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Paradise Café #3
Cold Snap
December 1936. Charlotte Frayne, Private Investigator, is pulled into a dangerous international plot when her boss, Mr. Gilmore, provides shelter to a relative in grave danger. Stephen, a refugee from Germany, is privy to information that could change the very future of a country still reeling from the devastation of the War to End All Wars — and at his heels are powerful forces that will do anything to ensure his intelligence never sees the light of day.
Meanwhile, Charlotte’s estranged mother reappears, wanting her help to find a child she gave up at birth twenty years ago. Despite her turbulent feelings, Charlotte agrees to investigate, not knowing that the two cases will connect in surprising ways.
Back at the Paradise Café, Christmas draws near and Charlotte’s beau Hilliard Taylor and his partners are in disagreement about the holiday concert. With her beloved grandfather in the mix, there’s no telling whether the show will end in good tidings or tyranny.
Meanwhile, Charlotte’s estranged mother reappears, wanting her help to find a child she gave up at birth twenty years ago. Despite her turbulent feelings, Charlotte agrees to investigate, not knowing that the two cases will connect in surprising ways.
Back at the Paradise Café, Christmas draws near and Charlotte’s beau Hilliard Taylor and his partners are in disagreement about the holiday concert. With her beloved grandfather in the mix, there’s no telling whether the show will end in good tidings or tyranny.
352 pages, Paperback
Published November 19, 2022
About the author
Maureen Jennings
52 books373 followersMaureen Jennings, now a Canadian Citizen, was born on Eastfield Road in Birmingham, England and spent her formative years there until she emigrated to Canada at the age of seventeen with her mother.
This has meant that she still feels a deep connection with her homeland. It has also no doubt been a strong influence in her love for, and her writing about, the Victorian period. She attended the University of Windsor where she attained a BA in philosophy and psychology.
A couple of years trying to decide what she really wanted to do with her life resulted in her returning to university, the University of Toronto, this time where she earned an MA in English literature.For the next eight years, she taught English at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute at a time when the English department seemed to be chock full of writers. Eric Wright, went on to write the highly successful Charlie Salter mystery series, Graeme Gibson, Peter Such, and others were writing both novels and poetry. An exciting time in so many ways but after eight years, another change of direction and in 1972, Maureen left Ryerson to become a psychotherapist, which was a long time interest. She has continued in private practice since then, although nowadays she mostly conducts creative expression groups and writes. Always passionate about dogs, she is happy to own a border collie named Jeremy-Brett and a mixed breed named Varley.
Series:
* Detective Murdoch
* Christine Morris
* Detective Inspector Tom Tyler
This has meant that she still feels a deep connection with her homeland. It has also no doubt been a strong influence in her love for, and her writing about, the Victorian period. She attended the University of Windsor where she attained a BA in philosophy and psychology.
A couple of years trying to decide what she really wanted to do with her life resulted in her returning to university, the University of Toronto, this time where she earned an MA in English literature.For the next eight years, she taught English at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute at a time when the English department seemed to be chock full of writers. Eric Wright, went on to write the highly successful Charlie Salter mystery series, Graeme Gibson, Peter Such, and others were writing both novels and poetry. An exciting time in so many ways but after eight years, another change of direction and in 1972, Maureen left Ryerson to become a psychotherapist, which was a long time interest. She has continued in private practice since then, although nowadays she mostly conducts creative expression groups and writes. Always passionate about dogs, she is happy to own a border collie named Jeremy-Brett and a mixed breed named Varley.
Series:
* Detective Murdoch
* Christine Morris
* Detective Inspector Tom Tyler
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 16, 2023
I love this series!
