L'Enigme de la boule à neige: Un roman de Noël inspiré de la vraie « Affaire Chagall »

by Ana T. Drew

This holiday season in Paris, love and danger are hiding in plain sight!

Mathematician Zack Rigaud must team up with psychic Cat Cavallo to win the city’s ultimate scavenger hunt.

Assisted by Cat’s esoteric friends and Zack’s meddlesome neighbors, they race to solve cryptic clues set by a mysterious philanthropist. Between dodging high-speed chases, outsmarting rivals, and bungling home invasions, the holiday magic sneaks up on them — and so do feelings they never saw coming.

But their adventure takes a dark turn when the pair uncovers a shocking deception. Suddenly, Cat and Zack are swept into the biggest heist Paris has ever seen!

With a conspiracy closing in and sparks flying between them, can they survive the wildest Christmas of their lives?

Genres: Christmas, Cozy Mystery

256 pages

Published November 6, 2024

About the author

Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem Book Awards First Place winner, Ana T. Drew is the evil mastermind behind the recent series of murders in the fictional French town of Beldoc.

When she is not writing cozy mysteries or doing mom-and-wife things, she can be found watching “The Rookie” to help her get over “Castle”. She lives in Paris but her heart is in Provence.

>>> Sign up for her monthly newsletter to be notified when her next mystery comes out and get a free novella and a cookbook!

Reviews

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy mystery involves a scavenger hunt throughout France for an elusive painting. It is full of twists and turns, and it is historical fiction with some light romance and a touch of paranormal. It is the perfect cozy to read with a cup of tea. The author notes what is true within the historical fiction aspects of the storyline at the end of the book.

[Gillian Griffis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulously entertaining

Loved the story coming from both main characters. We got to know Cat more which was great, hope to see them in Beldoc.

[whoscarolane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5⭐️

Je ne vais pas assumer d’avoir passer plusieurs nuits sur ce livre… je n’ai plus que 6h de sommeil 😔

*je mettrais mon avis bientôt*

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Snow Globe Affair is a Christmas Cozy Mystery by Ana T Drew. I found this Christmas story to be so entertaining and different. While this story is loosely based on a real Paris killer. Cather (Cat) and Zack are great characters. Both are wounded and while they are partners in finding a Chagall painting maybe some Christmas magic will lead to a romance. I found this thriller to be excellent. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ana T. Drew’s The Snow Globe Affair is a CHRISTMAS COZY MYSTERY filled with lots of mystery from beginning to end that kept me wanting to know more with each page.

The Snow Globe Affair is a warm and cozy story set during Christmas time. Cat and Zack join a savager hunt for a painting. They are tasked with looking for clues in the library and across Paris.

The Snow Globe Affair painted a lovely and warm picture in my head and heart. The descriptions were so well done that I had no trouble seeing what I was reading play out like a movie in my head. I could see what the characters were wearing and see them running on the streets of Paris looking for clues.

I could see the look in Cat’s eyes and face as her feelings for Zack started to develop. The action ramps up page after page as they are being chased through Paris. I can’t wait to read more from the Julie Cavallo Investigates stories.

I recommend The Snow Globe Affair to all fans of warm, cozy, Christmas stories. Grab a copy of The Snow Globe Affair today and join the fun!

[Melanie Stewart]

Wow, someone was clearly playing the long game in this book which was a little unexpected. First, I found the whole opening introduction of Zach's character fascinating, it spoke to my geek side. He and Cat's meet cute, while a bit orchestrated, was cute and I do like how Zach says Cat was the best part of the scavenger hunt. As the story unfolds, we learn more about a painted I know nothing about. We also explore a city steeped in a rich history of art as Cat and Zach race from place to place. The Christmas touches from the Christmas shopping village to the Christmas party were lovely. The snow globe for which the story was name was a small hint at something supernatural. It was cute that the title tied to something tangible in the relationship for Cat and Zach.

I had a few problems with the story too. I didn't love the whole wishy washy time when Zach and Cat ran off alone, it felt a touch childish. I also did not get a psychic vibe or a geek vibe. Zach and Cat complimented each other sure but they were both intelligent and intuitive. With the exception of some of the methods the other psychic mentioned, Cat seemed more grounded which could be good or bad.

