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Theresa Schurman #3
The Paris Affair
Apparently, false rumors about Marie Antoinette are all the fashion in 1783.
Marie Antoinette is facing hostility from the populace, inflamed by rumors circulated in pamphlets throughout Paris. The rumors claim that she has dozens of lovers, drinks the blood of poor people, holds satanic masses at Versailles, and more, when nothing could be further from the truth. On the advice of the handsome, enigmatic Captain von Bauer, Joseph II—emperor of Austria and Marie Antoinette’s brother—decides that mystery-solving violinist Theresa Schurman is the ideal candidate for a spy to discover the source of these vile slanders.
Theresa is only too glad to get away from Vienna for a while, unwilling to commit herself yet to marrying Zoltan—a Hungarian baron she met when she was fifteen—and running out of reasons to postpone her decision. She is eager, too, to explore a new musical scene and broaden her artistic education. But when the captain confounds her expectations and places her as a bookkeeper in the establishment of Rose Bertin, milliner to the queen, she begins to lose hope that she will ever achieve her musical aims—or the emperor’s goal of exposing the pamphleteers.
A chance encounter with the Chevalier de Saint-George, an extraordinary black violinist and expert swordsman, sets Theresa on the path to unraveling the mystery. But will the chevalier’s patron, the powerful duc de Chartres, confound her efforts and put her—and the captain’s—lives in danger?
Be prepared for music, mystery, love, and murder in this riveting tale of pre-revolutionary Paris.
Marie Antoinette is facing hostility from the populace, inflamed by rumors circulated in pamphlets throughout Paris. The rumors claim that she has dozens of lovers, drinks the blood of poor people, holds satanic masses at Versailles, and more, when nothing could be further from the truth. On the advice of the handsome, enigmatic Captain von Bauer, Joseph II—emperor of Austria and Marie Antoinette’s brother—decides that mystery-solving violinist Theresa Schurman is the ideal candidate for a spy to discover the source of these vile slanders.
Theresa is only too glad to get away from Vienna for a while, unwilling to commit herself yet to marrying Zoltan—a Hungarian baron she met when she was fifteen—and running out of reasons to postpone her decision. She is eager, too, to explore a new musical scene and broaden her artistic education. But when the captain confounds her expectations and places her as a bookkeeper in the establishment of Rose Bertin, milliner to the queen, she begins to lose hope that she will ever achieve her musical aims—or the emperor’s goal of exposing the pamphleteers.
A chance encounter with the Chevalier de Saint-George, an extraordinary black violinist and expert swordsman, sets Theresa on the path to unraveling the mystery. But will the chevalier’s patron, the powerful duc de Chartres, confound her efforts and put her—and the captain’s—lives in danger?
Be prepared for music, mystery, love, and murder in this riveting tale of pre-revolutionary Paris.
242 pages, Paperback
Published September 30, 2020
12 people are currently reading
1631 people want to read
About the author
Susanne Dunlap
30 books473 followersSusanne Dunlap is the author of more than a dozen historical novels for adults and teens. Susanne grew up in Buffalo, New York and has lived in London, Brooklyn, Northampton, MA, and now Biddeford, ME. Her love of historical fiction arose partly from her PhD research at Yale.
Susanne is also an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach in fiction and nonfiction, specializing in coaching historical fiction and historical nonfiction.
Susanne is also an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach in fiction and nonfiction, specializing in coaching historical fiction and historical nonfiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 8, 2020
Susanne Dunlap writes magnificent historical mysteries, and Book 3 in this thrilling series is no exception.
It’s Paris 1783, and horrific rumors are being spread about Marie Antoinette by radical pamphleteers. Marie’s brother, the emperor of Austria, hires violinist/sleuth Theresa Schurman to discover the truth behind the slander.
As the pub blurb teases, “Be prepared for music, mystery, love, and murder in this riveting tale of pre-revolutionary Paris.”
Add in that gorgeous cover, and THE PARIS AFFAIR is a page-turning triumph!
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 30 Sep 2020
Thanks to the author, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheParisAffair #NetGalley
It’s Paris 1783, and horrific rumors are being spread about Marie Antoinette by radical pamphleteers. Marie’s brother, the emperor of Austria, hires violinist/sleuth Theresa Schurman to discover the truth behind the slander.
As the pub blurb teases, “Be prepared for music, mystery, love, and murder in this riveting tale of pre-revolutionary Paris.”
Add in that gorgeous cover, and THE PARIS AFFAIR is a page-turning triumph!
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 30 Sep 2020
Thanks to the author, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheParisAffair #NetGalley
October 1, 2020
I LOVED this book despite never having read the first two in the series - and now I want to. But even more than that, I want a Book 4! The characters, both real historical figures and fictional, were wonderful, and I was a SUCKER for the romantic tension. Theresa is such a fun narrator and I want to revisit this series ASAP. Look out for my full review at https://bitchbookshelf.com on October 11! My thanks to the author, publisher, and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for giving me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 3, 2024
Overall Rating : B-
Better than the second book but the chemistry between Theresa and the Captain should have definitely been expanded more. (The will they won't they killed me!)
Theresa had a more definitive backbone here and that upped the rating tremendously, but the plot, like the others, was very vague and I had a hard time actually figuring out why Theresa was even needed.
Better than the second book but the chemistry between Theresa and the Captain should have definitely been expanded more. (The will they won't they killed me!)
Theresa had a more definitive backbone here and that upped the rating tremendously, but the plot, like the others, was very vague and I had a hard time actually figuring out why Theresa was even needed.
October 17, 2020
"No one was more surprised thank I was to find myself in Paris at the end of October, 1783, working as a bookkeeper for queen Marie Antoinette's milliner, and living in a whorehouse."
Thus begins The Paris Affair, the third book in Susanne Dunlap's Theresa Shurmann mystery series.
When Emperor Joseph II summons Theresa to his office Theresa is unsure of why she is there. The last case she worked on helped save the Emperor's life but she isn't there to be thanked. She is being asked to go to Paris to investigate the rumors being spread about his sister, Queen Marie Antoinette of France. She isn't keen on going but you don't say no to an Emperor. She is to work with Captain von Bauer, whom she had worked with before on a previous case. They have a bit of a love/hate thing going on, but the Captain and Emperor trust her and think she will be able to ingratiate herself into the world around the Queen to try and find out who is spreading the rumors. It's a tough job though because Marie Antoinette has enemies within and outside the Palace walls. She is assigned to be a bookkeeper for the Queen's milliner and she is to stay at a whorehouse while there. The madam at the whorehouse is an agent of the Austrian government and teaches Theresa about the families and connections at court.
The sounds, sights, and smells (both good and bad) of Paris are brought to life with Dunlap's masterful writing. Though I hadn't read the first two books in the series the Author touches back on past relationships and events so that you aren't lost.
While I adored Theresa, the secondary characters are wonderful too - especially Chevalier de Saint-Georges. There is a little something for everyone in this book - danger, mystery, intrigue, history, romance. I found it to be an extremely fun read and can't wait to go back and read the first two books in the series. I can't wait to see how this all started! Highly recommended!
October 11, 2020
Theresa Schurman has been asked to assist Captain von Bauer with a little spy work. Someone is spreading rumors and pamphlets about the queen and he needs her help to infiltrate herself into Paris and work on obtaining who this person might be. Theresa isn’t quite sure what to think, after the last escapade with the Captain, she had not heard from him again, and assumed he didn’t feel she had done a well enough job. Not having much time to consider, she packs light and heads off on a new adventure, but she’s saddened she had to leave her prized possessions behind – her violin.
Theresa is unsure about the Captains plans, on how to get her near those who may just spill the information they need. She gets assigned as a bookkeeper to a milliner. How the heck is this going to get her close to those who would know who’s printing such possible slander? Rose is not just any milliner, she’s the queens milliner and Theresa has just been summoned to assist Rose on her trip to visit the queen. The other girls stare dagger into her back, anyone of them would kill for this opportunity and Theresa just starts working and is already picked to go.