November 13, 2022
This is the 18th book by Jennings I have read in the last few years. I believe I have read all her fiction that is in print. And this is an excellent follow up to Heat Wave - Paradise Café Book 1, and November Rain Book 2. We are dropped back into a familiar Toronto, not terribly long after the William Murdoch books, or TV Series. This time yet again Charlotte Frayne finds herself in the middle of a few cases. Charlotte is still working as a PI at the T. Gilmore and Associates. Mr. Gilmore has asked for a personal favour in protecting and watching over a relative just her from the continent. An estranged relative has showed up and asked to hire her services. And there is a rise of Nazism, even in good old Toronto. Yet again her cases cross over with those of Jack Murdoch and the Toronto Constabulary. The Paradise Café continues to be a meeting place and office away from the office for Charlotte and Mr. Gilmore. But things are not peaceful in Toronto. And Charlotte has to deal with the estranged relative, her Grandfather, the police and a case that is really not as it appears.
The story takes place over a few days during a very cold December in 1936. The pace is fast. And the mysteries are intense and much in need of unravelling. Charlotte is in the thick of it, working her cases, and assisting the police, her family. And finding all her circles colliding.
When I wrote my review of book 1, I stated: “that there was going to be something different about this series, the other three series are all named after the main character, Detective Murdoch Series, Detective Inspector Tom Tyler Series, Christine Morris Series. And yet this series is named after a location, the paradise café. And boy was I right! It was a highly addictive read, like most of Jennings other works!” that sentiment persists. This is a great read in what is shaping up to be an excellent series. It is one that we can only hope will have many more volumes to come. The description of this volume is:
“November’s rain in Toronto 1936 has turned into December’s cold snap. Charlotte Frayne escapes being hit by a mud-splattered car racing round the corner at Queen and Spadina. The stranger who saves her turns out to be the man her boss, Mr. Gilmore, has helped to escape Germany and is now a refugee in need of shelter.
In a world still recovering from the War to End All Wars and the Spanish Influenza pandemic that killed fifty million people worldwide, and still in the throes of the Great Depression, Stephen Lucas is not just any refugee from the Nazi regime; he is in possession of information that could alter the course of history — but only if seen by persons in power and if acted upon. In a surprising twist of fate, Charlotte’s estranged mother reappears, wanting assistance in locating the son she gave up at birth twenty years before. Despite her turbulent feelings about her mother, Charlotte agrees to investigate, having no idea that the two cases will connect in surprising ways.
Back at the Paradise Café, Christmas draws near and Charlotte’s beau, Hilliard Taylor, and his partners are in disagreement about the holiday concert. With her beloved grandfather in the mix, there’s no telling whether the show will end in good tidings or anarchy.”
This story has a few shootings, several near misses by vehicles, a fire bomb. And great risk. Risk to the individuals, and a foreboding risk to the whole world. And this case in Toronto has global implications.
I have greatly enjoyed all the books and series I have read by Jennings. I am beginning to see Charlotte and Jack as amongst my favourite of her characters. I loved this book and this series to date. It is a great crime mystery that I highly recommend.
The story takes place over a few days during a very cold December in 1936. The pace is fast. And the mysteries are intense and much in need of unravelling. Charlotte is in the thick of it, working her cases, and assisting the police, her family. And finding all her circles colliding.
When I wrote my review of book 1, I stated: “that there was going to be something different about this series, the other three series are all named after the main character, Detective Murdoch Series, Detective Inspector Tom Tyler Series, Christine Morris Series. And yet this series is named after a location, the paradise café. And boy was I right! It was a highly addictive read, like most of Jennings other works!” that sentiment persists. This is a great read in what is shaping up to be an excellent series. It is one that we can only hope will have many more volumes to come. The description of this volume is:
“November’s rain in Toronto 1936 has turned into December’s cold snap. Charlotte Frayne escapes being hit by a mud-splattered car racing round the corner at Queen and Spadina. The stranger who saves her turns out to be the man her boss, Mr. Gilmore, has helped to escape Germany and is now a refugee in need of shelter.
In a world still recovering from the War to End All Wars and the Spanish Influenza pandemic that killed fifty million people worldwide, and still in the throes of the Great Depression, Stephen Lucas is not just any refugee from the Nazi regime; he is in possession of information that could alter the course of history — but only if seen by persons in power and if acted upon. In a surprising twist of fate, Charlotte’s estranged mother reappears, wanting assistance in locating the son she gave up at birth twenty years before. Despite her turbulent feelings about her mother, Charlotte agrees to investigate, having no idea that the two cases will connect in surprising ways.
Back at the Paradise Café, Christmas draws near and Charlotte’s beau, Hilliard Taylor, and his partners are in disagreement about the holiday concert. With her beloved grandfather in the mix, there’s no telling whether the show will end in good tidings or anarchy.”
This story has a few shootings, several near misses by vehicles, a fire bomb. And great risk. Risk to the individuals, and a foreboding risk to the whole world. And this case in Toronto has global implications.
I have greatly enjoyed all the books and series I have read by Jennings. I am beginning to see Charlotte and Jack as amongst my favourite of her characters. I loved this book and this series to date. It is a great crime mystery that I highly recommend.
February 17, 2023
It's not like me to say that a Maureen Jennings novel isn't very good...but this isn't very good. It consists of our heroine from Heat Wave and November Rain, Charlotte Frayne, running all over 1936 Toronto to help out Stephen Lucas, a friend of her boss, who has escaped Germany and the Nazis therein and wants to bring his family to Canada.
There's a quite moving description of prison life under 'protective custody' which is based on I Was Hitler's Prisoner, which is worth reading.
Then there's a tacked-on 'B' story about Charlotte meeting her mother, who tells her that she has a half-brother out there, and can she help to find him, since there's a c $CAD100,0000 inheritance involved. The 'B' story is linked to the 'A' story, Lucas's story, by a coincidence so contrived I expected to hear a rimshot and desultory applause. No, no, no, Mrs Jennings, you will have to do better than that to geta third star out of this fan. Yes, fan.
Fan I may be, but as Stephen King said, 'Constant Reader doesn't mean Constant Sap:'. Strictly, strictly for the Paradise Cafe completist.
There's a quite moving description of prison life under 'protective custody' which is based on I Was Hitler's Prisoner, which is worth reading.
Then there's a tacked-on 'B' story about Charlotte meeting her mother, who tells her that she has a half-brother out there, and can she help to find him, since there's a c $CAD100,0000 inheritance involved. The 'B' story is linked to the 'A' story, Lucas's story, by a coincidence so contrived I expected to hear a rimshot and desultory applause. No, no, no, Mrs Jennings, you will have to do better than that to geta third star out of this fan. Yes, fan.
Fan I may be, but as Stephen King said, 'Constant Reader doesn't mean Constant Sap:'. Strictly, strictly for the Paradise Cafe completist.
February 8, 2024
This third Charlotte Frayne fiction moves to five stars for the deft convergence of plot threads. Toronto, 1936. December. The fascists are intimidating, the communist wave is growing. The action is fast, the dialog direct and expressive. Jennings navigates her characters through several dilemmas and near disasters. The major story involves a Jewish man fleeing the Nazis with some very sensitive information about events in Germany. An intended but abortive hit-and-run places our favourite PI Charlotte directly and deeply in the soup. And just as this begins, her estranged mother appears looking for her long surrendered son. Meanwhile, back at the Paradise Cafe, there's much discussion over pigeon pie about the subject matter of the Christmas Concert. The plot threads merge together with a climax not without tragedy but with some positive resolution - and just enough loose ends for the next in the series! Jennings' author's note is exemplary. The style and length should be mandatory for any author with the urge to gush after the last word in the last chapter.
December 28, 2022
Just in time for Christmas, I received the third and latest installment in the Paradise Café Mystery series, Cold Snap by Maureen Jennings. Although not truly a holiday tale (it’s quite dark) it does happen to take place right before Christmas, and as I read it, Calgary was experiencing its own cold snap, so it felt like the perfect time to dive in. What’s better motivation to stay in and snuggle up under a blanket than cold weather? Not much.
