Since her childhood, Leah Eady has dreamed of going to the city of Albert Lamorisse’s film and book The Red Balloon. When she finally goes with her two teenage daughters, it is in hopes of finding her husband. Robert Eady left their Milwaukee home one day and never returned. Neither police nor Leah can find him. The only clue is an airline confirmation number that offers tickets for Leah and her girls to fly to Paris. Days before they are to leave Paris they walk into a failing bookstore. This visit leads to a job as the bookstore manager for Leah, an apartment above the store and a school for the girls. At the heart of Liam Callanan’s novel, Paris by the Book, is a mystery, but it is wrapped in a wonderful narration.
Available at your local library or bookstore.
Maureen Millea Smithis a librarian at the Edina Library and a Minnesota Book Award-winning novelist.
