Title: Simone LaFray and the Chocolatiers’ Ball
Author: S.P. O’Farrell
Genre: Middle Grade, Mystery
Publisher: Brandylane Publishers, Inc.
Source: Author
Format: Paperback
Release Date: May 13, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Simone LaFray had never questioned one thing – the character of her father. A fourth generation chocolatier and proprietor of a world famous patisserie, in her eyes he could do no wrong. However, her eyes were trained to see everything that was wrong. A covert agent with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this extraordinary 12-year-old was living a double life, walking in the veiled footprints of her mother, icing eclairs, dusting pastries, and darting between the shadows. What could be sweeter? When a notorious thief returns to Paris seeking revenge against her mother, a series of unforeseen and potentially devastating events ensue, leaving Simone to question everything. Her father can’t be the man they say he is, can he? Her concealed life is evaporating, the store hangs in the balance . . . and did I mention she needs a ball gown? Life in a French patisserie may not be as sweet as you thought. Simone LaFray and the Chocolatier’s Ball pulls the invisible girl out of the shadows and into the spotlight, but is she ready?
Review:
Simone LaFray is a twelve-year-old spy from a family of chocolatiers. She works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where her mother also works as an agent, while her father runs a chocolate patisserie. When an art thief returns to Paris to seek revenge on her mother, Simone takes charge of the investigation. The hunt for the thief leads her through art galleries and ultimately to the chocolatiers’ ball, where her father’s reputation is on the line.
I was instantly drawn into this story with the evocative descriptions. Paris is a vibrant setting for a novel, and it felt like I was there while reading this book. The descriptions of the chocolate and sweet treats made my mouth water!
There were many layers to the mystery in this story. Simone had to investigate a notorious art thief, who had a rebellious reputation similar to Banksy. The mystery came close to home when Simone’s family was targeted by a thief. In the final chapters of the novel, I could tell that this was just the beginning of a larger mystery that would be continued in more stories.
Simone LaFray and the Chocolatiers’ Ball was a fun middle grade mystery novel!
Thank you S.P. O’Farrell and Bookstagrammers.com for sending me a copy of this book!
What to read next:
Simone LaFray and the Red Wolves of London by S.P. O’Farrell
Other books in the series:
- Simone LaFray and the Red Wolves of London
Have you read Simone LaFray and the Chocolatiers’ Ball? What did you think of it?
Jill's Book Blog 