Plot Summary
It’s 1936, and private investigator Charlotte Frayne continues to impress as she solves crimes, takes care of her aging Grandpa, and enjoys a steady romance with Hilliard Taylor, one of the owners of the local Paradise Café, which offers meals to those who can’t afford one otherwise. Charlotte’s boss Mr. Gilmore has assigned her to a new case – keeping an eye on a friend of his newly arrived in the city, Stephen Lucas. Details of his past and reason for being in Toronto are elusive, but wherever this man is, trouble seems to follow, as does a line-up of dead bodies. At the same time Charlotte is also approached by a new client, her long-lost mother, who gave her up when she was young, and has returned to ask Charlotte’s help in finding her other child – a son she gave up for adoption a few years after Charlotte. Putting aside her mixed feelings about this latest assignment, Charlotte moves between both tasks with skill and grace, annoyed that people seem to be keeping secrets from her, but eager to go out of her way to help others whenever possible. In the background is the increasing secrecy swirling around Hitler’s Germany and what the rest of the world knows (or doesn’t know) about what’s going on inside its borders. Many are still recovering from the Depression, so tensions remain high, creating the perfect atmosphere for this complicated mystery.
My Thoughts
I read the first in this series and really enjoyed it, so it’s no surprise I raced through Cold Snap as well. Jennings is the well-known author and creator of the beloved Canadian book and television series Murdoch Mysteries (now in its 16th season!), in fact the titular Jack Murdoch also appears in this book too, occasionally working alongside Charlotte to help her solve her cases faster. This author is more than familiar with how to build a thoughtful mystery, but I get the sense that this latest series is a chance for her to explore her characters more deeply. This particular plot isn’t so much about the ‘whodunnit’, as it becomes clearer and clearer who the culprit(s) are as we move along. Instead, secrets from all sides are slowly unraveled, not just sinister secrets either, but secrets meant to protect others. When we finally do discover the party responsible for the dead bodies, it’s not a feeling that produces a satisfying ‘gotcha’ moment, as there are many sides to the complicated motivations behind these crimes.
Charlotte is a character ahead of her time. The very fact that she’s not married and works full-time is rare, and because she’s in a male-dominated industry, her personality must match her skills, so she’s happy to live an independent life and solve crimes to fill her days. Her beau recognizes her independence, and doesn’t force her to stick close to him either, so she’s seemed to find a match that respects and recognizes her personal goals, which again, doesn’t seem all that common in the late 1930s. This latest installment continues to develop Charlotte’s character when we meet her mother, and true to Charlotte’s nature, she is guarded against this new woman’s entry into her life, and not altogether pleased that money seems to be a big motivation for her mom’s desire to find her long-lost son.
In addition to Charlotte’s personal life, tensions outside of her control continue to brew, and I found it most interesting to gain the perspective of what life in Toronto at that time would have been like. The situation in Europe is clearly on people’s minds, but their knowledge of what’s truly happening is quite limited, and when major situations do occur, it takes so long for news to reach them that communications in developments are quite delayed. Nowadays there is much discussion around ‘fake news’ and a mistrust of media, that I found it quite comforting to know that even back then, there were similar challenges. Instead of the firehose of information and perspectives we are now faced with, back then they only received dribs and drabs, and many were still disbelieving, so as much as this work of historical fiction highlights the differences in our society, it seems much still stays the same as well.
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Plot Summary
It’s 1936, and private investigator Charlotte Frayne continues to impress as she solves crimes, takes care of her aging Grandpa, and enjoys a steady romance with Hilliard Taylor, one of the owners of the local Paradise Café, which offers meals to those who can’t afford one otherwise. Charlotte’s boss Mr. Gilmore has assigned her to a new case – keeping an eye on a friend of his newly arrived in the city, Stephen Lucas. Details of his past and reason for being in Toronto are elusive, but wherever this man is, trouble seems to follow, as does a line-up of dead bodies. At the same time Charlotte is also approached by a new client, her long-lost mother, who gave her up when she was young, and has returned to ask Charlotte’s help in finding her other child – a son she gave up for adoption a few years after Charlotte. Putting aside her mixed feelings about this latest assignment, Charlotte moves between both tasks with skill and grace, annoyed that people seem to be keeping secrets from her, but eager to go out of her way to help others whenever possible. In the background is the increasing secrecy swirling around Hitler’s Germany and what the rest of the world knows (or doesn’t know) about what’s going on inside its borders. Many are still recovering from the Depression, so tensions remain high, creating the perfect atmosphere for this complicated mystery.