Little does Theresa know, this is the path that will help her find out who the printer is, albeit it’s a bit of a twisted path she takes to get there. She gets summoned by the queen to be on her stage, she meets an extraordinary black violinist, that she just must meet and learn more about, she finds herself friends with someone even closer to the queen, and in the midst of all this, a murder also occurs. With each situation she gets herself into, the more likely she will be found out for who she really is, and what she really is doing there.
Throughout all of this, the Captain often appears to either help her get out of a situation, or into another that will get them closer to the truth. Curiosity killed the cat, and Theresa comes close a few times to being the one who would have a bounty on her head of the truth was revealed. Her curiosity is also what helps for her to find out not only where the printing press is being hidden and used, but the printer behind it and then the person who murdered him, but is the truth what it seems?
Thank you for the author, Susanne for sending me an autographed copy and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for the invite. I would definitely enjoy reading more of Theresa’s adventures.
Theresa is unsure about the Captains plans, on how to get her near those who may just spill the information they need. She gets assigned as a bookkeeper to a milliner. How the heck is this going to get her close to those who would know who’s printing such possible slander? Rose is not just any milliner, she’s the queens milliner and Theresa has just been summoned to assist Rose on her trip to visit the queen. The other girls stare dagger into her back, anyone of them would kill for this opportunity and Theresa just starts working and is already picked to go.
Little does Theresa know, this is the path that will help her find out who the printer is, albeit it’s a bit of a twisted path she takes to get there. She gets summoned by the queen to be on her stage, she meets an extraordinary black violinist, that she just must meet and learn more about, she finds herself friends with someone even closer to the queen, and in the midst of all this, a murder also occurs. With each situation she gets herself into, the more likely she will be found out for who she really is, and what she really is doing there.
Throughout all of this, the Captain often appears to either help her get out of a situation, or into another that will get them closer to the truth. Curiosity killed the cat, and Theresa comes close a few times to being the one who would have a bounty on her head of the truth was revealed. Her curiosity is also what helps for her to find out not only where the printing press is being hidden and used, but the printer behind it and then the person who murdered him, but is the truth what it seems?
Thank you for the author, Susanne for sending me an autographed copy and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for the invite. I would definitely enjoy reading more of Theresa’s adventures.
November 13, 2020
First, I had no idea this was Book 3 in a series. While I was engrossed in this historical mystery (and Googling the French aristocrats like someone possessed), I gathered I was missing introductory chapters of Theresa Schurman's story. I paused long enough to stalk Susanne Dunlap's author profile. Sure as the terror of the French Revolution, Books One and Two had escaped my attention. I wanted to stop at once and begin from the top, but NetGalley has been patiently awaiting my clever thoughts. I'm terribly behind with ARC/DRCs, and instead - chose to reward myself with a digital copy of the predecessors. I'm quite interested in learning more about Dunlap's feisty heroine and her arch nemesis, Captain von Bauer. Well, he's not exactly an enemy. Captain von Bauer and Theresa are on another mission ( i say 'another' because, as I mentioned, I missed a great deal of action in the previous books) for the Austrian Emperor. The duplicitous Captain von Bauer is a difficult character; like a pompous, egocentric sidekick one loves to hate. Theresa is forced to answer to him as they arrive in Paris. Their mission: locate the printing party responsible for spreading treasonous gossip about the Emperor's sister, Marie Antoinette, Queen consort of Louis XVI. The story moves along seamlessly. Lush, historical details are presented throughout, leaving the reader immersed in the whos who of Versailles and the Bourbon rival, House of Orléans. The mystery itself is chock-full of suspense. What blew my mind was the ending - WHY? How could it end this way? I have more questions than answers. And, I hate cliffhangers. When all is said and done the conclusion left me feeling deflated. I'm not as excited to backtrack to the beginning as I once was. For a big plot, the culmination was lackluster. How do I go about rating a book with a remarkable tale and a ho-hum ending? I'm going to round
up a 3.5 to a 4 for one reason only - I'm tired of trying to figure it out.
up a 3.5 to a 4 for one reason only - I'm tired of trying to figure it out.
July 30, 2020
The Paris Affair is the third in Susanne Dunlap's mystery series for young adults featuring Theresa Schurman, a young Viennese violinist. In 1783, pamphlets containing scandalous rumors about Marie-Antoinette are circulating throughout Paris, accusing her of everything from wasting money on frivolous things while the people starve, to countless love affairs, to incest. Whether there is any truth in the rumors or not, the queen's brother, Emperor Joseph II, wants them stopped, so he calls on Theresa, whose mystery-solving skills are well-known to him, to go to Paris to discover the source of the pamphlets. The handsome Captain von Bauer, who is now serving in the Swiss Guard--the elite guards of King Louis XVI--has recommended Theresa to solve the case, much to her dismay because, although she is certainly aware of the captain's attractions, he has proven untrustworthy when she worked with him on her previous case. She overcomes her hesitation because she wants to see Paris and, especially, to learn about the musical life of the city.
When Theresa arrives in Paris, the captain finds her a position as a bookkeeper with Rose Bertin, Marie-Antoinette's milliner, whose shop is one of the centers of the world of fashion in Paris. This leads to an introduction to the queen at Versailles, and Theresa makes an impression on Marie-Antoinette. Soon she figures out that the source of the slanderous pamphlets might be someone in the household of the Duc d'Orléans, a member of a rival branch of the royal family. The captain provides Theresa with a place in one of that family's residences: the home of Madame de Montesson, Duc d'Orléans' second wife, who is not allowed the title of duchess because she comes from a lower social class than her husband. Theresa becomes friends with Madame de Montesson's niece Sophie, a delightful character. Sophie has a beautiful singing voice, but for mysterious reasons is not allowed to sing in public.
While walking by the Palais Royale, the home of the Duc d'Orléans, Theresa encounters a remarkable person: the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a black violin virtuoso, composer, and expert swordsman. He is serving as the music director for the Duc d'Orléans' son, the Duc de Chartres, and he also directs a private orchestra for Madame de Montesson. The Chevalier is a brilliant musician who has been compared with Mozart. Shortly before the events of the book, he had been offered the directorship of the Paris Opera, but three of the leading singers refused to work with a black man, so he was forced to withdraw. The Chevalier recognizes Theresa's talent, and gives her the opportunity to play in a string quartet with him. Theresa is thrilled, because in Vienna she could only play the violin in public while disguised as a man. She greatly admires the Chevalier, who becomes like a father figure to her, and she realizes they have much in common: they are both foreigners in Paris, and they both face discrimination because of his race and her gender.
When Theresa overhears a conversation between the Chevalier and his employer, and, especially, when she sees him with blood on his sleeve, she cannot entirely clear him of suspicion, in spite of her admiration of him. Her search for the pamphleteer leads to several unexpected twists and turns, and to danger for Theresa. When events prove deadly for at least one person, Theresa realizes she must find the pamphleteer before she, or someone she cares for, becomes the next victim.
The Paris Affair is an exciting, suspenseful mystery. Dunlap brings Marie-Antoinette's Paris to life, and the book is full of detail on the fashions, society, and, especially, the musical life of that time. The story of the Chevalier de Saint-Georges casts light on the treatment of black people in 18th century France. The Chevalier had to prove he was so much more talented than anyone else in order to reach the position he had. With his brilliance, he should have had an even more prominent position, and no doubt he would have, if he had been white. Theresa is a wonderful character, a highly intelligent crime-solver and talented musician, but she also makes mistakes and must live with the consequences. She also has to make choices about the men in her life. Her first love, Zoltán, a Hungarian nobleman, asked to marry her in the previous book, The Mozart Conspiracy, but she hasn't given him an answer because she doesn't want to give up her music. At the same time, she is attracted to Captain von Bauer, but she knows of his deceitfulness, and his unwillingness to give her all the facts of the cases they work on together.
Although it is the third in the series, The Paris Affair can be read on its own. But it will make you want to read the two previous books, The Musician's Daughter and The Mozart Conspiracy, if you haven't already. I look forward to many more adventures of Theresa Schurman. I highly recommend this book for readers ages 12 and up.
