Death by Naked Ladies

by Christa Bakker

A quiet Beaujolais village. A gruesome murder. What they need is… a pin-up photographer?

Don’t you hate it when a sexy young man shows up on your doorstep and wants to be your assistant? My criminal ex-husband’s nephew seems to think I need him. But even in this rural French village, my photography business is doing very well, thank you.

The moment he arrives, the village is overrun with poison pen letters, and the old postmistress turns up dead. I convince myself it’s a coincidence, until one of those nasty letters finds its way into my letterbox. Is my unwanted assistant as innocent as he seems, or has my past finally caught up with me?

If I turn a blind eye, who will prevent another murder?


Death by Naked Ladies is a clean cozy mystery with a good puzzle plot.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery

274 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2023

About the author

FREE story! https://christabakker.com/newsletter

Of Dutch origins, formerly in France and presently based in southern Britain, Christa Bakker spends her days gazing at romantic countryside, wondering how to describe it to do it justice. She loves good food, good puzzles and good villains.

Christa writes happy little bloody murders, but if she stares at you, don’t worry. She’s not planning to kill you, she’s just borrowing body parts for her next character.

Her daily accomplishments include keeping her two children alive, leaving her husband in peace, and not eating too much chocolate. Although that last one depends on your definition.

Don't forget that FREE STORY: https://christabakker.com/newsletter

And follow me on social media: @ChristaBakkerAuthor

Reviews

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie has moved back to the small village of St. Maurice, France after her divorce. She’s living on her great aunt’s property and has remodeled the barn into her studio where she is a photographer doing vintage style pin-ups bums ( the “Whoops, did my skirt just fly up?” shoots she calls them!). Her exe’s nephew, Beau, shows up asking for a place to stay, which she grants temporarily. When the village recluse is found murdered in her mansion, her mom, the mayor along with the police, guilt her into investigating. Beau, a very personable and charming young man, helps as her assistant. A fascinating story with likable characters!

[lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading more by the same Author

[Anne Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of wheels within wheels in this book. Julie is not impressed when her ex’s nephew arrives to stay with her, but, he turns out to be quite useful with both her photography & murder solving! I was rather amused to discover what the Naked Ladies turned out to be.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julie has a very fertile imagination, and made me laugh. Despite the murders, it was good that Julie learned an important life lesson- it's good to have friends. This kept me guessing until the end. It was sad that someone trying to stop the destruction should go to jail!!!

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie hate it when her husbands nephew turned up and wanted to be her assistant. She was good at her job as a photographer. But with his arrival a lot of strange things happen . Poison letters and the old postmistress dying was some of it. There is a lot of suspense and mayhem in the read to keep the reader entertained. I enjoyed the read and I leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to read the book to find out who the Naked Ladies are. Meeting the characters will delight you and get you hooked on this series set in lovely France. Recommended.

[Karen L. Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great first book in the series. An unexpected guest, poison pen letters, a murder, and a missing wife. Julie has her work cut out for her trying to solve this mystery. This is a nice,clean read with interesting characters and a mystery that is not easy to solve. I was given this book free for an honest opinion.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immensely enjoyable book, starting with the title and the chapter titles. It has a captivating story, wonderful characters and a solid plot.
Successful debut!

[Linda Ann Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting of this book in rural France is delightful. It feels like a very interesting memoir. However, it is a murder mystery. It keeps you guessing until the very end.
Let ters see if you can piece it together.
I received a free copy & I am writing a voluntary honest review

[Yvonne Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. I finished it in one night. Love that it was set in a small French town.

[Julie Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a small village in France, an engaging mystery and characters I would like to get to know more.

[Melinda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book I can't wait to read the next book.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Interesting Mystery
Don’t you hate it when a sexy young man shows up on your doorstep and wants to be your assistant? My criminal ex-husband’s nephew seems to think I need him. But even in this rural French village, my photography business is doing very well, thank you.

This is an interesting mystery about the murder of a woman who was evil.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Carole Marples · Rating 5 out of 5]

Très Bien!!

A sassy heroine with attitude and an unusual job. A fabulous, idyllic setting, and an unexpected murder. The story kept me guessing until the end, and unlike the heroine, I didn't solve the mystery.

[Sterre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't you just love the title?
And isn't the little croissant adorable?
A while back I was asked to do a beta read of this book by the author. I instantly loved the title and the occupation of the main character! I received the finished paperback a few days ago and did an instant re-read- it is as entertaining as I remember. #cozycrime #cozymystery #paperback #deathbynakedladies #book

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twisted mystery! I definitely did not see that solution. I think that Thibeau will be good for Julie…remind her that she is still a person in her own right and not an extension of her dreadful ex-husband. I enjoyed the interplay between Thibeau and Julie, that was fun. I look forward to reading the next book!