My Thoughts
I read the first in this series and really enjoyed it, so it’s no surprise I raced through Cold Snap as well. Jennings is the well-known author and creator of the beloved Canadian book and television series Murdoch Mysteries (now in its 16th season!), in fact the titular Jack Murdoch also appears in this book too, occasionally working alongside Charlotte to help her solve her cases faster. This author is more than familiar with how to build a thoughtful mystery, but I get the sense that this latest series is a chance for her to explore her characters more deeply. This particular plot isn’t so much about the ‘whodunnit’, as it becomes clearer and clearer who the culprit(s) are as we move along. Instead, secrets from all sides are slowly unraveled, not just sinister secrets either, but secrets meant to protect others. When we finally do discover the party responsible for the dead bodies, it’s not a feeling that produces a satisfying ‘gotcha’ moment, as there are many sides to the complicated motivations behind these crimes.
Charlotte is a character ahead of her time. The very fact that she’s not married and works full-time is rare, and because she’s in a male-dominated industry, her personality must match her skills, so she’s happy to live an independent life and solve crimes to fill her days. Her beau recognizes her independence, and doesn’t force her to stick close to him either, so she’s seemed to find a match that respects and recognizes her personal goals, which again, doesn’t seem all that common in the late 1930s. This latest installment continues to develop Charlotte’s character when we meet her mother, and true to Charlotte’s nature, she is guarded against this new woman’s entry into her life, and not altogether pleased that money seems to be a big motivation for her mom’s desire to find her long-lost son.
In addition to Charlotte’s personal life, tensions outside of her control continue to brew, and I found it most interesting to gain the perspective of what life in Toronto at that time would have been like. The situation in Europe is clearly on people’s minds, but their knowledge of what’s truly happening is quite limited, and when major situations do occur, it takes so long for news to reach them that communications in developments are quite delayed. Nowadays there is much discussion around ‘fake news’ and a mistrust of media, that I found it quite comforting to know that even back then, there were similar challenges. Instead of the firehose of information and perspectives we are now faced with, back then they only received dribs and drabs, and many were still disbelieving, so as much as this work of historical fiction highlights the differences in our society, it seems much still stays the same as well.
To read the rest of my reviews, please visit my blog:
https://ivereadthis.com/
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December 26, 2023
I decided to read this third installment of the Paradise Café Mysteries. I know a fourth book is planned for next year, but this will be the last one I read.
It is December 1936. As foreshadowed in November Rain, Charlotte Frayne’s boss, has brought a Jewish refugee from Germany to Canada. Charlotte has been asked to help protect that man, Stephen Lucas, who has documents that could supposedly change the government’s attitude to Nazi Germany. There are people who are trying to prevent that information from being passed on.
As in the previous books, there is a second case. Charlotte’s estranged mother Moira reappears; she asks her daughter to find a son, Charlotte’s half-brother, whom she gave up for adoption two decades earlier. Of course the two cases converge, again in a very contrived way. What are the chances that for the third time in months, Charlotte is tasked with two cases simultaneously and they connect as in the previous two instances?!
This book is repetitious in other ways as well. There are several meetings held at the Paradise café where a pattern emerges: Cal’s daily menu is described; Pearl, the waitress, makes some caustic comments; and there is a disagreement between Hilliard and Wilf as to the entertainment being planned. Again, Charlotte is co-opted by the police to take notes at interviews. Then Detective-Inspector Jack Murdoch shares significant findings with her and even asks her to accompany the police to a potentially dangerous arrest. Police would never involve civilians like this.
I was really irked by the repeated delays. Characters don’t share information, stating that they will do so at a later time. Then Charlotte wants to share with others, but always seems to be out of time. People whom Charlotte interviews, like Sister Ambrose and Mrs. Stafford, have only a few minutes to spare so Charlotte has to return a second time.
And then there are the inconsistencies. On page 258, Charlotte makes notes of a conversation and lists the four people in attendance. Then, on page 266, Pearl bursts into the room calling for Hilliard, yet he is not one of the four present and there’s no indication he came in at any point. On page 144, Mrs. Stafford states unequivocally that she would never show anyone the content of a resident’s box without his consent, but then, on page 295, she does exactly that? Where was the editor?