Full disclosure: I was given an advance copy by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
When Theresa arrives in Paris, the captain finds her a position as a bookkeeper with Rose Bertin, Marie-Antoinette's milliner, whose shop is one of the centers of the world of fashion in Paris. This leads to an introduction to the queen at Versailles, and Theresa makes an impression on Marie-Antoinette. Soon she figures out that the source of the slanderous pamphlets might be someone in the household of the Duc d'Orléans, a member of a rival branch of the royal family. The captain provides Theresa with a place in one of that family's residences: the home of Madame de Montesson, Duc d'Orléans' second wife, who is not allowed the title of duchess because she comes from a lower social class than her husband. Theresa becomes friends with Madame de Montesson's niece Sophie, a delightful character. Sophie has a beautiful singing voice, but for mysterious reasons is not allowed to sing in public.
While walking by the Palais Royale, the home of the Duc d'Orléans, Theresa encounters a remarkable person: the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a black violin virtuoso, composer, and expert swordsman. He is serving as the music director for the Duc d'Orléans' son, the Duc de Chartres, and he also directs a private orchestra for Madame de Montesson. The Chevalier is a brilliant musician who has been compared with Mozart. Shortly before the events of the book, he had been offered the directorship of the Paris Opera, but three of the leading singers refused to work with a black man, so he was forced to withdraw. The Chevalier recognizes Theresa's talent, and gives her the opportunity to play in a string quartet with him. Theresa is thrilled, because in Vienna she could only play the violin in public while disguised as a man. She greatly admires the Chevalier, who becomes like a father figure to her, and she realizes they have much in common: they are both foreigners in Paris, and they both face discrimination because of his race and her gender.
When Theresa overhears a conversation between the Chevalier and his employer, and, especially, when she sees him with blood on his sleeve, she cannot entirely clear him of suspicion, in spite of her admiration of him. Her search for the pamphleteer leads to several unexpected twists and turns, and to danger for Theresa. When events prove deadly for at least one person, Theresa realizes she must find the pamphleteer before she, or someone she cares for, becomes the next victim.
The Paris Affair is an exciting, suspenseful mystery. Dunlap brings Marie-Antoinette's Paris to life, and the book is full of detail on the fashions, society, and, especially, the musical life of that time. The story of the Chevalier de Saint-Georges casts light on the treatment of black people in 18th century France. The Chevalier had to prove he was so much more talented than anyone else in order to reach the position he had. With his brilliance, he should have had an even more prominent position, and no doubt he would have, if he had been white. Theresa is a wonderful character, a highly intelligent crime-solver and talented musician, but she also makes mistakes and must live with the consequences. She also has to make choices about the men in her life. Her first love, Zoltán, a Hungarian nobleman, asked to marry her in the previous book, The Mozart Conspiracy, but she hasn't given him an answer because she doesn't want to give up her music. At the same time, she is attracted to Captain von Bauer, but she knows of his deceitfulness, and his unwillingness to give her all the facts of the cases they work on together.
Although it is the third in the series, The Paris Affair can be read on its own. But it will make you want to read the two previous books, The Musician's Daughter and The Mozart Conspiracy, if you haven't already. I look forward to many more adventures of Theresa Schurman. I highly recommend this book for readers ages 12 and up.
Full disclosure: I was given an advance copy by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2020
Wow! This book is just amazing! It is full of mystery, intrigue, action, a touch of romance, and is quite entertaining! Whenever I picked up "The Paris Affair", I was whisked back in time to 18th Century Paris and Vienna, and was drawn in from the very first page to the last!
This is the third book in Ms. Dunlap's "A Theresa Schurman Mystery" series, but the first I have read. I definitely think it can be read as a stand-alone book as well. While there are definitely some characters who have relationships with one another from previous books, Ms. Dunlap does an amazing job of filling the reader in (without it ever being too much), and I never felt lost or confused. I so look forward to reading the first two books, and hope there will be many more in the future! Her world building is absolutely spectacular, and the various locations sprang to life before my eyes. She also seamlessly weaves fact and fiction, and she beautifully intertwines historical figures with people she has created. I loved learning more about this time period, about the incredible Chevalier de Saint-Georges, about fashion and music, and can't wait to go and do more research on my own.
Theresa is sent to Paris by Emperor Joseph II to find out who is spreading horrific rumors about Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, and also Joseph's sister. When she arrives, she is thrust into a world very different from her own, and must navigate between truth and lies, good and bad, and figure out what truly is going on. There, she works with Captain von Bauer once again, and meets new friends along the way. No spoilers here, but, I will say, many have much more going on than meets the eye.
Theresa is such strong, spirited, intelligent, and fun protagonist. The story is told from her point of view, and it is so intriguing to be able to figure things out along the way with her. Her determination to do what is right, even if it means potentially putting herself in harms way, really drives the plot and story forward...and what a story it is!
If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend this book! I found myself reading into the early hours of the morning to see what would happen next, and stayed up until 3am to finish the book because I absolutely could not put it down! There were quite a few twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath to see how everything would work out.
Thank you so much to HFVBT, Netgalley, BooksGoSocial, and Susanne Dunlap for the ARC of this novel, I just loved it! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is the third book in Ms. Dunlap's "A Theresa Schurman Mystery" series, but the first I have read. I definitely think it can be read as a stand-alone book as well. While there are definitely some characters who have relationships with one another from previous books, Ms. Dunlap does an amazing job of filling the reader in (without it ever being too much), and I never felt lost or confused. I so look forward to reading the first two books, and hope there will be many more in the future! Her world building is absolutely spectacular, and the various locations sprang to life before my eyes. She also seamlessly weaves fact and fiction, and she beautifully intertwines historical figures with people she has created. I loved learning more about this time period, about the incredible Chevalier de Saint-Georges, about fashion and music, and can't wait to go and do more research on my own.
Theresa is sent to Paris by Emperor Joseph II to find out who is spreading horrific rumors about Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, and also Joseph's sister. When she arrives, she is thrust into a world very different from her own, and must navigate between truth and lies, good and bad, and figure out what truly is going on. There, she works with Captain von Bauer once again, and meets new friends along the way. No spoilers here, but, I will say, many have much more going on than meets the eye.
Theresa is such strong, spirited, intelligent, and fun protagonist. The story is told from her point of view, and it is so intriguing to be able to figure things out along the way with her. Her determination to do what is right, even if it means potentially putting herself in harms way, really drives the plot and story forward...and what a story it is!
If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend this book! I found myself reading into the early hours of the morning to see what would happen next, and stayed up until 3am to finish the book because I absolutely could not put it down! There were quite a few twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath to see how everything would work out.
Thank you so much to HFVBT, Netgalley, BooksGoSocial, and Susanne Dunlap for the ARC of this novel, I just loved it! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 12, 2020
Thank you HFVBT for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Paris Affair
A Theresa Schurman Mystery #3
By: Susanne Dunlap
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
In Susanne Dunlap's third installment, violinist Theresa Schurman is sent by Emperor Joseph II from Austria to Paris to help his sister, Marie Antoinette. She is not against going because Paris will offer a different perspective on music, and she can learn from the experience.
The year is 1783, about five years before the coming revolution, and pamphlets (libelles) are circulating, serving to vilify Marie Antoinette. Theresa is, essentially, a spy gathering information about who is responsible for this slander against the queen. She is placed as a bookkeeper to Marie Antoinette's milliner, with the hope of being privy to gossip, thus exposing the pamphleteers.
