1. Have you ever watched Julia Child’s “The French Chef”? Or any of her other television appearances? How did the “real” Julia Child compare with the one portrayed in the book?

2. What do you think about the fact that Christian Dior was so powerful of a fashion designer that he had the ability to change hemlines from year to year --- and people in fashion went along with it?

3. What did you find most interesting about the world of haute couture as portrayed in this book? Was there anything that surprised you?

4. Shopping at a French market is portrayed far differently than going to the grocery store in the US --- in the 1950s, but also, even these days. Do you think you’d like the “French way” of walking to your local market every day or every other day to select your food, seeing and getting to know the same people?

5. Have you ever had cassoulet? Have you ever made potato leek soup? What about crêpes? Did any of Julia’s comments or suggestions about these dishes ring especially true or were especially helpful to you?

6. Do you think Merveille should have been more or less strict with Tabitha about her involvement in the murder investigation?

7. Each of the gowns described as part of the Dior fashion show were real gowns, released that year (1950, spring/summer collection). You can find pictures of them on the internet, searching by the name of the gown. Which one would you have wanted for your own?

8. As we learn in this book, women in particular were judged for collaborating with the Germans --- sometimes harshly, sometimes perhaps too harshly. What do you think about the position in women found themselves in Occupied Paris? How do you think you would have reacted/coped if you were in any of those situations?

9. Did you suspect XX as the killer (leaving the name out to avoid spoilers)? Why or why not?

10. Do you think Tabitha should pursue bringing Lupin back to live with Grand-père and Oncle Rafe and herself? Do you think she did the right thing, capturing the cat and bringing him to the veterinarian?