Skip to Main Content
Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
See More Retailers

About The Book

“Mixing Romance and Mystery in a Fizzy 1930s Cocktail!”

“A fun and spunky heroine, a plot involving an old castle in Strasbourg make this a fast-paced, delightful read.”
—Rhys Bowen, New York Times best-selling author

A fabulously entertaining novel, start to finish.”
—Hall Ways, Lonestar Literary Life

Romantic, sexy, and fulfilling. Henrietta and Clive Howard finally live out their unbridled passion for each other’s intellect and charm—while solving a case!”
—Rebecca Rosenberg, author of Champagne Widows


Clive and Henrietta return to Europe in an attempt to resurrect their failed honeymoon. While in London, they are approached by their old friend, Inspector John Hartle, who convinces them to search for the missing panel of the Ghent Altarpiece, a famous Renaissance painting, of which Hitler’s top men are also in pursuit.

Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Oldrich Exley threatens to cut off financial support for the entire Von Harmon brood if Elsie continues with her plan to marry Gunther—a situation made worse by the sudden appearance of one Heinrich Meyer, who claims to be little Anna’s father and threatens to take her away. Desperate, Elsie seeks the help of Clive’s sister, Julia, who is herself the victim of domestic abuse and who has fallen under the spell of a handsome Texas millionaire bent on acquiring a rare painting from the Howard collection.

Clive and Henrietta’s search takes them to Chateau du Freudeneck in Strasbourg, France—the ancient seat of the Von Harmons and home to three eccentric distant relatives. What begins as a wild goose chase turns decidedly more deadly when several Nazi officers also arrive at the chateau in search of a “valuable item.” When Henrietta and Clive attempt to flee after Henrietta uncovers a shocking truth, they are forced to trust themselves to a suspicious French servant who seems all-too willing to help . . .

About The Author

Michelle Cox is the author of the multiple award-winning Henrietta and Inspector Howard series as well as “Novel Notes of Local Lore,” a weekly blog dedicated to Chicago’s forgotten residents. She suspects she may have once lived in the 1930s and, having yet to discover a handy time machine lying around, has resorted to writing about the era as a way of getting herself back there. Coincidentally, her books have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and many others, so she might be on to something. Unbeknownst to most, Michelle hoards board games she doesn’t have time to play and is, not surprisingly, addicted to period dramas and big band music. Also marmalade.

Product Details

  • Publisher: She Writes Press (October 25, 2022)
  • Length: 361 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781647425005

Browse Related Books

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Michelle Cox

More books in this series: A Henrietta and Inspector Howard Novel