Who is Bribing Dr. Franklin?
I’ve always loved the American Revolution period of history, so I was happy to find Mally Becker’s Revolutionary War Mysteries. The action for the third moves from the colonies to France, but it was still great to become immersed in the time period.
When The Paris Mistress opens, it’s been 10 months since Rebecca Parcell and Daniel Alloway have seen each other. Daniel has taken a job for a merchant that has sent him to France, and now his fiancée is coming to join him. The two plan to marry in France, although their future beyond that is uncertain.
While in Paris, Daniel has been staying at Passy with Benjamin Franklin, the American ambassador to France. Just after Rebecca arrives, Dr. Franklin receives a note offering him money and a peerage in England to get the colonies to surrender. Naturally, he has no intention of going along with it, but he sends Daniel and Rebecca to investigate. When a murder soon follows, Daniel and Rebecca have more incentive to figure out what is going on. Can they do it?
While I would normally prefer a book set in America during the period, I wanted to spend more time with Rebecca and Daniel, so I didn’t hesitate to pick up this book. I’m glad I did since it gave another perspective on this time period. The summer of 1781 is a few years before the French Revolution started, but I found it interesting to see how what was happening in America was leading into what happened there a few years later. I also found the politics of the period interesting to think about in relation to what is happening around the world today.
Of course, this is a mystery first and foremost, and I enjoyed that as well. It seems that everyone at Passy is hiding a secret of some kind, and that kept me engaged. I began to suspect what was happening before we got to the end, but I wasn’t sure. The climax was great, and everything made sense when it was wrapped up.
I really do like Rebecca and Daniel, so I enjoyed getting to see the next chapter in their relationship. Since we get the story from both of their points of view, we really can see the bonds between them. It also gives us insights into them, which I appreciate. Additionally, a couple of other characters journeyed with Rebecca (not naming them to avoid spoilers), and I enjoyed getting to know those characters better. They were a great support over the book.
Meanwhile, the new characters are strong as well. Benjamin Franklin fits with what I know of him. Some other real people pop up in the book, which I appreciated. The fictional characters were just as interesting.
If you are interested in this period of history, you owe it to yourself to pick up these books. The Paris Mistress will please those looking for the further adventures of the main characters.
Great review as always Mark !!
ReplyDeleteSo often we think of history as being individual events, but as you say what happened in one part of the world was influencing another. And we see that in our world too well
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge