The setting for this book is the charming Provencal region of France in the quaint village of St - Buvard where Maggie Newberry and Laurent Dernier have moved onto the vineyards inherited by Laurent. They have settled in nicely into the spacious farmhouse and befriended three American ex-patriots: Grace and Windsor, wealthy chateau owners, and Connor a wealthy artist. They have also been welcomed by their French neighbors, Jean-Luc, the Delacores, Madame Dulcie and Madame Renoir the town baker who makes marvelous breads and pastries, and who also gave beautiful puppies to Grace and Maggie. Laurent, with Jean-Luc's advice is tending his vineyards, and, of course, preparing sumptious gourmet meals. Maggie is cultivating a warm relationship with Grace, and smartly decorating the farmhouse.
Maggie's parents with her niece Nicole arrive to celebrate our American Thanksgiving, and Laurent and Maggie invite twelve guests for dinner, which goes very well. However, Maggie is annoyed with Connor who arrives very late, and leaves, so she thinks, without saying goodbye. After the dinner, Laurent holds a degustation which is the tasting of the different wines that his vineyard has produced. Laurent has invited over 100 people from the village. Maggie can't wait for everyone to leave. Finally, only one guest is left, and Maggie offers to drive her home. Laurent says he will also come along, but first he wants to go to the basement to get more bottles of wine. Maggie's father goes with him. They return immediately, upset, call the police and report that Connor is dead in the basement--murdered.
This is not the first murder that took place in Maggie and Laurent's farmhouse. A family of four had been killed in 1947 by the town war hero according to village lore. Maggie decides to research and investigate this incident, and also try to figure out who murdered Connor. Her probing is starting to show that these murders may be connected. To further exacerbate matters, Maggie and Laurent are being harrassed by some of the villagers who are trying to force them out of France.
This book is not only an excellent whodunit, but the author also imparts interesting data about the wine industry. She states that at the end of the 19th century a pestilence ravished the vineyards of France and Europe until American vinestocks were grafted onto French and European vinestocks. This impeded the pestilence and saved the vineyards. Moreover, it saved the entire French and European wine industry. Fascinating!
This book is not only a cozy murder mystery which keeps the reader guessing until the end as to who the murderer is, but it is a delightful, scenic visit to the Provencal region of France in the deft hands of Ms.Kiernan Lewis. Amazon Verified Purchase
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
More like Murder à la Carte: A French Countryside Village Romantic Mystery with a WWII Twist (The Maggie Newberry Mystery Series Book 2)
Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
- Murder in Toulouse: A Maggie Newberry Mystery (The Maggie Newberry Mystery Series Book 25)25Kindle EditionPreorder$7.99
Loading...
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
Plenty of action and food--you won't guess who committed the murders!
You would think that living in the south of France surrounded by vineyards in a beautiful home would be a dream come true? Not so for Maggie who followed her boyfriend there when he inherited the house and land from an uncle. He had been an expat living with Maggie in the USA--now she was the expat living in a tiny town and barely spoke any french!! They luckily met and became friendly with other Americans living there. Luckily her boyfriend loved to cook--but she had to do all the shopping-not easy when you can't speak the language! Most of the village store owners were friendly.Her boyfriend decided he wanted to be a vintner if only for the year-he spent most of his time learning about the vines out in the fields. With the help of neighbors he even managed to turn the grapes into wine.Of course not everyone wanted them to stay--and pulled some really nasty tricks. Then one of their friends was found dead in their basement--turns out this was not the only murder associated with this house. Maggie decided to try and figure out who did both the murders. Then someone set their vines on fire---and Maggie and one of her friends discovered who the culprit was--both times--of course they had to be saved by the person who Maggie thought was guilty.After all that went on do they decide to stay in France and grow grapes? You really are not going to expect who the murderer was!!
Top reviews from other countries
Claudine Delacour-Jarrett
Beautifully written
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2022
