The Parisian Chapter
by Janet Skeslien Charles
The Parisian Chapter is the new novel by Janet Skeslien Charles which includes characters from her previous novel, The Paris Library, but even having not read that I was still able to jump right in (though if you enjoy it as much as I did you will likely want to read that one as well). In 1995, Lily and her roommate and childhood bff Mary Louise have been living in Paris for five years, but when Mary Louise decides to move out she needs to find a job to pay her half of the rent; she finds that at the American Library in Paris along with a quirky found family and a discovery about Odile, who worked there during WWII and was Lily’s inspiration for her coming to France. Although Lily is the core of the story, there are varying points of view from the novel’s endearing cast of characters.
In the Spirit of French Murder
by Colleen Cambridge
Tabitha Knight is back for her fourth in the An American in Paris Mystery Series in the new novel, In the Spirit of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge. Although it is not essential to read the previous books this one follows only a few weeks after the third book in the series so I would recommend reading that one before hand. Tabitha is helping her Grandfather and his companion throw a special dinner party at the new restaurant that they are opening, but a warning from a Fortune Teller sets in motion danger for her grandfather and his friends. Cambridge has created a wonderful cast of characters beyond Tabitha that cozy readers will also adore including of course her best friend Julia Child based on the real life cook and TV personality, who lived in post-war Paris. Child is featured less in this novel than some of the previous ones in the series, but is always a fun addition. Those who like a little romance with their mysteries will enjoy the love triangle between Tabitha and a detective who she has chemistry with, but who resents her meddling and a French veterinarian she has recently started dating. The Hoboken Library’s Mystery Book Discussion read the first in the series last year and felt that teen mystery fans as well as adults might enjoy the story. If you would like to join the group, or one of the other book discussion groups at our library, you can check out our calendar of events for upcoming dates.
Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager
Hoboken Library Staff Picks 