[Julie Carithers Overstreet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished "Death by Naked Ladies" by Christa Bakker-de Zoete ! A great read. I did not see that end coming!! Wow!! A must-read!!

[Luis Nuñez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book during a Facebook contest, and was intrigued by its suggestive title.

I found it very interesting, enjoyable and quite different than cozy mysteries based in the US. The French culture mentioned was fun, since I travel internationally very often. Small refrigerators necessitate daily trips to the market, which provided colorful shopping experiences I can relate to.

I liked the way the story was formed. You got to know a lot about each character in the village. It was a good way to acquaint you with new friends, which no doubt will reappear in the next book. Of course, there was a murder…or two… With a twist!

Julie, the protagonist, was a rather shy, introverted person and unsure of herself at the beginning, but in the end, she became more confident. She was a very likeable character to get to know. Her best friend and her mother felt she was not connecting with enough people in the village, so they told her to go talk to everyone to get to know them, and find out whodunnit.

I would recommend this book as entertaining and light…no blood and gore, and also no sexually explicit descriptions, as one might assume by the title.

Thank you, Christa Bakker for allowing me to read this book and post a personal review.

[Dave Measner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Belmain is 5 years removed from a bad marriage to bad person with a successful photography business when her ex-nephew, Thibault. shows up on her doorstep saying he's escaped and looking for a place to stay. To say this does't figure in her plans is putting it mildly, but she has a soft spot for the young man and if he wants to get away from his family she can't blame him for that. She lets him stay, but only for two days, she declares. After being by her self for several years getting over the bad breakup, her ex is in prison, she is not used to having someone around. Add to this strange new habitation plan her sleepy little village has a murder of a long time curmungenly resident. A police friend and her mother the mayor ask Julie to ask around the village to help gather information about the crime. Many characters with posssible motive arise and bothersome letters add to the confusion surrounding the murder. Can Julie figure out the perpetrator before she strangles her nephew? Read and enjoy this new series with a stong plot and many interesting characters.
Disclaimer:I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie lives in a sleepy French village and is a photographer who takes glamour shots of ladies to make them feel special and confident and she also likes a good puzzle. Her nephew comes to stay bringing mischief and turmoil in her life but not more than the murder of the village postmistress. Can she (and Beau) find the culprit?
If you like a good mystery with a bit of humour intermingled then you'll love this, I did.
I did receive an advance copy of this book from the author but am happy to leave this review.

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Naked Ladies is the first book in the new Saint Maurice Mystery series expertly written by Christa Bakker. This was a fascinating story with enjoyable and likable characters. I was rather amused to discover what the Naked Ladies turned out to be. There is a lot of suspense and mayhem in the book to keep the reader entertained. I throughly enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading more in this series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kelly A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh La La, What a Fun and Intriguing Mystery

I love all the French phrases. This is a series you should read in order to get the introduction to Julie and Thibault (Beau). I believe it makes the series more enjoyable to follow their relationship and to understand why Julie takes the photos she does. This has a bevy of town characters, who all become suspects in the murder of the former postmistress. Secrets galore makes for a very difficult mystery that keeps you guessing through the entire book.

[Jo Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The great title drew me in and of course, a story taking place in a small French village is my "cup of tea." But I just didn't care for the writing. It was more a tell, than a don't tell, show. Writing was good but simple. I liked the characters and I thought Julie's job as a pin-up photographer was really cool. But I stopped a few times to stick it on the DNF pile, but I try to finish books. Glad I did but doubt I'll read any more.

[Kate Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, entertaining, engaging. Julie has been a bit stuck in the mud but Beau is a character who will prove very adaptable and keep Julie young I suspect. I received this as an advance copy from the author and am leaving this review of my own accord.

[Sherri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful peek into French village life! I love Julie’s reflections as she goes about her day and her best friend, Tiana, is a hoot! Beau definitely adds sparkle to any occasion! Fun and enjoyable read!

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great cozy mystery full of interesting characters that will make you smile throughout. A wonderful storyline will keep you guessing to the end. An amazing cozy mystery.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I am leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Elizabeth Lobdell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives a flavour of old world charm

Nice cozy mystery of a small town in France. Divorced photographer returns home and sets up shop specializing in Pinup Girl shoots.
Murder happens and she has to get past the feeling of alienation from her old friends.

[R Morris]

DNF

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Naked Ladies
Christa Bakker

This is a great cosy mystery to curl up with when looking for some small-town intrigue and humour! I found myself speaking to the characters to help them see what I had already realised before they knew what was happening. And at times I even found myself laughing out loud at some of the scenes.
And there were a few plot twists that I did not see coming which threw me off course.
I would recommend this book to anyone with a sense of humour and a craving for some mystery-solving.