Why on earth did I buy this thing?

I guess because I loved the "Royal Spyness" series, and thought this would be just as good.

That would be wrong.

Okay, so in 1905 NYC policeman Daniel sends Irish wife Molly off to Paris for her safety -- some gang warfare in NY he's trying to protect her from - together with baby Liam, which stretches credulity, right there. A woman and baby traveling alone to Paris is safer than remaining somewhere in the States?

But Molly arrives -- after both Molly and Liam suffer serious bouts of food poisoning and/or sea sickness, and have to wait several days after leaving the ship before traveling on to Paris. But alas, when Molly finally does arrive, the artist friends she was planning on staying with are missing. Gone from their apartment with no indication of where they went. Or why.

So this gives Molly the opportunity to engage in the activity that makes up maybe 60% of the book: she stashes Liam with the baker's wife, who just happens to double as a wet-nurse, then spends her time running around the city, seeking out other artists, presumably to ask if they knew her friends, and if so, where might they be.

For the reader who loves French painting and/or painters, maybe this is a treat, getting to listen in, so to speak, on fictional conversations -- make that rants -- from these various artists. I found it supremely boring. I am no Frankophile, but the unrelieved depiction of these artists as wild men, ranting and raving, every one of them with nothing to say other than to run down the artistic talents of other artists, to be more than a little overtly hostile. Together with the nasty and scheming French landlady, one gets the impression -- right or wrong, I have no idea -- that France has to be anger capitol of the world. Author Bowen doesn't miss a beat in making France unappealing -- all of one's anti-French prejudices are catered to, missing only the description of the stink that must have emanated from the cumulative armpits of these starving artists as they waved their arms around, describing in repetitive detail why no one else other than they deserved to be called "artist."

In fact, in artist Mary Cassatt's walk-on appearance, Bowen allows her to sum it all up. Cassatt, invited to a social event, declines to attend, saying, "I find these young artists to be supremely tedious."

Got it in one, Sister. "Tedious". That's it. This whole book is tedious. I quit listening two hours from the end, with a firm resolution to stick to the rather excellent -- and funny -- exploits of Lady Georgie instead. 'Feh' on Molly Murphy and her friends -- never again.

7 people found this helpful

Poor recording quality

The story line was ok, but the quality of the recording of the last couple of books has been distracting. In this one, it seemed like someone else narrated the french words and they dubbed them in.

2 people found this helpful

Very predictable

This was not my favorite. I started out loving these books but now Molly just seems very predictable and her chance taking on her own seems very immature. I was hoping her character would mature and she would have Gus and Sid as her partners in crime and Daniel and Molly would be a crime solving team.

2 people found this helpful

A Delight!

Ms.Bowen's books are wonderful and Ms. Barber's performances deliver ever time! The great characterization and plot twists move the story forward perfectly as had been the case in every book in the series. This one had the added layer of the Parisian art world and I loved catching a glimpse into that while following Molly on yet another adventure! Brava!

2 people found this helpful

great story and great narrator--the saga continues

The saga continues successfully. I was afraid that the story would get dull once certain domestic milestones were reached but this one was going strong!! Loved it. Made me decide that I want to go back an listen to the whole series again.

2 people found this helpful

Paris now and then

Paris now and then . My favorite city. So wonderful listening to the story at the turn of the century . The everyday existence. The artists, writers, poets .
👏👏👏

1 person found this helpful

Very good

I especially enjoyed how Rhys included the familiar artists into the story. I also thought Nicola Barber did a wonderful job with the French accent and places!

1 person found this helpful

Paris without Daniel

It was refreshing not to have him constantly "forbidding " Molly to sleuth and solve crime

1 person found this helpful

Fabulous

Another great adventure for Molly in Paris!

I have enjoyed doing research on some of the people in history that are mentioned

On to the next!

Great Series!!

Delightful. stories. I have come to greatly appreciate the talent of Rhys Bowen writing. The narrator is fantastic!!