Claris the chicest mouse in Paris: Dazzling diamond egg by Megan Hess

Another in the series of books about Claris shows this amazing mouse and her friend, Monsieur, searching for a missing egg.

When Claris goes to Rose Bakery for her usual pastries, she is startled when a customer reads the news of a heist in Paris; the theft of a very expensive Faberge egg. A reward has been offered, and the baker remarks that getting that reward would stop him having to close down because of a rent increase.

Claris meets Monsieur and tells him that they are going to capture the jewel thief, but first she must change her outfit.

Monsieur and Claris are on the job and spy a woman acting rather suspiciously. Her stylish bag is very round and Claris spies some white fur, just like the clue the police have. They follow the woman to a rather lovely townhouse, where she gives her handbag to the maid, saying she must take it to her boudoir. Claris and Monsieur follow her but find themselves having to hide on the window ledge. They shuffle along, finding a window open and let themselves in, only to find that this is madame’s boudoir, and they spy the handbag used by her. Claris spots some more fur and follows the trail to a wardrobe, inside which is an antique safe. Inside the safe clutching the diamond egg is none other than the Cat Thief, fresh from the theft in New York. Claris reminds him of his promise, never to steal again, but he demurs, just one last theft and he is done.

But Claris will not be thwarted and takes the egg back to where it came from, accepting the reward which she presents to the baker. She assures him that his shop offers far more than pastries, and although he cannot understand her, he realises that she is talking from the heart. She and Monsieur have pride of place in this shop when they come along for their pastries each day.

A very sweet story, one in which the thief gets his just deserts and Claris and Monsieur get the thanks they deserve from the very grateful baker.

Wonderful frothy illustrations fill every page, showing the sights of Paris in the background, and revealing the cafe society it is famous for. The little cafe, with chairs and tables on the street, with a scrumptious array of pastries in the shop window, spells Paris for those who have been there, and fashionable, well dressed young women can be seen frequenting them. Readers will love Claris’ clothing changes, and look closely at the picture of the author at the end of the book, to see which outfit she is wearing.

What a mouse!

Themes: Crime, sleuthing, Intrigue, Humour, Paris, Claris.

Fran Knight