Emily, is the wife of Dr. Stephen Cabot, mother of three small children and a lecturer at the University of Chicago. When she is approached by socialite Bertha Palmer, also known as the Queen of Chicago, to accompany her to Paris to serve as her Social Secretary at the Paris Exposition, Emily is flattered but has to refuse. Emily tells her she would love to accompany her across the world to help organize activities for the United States Commission but because of her family she can not. Bertha is the only woman selected to serve as U.S.Commissioner to the Paris World's Fair, and hearing about Emily's talents, she makes her an offer she can not refuse. A sabbatical for Emily, an invitation to a congress of medical men with funds for it and a salary, even a nursemaid for the children. Bertha calmly but firmly changed all the circumstances of Emily's life in a swift moment. To live with the Palmer's in the huge house they rented on the Rue Brignole was the icing on the cake. Paris here we come!

Emily and Bertha, along with her son Honore and his friend, Lord James Lawford, carrying her seven strand pearl necklace in a red leather box, to try on with her gown, arrive at the House of Worth. The description of the rooms at HW is pure delight. One filled with fabulous fabrics and notions, another with mannequins wearing elegant formal attire is mouth watering. Tables and chairs, with clients drinking tea or champagne and soon Bertha sees Mary Cassatt, the impressionist painter, an old friend and joins her. M. Worth joins the party and the pearls are given to his assistant, Mlle. Arquette to prepare for Bertha's fitting. Talking together, the group is interrupted by a flustered young lady who whispers to M. Worth. His face red, he tells Mrs. Palmer, "the box in which you brought your pearls is empty."

Several other robberies and two murders of young women occur in the next few weeks and Emily, sleuth/heroine becomes involved in solving the crimes. THE DEATH AT THE PARIS EXPOSITION is the sixth in the Emily Cabot Mystery series and she captivates! Francis McNamara writes a historical/mystery with perfection with the glittering backdrop of the City of Light.. This fashionista enjoyed the Parisian fashions completely and the book is highly recommended to all who enjoy a thriller with thefts, murder, history, secrets and intrigue. 5 stars. .

Book Summary

In Book 6 Emily, with her husband and three children has traveled to Paris for the 1900 Paris Exposition. She could only do it thanks to the sponsorship of Bertha Palmer who has hired her as social secretary. Mrs. Palmer is the only woman in the US delegation and her fame and money inevitably make her the subject of envy. When Bertha’s famous pearls disappear, and then a young milliner is found dead in the House of Worth exhibit, Emily must prevent disaster by solving the crimes, even if she is in a foreign city. Her adventure takes her behind the scenes at the House of Worth and into the art world of Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas.

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