Release: September 29, 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Susanne Dunlap
Source: HFV book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo , Indiebound
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Apparently, false rumors about Marie Antoinette are all the fashion in 1783.
Initially, Marie Antoinette is facing hostility from the populace, inflamed by rumors circulated in pamphlets throughout Paris. Also, the rumors claim that she has dozens of lovers and drinks the blood of poor people. Further she holds satanic masses at Versailles, and more. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Marie Antoinette’s brother Captain von Bauer, Joseph II, emperor of Austria is handsome and enigmatic. Also there is the Violinist Theresa Schurman who is good at mystery-solving . Therefore, he chooses her as the ideal candidate for a spy to discover the source of these vile slanders.
Theresa has met a Hungarian baron Zoltan when she was fifteen in Vienna.. She is unwilling to commit herself yet to marrying Zoltan. As such she is too glad to get away from Vienna for a while. She is also eager to explore a new musical scene and broaden her artistic education. But the captain disappoints her and places her as a bookkeeper in the establishment of Rose Bertin, milliner to the queen. Thus, she begins to lose hope that she will ever achieve her musical aims. She is also not sure of the emperor’s goal of exposing the pamphleteers.
A chance encounter with the Chevalier de Saint-George, an extraordinary black violinist and expert swordsman, sets Theresa on the path to unraveling the mystery. But will the chevalier’s patron, the powerful duc de Chartres, confound her efforts and put her—and the captain’s—lives in danger?
About the Author:
Susanne Dunlap is the author of nine works of historical fiction. A graduate of Smith College with a PhD in Music History from Yale University, Susanne grew up in Buffalo, New York and has lived in London, Brooklyn and Northampton, MA. She now lives in Northampton with her long-time partner, Charles, has two grown daughters, three granddaughters, a grandson, a stepson and a stepdaughter, five step-grandsons and one step-granddaughter—that’s a total of four children and eleven grandchildren!
In her spare time she cycles in the beautiful Pioneer Valley.
The Paris Affair Review:
This was a wonderful mystery that takes place during the Marie Antoinette era and I loved it.
Theresa is the highlight of the story and I loved all the adventures she went through to solve the mystery. Also, I loved how the author keeps you guessing about the supporting cast. She throws shade on almost all the characters Theresa meets, including the Captain, Sophie and the Chevalier. All the supporting characters have hidden agendas and secrets that shocks Theresa. Moreover, I was fascinated that Joseph was based off a real person. On a side note, I loved their passion for the violin.
The author also moves the story in an unpredictable manner. I honestly did not know where Theresa was going to land up next, and this made the story so much fun! She lands up in a brothel, becomes a seamstress, book-keeper, lands in prison, and finds herself amidst a murder investigation. Some of the scenes are gripping like when Theresa hides in the tunnels to find clues and hears voices.
Additionally, the author also adds a touch of humor in her style of writing. Although this is a historical mystery, I never felt like the book got too dark and deep. It still felt light and fun while gripping at the same time.
However, the only reason I did not give the story 5 stars is because I felt there were too many characters in the canvas. It didn’t help that a quite a few of their names were long with French titles, that digressed my flow of reading. Apart from that, this was a delightful book. After reading this book, I want to pick the previous 2 books in the series and read the other mysteries that Theresa was involved in.
Giveaway:
During the Blog Tour, one lucky reader will win signed copies of all 3 books in the Theresa Schurmann Mystery series! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on October 17th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Book Tour Schedule
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the The Paris Affair by Susanne Dunlap Blog Tour hosted by HFV book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
