Murder at the Paris Fashion House

An Abigail Dixon Mystery, Book 1

By: Nancy Warren

Narrated by: Katie Beudert

A Chicago news reporter chasing her big break in jazz-age Paris, an exclusive with a renowned couture designer, and a stepmother lying dead among the silk and sequins...

Paris 1925: When news reporter Abigail Dixon trades the Chicago newsroom for the Paris fashion scene, she finds herself dazzled by the latest looks from Coco Chanel, sipping champagne at the Ritz, and interviewing a famous designer. Stepping into his luxurious atelier on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Abigail is ready to swoon over the exquisite gowns. The last thing she expects to find is her estranged stepmother lying dead on the fitting room floor–and Abigail framed as the prime suspect.

With only her high school French to defend herself to the debonair Inspector Henri Deschamps, Abigail must use her investigative skills to unravel a tangled web of family secrets and find the real murderer if she is to clear her name.

Aided by new friends including young news reporter Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel and dashing Lord Frederick, Abigail explores the elegant city of lights–from the magnificent Notre-Dame to the alabaster halls of Versailles–in search of the clues that will solve this deadly mystery.

But over coffee and croissants one morning she reads a letter warning her that she is in grave danger and must leave Paris immediately.

As Abigail swaps her très dowdy two-piece for a très chic silk chemise and a sharp bob to match, can she keep her wits about her, find the cunning couture killer, and prove her innocence so she can stay in the city that’s captured her heart?

Lose yourself in this captivating and witty cozy historical mystery set in 1920s Paris. Fans of Agatha Christie, T E Kinsey and Lee Strauss will be utterly charmed by Murder at the Paris Fashion House.

This book was previously published as Death of a Flapper.

©2024 Nancy Warren (P)2024 Storm Publishing

Delightful New Historical Cozy Mystery

I have enjoyed a number of cozy paranormal series by Nancy Warren, but her foray into historical cozy mysteries is a delightful surprise. Set in 1920s Paris, American Abigail (Abby) Dixon arrives from Chicago with an admiration for Nellie Bly and high hopes of covering hard hitting news only to find that she is relegated to covering women's fashion in the fashion capital. Of course, it doesn't take long for murder to enter the picture, but the resulting adventure is both entertaining and intriguing. The plot and sub-plots are complex enough to keep readers guessing, and I did not identify the murderer until the reveal. Abby is a very likeable protagonist, intelligent and enthusiastic, but not given to the dreaded TSTL moments. In fact, all of the characters are well developed and intelligent, as is the dialog, and it is fun having key characters from America, France, and Britain. While Ms. Warren does an excellent job of providing a relevant glimpse of Paris fashion, she avoids the tedious descriptions that sometimes go with the territory. As an avid reader of historical mysteries of the period a la Anna Lee Huber, Marty Wingate, Verity Bright, and more, I heartily approve of this new historical cozy and cannot wait for the next book.

Katie Beudert does an excellent job narrating these characters.

Very enjoyable

I’m going to have to listen again. I couldn’t put the book down. Well built characters. Looking forward to the next release….

Hard to get to the end

Narrator made the Inspector appear to be slow witted; the heroine did stupid things. The ending was far-fetched. Old idea of ugly duckling turning into a swan used in plot. Not sure why others liked the story. Maybe if I read it rather than listening, I might like the story.