Book Review of 'The Paris Portrait' by Heidi Eljarbo

Happy Tuesday Bookworms!

I am so excited to you are joining me today! November is just flying by, but I am living for it! This month is full of amazing new releases as we barrel towards the holidays and today, I am featuring a new release from one of my favorite series to date.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Historical Mystery and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Paris Portrait by Heidi Eljarbo, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Paris Portrait
Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #3
Author: Heidi Eljarbo
Publisher: Independently published
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Genre: Historical Mystery, Dual Timeline, Fiction

Fabiola stumbles upon a clue that indicates a royal portrait went missing almost two hundred years ago. Is this true, or is there substance to the rumor?

Paris, France, 1973.
After an enjoyable but dusty road trip, Fabiola and her friends, Pippa and Cary, arrive in a small village on the outskirts of Paris to spend a few days with Fabiola’s brother Eivind and his family.

On their first evening there, Eivind shows Fabiola an ancient recipe book he bought at an auction. The book is filled with old writing, and he asks Fabiola to decipher the pages. After the others have gone to bed, she spends hours reading and is gripped by the last pages that have nothing to do with recipes for baked goods and stews. Certain the author was a famous portrait artist at the time of the French Revolution, Fabiola and her friends set out on a treacherous investigation, dodging murderers and thieves to learn the truth.

Versailles, France, 1789.
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun— portraitist and close friend of the extravagant queen of France, Marie Antoinette—has already painted thirty portraits of the queen. Her contemporaries compare her to the old Dutch masters, calling her one of the greatest portrait painters of her time.

But outside on the streets, Paris is becoming more perilous with every day that passes. Madame Le Brun would be a fool to think the rumors of a revolution will pass, and aristocratic life will continue as before.

Amid the turmoil, she paints one final portrait of Marie Antoinette, knowing well her association with the queen could cause her to be arrested or executed. As chaos and riots in Paris turn to violence, Madame Le Brun flees with her young daughter, hoping her royal friend and the portrait will be safe.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

My Review

The series has been so incredible that I feel an overwhelming sense of excitement whenever I get the chance to read another installment, and reading The Paris Portrait was no exception.

In the story, we get to see Fabiola and her friends solve a mystery while on vacation visiting Fabiola’s brother and his family. I really liked getting to know my favorite sleuth a little better while also learning more about Marie Antoinette and the lead-up to the French Revolution.

I adore how this novel seamlessly combines entertainment and education, and the historical elements woven into the narrative are what truly captivate me. I never had any interest in learning about art history or the French monarchy, but this series and this novel have ignited a passion within me to delve deeper into these subjects.

It was incredibly challenging to put this novel down. Having read the first two novels in this series, I feel a profound connection with Fabiola, Cary, and Pippa. By now, they feel like family to me. I am so excited that there is another story in the future as I am not ready to say goodbye. The Paris Portrait is a must read for mystery and history lovers alike and I cannot recommend highly enough!

My Rating: ★★★★★

More Books in This Series

About the Author

Heidi Eljarbo grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history.

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Connect with Heidi by visiting heidieljarbo.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card + a paperback of one Fabiola Bennett Mystery of your choice!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 12, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 19, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!