Review Title: A Dazzling Mystery in the Glamorous Parisian Fashion Scene

Murder at the Paris Fashion House is the first installment in the Abigail Dixon Mysteries, and Nancy Warren has delivered a charming, fast-paced cozy mystery set against the backdrop of 1920s Paris. With its irresistible blend of fashion, intrigue, and suspense, this novel makes for an utterly addictive read.

The novel opens in 1925, a time when Paris is the epicenter of artistic, cultural, and fashion innovation. Enter Abigail Dixon, an ambitious American reporter who arrives in Paris with dreams of reporting on hard-hitting news. Instead, her editor at the Chicago International Post assigns her to cover Paris Fashion Week, specifically the latest collection of the famous couturier Paul Joubert. Abigail, initially reluctant to cover fashion, soon finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation when her estranged stepmother, Lillian Dixon, is found dead in a changing room.

What sets Murder at the Paris Fashion House apart is its seamless blending of historical fiction and mystery. Warren introduces real-life figures such as Coco Chanel and Nellie Bly, adding an air of authenticity to the 1920s Parisian fashion scene. The author vividly captures the spirit of the Roaring Twenties, with its glamorous couture shows, champagne-filled parties, and the bustling energy of a city reborn after World War I. The period details—from flapper fashion to the growing independence of women—enhance the richness of the story.

Abigail Dixon is a likeable, clever protagonist. Her resourcefulness and determination to solve the murder make her easy to root for, and her internal struggle between her career ambitions and personal life adds depth to her character. As she navigates the complexities of the fashion world and the investigation, we also meet the intelligent and enigmatic Inspector Henri Deschamps, whose calm, methodical approach to solving crimes contrasts beautifully with Abigail’s impulsiveness. Their partnership is compelling and full of tension, yet also filled with surprises that keep readers intrigued.

The mystery is packed with red herrings and clever twists, keeping the reader guessing throughout. Warren’s pacing is perfect, steadily increasing the stakes as more secrets are unearthed, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. Each character, from designers to models and socialites, is crafted with care, and the secondary characters feel just as vibrant as the main players.

Final Thoughts: Murder at the Paris Fashion House is a beautifully written and thoroughly entertaining cozy mystery that offers an escape to 1920s Paris in the most delightful way. With its atmospheric setting, sharp-witted protagonist, and a mystery that keeps readers on their toes, this is a fantastic start to a new series. Cozy mystery fans and lovers of historical fiction will find it irresistible.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Nancy Warren for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I'm already looking forward to Abigail's next adventure!

I devoured this book in one sitting. It’s fast-paced and is a wonderful read. This is such an enjoyable new cozy mystery featuring Paris, fashion, and a nosey reporter. I highly recommend!

An enjoyable murder mystery set in 20s Paris, it was such fun to read this cosy historical mystery. The setting was great, interesting characters, and of course the mystery.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

Book Review: Murder at the Paris Fashion House by Nancy Warren

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing "Murder at the Paris Fashion House", the first installment in the Abigail Dixon Mysteries by Nancy Warren, and what a delightful read! I just adore cozy mysteries set in the 1920s, and this book certainly hit the mark.

Set in the glamorous backdrop of Paris in 1925, we follow Abigail Dixon, a tenacious news reporter from Chicago who is eager to make her mark in the world of journalism. However, her first assignment takes a dark turn when she stumbles upon her estranged stepmother’s lifeless body among the luxurious fabrics and shimmering sequins of a high-fashion atelier. To make matters worse, she's the prime suspect in this shocking murder.

Abigail's journey through the City of Lights is nothing short of captivating. With her limited French and sharp instincts, she teams up with a colorful cast of characters, including the charming Inspector Henri Deschamps and the young journalist Ernest Hemingway (yes, that Hemingway!). This eclectic group helps Abigail navigate the intricacies of Parisian society, all while she seeks to uncover family secrets and prove her innocence.

One of the things I loved most about the book was Abigail herself. She’s strong-willed and determined but also impulsive, which makes for some thrilling moments. Her friendships with characters like Lord Frederick and her roommate Vivien add depth to the story, creating a rich tapestry of relationships that kept me engaged from start to finish.

Warren’s writing style is perfectly paced and thoroughly entertaining. The historical details, from sipping champagne at the Ritz to exploring iconic landmarks like Notre-Dame and Versailles, transport you right into 1920s Paris. The book is also full of secondary characters who are just as well-crafted as Abigail herself, adding layers to the narrative that I thoroughly appreciated.