Overall, this book would be about 3.5 stars. I enjoyed parts of it but felt the middle was a skosh dry. The ending brought the book to a nice natural conclusion after a bit of real life fleeing for safety. Let me stay with the conclusion for another minute, we got some resolution but felt a big piece of the story was never fully polished off leading us to draw our own conclusions.
Stars: 3.5
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Frieda Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Snow Globe Affair

This book started off kinda slow for me, but it soon picked up. I enjoyed seeing Paris through the eyes of Cat & Zack! I never saw it when I lived abroad, so this was my chance! It was fun watching two such opposites grow closer while dealing with the stresses caused by the hunt!! Then backing off! Are they or aren't they? Will they or won't they? Good thing it's Winter or I'd have ruined every daisy in the yard!! Plus there's the Scavenger Hunt! Whoever will win?? Where IS that darned painting?? Is it here? Or there? Or someplace altogether different? After the New Year begins & I've completed my Christmas reading for the year, I'll be anxious for Book 2! I can easily recommend this book for any fan of cozy romance/mystery/paranormal books!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the premise of a scavenger hunt! Glazed over, however, during most of the math rhetoric. The third party narration lends itself to the feeling that Wiet is actually right behind Zach and Cat as they search for the painting. The characters are solid if slightly immature and flawed when it comes to relationships. Not a fan of romance in a mystery but at least the intimate scenes are discreet. Nearly a chapter on the psychology of relationships was a bit much. Overall though it's a good mystery and if romance/mystery is your primary genre ~then recommend this mystery as a nice evening read.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. The storyline was riveting, combining a scavenger hunt, some psychic activities, lots of logic, a bit of romance and lots of historical events. The author's notes at the end let us know that although this is fiction, there are aspects linked to real events.

I flew through this. It was easy to read and the whole premise of the scavenger hunt and the historical side ensured I was guaranteed to enjoy it especially as I really enjoy both. I really enjoy this author's books and I can yet again highly recommend this light and entertaining read.

[Patricia Baxes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a terrific read! Oh my gosh…this book literally blew me away. Not only is the storyline exceptional; the characters are truly amazing; the plot twists and turns really keep you flipping those pages as quickly as possible; and to top it all off—the HEA is crazy good. It’s so amazing that this book has so much truth in it being based in fact. I loved it, snd hope you will as well. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and was absolutely thrilled with it.) Be sure to grab a copy today! ❤️❤️

[Mrs LIR Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say that this is more a YA book - Young Adult. Mostly because the plot is quite simplistic.

However I greatly enjoyed the story of the psychic Cat and mathematician Zack zipping across France in an odd cryptic clue hunt for a Dali picture.

Totally far fetched but totally entertaining and nice descriptions of Paris and France. So well worth a few hours of escapism.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kyra Bowling · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is a quick, light hearted, puzzle solving read with a tiny tiny sprinkle of christmas on top. the book does allude to another series written by the author. you don’t have to read the series necessarily, in order to understand this standalone book, but if you want to get a bit more backstory to the mfc & understand some other tidbits mentioned throughout the book then go for it. you honestly can read this on it’s own

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different kind of cozy mystery

My only visit to France was last month to the Normandy beaches. My knowledge of Paris is limited to film and WW2 history books and novels. I was unfamiliar of the locations mentioned in the storyline. The romantic relationship somewhat distracted me from the mystery. I enjoyed the puzzles and clues found in the storyline. Being a medical scientist I am always looking for "clues" in my profession.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely Christmas time story. This story has a lot of interesting characters. Friends and new acquaintances. A psychic and a mathematician together on a quest for a 100 thousand euro prize. This is a well done story. It is highly entertaining.
I received a complimentary copy of this story and I freely left this review.

