although this novel had a rocky beginning, I am looking forward to finding out what will happen next. It is evident from the ending that Ms. Maguire has more experiences in store for her.
About The Book
Màiri Maguire teaches in top schools all over the world, but on days like today she wishes she had never left Glasgow! 8:10 a.m. on 15th August 1970. They’ve been in Paris only 12 hours. Lianna, Màiri’s closest friend, is locked up in jail, charged with murder.
Màiri is being hunted by murderous criminals. She never dreamt that travelling outside Scotland would be so dangerous. Will Màiri ever again see her comfy home in Merrylea, her loving sisters Morag and Katriona, her schoolboy nephew Niall?
Major Ellis Peverel seldom leaves Màiri’s side. Respected by the Paris police, shrouded in secrets, who is this man? Is he a true friend to Màiri, or does he have an agenda of his own?
Who really killed the corrupt taxman for whose death Lianna has been framed? Màiri has only 6 days to find the murderer. Can she free Lianna in time? Or must she choose between her friend’s freedom and her own livelihood… if she’s still alive.
The Review
Death in Paris
8.5 Score
Màiri Maguire thought she’d be engaged to be married by now but her boyfriend has other plans so she impulsively decides to leave Glasgow and take a job teaching in Istanbul with her best friend, Lianna Stuart (who needs to get away from troubles with the taxman) coming along as her assistant. The two decide to go to Paris before Istanbul – a decision Màiri soon regrets when the taxman is murdered and Lianna is arrested for the murder. Màiri knows Lianna is innocent and needs to prove it fast as she only has six days before she is scheduled to leave Paris.
PROS
- contains plenty of action, and ends with a cliffhanger.
- Witty and suspenseful. Lots of twisty-turny fun.
- Twisty plot and interesting characters.
CONS
- A few plot gaps and a few fortuitous coincidence.
- The prose was flat, the characters rather one dimensional.
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