Title: The Paris Affair
Author: Pip Drysdale
First published February 3, 2021
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.75
Overview
Meet Harper Brown, an arts journalist with a dark secret. She’s convinced that love is a dangerous game, and she might just be proven right.
Harper’s dream job is to be a hard-hitting news reporter, but for now, she’s stuck in Paris covering the art scene. She loves nothing more than true crime podcasts and exploring art galleries, but hates fake people and toxic positivity.
Her ex-boyfriend is the epitome of narcissism, and her colleagues aren’t any better. But Harper has a special set of skills that come in handy when she finds herself in trouble.
She can break out of car boots, pick locks, and escape relationships faster than you can say “Au revoir”. Now, Harper’s on the hunt for a murderer, and the story of a lifetime.
But with danger lurking around every corner, will she be able to find the killer before they find her? The Paris Affair is a thrilling mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
About the Author
Pip Drysdale is a multi-talented artist who has made a name for herself as a bestselling author, musician, and actor. Having grown up in Africa, Canada, and Australia, she has gained a unique perspective on life that is reflected in her work.
Currently, Pip resides in London, where she sustains herself on a steady diet of coffee, dreams, and literature.
Pip’s first novel, The Sunday Girl, quickly became a bestseller and has been published in several countries, including the United States, Australia, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Her second novel, The Strangers We Know, was also a bestseller and even made it onto the shortlist for The Ned Kelly Award.
It is now being developed for television. Another one of her books, The Paris Affair, also achieved bestseller status.
Pip’s fourth book, The Next Girl, is set to be released in Australia and New Zealand in December 2022, with Canada following in the spring of 2023. If you’re interested in learning more about Pip and her work, you can visit her website at PipDrysdale.com or connect with her on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where she can be found under the username @PipDrysdale.
Editoral Review
The Paris Affair by Pip Drysdale is an intriguing mystery novel that captivates readers with its thrilling plot, richly developed characters, and vivid imagery. As an author renowned for her crime and suspenseful novels, Drysdale delivers another hit that keeps readers on the edge of their seats till the very end.
Set in Paris, the story follows photographer Harper Brown as she delves into the city’s underbelly to solve a mysterious murder while dealing with the complexities of her own personal life. Drysdale masterfully creates the perfect setting for this story with vivid descriptions of Parisian landmarks and lifestyle.
The novel presents well-developed characters with distinct personalities, making them relatable and engaging. The main character, Harper, is a multifaceted woman who balances her professional and personal life while navigating her own love triangle.
The supporting cast includes love interests, business associates, and potential suspects in the murder case, each of which adds to the plots richness. One of the most significant strengths of the novel is the author’s masterful storytelling.
Drysdale expertly weaves together plotlines, creating a tantalizing mystery filled with plot twists and turns. The authors prose is clear and concise, with well-placed descriptions that transport readers into the story world.
The pacing is excellent, with just enough suspense to keep the reader engaged without feeling overwhelmed. The themes of trust, betrayal, and loyalty are recurrent throughout the novel, adding depth and a moral lesson to the story.
Drysdale also presents the characters’ flaws as an essential aspect of the plot, allowing readers to relate to the characters and engage with their struggles. The novel’s sharp social commentary adds an extra layer of significance to readers interested in analyzing the current time’s societal dynamics.
While the Paris Affair is a remarkable book, it does come with a few limitations. The plot is at times overly predictable, and some readers may find particular character arcs to be underdeveloped.
Despite these shortcomings, it’s easy to recommend The Paris Affair to enthusiasts of the mystery and suspense genre. The story has all the hallmarks of a great mystery novel, with likable characters set in a beautifully crafted setting.
Pip Drysdale delivers a well-crafted and engaging novel that is well worth the read. Overall, The Paris Affair deserves a rating of four out of five stars for its engrossing storytelling, well-drawn characters, and impressive research.
Anyone on the lookout for a satisfying mystery that will take them on an adventure through the streets of Paris should pick it up.