As the plot thickens and Abigail faces ever-growing danger—including a mysterious letter warning her to leave Paris—I found myself on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages to see how it all would unfold.

In conclusion, Murder at the Paris Fashion House is an enjoyable historical cozy mystery that I have no hesitation in recommending. If you’re a fan of vibrant settings, engaging characters, and a good whodunit, then this book is definitely for you! Nancy Warren has created a captivating start to what promises to be an exciting series.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Nancy Warren’s latest entry begins a new series, set in Paris in 1925. Abigail Dixon wants a career and a byline, and arrives at the Paris office of her Chicago newspaper, gung-ho to write about the French Union for Women’s Suffrage. Her editor, Walter Strutt, puts her straight about that. As a woman she must write about clothes, hair and tea parties, and she’s bustled off to Maison de Joubert, where couturier Paul Joubert has agreed to show her his new fall collection. But in the showroom, she’s horrified to see the last person on earth she expected – her young stepmother, Lillian Dixon, who destroyed her parents’ marriage. Abby makes a quick exit, feigning interest in the intricate details of design and dressmaking, from sketchbook to soirée. Unfortunately, during part of her tour she discovers Lillian’s body in a dressing room, and immediately becomes the number one suspect for murder-by-dressmaking shears.

I have to say I loved this novel, not only for the couture aspects, which are worth a stopover just to learn tidbits about the fashion industry, but also the manner in which the author uses women being put in their place to turn the story on its head. Abby’s tenacity in trying to clear her name and her fear for her future feel totally credible, and her digging takes her all the way back to WWI. The story includes a delightful friendship between the dowdily dressed Abby and her chic modern flatmate, Vivian, who, unlike Abby, is happy to ensnare the right rich man. Abby’s plans to exonerate herself draws in interesting side characters, including her spiritist aunt, and, as Abby turns the label of suspect into something else entirely, she basks in being the star of the show. The killer eluded me until the end of this delightful read, which I hope will lead to more of Abby’s murderous adventures.

Murder at the Paris Fashion House is an addictive historical cozy mystery with an unflappable leading lady in 1920s France. Abigail has to navigate the sexism and patriarchal society to build her career in journalism. Things get off to a wobbly start when on her first day she finds her stepmother murdered and is immediately declared a suspect.
There are many elements here making it a very pleasing and fun read; the fast easy flow of the writing and dialogue, the mystery with the added help of Inspector Henri who becomes less of a threat and more of a friend, and the high fashion. Abigail gets the 'pretty woman' makeover thanks to the fashion designer she had been sent to interview and it was delightful to see her discard the dowdy look for sparkling glamour.
The mystery had me guessing and hooked until the end and I look forward to reading the second book as soon as I can.

This was an enjoyable cozy historical mystery featuring Abby, a journalist from the US who moves to Paris in 1925. She ends up being accused of murdering her step mother in a fashion house.

What I liked: I love it when authors cameo real historical figures into their story. Abby met Ernest Hemingway and had a few key conversations with him and he gave her advice!
I also enjoy hearing about the technical advances at the time. Abby had a camera and used it which led me to look up the state of photography in 1925. 35mm film was introduced in 1925. This is how I continue to become more educated just by reading books (!!) than I ever got while I was in school.
There was a key séance scene, and I'm always interested in how they did séances during Victorian times and beyond when spiritually was popular.

What I wish was better: the story dragged at times. The ending when the séance took place was the most riveting part of the story by far.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Interesting cozy mystery. What's not to love about 1920s Paris. Great start to a new series. Even thought it wasn't a favorite I did enjoy it.

Murder at the Paris Fashion House
A totally addictive 1920's cozy mystery (An Abigail Dixon Mystery Book 1)
by Nancy Warren
Pub DateMay 08 2024
Storm Publishing
General Fiction \(Adult\)| Historical Fiction| Mystery & Thrillers

I am reviewing a copy of Murder at the
Paris Fashion House through Storm
Publishing and Netgalley:



In jazz-age Paris, a Chicago news reporter chases her big break, an exclusive with a renowned couture designer, and a stepmother who died...


Visiting the Paris fashion scene in 1925, news reporter Abigail Dixon is dazzled by Coco Chanel's latest looks, sipping champagne at the Ritz, and interviewing a famous designer. Stepping into his atelier on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Abigail is ready to swoon. She doesn't expect to find her estranged stepmother dead on the fitting room floor - and Abigail framed.



