The Paris Portrait
A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #3
By Heidi Eljarbo
Fabiola Bennett and her good friends Pippa and Cary travel by car to her brother's home just outside Paris. There Fabiola's brother, Eivind shows her an old cookbook he recently bought at an auction. Fabiola, being who she is, is intrigued and stays up late into the night studying the book and makes a discovery. The cookbook is much more than a cookbook and it is a clue to a potential find of historical significance if it can be proven.
The Paris Portrait is a split-time story told in from two different perspectives. Fabiola's portion of the story is set in 1973. Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun's portion is set in 1789 and in the midst of the beginnings of the French Revolution.
Élisabeth is a court portraitist and as such she has become close to France's queen, Marie Antoinette. We are taken into the luxurious and extravagant life of the Versailles court. A court unconnected to the poor people who are growing frustrated with the excesses that are in stark contrast to their daily struggles. Élisabeth's talent finds her caught in the middle. She can see the truth of life outside of court and must walk a careful line in-between if she hopes to survive what she sees coming. Her life and that of her daughter depend on it.
This is the third book the Fabiola Bennett Mystery series, a book which can be read and enjoyed without first reading the previous books. I love how both portions are historical and that the "current day" mystery is played out in the distant past. I also love seeing the "mystery" being solved by Fabiola and her friends without the use of the technology we are so used to today - no cellphones, no computers, no GPS. No this is a day of maps, travel for research, and footwork. This is an excellent read and highly recommended as an escape from the familiar.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
About the Book
A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #3
By Heidi Eljarbo
Title: The Paris Portrait
Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #3
Author: Heidi Eljarbo
Publisher: Independently published
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Genre: Historical Mystery, Dual Timeline, Fiction
Fabiola stumbles upon a clue that indicates a royal portrait went missing almost two hundred years ago. Is this true, or is there substance to the rumor?
Paris, France, 1973.
After an enjoyable but dusty road trip, Fabiola and her friends, Pippa and Cary, arrive in a small village on the outskirts of Paris to spend a few days with Fabiola’s brother Eivind and his family.
On their first evening there, Eivind shows Fabiola an ancient recipe book he bought at an auction. The book is filled with old writing, and he asks Fabiola to decipher the pages. After the others have gone to bed, she spends hours reading and is gripped by the last pages that have nothing to do with recipes for baked goods and stews. Certain the author was a famous portrait artist at the time of the French Revolution, Fabiola and her friends set out on a treacherous investigation, dodging murderers and thieves to learn the truth.
Versailles, France, 1789.
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun— portraitist and close friend of the extravagant queen of France, Marie Antoinette—has already painted thirty portraits of the queen. Her contemporaries compare her to the old Dutch masters, calling her one of the greatest portrait painters of her time.
But outside on the streets, Paris is becoming more perilous with every day that passes. Madame Le Brun would be a fool to think the rumors of a revolution will pass, and aristocratic life will continue as before.
Amid the turmoil, she paints one final portrait of Marie Antoinette, knowing well her association with the queen could cause her to be arrested or executed. As chaos and riots in Paris turn to violence, Madame Le Brun flees with her young daughter, hoping her royal friend and the portrait will be safe.
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More Books in This Series
Heidi Eljarbo grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.
After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history.
Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.
Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.
Connect with Heidi by visiting heidieljarbo.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon giftcard + a paperback of one Fabiola Bennett Mystery of your choice!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 12, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 19, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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