One day, by chance, Theresa meets Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de St. George's. This man is an accomplished composer, violinist and fencer. He is also black and has fought hard against racism in order to be where he is. Theresa encounters chauvinistic sexist behavior because she is a woman and young. Prejudice exists in any era. Regardless, she can learn much from this man of many talents. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
As Theresa works to unravel the mystery of the mastermind behind the pamphlets, she encounters many twists and turns, even a bordello, in her quest for truth. The story has an underlying threat of upheaval and unrest. Marie Antoinette was accused of being promiscuous, empty headed, manipulative, licentious, a spendthrift and harboring sympathies for enemies of France. Plus, the legitimacy of her children was always in question. Faults aside, the court and friends surrounding Marie Antoinette took fashion and elegance to a new level. Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, is the perfect example of an admired and emulated woman of high society, with an amazing sense of style, who was part of Marie Antoinette's inner circle for a time.
The Paris Affair is a very intriguing mystery during a time of great change and conflict just around the corner for France. The pamphlets show that dissatisfaction with the monarchy has already begun. Theresa is an intelligent bold character with a great talent. Just imagine this young woman caught in a web of such political complexities. Is anyone trustworthy? The idea is fascinating and terrifying all at once. Susanne Dunbar has written an excellent historical mystery!
The Paris Affair
A Theresa Schurman Mystery #3
By: Susanne Dunlap
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
In Susanne Dunlap's third installment, violinist Theresa Schurman is sent by Emperor Joseph II from Austria to Paris to help his sister, Marie Antoinette. She is not against going because Paris will offer a different perspective on music, and she can learn from the experience.
The year is 1783, about five years before the coming revolution, and pamphlets (libelles) are circulating, serving to vilify Marie Antoinette. Theresa is, essentially, a spy gathering information about who is responsible for this slander against the queen. She is placed as a bookkeeper to Marie Antoinette's milliner, with the hope of being privy to gossip, thus exposing the pamphleteers.
One day, by chance, Theresa meets Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de St. George's. This man is an accomplished composer, violinist and fencer. He is also black and has fought hard against racism in order to be where he is. Theresa encounters chauvinistic sexist behavior because she is a woman and young. Prejudice exists in any era. Regardless, she can learn much from this man of many talents. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
As Theresa works to unravel the mystery of the mastermind behind the pamphlets, she encounters many twists and turns, even a bordello, in her quest for truth. The story has an underlying threat of upheaval and unrest. Marie Antoinette was accused of being promiscuous, empty headed, manipulative, licentious, a spendthrift and harboring sympathies for enemies of France. Plus, the legitimacy of her children was always in question. Faults aside, the court and friends surrounding Marie Antoinette took fashion and elegance to a new level. Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, is the perfect example of an admired and emulated woman of high society, with an amazing sense of style, who was part of Marie Antoinette's inner circle for a time.
The Paris Affair is a very intriguing mystery during a time of great change and conflict just around the corner for France. The pamphlets show that dissatisfaction with the monarchy has already begun. Theresa is an intelligent bold character with a great talent. Just imagine this young woman caught in a web of such political complexities. Is anyone trustworthy? The idea is fascinating and terrifying all at once. Susanne Dunbar has written an excellent historical mystery!
September 25, 2020
The Paris Affair by Susanne Dunlap is an exciting tale of espionage in pre-Revolution France. It follows Theresa Schurman, a young violinist devoted to solving mysteries. She is sent to France, and tasked with finding out who is spreading insidious rumors about the queen, Marie Antoinette. Quick paced with romance sprinkled without, this was a super enjoyable book!
Despite being a work of fiction, this book had dozens of historical Easter eggs hidden within. Real musician, composers, nobles, and people were all starred, and every one of their characters is explored. We are given characters from every class of citizen, giving us readers a well rounded view of France before the Revolution. Although the history of France is definitely not my forte, I loved how this stayed pretty close to the truth.
Although we only read from one character’s perspective in this book, almost every side character was well rounded. Theresa was a particularly compelling character, her utter loyalty to her king, and her determination to get to the bottom of the mystery kept me hooked. Although I don’t have a definite favorite character, I’d be willing to read more about all of them.
Dunlap even does an excellent job confronting the discrimination that people faced in the time period. One of our main characters, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, is a black violinist, and we get to hear about his struggles and how he had to work so much harder to get to where he was. Even better, he is a real historical figure, who is often forgotten, but is highlighted in this book.
Although I would never classify this as a romance, I loved having the bits of a relationship being scattered throughout. It added a bit of happiness in a book that was otherwise suspenseful and mysterious. The romance left on an excellent note, and I’m super excited to see where the author takes it in the next book.
All in all, this book was an excellent read! Although it is in a genre I don’t typically read, I really enjoyed it, and will be looking to continue this series!
Thanks to Susanna Dunlap and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
Despite being a work of fiction, this book had dozens of historical Easter eggs hidden within. Real musician, composers, nobles, and people were all starred, and every one of their characters is explored. We are given characters from every class of citizen, giving us readers a well rounded view of France before the Revolution. Although the history of France is definitely not my forte, I loved how this stayed pretty close to the truth.
Although we only read from one character’s perspective in this book, almost every side character was well rounded. Theresa was a particularly compelling character, her utter loyalty to her king, and her determination to get to the bottom of the mystery kept me hooked. Although I don’t have a definite favorite character, I’d be willing to read more about all of them.
Dunlap even does an excellent job confronting the discrimination that people faced in the time period. One of our main characters, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, is a black violinist, and we get to hear about his struggles and how he had to work so much harder to get to where he was. Even better, he is a real historical figure, who is often forgotten, but is highlighted in this book.
Although I would never classify this as a romance, I loved having the bits of a relationship being scattered throughout. It added a bit of happiness in a book that was otherwise suspenseful and mysterious. The romance left on an excellent note, and I’m super excited to see where the author takes it in the next book.
All in all, this book was an excellent read! Although it is in a genre I don’t typically read, I really enjoyed it, and will be looking to continue this series!
Thanks to Susanna Dunlap and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
Read
September 19, 2020The Paris Affair was a well-written and researched book set five years before the French Revolution. I did not realize that this was a part of a series when I began the novel but I found that the author gave enough character background that I was not completely lost in the recurring themes. I found it very interesting that the author wrote this book specifically to include the real-life historical figure Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de St. Georges, an accomplished violinist, composer, and fencer, within the world of her main character Theresa. It was very well done in terms of historical events and accuracy (I have studied the French Revolution) and I really enjoyed the various viewpoints she gave of life in late 18th century, pre-revolutionary France.
The main character Theresa was smart and tenacious. She was a strong, independent, rule-breaker that I found refreshing for a book set during this time period. This is a good story with more than one mystery to be solved and it is told in a manner that makes you want to keep reading chapter after chapter.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy books that take place during this time period. I wish I had read the previous titles and might do so now that I've read and enjoyed this novel. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
The main character Theresa was smart and tenacious. She was a strong, independent, rule-breaker that I found refreshing for a book set during this time period. This is a good story with more than one mystery to be solved and it is told in a manner that makes you want to keep reading chapter after chapter.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy books that take place during this time period. I wish I had read the previous titles and might do so now that I've read and enjoyed this novel. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
October 5, 2020
Firstly let’s take a moment to fully appreciate just how beautiful this cover is, it’s so striking, you could frame it and put it on the wall.
I am a late arrival of Susanne Dunlap’s books, but after reading my first of her last year I was completely taken with her magical and atmospheric writing, this is the first of her Theresa Schurman Mystery series I’ve read – as always I have started a series bang in the middle, but to be honest, it doesn’t matter as this can very easily be read a stand-alone, but I will definitely be loading my kindle with the previous books as soon as possible.
Set during 1783The series follows a young violinist; Theresa Schurman as she becomes embroiled in a mystery which surrounds the beautiful; Marie-Antoinette. There are some malicious rumours circulating the city in the form of pamphlets which puts the Queen in a very bad light leading to mass public hatred of her. Marie-Antoinette’s brother; Emperor Joseph II enlists the help of Theresa, he has heard of her skills of solving mysteries, it is due to the gorgeous Captain von Beaur for Theresa’s role in the saga. Once our heroine has made it to Paris, she soon finds herself right in the middle of Marie-Antoinette’s world and in a perfect position to find the truth.
