Recommended Read: Death and Croissants: A Follet Valley Mystery, Book 1 by Ian Moore
Recommended. Humour. Films. Ian Moore. Crime.
I must admit, probably because I live abroad, I’d somehow never heard of this novel or its author, until it was recommended to me, somewhere or other, fairly recently. Of course, I now know that Death and Croissants has been a resounding success, as well it should be.
Death and Croissants is a tart and tasty cocktail of the cosy crime caper and dry, social satire. Neil Simon’s Murder By Death seems to be the closest comparison. I think. Death and Croissants tells the story of Richard – a musty, middle-aged, English cineaste who runs a Bed and Breakfast in France’s Loire Valley.
It all sounds pretty damned idyllic to most of us, I’m sure, but Richard is clearly feeling a tad stifled as he is soon embroiled in a whirlwind murder mystery with a dashing, French widower, Valérie. Throw in an oddball supporting cast, some sly film references plus sharp, whipcrack humour, and what you get is a bright, breezy and sardonic slice of entertainment. Smashing stuff!
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