Death and Croissants
A Novel
-
-
4.0 • 3 Ratings
-
-
- $16.99
-
- $16.99
Publisher Description
"Laugh-out-loud caper." —Shelf Awareness, Starred Review
"A fast-paced, witty story for those who enjoy dry British humor." —Library Journal
Meet Richard Ainsworth: an almost divorced part time B&B owner, part time film historian, full time self-deprecator. Hoping to continue running his B&B in the quiet Val de Follet, he has no idea of its hidden intrigue, from the mafia to swingers, to the peddling of (il)legal grape seeds. His quiet has flown the coop on a fateful afternoon with a bloody handprint, a missing guest, and one dead Ava Gardner (beloved hen).
Death and Croissants is an unputdownable, hilarious mystery perfect for fans of Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club.
What readers are saying:
"Richard Osman meets Sherlock Holmes rampaging through the charming Loire Valley in this raucously funny book. I loved it."
"A light, very funny mystery with appealing characters in a wonderful French countryside."
"Oh wow, this was funny. This one just knocks it out of the park."
"A story full of interesting and diverse characters told with lots of humor."
"The author gives you everything you want in a humorous, witty mystery that chases you through all the twists and turns with murder, mafia, and mayhem."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
U.K. comedian Moore makes his U.S. debut with a mildly amusing series launch set in France. Richard Ainsworth, the owner of a bed and breakfast in the Loire Valley, spends his days just trying to melt unobtrusively into the background, avoiding confrontation with his guests; his soon to be ex-wife, Clare; and Madame Tablier, his grim housekeeper who's "permanently on the edge of outrage." One fateful morning, he meets a new arrival at the B&B, elegant, "absurdly glamorous," and rather mysterious Valérie d'Orçay. She glides into the breakfast room and announces: "You have a missing guest, an old man. There is blood on the walls and a broken pair of spectacles. I suggest we do something, don't you?" So begins Richard's seduction into a more adventurous life. With Valérie giving the orders, Richard winds up on the trail of the vanished lodger and of a possible killer, while pursuing and being pursued in turn by a pack of Mafia assassins. The plot wobbles along, trailing behind the protagonists as they race hither and thither, but ultimately going nowhere. The book has a nice setup, but mediocre execution. Mystery fans should be prepared for minimal investigating.