The Paris Affair is a wonderfully exciting, easy to read and excellent story, with a brilliant plot which not only is engrossing, entertaining and original, but it’s engaging and knowledgeable, I love the addition of real people from history, it brings the overall story to life and really draws you into the past and into Theresa’s world.
This is, in essence, a thrilling historical mystery and that alone would have made it a must-read, but add in a bit of a romance which is sprinkled throughout the story, which makes for fabulous reading.
I really like how Susanne has handled the obvious and blatant discrimination which so many faced during the era, with this being a young adult’s book it’s not as ‘in-your-face’ as it probably would if the story was written with adults in mind, but that doesn’t take anything away from the ways she has written about such a subject with realism and sensitivity.
There is a slight edginess to this, with revolution just around the corner and with the unease due to these rumours spreading through the country, you can feel the danger and unrest lurking in the shadows, the writing is exquisite, each scene is captivating, you are drawn into a dark and yet beautiful world full of music, intrigue, and danger.
As always Susanne Dunlap proves once again that she is an extraordinarily gifted and talented author, she transports the reader right into the pages of the story with her clever and articulate writing, the attention to detail is perfect, it’s sparkles with life and atmosphere.
I am a late arrival of Susanne Dunlap’s books, but after reading my first of her last year I was completely taken with her magical and atmospheric writing, this is the first of her Theresa Schurman Mystery series I’ve read – as always I have started a series bang in the middle, but to be honest, it doesn’t matter as this can very easily be read a stand-alone, but I will definitely be loading my kindle with the previous books as soon as possible.
Set during 1783The series follows a young violinist; Theresa Schurman as she becomes embroiled in a mystery which surrounds the beautiful; Marie-Antoinette. There are some malicious rumours circulating the city in the form of pamphlets which puts the Queen in a very bad light leading to mass public hatred of her. Marie-Antoinette’s brother; Emperor Joseph II enlists the help of Theresa, he has heard of her skills of solving mysteries, it is due to the gorgeous Captain von Beaur for Theresa’s role in the saga. Once our heroine has made it to Paris, she soon finds herself right in the middle of Marie-Antoinette’s world and in a perfect position to find the truth.
The Paris Affair is a wonderfully exciting, easy to read and excellent story, with a brilliant plot which not only is engrossing, entertaining and original, but it’s engaging and knowledgeable, I love the addition of real people from history, it brings the overall story to life and really draws you into the past and into Theresa’s world.
This is, in essence, a thrilling historical mystery and that alone would have made it a must-read, but add in a bit of a romance which is sprinkled throughout the story, which makes for fabulous reading.
I really like how Susanne has handled the obvious and blatant discrimination which so many faced during the era, with this being a young adult’s book it’s not as ‘in-your-face’ as it probably would if the story was written with adults in mind, but that doesn’t take anything away from the ways she has written about such a subject with realism and sensitivity.
There is a slight edginess to this, with revolution just around the corner and with the unease due to these rumours spreading through the country, you can feel the danger and unrest lurking in the shadows, the writing is exquisite, each scene is captivating, you are drawn into a dark and yet beautiful world full of music, intrigue, and danger.
As always Susanne Dunlap proves once again that she is an extraordinarily gifted and talented author, she transports the reader right into the pages of the story with her clever and articulate writing, the attention to detail is perfect, it’s sparkles with life and atmosphere.
August 28, 2020
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read the ARC of Susanne Dunlap’s new historical fiction novel A Paris Affair. I enjoyed it immensely.
The novel begins in Austria when the emperor, Joseph II, decides to send an entourage to Paris to protect his sister, Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, from slander. Theresa Schurman is sent undercover as a bookkeeper to the queen’s Milner. This undercover position does not provide her with enough gossip. She knows she has to do something. But, what? She is on a walk one afternoon, when she hears the unmistakable music of a violin. She is shocked to see, the Chevalier de Saint Georges so close. She must meet him! After all,she also plays the violin. Is this an amazing coincidence? They both play the same instrument, or is he part of the s candal surrounding the queen?
The Chevalier de Saint Georges, is in paris as the music director for the Hotel Montesson. Theresa accepts an invitation from Sophie, to be a guest in the hotel while Sophie is betrothed to the Marquis.
Theresa finds some tunnels and goes exploring in the middle of the night. she finds a printing press. she also hears men arguing. She has to extinguish her candle to avoid being seen by them. If they find her, she will tell she is lost. They would never suspect a young beautiful girl to be a spy.
I commend Ms.Dunlap. This novel is a Masterpiece! She created a story around actual events in history.
I highly recommend this book.
thank you.
The novel begins in Austria when the emperor, Joseph II, decides to send an entourage to Paris to protect his sister, Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, from slander. Theresa Schurman is sent undercover as a bookkeeper to the queen’s Milner. This undercover position does not provide her with enough gossip. She knows she has to do something. But, what? She is on a walk one afternoon, when she hears the unmistakable music of a violin. She is shocked to see, the Chevalier de Saint Georges so close. She must meet him! After all,she also plays the violin. Is this an amazing coincidence? They both play the same instrument, or is he part of the s candal surrounding the queen?
The Chevalier de Saint Georges, is in paris as the music director for the Hotel Montesson. Theresa accepts an invitation from Sophie, to be a guest in the hotel while Sophie is betrothed to the Marquis.
Theresa finds some tunnels and goes exploring in the middle of the night. she finds a printing press. she also hears men arguing. She has to extinguish her candle to avoid being seen by them. If they find her, she will tell she is lost. They would never suspect a young beautiful girl to be a spy.
I commend Ms.Dunlap. This novel is a Masterpiece! She created a story around actual events in history.
I highly recommend this book.
thank you.
Read
October 6, 2020Ok, this book is coming at the perfect time since Emily in Paris has renewed my long time love of all things Paris and French. But that aside, Marie Antoinette is also just an incredibly interesting woman to read about. Plus adding in some mystery and malicious rumors the drama is off the charts! And you know I live for the drama! Well, as long as I’m not in the middle of it.
For being set in the past, this book feels very refreshing! Our main character is witty and independent, something that would have been shunned during the time. And not only are our characters memorable, but so is the setting. I mean Paris is an unforgettable city regardless, but the streets just come to life as you read. We have a bit of history, a bit of creativity, and a grand mystery within.
Unlike some historical fiction books, The Paris Affair is far from dry. It will keep you hooked page after page as you get further into the mystery. Now, this is my first book in the series and I was easily able to dive into the story and follow along. HOWEVER, I do now feel the need to read the rest of the books in the series. So I would definitely say that this one was a winner!
You can view my full review & giveaway on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
For being set in the past, this book feels very refreshing! Our main character is witty and independent, something that would have been shunned during the time. And not only are our characters memorable, but so is the setting. I mean Paris is an unforgettable city regardless, but the streets just come to life as you read. We have a bit of history, a bit of creativity, and a grand mystery within.
Unlike some historical fiction books, The Paris Affair is far from dry. It will keep you hooked page after page as you get further into the mystery. Now, this is my first book in the series and I was easily able to dive into the story and follow along. HOWEVER, I do now feel the need to read the rest of the books in the series. So I would definitely say that this one was a winner!
You can view my full review & giveaway on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
September 19, 2020
This book was really really good ! It was nice to come back to the world that Dunlap had created! It was especially fun for Theresa to go to France and try to figure out a crime there,
I really like the intrigue and the different twists and turns that were thrown our way while reading. I could never quite figure out who was the perpetrator of the crime ! But my favourite part was the unsuspecting romancing that was thrown our way, especially since they were more enemies !! That was a treat in itself.
My one issue with this book is that it just ended, there was a small conclusion but nothing that wrapped the bigger issues of the book !! So I really really hope that this is not the last book in the series !!! Please let it not be the last book in the series !!!!!!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me this advance copy !!
I really like the intrigue and the different twists and turns that were thrown our way while reading. I could never quite figure out who was the perpetrator of the crime ! But my favourite part was the unsuspecting romancing that was thrown our way, especially since they were more enemies !! That was a treat in itself.
