I am a big fan of Ms. Cambridge’s Three Tomes Bookshop series, which is written under the name Colleen Gleason. So, when I learned she was doing a book tour a few months ago and had a stop fairly close to where I live, I jumped at the chance to go. I even brought my husband along!
There were quite a few older couples there, too! Apparently, that was considered date night for many couples that belonged to that particular library. It was a very fun crowd, to say the least.
Whoops, I went off track pretty fast there. Where was I?
Ah, yes, I’m so glad I went, and for many reasons, but this post is focused on one very important to me. Not only is she a very nice, intelligent person and a wonderful speaker, but she gave me some great advice.
You see, Mastering the Art of French Murder is written in the first-person perspective. I’ve been dealing with brain fog for the past 3 (holy cow, almost 4) years now, and I found that I just couldn’t focus on books with this perspective anymore.
I tried.
It drove me up the proverbial wall.
I tried again right before meeting Ms. Gleason/Cambridge and still couldn’t do it. I even apologized to her, although I knew I did not need to. She was very gracious about it and kindly suggested I try the audiobook.
Mind you, I love audiobooks! So, I gave it a try, and it worked! I listened to it while I worked on crafts and did my walks. I even listened to it in the car. Normally, when I listen to books while I drive, they are stories I’ve already read or listened to, so this was a change.
It worked beautifully.
In fact, it worked so well that when I got to chapter 23 (there are 24 chapters, per Audible). I got antsy. I had pulled into my driveway in the middle of the chapter. What was I to do? I couldn’t sit in my driveway all day and my eyes were too tired for crafting. I convinced myself I could wait.
I couldn’t. I tried, but I could not get Tabitha Knight and her story out of my head!
(Fast-forward to bedtime)
I couldn’t sleep. I needed to know what happened next. So, I found Mastering the Art of French Murder on Kindle Unlimited, downloaded it, and finished reading it. I was so engrossed in the story that I was able to read the ending without any concentration issues!
But it doesn’t stop there. The next day, I had another book I wanted to read and review. I downloaded it and was about 2/3 through it before it sunk in that it was in the first person, and I was fine! Somehow, Ms. Gleason (Cambridge? I really can’t decide which last name to use right now.) found the key to my being able to read first-person perspective books again!
Yes, I sent her an email thanking her. The Llama has some manners, you know, no matter what some may say. (The Llama also has very good hearing, but that’s a story for another day.)
Oh, now, where was I? Oh, the review!
The narrator, Polly Lee, was amazing. She read at a perfect clip, she made the characters easily discernable, and she pulled me into the story without hesitation. I’d listen to her again in a heartbeat. The only downside was that her “t”s kept disappearing in words like “interest.” That drove me nuts for the first few chapters, and then it just didn’t matter anymore. She’s that good.
The story? Well, I already mentioned I love Colleen’s writing. This was no exception. She makes crafting a mystery seem as easy as Julia Child making a salmon souffle.
Did I mention that Julia Child is the main character’s dear friend who lives across the street? Or the issue with the mayonnaise? Or the fact that the murder happens in Mme. Child’s building?
No?
Consider yourself warned. You’re in for a treat!
Mastering the Art of French Murder can be found on the following links (among other wonderful booksellers!):
Amazon (Kindle and other formats)
NOTE: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
One Crafty Llama 
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