Harper Perennial
Published May 26, 2026
Reviewed by Meredith Frazier
If you’re ready for a quick trip to a charming neighborhood in Paris, Danielle Postel-Vinay’s Murder Most Delicious will take you there—and add a couple of murders just for a little excitement.
American Olivia Beech is a star sommelier until COVID steals her sense of taste. She does recover her sense of smell and can almost get by with that, but when she makes a huge mistake, mixing up an expensive, collectible wine with a common house wine, her career is destroyed. When chef Jacques de Bizet invites her to a tasting with the opportunity to be the sommelier for his renowned Parisienne bistro, Olivia jumps at the chance. As soon as the tasting begins, though, Olivia realizes something is wrong with the wine, and the next thing she knows, Jacques is dead, and Olivia is the prime suspect for his murder. Luckily for her, a group of neighbors led by retired detective Augusta Dupin believe Olivia is innocent, and together, they track down the murderer.
Because Olivia relies so heavily on her sense of smell, it is scent that expertly evokes the sense of place in the novel, and the place is enchanting. A “hidden” neighborhood complete with bistro, patisserie, perfumerie, florist, and cafe, it revolves around generations of people who have lived and worked there and become friends who not only support each other but who work to preserve the peace and camaraderie of the place they live. Having a murder take place in its midst rattles them all, and the investigation ends up exploring not only the murder but the meaning of friendship and a well-lived life.
While the setting and characters provide a strong draw, the mystery is intriguing, too. The reader may guess early in the novel who the killer might be, but the means and motive and a number of other twists make sure it’s still a fun puzzle to follow. The fact that this group of friends and their delightful neighborhood give the impression that they’ll appear in future installments is something to look forward to.