This series has deteriorated. The first book, Heat Wave, offered some interesting historical information, but this one contains nothing new. The plots in the second and third books follow the pattern established in the first. Such formulaic plotting with unrealistic events has little interest for me.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
It is December 1936. As foreshadowed in November Rain, Charlotte Frayne’s boss, has brought a Jewish refugee from Germany to Canada. Charlotte has been asked to help protect that man, Stephen Lucas, who has documents that could supposedly change the government’s attitude to Nazi Germany. There are people who are trying to prevent that information from being passed on.
As in the previous books, there is a second case. Charlotte’s estranged mother Moira reappears; she asks her daughter to find a son, Charlotte’s half-brother, whom she gave up for adoption two decades earlier. Of course the two cases converge, again in a very contrived way. What are the chances that for the third time in months, Charlotte is tasked with two cases simultaneously and they connect as in the previous two instances?!
This book is repetitious in other ways as well. There are several meetings held at the Paradise café where a pattern emerges: Cal’s daily menu is described; Pearl, the waitress, makes some caustic comments; and there is a disagreement between Hilliard and Wilf as to the entertainment being planned. Again, Charlotte is co-opted by the police to take notes at interviews. Then Detective-Inspector Jack Murdoch shares significant findings with her and even asks her to accompany the police to a potentially dangerous arrest. Police would never involve civilians like this.
I was really irked by the repeated delays. Characters don’t share information, stating that they will do so at a later time. Then Charlotte wants to share with others, but always seems to be out of time. People whom Charlotte interviews, like Sister Ambrose and Mrs. Stafford, have only a few minutes to spare so Charlotte has to return a second time.
And then there are the inconsistencies. On page 258, Charlotte makes notes of a conversation and lists the four people in attendance. Then, on page 266, Pearl bursts into the room calling for Hilliard, yet he is not one of the four present and there’s no indication he came in at any point. On page 144, Mrs. Stafford states unequivocally that she would never show anyone the content of a resident’s box without his consent, but then, on page 295, she does exactly that? Where was the editor?
This series has deteriorated. The first book, Heat Wave, offered some interesting historical information, but this one contains nothing new. The plots in the second and third books follow the pattern established in the first. Such formulaic plotting with unrealistic events has little interest for me.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
August 11, 2023
What a treat it is to find a mystery series based in Toronto! While I haven’t lived there for a very long time, I have roots in the city and was delighted to find this mystery series. Cold Snap is the third in author Maureen Jennings’ series of “Paradise Café” mysteries.
The series takes place between the first and second world wars, and the Paradise Café is a restaurant created by a small group of WW1 veterans, to provide affordable food to those who need not only good, cheap, food, but also a welcoming atmosphere. Lead character, detective Charlotte Frayne, is involved with the café and dates one of the owners. Charlotte Frayne is a really lovely character, competent, compassionate, intelligent, and also entirely of her time.
While the mystery is great on its own, what I enjoyed most about the book was the atmosphere Jennings creates. It’s 1936, and the chilling effect of the Nazis is felt not only in Germany, but in Toronto itself. While Cold Snap is a work of fiction, there is a lot of historical fact in the novel, and it presents a Toronto quite unknown to me. The street names are familiar, of course, but the thought that Nazis were making some headway in a Canadian city was disturbing.
In the author’s note at the end of the novel, Jennings reveals that at the core of Cold Snap, there is a true story; that of a Hungarian journalist who was put into “protective custody” for his criticism of the ruling Nazi party. As you might guess, the “protection” was not for the journalist, but for the public at large, lest they be exposed to critical thinking.
There is also a mystery of a more personal type in Cold Snap. Charlotte’s long-lost mother appears, seeking her help in finding a son she gave up for adoption after she left Charlotte in the care of her grandparents.
All in all, a highly enjoyable read, both from the perspective of a mystery lover and also a lover of history. Fans of the Detective Murdoch mysteries will enjoy Frayne’s easy friendship with Murdoch during his appearances in the novel.
