A comedy murder mystery set in France with amateur sleuths, one of who is out of his depth, while his exotic partner is very much in control - by a leading comedian. Richard is a middle-aged Englishman who runs a B&B in the fictional Vallée de Folle 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 expensive wallpaper, much to the annoyance of his housekeeper. Another guest, the exotic Valérie, persuades a reluctant Richard to join her in investigating the disappearance, and leads him into a world of crime which has hitherto been a mystery to him.
In fact, for much of the time it continues to be a mystery, as Richard remains a dazed passenger in the case until things become really serious and someone murders Ava Gardner, one of his beloved hens. The disappearance of a guest in highly suspicious circumstances is one thing, but you just don't mess with a fellow's hens!
A madcap mystery set in the Loire Valley
Death and Croissants is the first in Ian Moore's cosy mystery series featuring British expat Richard Ainsworth, the middle-aged proprietor of a chambre d'hôte (B&B) in the (fictional) Follet Valley - a "quiet corner" of the popular Loire Valley region in France.
Recently-separated Richard is trying to hold things together as he manages the running of his accommodation business, Les Vignes. A former film historian who loathes IMdB with a passion, Richard likes nothing better than to commune with his chickens, avoid sexually-adventurous fellow Britons and B&B proprietors Martin and Gennie Thompson, and live a relatively ordered life. With the assistance of his irascible and formidable femme de ménage (domestic help) Madame Tablier, he's just about coping. Then all hell breaks loose - an elderly goes missing from his room, leaving only a bloody handprint and a broken pair of spectacles. Worse, Richard's favourite chicken is senselessly slaughtered in her run soon afterwards. Is this a warning, and who exactly is - or was - the mysterious M. Grandchamps?
Another guest, the rather fabulous Valérie d'Orçay sashays onto the scene on cue, encouraging Richard to buck up and solve the mystery. Ripped from the rut in which he'd been existing, Richard finds he's secretly revelling in the adventures Valérie leads him on, as their madcap adventures take them on a chase through the streets of Tours, on a Loire Valley pleasure cruise, an escape from a pleasure dungeon and into a confrontation with a pair of mafia assassins.
Death and Croissants is a light and entertaining romp, which I'd characterise as Peter Mayle meets Agatha Raisin. Featuring diffident Richard and flamboyant Valerie as an unlikely detecting duo, this promises to be the start of a great series.
I'd recommend Death and Croissants to any reader who enjoys action-packed cosy mysteries, especially those with Francophile tendencies and a love of classic cinema.
My thanks to the author, Ian Moore, publisher Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
Sarah, 20/06/2023