In order to clear her name, Abigail must use her investigative skills to unravel a tangled web of family secrets and find the real murderer, using only her high school French.



With her new friends Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel, and dashing Lord Frederick by her side, Abigail explores the city of lights - from Notre-Dame to Versailles - looking for clues to solve this deadly crime.


But one morning, she reads a letter telling her she has to leave Paris right away because she's in grave danger.



Can Abigail keep her wits about her, find the cunning couture killer, and prove her innocence so she can stay in the city she loves?


I give Murder at the Paris Fashion House five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

I'm a huge fan of Nancy Warren's paranormal cozy mysteries and always appreciated the well rounded characters and the humour.
This is a new series and I was to read the two novels one after the other as there's an evolution in the characters and the plot/mystery gets better in the second one.
I appreciated the description of Paris in the 20s and Abigail, clever and witty. I found the mystery than solid than usual but I enjoyed it.
The second one is a classic country house mystery and was well developed and solid. Abigail is not happy to be there but she discovers a lot of secrets and is able to solve a complex mystery.
This was more compelling and solid, a well plotted mystery that kept me guessing.
Can't wait to read the next one.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Abigail (Abby) is a journalist from Chicago who goes to Paris and works for her Chicago Newspaper office as a journalist in the 1920’s. She wants to focus on writing and covering heroine stories about women but her boss tells her to write about the latest women’s fashion, beauty, hair, etc. trends in Paris. She goes to the famous Couturier Paul Joubert’s fashion house to interview him and his staff about his latest clothing designs and trends. However, while Abby is there interviewing Mr. Joubert she sees her step mother in another area and they were never close so she goes elsewhere and then her Step Mother is murdered and she of course is the number 1 suspect. Abby and her best friend/roommate Vivian work together to prove she is innocent and Abby writes articles and post pics about herself being the murder suspect. She gains her Newspaper and Paul Joubert more customers because everyone wants to know more about her and the case. This was the first book that I had read of Nancy Warren’s. Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review a ARC of this book.

“to achieve perfection, one must be a perfectionist.”

Thank you so so much to NetGalley and Storm Publishing to allow me to read the arc of Murder at the Fashion House. I really had a lot of fun reading it!

“My dear, those who’ve passed are always all right. Always comfortable. We suffer much more here on earth.”

So we follow the story of Abigail Dixon, an American foreigner in France who somehow ends up in the same fashion house as her hated stepmother. We follow Abby’s life after the death as it puts her in the limelight, and I guess in the 1920s, murder was justified with beheading. Interesting fact.

“But if you lose yourself in guilt and remorse, then you become a second victim of the tragedy.”

I guess I liked Abby’s character? She seemed like a “pick-me” feminist in the beginning, and I honestly don’t know how to feel about that because both adjectives have the opposite connotations for me. I did gradually end up really liking her and got really invested into her story. There’s some character development and it was so much fun reading more about her!

“Abby, I don’t want to puff you up, but you’re a sensation.”

I really liked the plot and how it ended. Although there were some tropes that I don’t typically gravitate towards, the story ended pretty well! Some tropes you’d see include: Cinderella, (possible?) love triangle, cool aunt, wrong place wrong time. Some of these tropes people don’t really look at (from what it seems) but some of the tropes mentioned are kind of likeable for me. The events that Abby goes through were so much fun to read.

“Justice is a fine and good quality; just make certain you don’t confuse it with revenge.”

One thing I will say, is that I really liked the mystery and how everything was pieced together, BUT I did not see it coming at all. Like I could be missing a bunch of hints, but nothing hinted towards the truth and I was so confused on how she was able to piece it all together. It all felt so rushed because it was new information that kept spewing out.

“Regret is a pointless emotion.”

All in all, I enjoyed the plot, I enjoyed the mystery (though I’m not a fan of how the truth was revealed plot wise). I really really enjoyed Nancy Warren’s writing, and will definitely be keeping up with the series now.