The series takes place between the first and second world wars, and the Paradise Café is a restaurant created by a small group of WW1 veterans, to provide affordable food to those who need not only good, cheap, food, but also a welcoming atmosphere. Lead character, detective Charlotte Frayne, is involved with the café and dates one of the owners. Charlotte Frayne is a really lovely character, competent, compassionate, intelligent, and also entirely of her time.
While the mystery is great on its own, what I enjoyed most about the book was the atmosphere Jennings creates. It’s 1936, and the chilling effect of the Nazis is felt not only in Germany, but in Toronto itself. While Cold Snap is a work of fiction, there is a lot of historical fact in the novel, and it presents a Toronto quite unknown to me. The street names are familiar, of course, but the thought that Nazis were making some headway in a Canadian city was disturbing.
In the author’s note at the end of the novel, Jennings reveals that at the core of Cold Snap, there is a true story; that of a Hungarian journalist who was put into “protective custody” for his criticism of the ruling Nazi party. As you might guess, the “protection” was not for the journalist, but for the public at large, lest they be exposed to critical thinking.
There is also a mystery of a more personal type in Cold Snap. Charlotte’s long-lost mother appears, seeking her help in finding a son she gave up for adoption after she left Charlotte in the care of her grandparents.
All in all, a highly enjoyable read, both from the perspective of a mystery lover and also a lover of history. Fans of the Detective Murdoch mysteries will enjoy Frayne’s easy friendship with Murdoch during his appearances in the novel.
June 5, 2023
I liked the first book in the series because (as I understand now) the characters and their relationships were being introduced. Now that that’s out of the way, I’m finding myself less interested as the series moves along.
For all that Charlotte Frayne has a love interest in Hilliard Taylor, there is little in the way of romance going on in her visits to the Paradise Café. All we hear about is the food, the grumpy waitress, the broken-down equipment, and political shenanigans being hidden from the authorities. For this she ignores the advances of the guy who works in the morgue?
And at least in Murdoch Mysteries the hints of international intrigue are played for comedy. Not so for Charlotte. Everything is deadly serious and deadly boring. I find her to be cold and disconnected. Like a Cold Snap at Christmas.
For all that Charlotte Frayne has a love interest in Hilliard Taylor, there is little in the way of romance going on in her visits to the Paradise Café. All we hear about is the food, the grumpy waitress, the broken-down equipment, and political shenanigans being hidden from the authorities. For this she ignores the advances of the guy who works in the morgue?
And at least in Murdoch Mysteries the hints of international intrigue are played for comedy. Not so for Charlotte. Everything is deadly serious and deadly boring. I find her to be cold and disconnected. Like a Cold Snap at Christmas.
January 2, 2024
In all fairness, I shouldn't have started in book 3 in a series.
Mostly people just sitting in rooms and talking. Characters didn't have particularly normal, human responses to events (how many hours did Lottie go without sleep while still being completely functional? Like...I've been awake for more than 24 hours straight and I can tell you I wouldn't be sitting around for a nightcap at the end of it, I'd be bailing on the chit chat for some welcome snoozing).
Also, I assume this was some character work from a previous book, but why did she bike in the snow in December? She took the streetcar earlier??? She didn't need to bike??
Also also the plot was pretty clear fairly early on, but whatevs. I didn't pick up this book because I wanted to think.
Mostly people just sitting in rooms and talking. Characters didn't have particularly normal, human responses to events (how many hours did Lottie go without sleep while still being completely functional? Like...I've been awake for more than 24 hours straight and I can tell you I wouldn't be sitting around for a nightcap at the end of it, I'd be bailing on the chit chat for some welcome snoozing).
Also, I assume this was some character work from a previous book, but why did she bike in the snow in December? She took the streetcar earlier??? She didn't need to bike??
Also also the plot was pretty clear fairly early on, but whatevs. I didn't pick up this book because I wanted to think.
