Dru’s Short Musing:
A dead body or two propelled Claire to look for answers, especially when her father was questioned, and she knew beyond reasonable doubt that he had nothing to do with any murder(s).
I was immediately immersed in this cleverly written drama that I could not put down until all was said and done. The author did a great job in presenting a solidly crafty multi-plot storyline where the mystery was skillfully accomplished with the right amount of intrigue, tension, suspense, and apprehension. The bar was set high when the cast of characters were introduced from Claire to her BFF to her detective roommate to her father to the murder victim to the potential suspects, and to others who had a pivotal role in the events leading up to identity of the killer. Deceit, betrayal, mischief and mayhem were key in telling this story as were several red herrings that took the story up a notch and enhanced my reading pleasure. The visually descriptive narrative and engaging dialogue made me feel like I was in the middle of the non-stop action packed with the eagerness to figure out who was doing what to whom and why. It was enjoyable to watch this all play out as one by one the only person left standing was the killer. Overall, this was an excellent read and I look forward to more exciting adventures with Claire and her friends.
Series Name: A “Suddenly French” Mystery, Book 2
Genre: Traditional Mystery
Release: November 11, 2025
Format: Digital, Print
Purchase Link
Book Synopsis:
Things are getting even stranger in Caper Cove…
When Claire Fontaine and her best friend, Suggie Oh, stumble upon the body of a competitive surfer, their quiet coastal town is once again plunged into chaos. To make matters worse, a famous cosplayer washes ashore, leaving behind more questions than answers. What begins as Claire’s quest to clear her father’s name quickly spirals into a deadly game involving fierce surfing rivalries, identity-altering cosplay, and long-buried secrets.
As Claire and Suggie delve deeper into the worlds of extreme sports and cosplay, Claire must also confront her ongoing struggles with French Foreign Accent Syndrome. Between clashes with her roommate, Detective Ben Torres, navigating the politics of the surfer elite, and uncovering the killers, Claire starts to question whether her legal skills or culinary passion are what truly define her. With whispers around town growing that she’s “faking” her accent for attention—just like cosplayers craft false personas—Claire finds herself doubting where performance ends and authentic identity begins. Behind the scenes of both worlds, Claire discovers a cutthroat battle for lucrative sponsorship deals that turns competitors into enemies, where athletes and cosplayers alike will go to extreme lengths to secure their financial futures in industries where fame is fleeting.
Can Claire untangle the threads of jealousy, greed, and betrayal before another life is lost? Or will her search for the truth put her in the killer’s sight once again?
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the author.