A review by whistberry
Simone LaFray and the Chocolatiers' Ball (Simone LaFray, #1) by S.P. O'Farrell

4.0

Charming tale of preternaturally gifted 12-year-old spy-in-training, Simone LaFray and the mysterious events that unfold when the survival of her family's renowned French patisserie is threatened. I identified strongly with our heroine, a super smart but shy girl who would prefer to blend into the background and observe rather than be the center of attention. If you are a fan of the Flavia de Luce mysteries by Alan Bradley as I am, this book has a similar vibe, although Simone is provided a team of supporters through the super secret spy agency she is working for rather than being as fiercely independent as Flavia. While the central mystery is both rather convoluted and at the same time a tad predictable when the culprit is revealed, the real attraction here is the mix of the Paris setting, the wonderful descriptions of the pastries and chocolate from the bakery, the warmth and closeness of Simone's family, and Simone herself, a pleasingly complex character. I look forward to seeing some of the other characters expanded on and given the same complexity in future outings. Overall, a very pleasing beginning to a promising series.