January 15, 2023
Meh. It is an interesting period, between wars in Toronto the good, with Nazis and Communists abounding ( maybe not so good) and skulduggery afoot, but it did not resonate with me. Why does everyone say ‘ I’ve got something important to say and I’ll tell you later, ‘then the speaker gets killed and it takes forever for anyone to figure out what he wanted to say. And sorry to say, those papers and photos were not going to convince anyone in power to do anything. Like,d the romance but it sure is slow.
December 18, 2022
I am really enjoying this series, the timeframe is so interesting (the years leading up to WWII) and I love the setting of Toronto, it is different than most other books I read and love recognizing the street names and places mentioned in the book. It is great to see Jack Murdock play a role in the series and I really like the Paradise Cafe and the different personalities of people that work there. I truly hope there are more books to come in this series.
September 12, 2023
A good historical murder mystery novel, and a good addition to this series. It's interesting how there are many elements similar to current trends & events in the ongoing stories and cases of Charlotte Frayne & Mr. Gilmour and the Paradise Cafe during its' era in the 1930's. I've read the previous books in the series, and had this book out of the library for some time. Started to read it, but other books intervened for some time. Now back to the book and read enough to capture my attention.
April 28, 2024
It's an interesting read. A work of historical fiction set in Toronto Canada in 1936. A novice private investigator takes on the search for her step-brother as her long missing mother reappears in her life. At the same time she is involved in a case of a recent immigrant to Canada being bullied by Nazi supporters. It is not the best read in the series but advances the story of Charlotte Frayne and therefore is probably of interest to her fans.
January 17, 2023
While I really enjoyed the first of the books in the series this was my least favourite. I hope we’ll get to see more of Charlotte in the next book as she is an interesting character, particularly for the time.
March 7, 2023
As I always prefer to read books set in Canada or in the UK/Ireland and written by authors from those countries, I will always pick up a book by Maureen Jennings. Her Paradise Cafe books are an enjoyable read. I do think that her Tom Tyler books are better -- more gripping and engaging.
June 7, 2023
The third Paradise Cafe historical fiction is another highly readable thriller set in 1930's Toronto starring private investigator Charlotte Frayne, ably assisted by the son of the redoubtable Detective Murdoch.
December 10, 2023
Pretty good. I got some idea of the Toronto of that time just before WW2. There's a very odd sup-plot involving a possibly long-lost half brother of the detective that is just weird. It doesn't work and doesn't add anything IMO. But otherwise, interesting with a fairly feisty detective, Charlotte.
December 13, 2022
My favourite mystery writer.
January 19, 2023
Love this series and any other books by Maureen Jennings. So surprised to start this book in time to prepare for Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27th!
January 22, 2023
A mystery story set in Toronto in 1936 -Paradise Café series
January 28, 2023
The main story was too unbelievable and the personal one lacked emotion.
April 16, 2023
Good story in the 30s. Always enjoy when placed in a town I know well..just learned it was part of a series. Will look into the other books
April 17, 2023
GREAT!
May 26, 2023
This is the first Maureen Jennings mystery I've read and I look forward to reading more!
August 19, 2023
Very clunky pacing, but still engaging the whole way through.
December 27, 2023
This wasn't as good as the previous 2 novels in the series. I'd probably rate it a 2 if I didn't enjoy the characters so much. I'm looking forward to the 4th book.
December 27, 2023
My favourite of the series so far. While there was a lot to read, the emotions and backstories came through for me emotionally.
April 8, 2024
Riveting
I am very interested in this particular era of history. Maureen Jennings writes about it with accuracy and compassion. This is a very good historical mystery.
I am very interested in this particular era of history. Maureen Jennings writes about it with accuracy and compassion. This is a very good historical mystery.
May 15, 2024
A fun read for winter holidays :)
December 21, 2022
Another excellent read from the gifted Maureen Jennings, the third in her series set in 30's Toronto. The last war lingers, the next one is coming on. The main character, a private eye named Charlotte Frayne has two cases: one involving her long lost mother, and one involving the cousin of her boss. In typical Jennings fashion, the book takes on politics (Toronto Nazis and anti-semitism) and tugs on your heartstrings (the plot with the mother). Even more vintage Jennings, there's a clever twist toward the end. Well written & wonderful characters.
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