Going to Paris is Colette Iselin's dream come true. When people start losing their heads in a series of gruesome murders, Colette's perfect trip turns into a nightmare. Because somehow she's connected to all the victims and she keeps seeing a strange woman who looks like Marie Antoinette, which is impossible. Or is it? With the help of their very charming French tour guide Jules Martin, Colette digs through her ancestry to discover dark secrets that link her to the French Revolution and the death of Marie Antoinette.

MARIE ANTOINETTE, SERIAL KILLER by Katie Alender is a thrilling ride through the beautiful streets of Paris and into the haunting French Revolution. The historical details flow seamlessly into the story, giving enough to imbue the story with the horrors of betrayal but without slowing the pace. Colette is definitely sympathetic to the French aristocracy and the history is colored by that. This is the Paris for the aristocratic, the wealthy, but there is a balance offered through the eyes of the Jules who takes a special interest in Colette.

The setting is wonderfully seen through Colette's teenage eyes. France to a teenage girl is endlessly romantic and gorgeous. The sweet romance that develops between Colette and Jules couldn't be complete without the quintessential romantic trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Even knowing it was going to happen didn't detract from the sweetness of the moment.

Colette is a strong character because, from the beginning, we see her vulnerability and fears and her ability to work through them to do what must be done. Colette isn't perfect. She's not a good sister, slightly shallow, and a bit snobby. She's also funny, considerate, and intelligent. It's working through her flaws, recognizing her strengths and weaknesses that make her so much fun to see Paris through.

This is a story though of betrayal and revenge. The interspersed scenes where Marie Antoinette stalks her victims heighten the tension as each death brings the Queen closer to Colette. With every clue Colette gathers, the Queen's ghost looms closer. My one real complaint about the story is connected with the title. Using the word serial killer and employing the media to hype the 'murders' felt forced.

MARIE ANTOINETTE, SERIAL KILLER engages the reader from the first page. Colette's refreshingly honest voice keeps the story from falling into clichés. It also adds some surprising laughs. It's a fun book. I love the balance of creepy atmosphere with the sweetness of blossoming romance and painful character growth.