French Pastry Murder: A Lucy Stone Mystery

At the outset of Meier’s lively 21st Lucy Stone mystery (after 2013’s Christmas Carol Murder), Norah Hemming, the hostess of a daytime TV show in Tinker’s Cove, Maine, rewards Lucy and three of her friends for their charitable fund-raising efforts with a free trip to Paris, complete with lessons at Le Cooking School from famous pastry chef Larry Bruneau. Adding to Lucy’s delight is the opportunity to spend time with her oldest daughter, Elizabeth, who works as a concierge at Paris’s posh Cavendish Hotel. The four friends plus husbands enjoy the usual tourist activities, until Lucy finds Larry stabbed and barely clinging to life in his classroom. The stakes rise after Elizabeth’s shady roommate vanishes. Those who can overlook the preposterous plot developments will have fun, even if this outing isn’t up to Meier’s usual standard. [em]Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Oct.) [/em]