"The Corpse with the Amber Neck" By Cathy Ace: Review/Giveaway

Review by Cynthia Chow

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

After a month of teaching classes at the Sorbonne University, Canadian criminal psychologist Cait Morgan and her husband Bud Anderson are able to enjoy touring the beautiful sites of Paris, France. While taking a ride on a bus through Paris traffic the always observant Cait has the shocking experience of seeing a person being strangled in a building window. With her keen observational skills and a memory that doesn’t allow her to forget anything, it’s impossible that Cait imagined a neck adored with a gold and amber necklace being choked out by gloved hands

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So although the couple are able to return to the site and are shown by the doorman that no victim remains, Cait’s professional credentials and Bud’s police officer experience lends them enough believability to gain the support of the Parisian police. It helps that they had a previous successful investigation in Nice with new detective Pierre Berttand, who enlists his Captain Francine de Gaulle into starting an investigation. What they learn is that the famous Madame Églantine George had been reported missing from the building where Cait witnessed the attack, the fashion house Maison Églantine. Using her experience as a forensic psychologist as well as her eidetic memory, Cait and Bud help the authorities navigate the very colorful personalities in Madame’s employ and family. Twin former models, Madame’s muse and her agitated daughter, and an assortment of very Parisian fashionistas color the investigation as Bud and Cait enjoy delicious pastries and navigate the fashion world.

In this 15th of the series readers will enjoy the enviable marriage between Cait and Bud, who continue to call one another “wife” and “husband” without it being too saccharine or corny. Considering the enviable setting that is Paris, it shouldn’t be surprising either that in the “City of Love” sparks fly in the tentative relationship between the Parisian police. Now that the series has settled into taking the Canadian couple throughout the world the investigations are made even fresher as the history and culture of these unique cities are explored. The dialogue between characters excels as well, feeling natural as they banter between one another and the locals as the investigation expands through the community. The mystery is compelling as well, becoming a drama of family intrigue, hidden secrets, and ruthless fashion house competitions. Interwoven throughout is Cait’s experience profiling victims, which never blames them but does reveal what may have led to their demise. This is another delightful mystery featuring a wonderful investigative couple in the most glorious setting imaginable. 

To enter to win a copy of The Corpse with the Amber Neck (ebook or print, winner's choice), simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "amber,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 22, 2025. 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 click here to purchase this book.

 

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

 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.