The Confectioner's Tale

August 1, 2016

Petra Stevenson is completing the research begun by her recently deceased grandfather, J.G. Stevenson, on the Belle Epoque, a period of Western European history from 1871 to 1914. She is competing with biographer Simon Hall, who has been given access to Grandpa Jim's papers by her estranged father. Simon reveals in a public lecture that J.G. Stevenson was no saint; Petra works furiously to disprove his statement. As the deadline for Petra's research looms, she travels around France to find out more about Grandpa Jim. She uncovers a love story within the walls of Patisserie Clermont between Guilluame du Frere, a former railwayman who becomes a pastry apprentice, and Mademoiselle Jeanne Clermont, who oversees the pastry shop for her wealthy father. Tension builds across time in the alternating chapters of this cozy romance as Petra races to learn her grandfather's secrets, uncover a story of star-crossed lovers, and meet her research deadline. VERDICT Baker and debut author Madeleine's skillful writing sustains the reader's interest across the 70-year timespan of the novel.--Joyce Sparrow, Kenneth City, FL

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2016
Taking the biggest risk of his life, Gui du Frere leaves his home in Bordeaux to train as a railway man in Paris. The pay is decent, even though he sends half his wages home to his mother, and the constant noise and heat don't bother him much. Until he gets a glimpse of Mademoiselle Clermont, and the world of upper-crust Paris opens up before him. Jeanne Clermont helps run the Patisserie Clermont, a luscious bakery that serves as a salon to Parisian high society. Some 80 years later, the granddaughter of a famous author discovers a picture of Gui, Jeanne, and her grandfather with a mysterious message scrawled on the back. With her interest piqued, the academically minded Petra will stop at nothing to figure out how Gui's story ended. Author Madeleine skillfully weaves both narratives together, contrasting the sights, smells, and sounds of belle epoque Paris with modern London. Madeleine's extensive research is evident, giving this passionate and thrilling story a solid base in reality. Fans of Alex Rosenberg and Naomi Wood will enjoy this glimpse inside the decadent and sensual world of 1910s Paris.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)