My one issue with this book is that it just ended, there was a small conclusion but nothing that wrapped the bigger issues of the book !! So I really really hope that this is not the last book in the series !!! Please let it not be the last book in the series !!!!!!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me this advance copy !!
September 18, 2020
This book is set in Pre-revolution France, the world of a Marie Antoinette. The queens brother Austrian emperor Joseph II is concerned about his sister, and the rumours flying about regarding France, he send Teresa Schurman to act as his spy and find out what’s going on. Teresa is a lovely character and carried the story for me. This was face paced and totally enjoyable. I loved it and read it in one sitting.
October 11, 2020
“He and I both agree that you – with your instinct for nosing out the most complicated and hidden conspiracies and your complete lack of social standing or renown – would be the ideal person to act as our…source of inspiration, if you see what I mean”.
And so, begins the story of Theresa Schurman’s latest adventure which takes her from the quaint cobbled streets of Vienna to the heart of Paris.
Summary:
Set mainly in Paris, a few years before the French Revolution, we meet Theresa as she accepts a commission to embark on a secret mission to uncover the truth behind the scandalous rumours being spread about the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette; this means Theresa must go undercover as she tries to infiltrate the highest ranks of French aristocracy.
What I loved:
Susanne Dunlap creates a stunning and lavish image of the Paris of the 18th century. It is easy to see, within the first few pages that the book is very well researched, and succeeds in taking a figment of history and creating a fictional tale full of suspense and intrigue.
Overall the plot retains a steady pace, faltering not even once and waffling never. Also, her attention to detail when it comes to the customs and traditions of the 18th century is incredible as is her knowledge of the intricacies of classical music.
I especially loved the little note at the end of the book where Susanne talks about the real-life inspirations behind the key characters (no, not just Marie Antoinette).
What was challenging
Before reading the book, I had no idea that this was actually part of a series of books. There were parts that referred to what has occurred in the previous book(s) which for me, was slightly confusing.
Final Thoughts:
One of the best things about accepting advanced readers copies, is that it helps you discover genuinely talented authors, who would have otherwise remained on the back shelves, flying low on the radar. This book was a genuinely good find in the many many ARC’s I have reviewed so far, and a book I would recommend to all fans of history and historical fiction.
P.S. I’d strongly recommend a playlist of classical / neo-classical music playing in the background for this book!
P.P.S. I’d like to thank Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for my advance readers copy.
And so, begins the story of Theresa Schurman’s latest adventure which takes her from the quaint cobbled streets of Vienna to the heart of Paris.
Summary:
Set mainly in Paris, a few years before the French Revolution, we meet Theresa as she accepts a commission to embark on a secret mission to uncover the truth behind the scandalous rumours being spread about the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette; this means Theresa must go undercover as she tries to infiltrate the highest ranks of French aristocracy.
What I loved:
Susanne Dunlap creates a stunning and lavish image of the Paris of the 18th century. It is easy to see, within the first few pages that the book is very well researched, and succeeds in taking a figment of history and creating a fictional tale full of suspense and intrigue.
Overall the plot retains a steady pace, faltering not even once and waffling never. Also, her attention to detail when it comes to the customs and traditions of the 18th century is incredible as is her knowledge of the intricacies of classical music.
I especially loved the little note at the end of the book where Susanne talks about the real-life inspirations behind the key characters (no, not just Marie Antoinette).
What was challenging
Before reading the book, I had no idea that this was actually part of a series of books. There were parts that referred to what has occurred in the previous book(s) which for me, was slightly confusing.
Final Thoughts:
One of the best things about accepting advanced readers copies, is that it helps you discover genuinely talented authors, who would have otherwise remained on the back shelves, flying low on the radar. This book was a genuinely good find in the many many ARC’s I have reviewed so far, and a book I would recommend to all fans of history and historical fiction.
P.S. I’d strongly recommend a playlist of classical / neo-classical music playing in the background for this book!
P.P.S. I’d like to thank Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for my advance readers copy.
September 28, 2020
The anticipation is over. The Paris Affair by Susanne Dunlap est ici. Dunlap, a doyenne of the historical fiction genre, has done it again. Young musically talented and very pretty Theresa Schurman is tasked with discovering who is spreading salacious, evil rumors about Marie Antoinette, the sister of Austria's Joseph II. The emperor bids Theresa to find the villain behind these accusations. She acquiesces, leaving behind her home and family, departing secretly for pre-Revolutionary Paris, her mission to uncover the perpetrator of these wholly false slanders against the Queen. She is ready for an antidote to her ennui,her unsettled feelings about marrying Zoltan, a Hungarian baron. She hopes for a change, to clear her mind, amidst the glittering lights of Paris and to fulfill her mission. This is but the calm before the storm.
Dunlap weaves a broad tapestry of intrigue, courtly life, romance and murder with the tumultuous history of 18th-century Paris. Her attention to detail is so precise the reader feels as if she is walking in Theresa's footsteps in the lush gardens, the sumptuous palaces, the milliner's shop where she is employed as a bookkeeper - even in a bordello!
The characters gracing the pages of Dunlap's book are charming, dashing, warm, shrewd, clever, and oh-so-real. You yearn to meet them, share Theresa's intimate moments with them, perhaps slap a face or two! Dunlap's portrayals are of the flesh-and-bone type, breathing oxygen into every
mouth.
A particular scene has Theresa walking down a dark, dank, underground tunnel. The tension is palpable. Will she be discovered? By whom? What will be the outcome? It is agonizing. I thought the written passage too long; then the light glared at me. It is precisely Dunlap's orchestration of words that gives The Paris Affair its raison d'etre.
As the author of nine historical fiction books, you will not be disappointed by Dunlap's newest addition to the family.
Dunlap weaves a broad tapestry of intrigue, courtly life, romance and murder with the tumultuous history of 18th-century Paris. Her attention to detail is so precise the reader feels as if she is walking in Theresa's footsteps in the lush gardens, the sumptuous palaces, the milliner's shop where she is employed as a bookkeeper - even in a bordello!
The characters gracing the pages of Dunlap's book are charming, dashing, warm, shrewd, clever, and oh-so-real. You yearn to meet them, share Theresa's intimate moments with them, perhaps slap a face or two! Dunlap's portrayals are of the flesh-and-bone type, breathing oxygen into every
mouth.
A particular scene has Theresa walking down a dark, dank, underground tunnel. The tension is palpable. Will she be discovered? By whom? What will be the outcome? It is agonizing. I thought the written passage too long; then the light glared at me. It is precisely Dunlap's orchestration of words that gives The Paris Affair its raison d'etre.
As the author of nine historical fiction books, you will not be disappointed by Dunlap's newest addition to the family.
October 10, 2020
With rumors and intrigue surrounding France's queen, the Austrian Emperor sends violinist Theresa Schurmann undercover to help identify the source of inflammatory pamphlets in Paris. Through her own initiative and the manipulations of her handler, the handsome and secretive Captain von Bauer, she soon finds herself in the orbit of Marie Antoinette herself as well as those who oppose her.
The Paris Affair is a lively blend of historical characters, locations, mystery and intrigue. In Theresa Schurmann, author Susanne Dunlap has created an intrepid and impetuous young woman whose intellect and curiosity lead her to take risks. Her adventures in pre-revolutionary France and the relationships she forms at various levels of society are related in a straight-forward manner. This is a well paced and interesting historical mystery.
A third in series book is not always an advisable entry point. However, in The Paris Affair Dunlap blends Theresa's past experiences in a way that strikes a fine balance between references that inform the story and the new reader. By the time Theresa is on her way to visit the French court, I was thoroughly engaged and reluctant to put the book down until the end.
This review refers to a digital galley I voluntarily read through NetGalley. A positive review was not required and these are simply my own honest opinions.
The Paris Affair is a lively blend of historical characters, locations, mystery and intrigue. In Theresa Schurmann, author Susanne Dunlap has created an intrepid and impetuous young woman whose intellect and curiosity lead her to take risks. Her adventures in pre-revolutionary France and the relationships she forms at various levels of society are related in a straight-forward manner. This is a well paced and interesting historical mystery.
