Death and croissants : a novel / Ian Moore.

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Title:

Death and croissants : a novel / Ian Moore.

Author:

Moore, Ian (Comedian), author.

ISBN:

9781728270555

Physical Description:

249 pages ; 21 cm.

Series:

A Follet Valley mystery ; 1

Follet Valley mystery.

General Note:

"Originally published as Death and Croissants in 2021 in Great Britain by Farrago, an imprint of Duckworth Books Ltd. This edition issued based on the hardcover edition ...." -- Verso.

Abstract:

"Richard is a middle-aged Englishman who runs a B&B in the fictional Val de Follet in the Loire Valley. Nothing ever happens to Richard, and really that's the way he likes it. One day, however, one of his older guests disappears, leaving behind a bloody handprint on the wallpaper. Another guest, the exotic Valérie, persuades a reluctant Richard to join her in investigating the disappearance. Richard remains a dazed passenger in the case until things become really serious and someone murders Ava Gardner, one of his beloved hens ... and you don't mess with a fellow's hens! Bestselling author Ian Moore brings his laugh-out-loud, tea-soaked British humor to Death and Croissants, an unputdownable, quirky mystery that gives readers a fascinating puzzle to unravel as they romp through the French countryside alongside an unforgettable cast of characters." -- Back cover.

Subject Term:

Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction.

Missing persons -- Fiction.

Bed and breakfast accommodations -- Fiction.

Bed and breakfast accommodations. (OCoLC)fst00829459

Missing persons. (OCoLC)fst01023702

Murder -- Investigation. (OCoLC)fst01029788

Geographic Term:

Loire River Valley (France) -- Fiction.

France -- Loire River Valley. (OCoLC)fst01241680

Genre:

Mystery fiction.

Humorous fiction.

Cozy mysteries. (OCoLC)fst02010328

Detective and mystery fiction. (OCoLC)fst01726581

Fiction. (OCoLC)fst01423787

Cozy mysteries.

Detective and mystery fiction.

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Avon-Washington Township Public Library	Adult Mystery Fiction Book Paperback	120791003036289	F MOO	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

"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."

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

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. Agent: Bill Goodall, Bill Goodall Literary (U.K.). (Mar.)

Library Journal Review

DEBUT At 53, Richard Ainsworth, a former film historian, only wants to lead a quiet life running his bed-and-breakfast in France's Loire Valley. His daughter is married, and he and his wife are separated. When his housekeeper informs him Monsieur Vincent Grandchamps, a guest, is missing, and there is a bloody handprint on the wall, Richard moans that these kind of things are not supposed to happen to him. But, another guest, Valerie d'Orcay, is excited. The widowed Valerie is bored and looking for excitement, so she's eager to search for the missing man. She enlists a hesitant Richard to help search. When they learn the missing man is the brother of a local judge, and Vincent has a price on his head with a dangerous couple searching for him, the investigation takes an intriguing turn. Richard is reluctantly caught up in Valerie's drama, until someone kills Ava Gardner, his hen. Now, even the timid Richard is willing to launch a dangerous search for the missing man, because no one messes with his beloved chickens. VERDICT The charming mystery, released in 2021 in the UK, is a fast-paced, witty story for those who enjoy dry British humor.--Lesa Holstine