[Mickey Kay Troxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Characters are wonderful and it is an easy read! I really enjoy this author with her witty and engaging approach to storytelling. Looking forward to her next!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[G · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved that it was set in Paris. The Chagall mystery was interesting.
Unfortunately I took a strong dislike to the characters from the beginning so I was not able to enjoy the book.
(I read it in French)

[Lynn Bonn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book


I wasn't a fan of the author's writing style, and thought the end was a bit lackluster, but wasn't such a choir hat I couldn't finish it.

[sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clever premise.. Terrible ending

Different plot line, but the ending of Book I was a disappointing. Just a set up to buy Book II. Won't waste any more time on this authors

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow- what a fast paced, immersive and suspenseful Christmas mystery with likeable characters (except Edgar and Damien Wiet), a wonderful seasonal theme and scavenger adventure as well as a cute comraderie turned romance between two characters especially towards the crux of the story.
The aspect of second chances for family really added to the story along with the de grinching of Zach Rebauld.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more works by this author in the future.

[glitrbug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. My Christmas preparation is to read Christmas Rom Coms all December, and this was the book of the year. Could haver maybe used a little trimming but a very satisfying read.

[C__a__r__o.l__i__n__e · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autrice de la saga « Les enquêtes de Julie » (que je n’ai pas encore lue), Ana T.Drew nous invite à suivre Cat, la sœur jumelle de Julie, en plein cœur de Paris, pour une chasse aux trésors autour de l’affaire Chagall.

🎄Le résumé :
Un jeu de piste géant intitulé « À la recherche du Père Noël » est organisé par un mystérieux mécène pour retrouver une peinture du célèbre Marc Chagall.
Cat Cavallo, voyante à l’écoute de ses intuitions, et Zack Rigaud, chef de start-up féru de maths, vont devoir faire équipe.
Commence alors une folle aventure avec pour décor les rues en fête et les monuments emblématiques de la Ville lumière. Au menu : codes chiffrés, courses-poursuites et tentatives d’intrusion ratées - sans parler des amies peu banales de Cat et des voisins envahissants de Zack.
L’affaire se corse lorsque le duo se rend compte que le jeu n’est qu’un trompe-l’œil qui dissimule le casse du siècle...

🎄Mon avis :
Des chapitres courts, un bon rythme et une recherche poussée autour de la disparition des œuvres de Marc Chagall font de ce roman une lecture vraiment très agréable et instructive.
Le début m’a fait penser au « Da Vinci Code », avec les codes secrets et les indices cachés dans les monuments.
Je n’aurais pas été contre un peu plus de maths et de médiumnité histoire de renforcer le mystère.
Vous l’aurez compris, je recommande vraiment ce roman, qui m’a permis de me décrocher un peu des romances de Noël.

[Elisa Loubieres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voilà un super cosy mystery doublé d'une belle romance.
J'ai adoré me faire transporter à travers les rues et les monuments de Paris et de Chartres pour résoudre cette chasse au trésor.
Ce livre a été par la même occasion, une manière de découvrir le peintre Marc Chagall.
Malheureusement, la fin m'a un peu dessus, elle me laisse comme une impression d'inachevé.
C'était le premier livre de Ana T. Drew que j'ai pu lire et j'ai beaucoup aimé le style.
J'ai beaucoup aimé la combinaison du duo. Tout semble les opposer, Cat la médium, Zack lui est mathématicien, mais ils se ressemblent plus que ce qu'il n'y paraît.
Pour couronner le tout, le livre nous accueille avec une magnifique couverture.

[Sorbet-Kiwi · Rating 4 out of 5]

On m’avait prévenu que L’énigme de la boule à neige n’est pas un cosy crime tel qu’on l’attend. Il se rapproche d’avantage de la romance. D’ailleurs, pas d’assassinat à proprement parler dans cette histoire, c’est plutôt une chasse au trésor artistique dans les rues de Paris à Noël, ce que j’ai beaucoup aimé, sur les traces de Chagall ! Et ça, c’est quelque chose que j’aime bien.
Chronique complète dispo ici : https://sorbetkiwi.fr/index.php/l-eni...

[Héléna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un très bon livre que je recommande. Il y a une aventure qui nous rend accro à chacune des pages. Les deux personnages sont attachants et la fin est inattendue. Je le conseille vivement