Cancans, Croissants, and Caskets

I have been cutting the jasmine vine off our front porch.  I am finally getting down to the actual porch.  I am discovering more problems.  The vine really did a number of my poor little porch. A good tip to remember is never plant jasmine vine near your porch (a fence or trellis is preferable).

I just finished reading Cancans, Croissants,and Caskets by Mary McHugh.  It is the third book in The Happy Hoofers Mystery series.  The Happy Hoofers are off the Paris, France!  They are dancing on the Bateau Mouche.  It is a boat that does dinner cruises on the Seine.  They will dance each evening for a week (five days).  The ladies rented an apartment to stay at while they are in Paris.  The Happy Hoofers include:  Janice Rogers (actress), Tina Powell (travel writer for a bridal magazine), Gini Miller (documentary filmmaker), Mary Louise Temple (housewife), and Pat Keller (family therapist).  This book is told from the perspective of Janice Rogers.  Each book is told from a different Happy Hoofers perspective (which I really do not like).  The ladies arrive in Paris early on Bastille Day (they did not plan well).  They are to perform that evening on the boat.  They first take a quick nap and then head to the Bateau Mouche to check in with the owner, Henri Fouchet.  They meet his wife, Madeleine Fouchet as well as the singer, Suzette Millet and the band.  Suzette is a lovey singer who is wanting to leave the boat to go to America.  She has been offered to sing at Le Bateau Mouche, a nightclub in New York.  It is named after the boat and owned by Alan Anderson. 

At the end of their first performance, everyone heads to the upper deck for the fireworks.  A scream rings out.  Henri Fouchet has been shot.  Captain Genevieve Chantal arrives to investigate the murder.  Who wanted Henri dead and why?  There are several suspects.  During the day the Happy Hoofers sight see around Paris and at night they dance on Bateau Mouche until there is another death.  Madame Fouchet is found dead.  That is the end of dancing on Bateau Mouche.   There is romance is the air for Janice.  She has two men interested in squiring her around Paris.  Pat is enjoying Paris with Captain Chantal.  While out enjoying the Paris nightlife, Janice stumbles upon an important clue.  Will it get her killed?

I did not like Cancans, Croissants, and Caskets as much as the previous two books in the series.  The mystery was too simple.  I did not like that the Happy Hoofers do not actually work to solve the mystery.  It just kind of happens.  The best part of a cozy mystery is following the clues along with the characters to solve the crime.  There are fashion tips from Janice that I found to be a little simple (and a little idiotic).   It does include some lovely French recipes.  I give Cancans, Croissants, and Caskets 3 out of 5.  I found Cancans, Croissants, and Caskets was too similar to the previous books in the series.  I am tired of Janice attracting every man within a 50 mile radius and they fall in love with her (happens in every book).  Is she Bridget Bardot (I am really dating myself with this reference)?  We did not get many details on each character (we got a little at the very end of the book) because each book focuses on a different character (I wish we would just have one main character).  This book focuses on Janice.  I got really tired of the references to her second marriage (which only lasted two years and ruined her relationship with her daughter) and the honeymoon they went on in Paris.  The book focuses more on the sights of Paris and recipes than on the mystery.  I was just disappointed overall.

I received a complimentary copy of Cancans, Croissants, and Caskets from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.

I am off to eat dinner.  I hope you have had a delightful day!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader