The Paris Key

While we're on a roll of looking at books from magical places around the world, I think it's time for a trip to Paris!

Summary (via JulietBlackwell.net): As a girl, Genevieve Martin spend the happiest summer of her life in Paris, learning the delicate art locksmithing at her uncle's side.  But since then, living back in the States, she has become more private, more an observer of life rather than an active participant.  She has held herself back from those around her, including her soon-to-be-ex-husband.  But Paris never really left Genevieve, and, as her marriage crumbles, she finds herself faced with an incredible opportunity: to return to the magical city of her youth to take over her late uncle's shop. But as she absorbs all that Parisian culture has to offer, she realizes the city also holds secrets about her family that could change her forever...and that locked doors can protect you or imprison you, depending on which side of them you stand!

Review: This is one of those books that lets you live vicariously through someone else who has the guts, or impulsiveness, to do the kind of things you've always wanted to do but never have.

We all dream of packing it all in and moving to a romantic city like Paris but few of us have. Even fewer have all of the safety nets that the main character in this book had that enabled her to do it. Let that small fact go and you'll thoroughly enjoy this well written book.

I listened to the audio version and once I got used to paying enough attention to pick up when the storyline switched from mother to daughter point of view, I was able to immerse myself in both stories and relate to both characters easily.

I've been in both their shoes, travelling the world in search of a place to belong as well as not really knowing that you're already there until you leave. The lock metaphor works perfectly in this story and I never felt like the author was simply trying to show off her knowledge of the field, which can sometimes happen.

If you want to escape and get to know the back streets of Paris without ever leaving your own home, this is a lovely way to do it. 

I'm a big fan of Juliet Blackwell.  Her books are always well written and entertaining.  She's also written several different series of mystery books.  You can check them all out, and get some great book club questions for this book on her website.

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