A third in series book is not always an advisable entry point. However, in The Paris Affair Dunlap blends Theresa's past experiences in a way that strikes a fine balance between references that inform the story and the new reader. By the time Theresa is on her way to visit the French court, I was thoroughly engaged and reluctant to put the book down until the end.
This review refers to a digital galley I voluntarily read through NetGalley. A positive review was not required and these are simply my own honest opinions.
September 30, 2020
The Paris Affair by Susanne Dunlap is a historical mystery set in pre-Revolution France. It is the third in series for young adults featuring Theresa Schurman, a young Viennese violinist. This installment works well as a stand-alone. Though I recommend the first two for some great sleuthing!
Theresa Schurman is sent to France on an espionage mission by Emperor Joseph II. His sister, Marie Antoinette is being slandered by nasty rumors. She is working with Captain von Bauer who was part of the previous book. Theresa is a strong, smart and independent character. Her search leads her to some dangerous and surprising twists and turns. It was very captivating and I highly recommend it.
What I love about this book is how Dunlap works in so much musical history. I also love that Dunlap creates a diverse cast of characters from every walk of life. One of our main characters is the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a black violinist. I appreciate that Dunlap tackles the discrimination and struggles he faces.
There is someone romance sprinkled in and I’m hoping the next installment has even more!
I think this book and series are best for high schoolers (14 and up).
I was given an advance readers copy by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
#netgalley #theparisaffair #susannedunlap
Theresa Schurman is sent to France on an espionage mission by Emperor Joseph II. His sister, Marie Antoinette is being slandered by nasty rumors. She is working with Captain von Bauer who was part of the previous book. Theresa is a strong, smart and independent character. Her search leads her to some dangerous and surprising twists and turns. It was very captivating and I highly recommend it.
What I love about this book is how Dunlap works in so much musical history. I also love that Dunlap creates a diverse cast of characters from every walk of life. One of our main characters is the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a black violinist. I appreciate that Dunlap tackles the discrimination and struggles he faces.
There is someone romance sprinkled in and I’m hoping the next installment has even more!
I think this book and series are best for high schoolers (14 and up).
I was given an advance readers copy by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
#netgalley #theparisaffair #susannedunlap
August 1, 2020
Pre-revolutionary France; emperor of Austria Joseph II., and brother of Marie Antoinette, is concerned about vile rumours that fly around her and french court, so he sends young musician/spy Theresa Schurman there to find a truth.
Theresa is adamant to excel in music skills but as a queens milliner bookkeeper that is hard to achieve.
Intrigues, great historic atmosphere, murder and of course love.
I've enjoyed the book immensely.
Theresa is adamant to excel in music skills but as a queens milliner bookkeeper that is hard to achieve.
Intrigues, great historic atmosphere, murder and of course love.
I've enjoyed the book immensely.
November 27, 2020
A big thank you to Netgalley and Susanne Dunlap for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't realize at the time of accepting this ARC that it was the third in a series. While there were definitely some references too earlier books I obviously didn't get, it surprisingly did not hinder my ability to enjoy The Paris Affair. It was quite a fun read for me. I love the French Revolution period, and Dunlap was superb in her storytelling. Now I must go read the first two, because if they are even half as good as this one, it will be time well spent.
I didn't realize at the time of accepting this ARC that it was the third in a series. While there were definitely some references too earlier books I obviously didn't get, it surprisingly did not hinder my ability to enjoy The Paris Affair. It was quite a fun read for me. I love the French Revolution period, and Dunlap was superb in her storytelling. Now I must go read the first two, because if they are even half as good as this one, it will be time well spent.
August 2, 2020
This was an engrossing book that I read quickly because I didn’t want to put it down! Therese was an engaging character who I really liked and Susanne Dunlap wrote so well in the historical context that you could clearly see the time and place of pre-revolutionary France. There was mystery and romance and music and it should be an excellent read for anyone who loves historical fiction.
October 8, 2020
I loved this book. I loved being taken away to another time and place, and caught up in the well-drawn characters and their lives. Dunlap takes us away, but doesn't hesitate to subtly suggest the similarities of power inequality and misogyny between Theresa's world and our own. I'll be looking for other work from this author.
Read
September 30, 2020The Paris Affair is the third book in the Theresa Schurman series by Susanne Dunlap. An exciting tale of espionage in pre-Revolution France. The story follows Theresa Schurman, a young violinist devoted to solving mysteries. All in all, this book was an excellent read! Although it is in a genre I don’t typically read, I really enjoyed it, and will be looking to continue this series!
September 25, 2020
I received an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
This book proves that young adult literature is a true art in it of itself and deserves any and all recognition it receives. Every page of this book deserves to be savored and appreciated. Even though this is the 3rd book in the series any reader can pick it up and not feel like they are unable to follow the relationship between the main characters. Dunlap provides a multifaceted plot with layers of intrigue, deception, and romantic tension. She gives us a glimpse into the lives of several socioeconomic groups of Paris society. The book, most notably the main character, provides a magnificent outlet for Dunlap's passion for and knowledge of music. This is a delightfully plotted out mystery that any reader would enjoy.
This book proves that young adult literature is a true art in it of itself and deserves any and all recognition it receives. Every page of this book deserves to be savored and appreciated. Even though this is the 3rd book in the series any reader can pick it up and not feel like they are unable to follow the relationship between the main characters. Dunlap provides a multifaceted plot with layers of intrigue, deception, and romantic tension. She gives us a glimpse into the lives of several socioeconomic groups of Paris society. The book, most notably the main character, provides a magnificent outlet for Dunlap's passion for and knowledge of music. This is a delightfully plotted out mystery that any reader would enjoy.
November 17, 2020
This is a wonderful YA mystery/historical fiction set in Paris, France in 1783. It is part of the Theresa Schurman Mystery Series. It is full of mysterious characters, complex plots, adventures and risks, and a labyrinth of puzzles to figure out. It gives great insight into what was happening among the aristocrats before the French Revolution. It reads like a classic, but has the high action to keep the attention of a contemporary reader. I would highly recommend this book to fans of murder mysteries or historical fiction!
March 23, 2021
“The Paris Affair” by Susanne Dunlap is the third installation of the Theresa Schurman Mystery Books, and an exciting tale of intrigue during the reign of Marie Antoinette. Amid the sensational rumours surrounding the Queen, Theresa, an accomplished violinist and god-daughter to Haydn, is sent to France by Antoinette’s brother, Emperor Joseph II of Austria, to uncover the source of the circulating pamphlets blasting his sister.
Theresa is swept into a world of mystery while escaping the pressing decision of marriage to a Hungarian Baron, and she finds herself in the position as bookkeeper to the Queen of France’s milliner, Rose Bertin. Along the path of unravelling the puzzle, she encounters the Chevalier de Saint-George, a black man of extraordinary skill with both the violin and the sword; as well as someone from her past – Captain von Bauer, a man who annoys her, yet entices her. Music is her passion, solving mysteries is her skill, in this novel set in the turbulent city of eighteenth-century Paris, a time when rumours and scandal kill.
Being the third installation in the series, as a stand-alone book I must admit I was a bit confused at the beginning, so I do recommend reading the first two in the series before beginning this one. The outset assumed a person already knew the relationship between Theresa and the Emperor, as well as the love/hate relationship betwixt her and Captain von Bauer. That aside, the external conflict thrust upon her by the Emperor, as well as the internal conflict she has of whether to marry or not, sweeps you right into the story, continuing on into the thick of palace intrigue and murder.
This novel is perfect for a mid-teen to young adult wishing to delve into the world of historical fiction with a mix of mystery as the sentence structure is simple and the grammar is attuned to that age level with incredible skill. In other words, expect more of a Phyllis Whitney-style rather than Tolstoy, which is well in introducing young readers to the world of historical fiction.
