The Paris Winter

Set in Paris in 1909, this standalone from Robertson falls short of the high standard of her Westerman and Crowther historicals (Circle of Shadows, etc.). Englishwoman Maud Heighton, an impoverished art student at the Académie Lafond, is shaken by the suicide of her fellow student Rose Champion. Maud believes that Rose hanged herself because she was poor and felt like a failure. Meanwhile, another fellow student, Tanya Koltsova, helps Maud financially by arranging a position for her as a companion to Sylvie Morel, a “sickly young woman who wishes to spend her free hours sketching the Paris streets and must have some respectable person to accompany her.” Maud finds the work more challenging than expected after she catches Sylvie stealing a brooch, a crime that Sylvie’s attractive brother, Christian, downplays. Further developments involving Sylvie result in violence and murder. Robertson fans will miss her customary strong lead and supporting characters with depth. Agent: Annette Green, Annette Green Agency (U.K.). (Nov.)