Well that was all kinds of awful.

This series stared out so strong with a fun setting (a hat shop in London), and fun characters, but just got progressively weaker with every book. The duel tracks that the mc's (Scarlett) mind constantly ran on: "I'm so attracted to Harrison!" and "No! I can't get involved with any man for 1 year!" were petty and immature, especially as their repetition through 5 books just got more and more frequent. Scarlett also never seemed to really mature in any other way either. By the end, she was, if anything, more shallow and childish that she was when the series began.

But the plot of this one really just takes the cake for silliness, implausibility, and just... it was crap. I don't even know what the author's goal was with Will and Alistair but it was a fail. I didn't want to DNF the book because I was in it for a resolution for Scarlett and Harrison, and I may have gotten it but it was soured by the pure stupid of the plot itself.

This was the final book in the series, to which I can only say thank goodness. It was a concept with a lot of promise that was treated badly and I'm glad to see the backside of it. ( )

Reading this novel was very bittersweet! - Sweet as always to read as the novels in this series were my introduction to novels by Jenn McKinlay and I absolutely fell in love with the entire cast of characters! I've adored spending time w/characters Scarlet (Ginger), Viv, Fee, Harrison (Harry), and everyone we as readers met through the adventures at Mim's Whims on Portobello Road including the incredible dinner gatherings at the home of neighbors Nick Carroll and Andre Eisel. With this novel setting in the beautiful city of Paris - doubly sweet!

However, a few days before I planned to read "Assault & Beret" I learned that this novel is the end of the A Hat Shop Mystery Series. Oh my! That added the bittersweet thoughts to the reading - I couldn't wait to follow the adventures of Scarlett and Viv in their travel to Paris but the ending came much too soon! How I'll miss all of the characters! I haven't felt this way since reading "1225 Christmas Tree Lane" (last novel of the Cedar Cove Series) by Debbie Macomber. ( )

Viv is in Paris to teach a millinery class and Scarlett has tagged along to try to find Viv's estranged husband. Viv has decided that an annulment is in order but needs to get in touch with her spouse whom they have tracked to Paris. This husband is an art appraiser and is anxious to show Viv a recovered Renoir that had been stolen from a museum. He also wants to get back together. Mon Deux, what a mess. When the husband and the Renoir go missing, Scarlett is on the case.

I just love this book. Less about hats in this one, but that is OK. McKinlay did a wonderful job of making feel like I was in Paris with them. As always, the mystery was very good and there is a nice twist. By the end of the book, all the regular characters from the series manage to make an appearance. I have heard that this is the last book in the series. It does have an nice tie-up at the end. But I can still hope for more. ( )

Assault And Beret is the fifth book in the A Hat Shop Mystery series.

Another enjoyable with millinery ladies, Scarlett and Vivian and a visit to Paris. Vivian is going to Paris to teach a hat making class and has asked Scarlett to come along to find her estranged husband, William Graham, in hopes of obtaining an annulment of their marriage. It doesn’t take Scarlett long to find Graham, who is presently working for O’Toole Insurance Co., an insurance company the specializes in insuring valuable works of art.

One evening after having dinner with Vivian and Scarlett and discussing the annulment, Graham asks them to accompany him to O’Toole’s as he wants to share with them a recently found painting that he is trying to authenticate. As Vivian and Scarlett are leaving, a car screeches to a stop and Graham is abducted by the men in the car. So, no sooner is Graham found, he is gone again Scarlett and Vivian need to locate him again. Harrison, Scarlett’s kind of boyfriend, comes to Paris to help in their search. Before it is over, Nick, Andre, Fee, and Alistair have all come to Paris to help wrap everything up.

Another wonderfully told story from McKinlay, Most of the fun and enjoyable characters were in the last quarter, or so, of the story.

Will be looking forward to the next adventures of Scarlett and Vivian. ( )