What I liked: First, the cover is amazing!! Kudos to the designer!! Second, I loved the way the book handled the matters of prejudice during the time period, and the injustice; as well as the passion for the incredible music of the era. The book was easy to read, and I finished in one sitting.
What I did not like: I must admit, I am more of a Victor Hugo-girl when it comes to French Historical novels, so my preference for a thick, voluminous, and wordy story was not fulfilled with The Paris Affair; which, is not a bad thing, just not for me. I wanted more conflict, more internal dialogue, more tension, and more roller-coasters of passion. I loved the characters and the storyline, I just felt a craving for more.
Theresa is swept into a world of mystery while escaping the pressing decision of marriage to a Hungarian Baron, and she finds herself in the position as bookkeeper to the Queen of France’s milliner, Rose Bertin. Along the path of unravelling the puzzle, she encounters the Chevalier de Saint-George, a black man of extraordinary skill with both the violin and the sword; as well as someone from her past – Captain von Bauer, a man who annoys her, yet entices her. Music is her passion, solving mysteries is her skill, in this novel set in the turbulent city of eighteenth-century Paris, a time when rumours and scandal kill.
Being the third installation in the series, as a stand-alone book I must admit I was a bit confused at the beginning, so I do recommend reading the first two in the series before beginning this one. The outset assumed a person already knew the relationship between Theresa and the Emperor, as well as the love/hate relationship betwixt her and Captain von Bauer. That aside, the external conflict thrust upon her by the Emperor, as well as the internal conflict she has of whether to marry or not, sweeps you right into the story, continuing on into the thick of palace intrigue and murder.
This novel is perfect for a mid-teen to young adult wishing to delve into the world of historical fiction with a mix of mystery as the sentence structure is simple and the grammar is attuned to that age level with incredible skill. In other words, expect more of a Phyllis Whitney-style rather than Tolstoy, which is well in introducing young readers to the world of historical fiction.
What I liked: First, the cover is amazing!! Kudos to the designer!! Second, I loved the way the book handled the matters of prejudice during the time period, and the injustice; as well as the passion for the incredible music of the era. The book was easy to read, and I finished in one sitting.
What I did not like: I must admit, I am more of a Victor Hugo-girl when it comes to French Historical novels, so my preference for a thick, voluminous, and wordy story was not fulfilled with The Paris Affair; which, is not a bad thing, just not for me. I wanted more conflict, more internal dialogue, more tension, and more roller-coasters of passion. I loved the characters and the storyline, I just felt a craving for more.
November 2, 2020
Not the book for me. Read it for a book club, otherwise I would have DNF about 50 pages in (that's my minimum reading amount before putting aside a book).
I do like some historical fiction. I like books that have a real historical figure as the protagonist. Having a famous figure like Napoleon or Elizabeth I as the lead helps me understand the time period on a deeper level than just reading a non fiction book. The best historical fiction books make me want to learn more about the character and the period of time and lead me down a rabbit hole of research and further reading.
My biggest complaint with many historical fiction novels I've read is that they are filled with anachronistic behaviors. I get that the author wants to make their book accessible to the average reader but they are instead doing them a grave disservice by putting a modern spin on characters' thoughts and actions. It's like watching an old movie filmed in the 1960's and set in the wild West of the 1950's that has all the female characters wearing 1960's beehive hairdos instead of historically accurate hairdos. Theresa is so 21st century modern in her thoughts and her behaviors. It rang incredibly false for me.
Another dislike of mine, and this is just a matter of taste, is that I felt the book was far more a romance genre than a mystery genre(which is my favorite). The mystery is really no mystery at all. Instead, the story was filled with romantic tropes like a love triangle and the jaw-grindingly irritating 'I hate him/I'm so attracted to him' trope. You know, the stories where the male and female lead spend most of the story bickering but at the end they will have s e x (not sure why Goodreads is censoring that word). UGH. The whole 'he's so manly and sexy when he is being an aggressive jerk'. It bothers me that women, by reading lots of books with relationships like this, get trained to think that that is what a healthy, good relationship looks like. They then wonder 10 years down the line why they married a narcissist. SMH.
Finally, I found the writing style and vocabulary overly simple. That's what gave it a YA vibe for me. Maybe it is a YA book? It didn't help that I am currently also reading Dicken's Dombey and Son and going from his excellent writing to this....well, there is just no comparison. It's like comparing a Hollywood blockbuster with the Tik Tok video your 12 year old made.
I do like some historical fiction. I like books that have a real historical figure as the protagonist. Having a famous figure like Napoleon or Elizabeth I as the lead helps me understand the time period on a deeper level than just reading a non fiction book. The best historical fiction books make me want to learn more about the character and the period of time and lead me down a rabbit hole of research and further reading.
My biggest complaint with many historical fiction novels I've read is that they are filled with anachronistic behaviors. I get that the author wants to make their book accessible to the average reader but they are instead doing them a grave disservice by putting a modern spin on characters' thoughts and actions. It's like watching an old movie filmed in the 1960's and set in the wild West of the 1950's that has all the female characters wearing 1960's beehive hairdos instead of historically accurate hairdos. Theresa is so 21st century modern in her thoughts and her behaviors. It rang incredibly false for me.
Another dislike of mine, and this is just a matter of taste, is that I felt the book was far more a romance genre than a mystery genre(which is my favorite). The mystery is really no mystery at all. Instead, the story was filled with romantic tropes like a love triangle and the jaw-grindingly irritating 'I hate him/I'm so attracted to him' trope. You know, the stories where the male and female lead spend most of the story bickering but at the end they will have s e x (not sure why Goodreads is censoring that word). UGH. The whole 'he's so manly and sexy when he is being an aggressive jerk'. It bothers me that women, by reading lots of books with relationships like this, get trained to think that that is what a healthy, good relationship looks like. They then wonder 10 years down the line why they married a narcissist. SMH.
Finally, I found the writing style and vocabulary overly simple. That's what gave it a YA vibe for me. Maybe it is a YA book? It didn't help that I am currently also reading Dicken's Dombey and Son and going from his excellent writing to this....well, there is just no comparison. It's like comparing a Hollywood blockbuster with the Tik Tok video your 12 year old made.
September 23, 2020
This historical fiction is aimed at Teens and YA but since I love historical fiction and I love mysteries, I figured I’d give it a read, even though I’m not in the target group. While this is the third installment in the series, the author provides enough background that you can read it as a standalone. I’m sure I would’ve understood more about Theresa’s relationship with the Captain if I had read at least Book 2, but I don’t think it was much of an issue.
The Paris Affair is the type of historical fiction that mixes totally fictional characters with real people who are used in a fictional way. Foremost among the real people treated fictionally in this book is Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a fascinating figure. He was an extraordinary musician and swordsman who rose in society despite his mixed background.
The author brings to life Paris in the 1780s, from the smelly River Seine to the gilded halls of Versailles. I enjoyed trying to picture Paris as it was back then. I thought the story itself was not that successful. I didn’t feel the central plot line was very exciting - Theresa is sent to Paris from Vienna by the emperor to find out who is spreading nasty rumors about Queen Marie Antoinette (the emperor’s sister) via printed pamphlets. The mystery wasn’t particularly mysterious.
A number of serious topics are illuminated along the way: the limited roles of women, the stratified society, the very rich versus everyone else, etc.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
The Paris Affair is the type of historical fiction that mixes totally fictional characters with real people who are used in a fictional way. Foremost among the real people treated fictionally in this book is Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a fascinating figure. He was an extraordinary musician and swordsman who rose in society despite his mixed background.
The author brings to life Paris in the 1780s, from the smelly River Seine to the gilded halls of Versailles. I enjoyed trying to picture Paris as it was back then. I thought the story itself was not that successful. I didn’t feel the central plot line was very exciting - Theresa is sent to Paris from Vienna by the emperor to find out who is spreading nasty rumors about Queen Marie Antoinette (the emperor’s sister) via printed pamphlets. The mystery wasn’t particularly mysterious.
A number of serious topics are illuminated along the way: the limited roles of women, the stratified society, the very rich versus everyone else, etc.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
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