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Title: Death by Baguette (Travel can be Murder #2)
Author: Jennifer S. Alderson
Published on: 7 February 2020
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Paris, the city of lights … and murder?
Lana Hansen leads five couples on a romantic Valentine-themed getaway to Paris. Three of the couples share a connection, while the other two include a middle-aged pair from Florida and Lana’s friends, Jane and Willow.
Having moved on from her messy divorce, Lana reluctantly joins an online dating site, Seattle Singles, under the coaxing of her friends. She connects with Chad, a sweet and charming potential boyfriend. Despite going on three successful dates, Lana conceals her true profession, claiming to work at a travel agency instead of admitting she’s a tour guide for Dotty Thompson’s Wanderlust Tours.
As Lana, along with Randy, a trainee guide, Jane, and Willow, begins their journey to Paris, they are in for a surprise—Chad is among the Wanderlust Tours guests. The group enjoys a Valentine’s Day picnic under the Eiffel Tower, but the celebration takes a dark turn when Chad unexpectedly drops dead.
The French detective believes Chad was poisoned, implicating everyone in the group, including Lana, as potential suspects. Lana is now faced with the daunting task of uncovering the real killer to prove her innocence. Oh, fishcake! The romantic Parisian backdrop takes an unexpected twist as Lana dives into the intricacies of the murder investigation.
Death by Baguette, the second installment in Jennifer Alderson’s Travel Can Be Murder series, not only met but surpassed my already high expectations set by the first book, Death on the Danube. Jennifer’s storytelling prowess shines as she weaves an exceptional narrative set against the romantic backdrop of Paris during Valentine’s week.
The vivid depiction of the city of lights, the five couples on the tour bickering, and Lana’s struggles to control the group sets the stage for a captivating story. Chad, the cheater, adds an extra layer of tension, especially when the tour visits the botanical gardens, delving into discussions on poisonous plants. His confrontations with various group members create a myriad of suspects, keeping readers guessing.
The second half of the story takes a thrilling turn as Lana digs for clues amid twists, turns, and surprises. The suspense is masterfully crafted, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. Lana’s long list of suspects and the unexpected ending contribute to a nail-biting adventure. The revelation that the one who ‘poisoned’ the food was not a stranger adds an intriguing twist to the tale.
The character development is superb, with Lana navigating through a web of relationships, alliances, and confrontations. The portrayal of Paris and its landmarks is so vivid that it feels like a virtual tour. The mouth-watering descriptions of pastries and baked dishes enhance the sensory experience. A delightful aside about the group attending a baking class even inspired a successful attempt at making a Baguette at home.
The pacing is impeccable, ensuring a well-paced and engaging read. Jennifer Alderson delivers a brilliant, mind-blowing ending that catches readers by surprise. The narrative is a wham, bam adventure that keeps the suspense until the very end. I wholeheartedly recommend Death by Baguette and eagerly anticipate the next installment, Death by Windmill, set in the Netherlands.
Other books in this series:
The Book Decoder 
Dear Rekha, I absolutely love your review!! Thanks so much for your interest in the series – I can’t wait to share book 3 with you! And it’s wonderful to know you were inspired to bake. So glad it tasted delicious! I hope you have a fabulous week.
Thank you so much. 🧡 I can’t wait to read the next book, Jennifer.🙂