In the first book in the Abigail Dixon Mystery series, Warren introduces her readers to Chicagoan reporter Abigail Dixon, recently arrived in Paris to write news articles outside the women’s pages. On her first assignment, her editor sends her to an up-and-coming atelier where her estranged and widowed stepmother is suddenly murdered. The prime suspect -- with means, motives, opportunity, and a presence at the crime scene -- Abigail knows she didn’t kill her stepmother despite what Inspector Henri Deschamps believes and sets out to prove her innocence. In her quest to find the true murderer, Abigail uses her new notoriety to break onto the front pages as a reporter of her own story. With charming side characters as Abigail’s new Parisian friends and a complex mystery unfolding around her, Abigail is a fun, clever, and feisty heroine looking to prove herself. With high stakes, many characters, and twists and turns galore, readers will definitely enjoy Warren’s mystery and lady detective if they are fans of similar books. The story itself is complex and the mystery is written well, with many misdirections and twists, which will keep readers guessing throughout the novel. A strong start to a new historical mystery series, readers will enjoy Abigail’s current and future exploits and investigations.

This is the first book in the Abigail Dixon series. It's a cosy mystery set in the 1920's.

Abigail, or Abby, as she prefers to be called, is a journalist who has moved from Paris to Chicago. I really liked how the author brought the atmosphere of 1920s Paris to life. This was an entertaining cosy mystery and I would probably read more from this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

The first in a new series about Abby, a journalist who has recently arrived in Paris. She is surprised to find she has been relegated to reporting on women's subjects, like fashion, but does her duty for her first job of going to a famous designer's atelier. However, she is even more surprised to find her ex stepmother there. Things become even worse for Abby when her stepmother is murdered and she is the main suspect. She sets out to use her journalism skills to find the true culprit and clear her name.

I really enjoyed this debut! Abby was such a great protagonist, and the mystery was really enjoyable. I thought the whodunit was a little from left field, but it did not take away from my enjoyment of the book. I can't wait to see where Abby's adventures in Paris take her next!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the book in return for an honest review.

2.5☆ and im being nice.
The book has so much potential but the execution was painful. I really dont like how the main character was written as she is the strong woman she is and successful, but when the murder happen she loses hope and gives up without even being charged with anything. I also dont like how the book jumps from a scene to another, its hard to engage with it also i could not for the life of me imagine anything in the book. It felt like i was reading an essay. If it was executed differently it could have been easily a 4 or 5 ☆
I ended up dnf the book

This is the first book in a new series set in the 1920s where the amateur sleuth is trying to make it as a reporter in a new country. The author does a good job introducing us to Paris in that time period and various character's Abigail meets along the way. The pace starts off well but I found things really dragged in the middle and then felt a bit rushed at the end which made the plot feel a bit all over the place. It was still enjoyable enough although I do feel the intrepid reporter sleuth for this era has been a bit done to death the fashion muse side was a nice touch I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a well researched period murder mystery set in Paris in 1925. The streets, buildings and Parisian life are described in delightful detail giving a real sense of place and the period. The workings of a top fashion house and newspaper journalism are cleverly intertwined in a story involving ambition, social etiquette, jealousy, loyalty, and friendship with a good smattering of misdirection.

Abigail Dixon, a young reporter working for the Chicago International post, has been posted to a sister newspaper in Paris following the deaths of her parents. She’s ambitious and keen to pursue a career as a reporter. However, social stereotypes and prejudices of the time means that she is not taken seriously and perceived as being a socialite looking for a rich husband. Her first assignment is to cover the latest fashion collection from renowned designer Paul Joubert. On visiting the fashion house she sees her stepmother. Whilst being shown around the fashion house Abby stumbles upon the body of her stepmother and becomes the prime suspect for her murder. Encouraged by her flat mate and a chance encounter with a young American author, Ernest Hemingway, she draws on her reporting skills to try to prove her innocence clear her name.

The historical murder mystery is engaging from start to finish and has an exciting ending. The characters are well rounded and I hope to read further books about Abby and her continuing career as a reporter.

Thank you to NETGALLEY, Storm Publishing and Nancy Warren for this arc.

Murder At A Paris Fashion House is an excellent story, at times I actually felt like I was with Abby walking the streets of Paris in the 1920s, the book is so beautifully written I could imagine exactly what the author is describing, it already has me excited for the next book! Nancy Warren is an excellent writer.

Abby Dixon has moved to Paris to become a reporter, she wants to report the hardcore stuff, not anything about the latest trends, however Abby has to report the latest trends, Abby goes to a couture fashion house and whilst there she sees her stepmother… who is then murdered.

Abby is soon accused of murdering her step mother and works to clear her name and takes it upon herself to find the real murderer, even if that means snooping in her step mothers hotel room to try and work out what her step mother is doing in Paris.

I loved the mysteriousness of the book but it was also lighthearted, I loved how the author wrote in the world of fashion into a murder mystery, I cannot recommend this book enough to the people I know, five out of five for me!