Libby's mum is heading to Ecuador for work and, for the first time, she is going alone so Libby is being sent to Paris to stay with her Aunt Agatha at the school she runs. Travelling by train, Libby knows that her Aunt will be meeting her at the Gare du Nord, however, when she arrives, she is nowhere to be seen; fortunately, the lady in the carriage with her turns out to be Miss Browne who is due to start at the school as a teacher. The pair share a taxi and life at the boarding school begins. Daily life comprises trips to the major landmarks as well as projects and art activities. However, following one of these excursions, her aunt is arrested on suspicion of stealing a valuable jewelled brooch and it's up to Libby and her new roommate, Connie, to discover the truth of the theft before it's too late.
Set in Paris, Libby and the Parisian Puzzle did not disappoint when it came to leading me around one of my favourite cities! From a trip on a baton mouche to a day at Le Louvre, I felt as if I was wandering around the city with Libby and Connie. And oh, the food! Jo certainly knows how to make your mouth water! With frequent descriptions of hot chocolate, pastries and macarons, I can guarantee you will be craving a sugar fix at several points during the book (you may want to stock up before you start reading!). I love Paris and have been trying to head back for some time but, after reading this, I feel like I've had a fix to keep me going until I can head back in person.
Libby is wonderful character and you get to know her from the very first page. Naturally curious and delightfully chatty, she loves a mystery and is hooked on her Isobel Investigates books. She's nervous about being separated from her mum but loves the idea of being in Paris with her aunt (who wouldn't be excited about being at a boarding school in Paris where you spend your days exploring the city?!) and settles into the school quickly. This is undoubtedly helped by the arrival of her roommate, Connie, who appears nervous when we first meet her and has clearly been sent to the school in order to become more ladylike. Fortunately, Connie has other ideas and she and Libby become firm friends who are united in their quest to get to the bottom of the jewellery theft.
I should also mention the school: Mousedale's Travelling School. Imagine being part of a school where you move to a different place every term? Their time in Paris is spent visiting the major landmarks and experiencing life in the most beautiful city - every day would be an adventure. Different for Libby as she has never been to school but also nowhere near the same as school-life as we know it, I can only imagine how many readers will long to enrol at Mousedale’s as they read the book, and I'm already excited to know where they will be next term!
I have known Jo through Twitter for some time so when I discovered that she was writing a book, I was incredibly excited. To have been able to read an early NetGalley copy has been a privilege and an absolute thrill, and Libby and the Parisian Puzzle most definitely did not disappoint! It's a perfect blend of mystery and adventure, combined with a great feast of French delicacies and lashings of hot chocolate! Perfect for fans of Murder Most Unladylike, this is a series that is going to be a huge hit with readers and I can't wait to share it in school. I'm also now desperate to dive into book 2!
Released on the 3rd March, this is a book you are going to want to pre-order!
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