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, … 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.
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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.
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
“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 a 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.
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!
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.