"Macarons Can Be Murder" By Rose Betancourt: Review/Giveaway

 by Kathleen Costa

 Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

It wasn’t a joke when her mother christened her Marci Beaucoup. She thought it a clever twist to the French saying “merci beaucoup,” or thank you very much. The name also was appropriate since Marci lives in Paris (Paris, Kentucky, that is) where she opened a bakery, La Belle Patisserie, whipping up all manner of French pastries. Further evidence of her passion for all things French is the naming of her white poodle Fifi and her black cat is Pepé Le Pew, but interestingly enough, her command of the language doesn’t go much beyond a few common phrases.

The bakery is a popular spot with some coming in to pick up a pink box full of treats while others stake out a table lingering to enjoy conversation and maybe some gossip. Marci’s Aunt Barb helps in the kitchen having honed her skills in the mess hall at Fort Knox, but she is more about traditional southern cuisine rather than French pastries which can be problematic. There’s a rumor going around that people who enjoy Marci’s pastries have found themselves lucky in love, but it’s, of course, just a rumor. Marci’s been waiting patiently for Mr. Right to walk through the door, but he has yet to … wait a minute. “Bonjour, I am Antoine Dubois.”

---

➡ switch to KingsRiverLife.com for more articles ⬅

---

Image Source Crooked Lane

Macarons Can Be Murder is Entertaining, albeit Delicious, Fun!

Antoine Dubois is handsome, debonair, and French — all the things that leave Marci somewhat tongue tied. He is also new in town and pleased to see a tasty piece of home nearby, but Marci’s interest in the man is disrupted when a woman barges into the shop, hands on her hips, confronting Antoine, and staring daggers at Marci. Kellie Lowry is the “not ready to be an ex” girlfriend. Antoine is unhappy, makes his polite goodbyes, and leaves with Kellie, but the argument, however, continued outside on the sidewalk. Marci witnesses Kellie’s animated rebuke, but is unable to hear the conversation. Soon, Antoine walks one way, Kellie the opposite. The incident quickly becomes fodder for the town’s gossipers, but more unfortunate, it’s also preliminary evidence implicating Antoine in Kellie’s death.

Rose Betancourt’s new series, Paris Kentucky Bakery Mystery, grabbed my attention quickly since Marci and I have one thing in common; we both love anything French! Betancourt didn’t fall into that “first book in a series” trap by spending too much time introducing characters and background details, instead she had the crime occur early (my favorite), and while interspersing those details and connections, focused on the investigation, the budding amateur detective’s faux pas (unfortunately, there are many), a realistic relationship with local law enforcement, an endearing dynamic with friends and family, romantic entanglements, and baking with Aunt Barb.

Of course, the initial thought is it’s a crime of passion, an ex killing off the ex, but first impressions are often deceiving. The phone call from Marci’s landlord about selling the property in which she has her bakery adds to the drama, especially since the prospective buyer, Monsieur Dubois, could be a murderer. Our amateur snoop, who shows her inexperience by having a stereotypical perspective, contaminating a crime scene, saying too much to the wrong people, generally shows a greater naïveté than other Betancourt female leads, but fortunately she evolves, dare I say slowly, to uncover a sinister scheme, wiggle out of trouble, and assist in an arrest … that was enjoyable.

I loved the southernisms and idioms sprinkled throughout the story to illustrate an emotion, a personality, a characteristic; lately I have experience with it being “hotter than the devil’s underwear.” And recipes! You can’t have a cozy set in a French patisserie, even if it is in the south, and not have French pastries, and Rose didn’t disappoint with four favorites: Financiers, a sweet almond cake, Palmiers, a flakier croissant, Apple Cranberry Galette, a French version of apple pie, and Crepes! But, where’s the macarons?

Be a Big Fan of Rose Betancourt!

USA Today best-selling author Rose Betancourt (aka Rose Pressey) has penned several series popular with fans of cozy mysteries, several including a bit of the magic, haunts, and strong capable women. A few favorites include Halloween Laveau, Haunted Tour Guide Mystery, A Haunted Vintage Mystery, A Haunted Craft Fair Mysteries, Trash to Treasure Mystery, and Haunted Renovation Mystery. Follow her on Facebook: Author Rose Pressey Betancourt.

Enter to win a copy of Macarons Can Be Murder by Rose Betancourt by making a comment below about a potpourri of topics: (1) an experience with something French, (2) your favorite French treat, or (3) are you a homemade or nothing else or do you splurge at the bakery?, or simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "macarons,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 29. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode goes up next week.

You can use this link to purchase the book or click here. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:

Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.