Review: Montmartre Mysteries

Montmartre Mysteries

Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noël Balen

Benjamin Cooker and his assistant Virgile are off to Paris for a tasting event but, before it starts Benjamin wants to visit a friend in Montmartre who owns a wine shop. Unfortunately, he is just in time to see his friend being attacked by an unknown assailant. Having witnessed this sad event he must now investigate on his own, with Virgile's help of course, in order to find out what happened to his friend and why.

This is an engaging tale into the secret life of an ex-foreign legion soldier. In the course of the investigation the reader is taken on a tour of all the right spots in Paris. Where good food and wine are plenty. Although, the book seemed a little darker and not as lighthearted as the other books I've read in this series; it doesn't suffer from this fact. It just proves that Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noël Balen are good at what they do, crafting picturesque and interesting stories for lovers of all things French.

Thanks to Netgalley and Le French Books for allowing me to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review

When the Professor Got Stuck in the Snow

Dan Rhodes

What a comical tale! I loved it! Professor Dawkins is an atheist and on his way to address the Women's Institute of Upper Bottom he gets stuck in a snow storm. The only place to stay is a B&B run by none other than an ex vicar. I thought the characters were great, well described and most of all just down right fun. Dan Rhodes has written a tale the kept me laughing the whole way through. This was my first Dan Rhodes book and I can't wait to read more.

Thanks to Netgalley for letting me review a copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Review

The Collector

Anne-Laure Thiéblemont

This was a wonderful French thriller, unique, mesmerizing and full of rich details. Marion Spicer inherits an art collection from a father she never knew but, before she can actually claim it, she has some conditions to fulfill. That's when the trouble begins. Will she claim the prize? I'm not saying, because I hope you will read it and find out for yourself. I loved the style of this book. I think it would make a great and visually stunning movie. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and Le French books for providing the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Review

Dead in the Water

Peter Tickler

When Doug Mullen takes on his first case as a private investigator he has no idea it will lead him into an altogether different and more dangerous investigation. But, he's up to the challenge and frankly he doesn't have any other choice. What unfolds is an engaging, suspense filled story which was well written with interesting characters and location descriptions.

I did somehow feel that the ending was a bit abrupt and maybe the murderer should have given more detail into the reasons for his actions. Nevertheless, I found this an interesting story and I hope there will be more books available in this series. Readers of British mysteries will no doubt find this book interesting.

I was provided with an ebook from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review

Flambé in Armagnac

By Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noël Balen

This is another good story from the Winemaker Detective Series. Benjamin and his assistant Virgile investigate a fire at the Château Blanzac where the Armagnac has been destroyed and the master distiller is dead. Is it a straightforward insurance case or is it more? On the way to finding out the writers give the reader not only a good story but great food, drink and atmosphere. Once again, I feel like I've been on a journey through the French countryside. I can't wait to read more in this series.

I would like to say thanks to The Library Thing and Le French Books for providing the “Early Reviewers” copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What I'm Watching

Recently I bought a new DVD from Amazon entitled The Brokenwood Mysteries, Series 1.
The series is set in New Zealand and it follows Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd as he takes on a new assignment in the small town of Brokenwood. Although I wouldn't quite compare it to the British TV series Midsommer Murder as the caption does on the cover, it was nevertheless an interesting mystery series. I will definitely buy a series 2 if it come out. So, if you like international Murder Mysteries this is one to try. And if you aren't sure about it I think there is a trailer available on youtube if not on amazon itself.

Review

Im Licht der Normandie

Margot S. Baumann

Es ist die Geschichte von Flo die einen Brief ihrer verstorbenen Grossmutter findet. Um mehr ueber den Inhalt des Briefes und die komische Sprache in der er geschrieben ist herauszufinden, muss sich Flo in die Normandie begeben. Nach der Ankunft in dem Dorf Lisieux in die Normandie lernt sie den Lehere Alex kennen. Die Recherchen ueber den Brief bringen Flo und Alex naeher und am Ende der Geschichte finden sich beide in einem neuen Leben.

Obwohl die Geschichte am Anfang ein bisschen schleppend ist, wird es mit der Zeit interessanter und treibt einem dazu mehr ueber die Hauptpersonen zu erfahren. Es wird immer  spannender und ist gerade was man an einem Sonntagnachmittag braucht um sich zu unterhalten: Ein leichtherziger Liebesroman mir einer ganzen Reihe vor Faehrten.

In this story, the main character Flo, finds some letters in the apartment of her recently deceased Grandmother. Since she can't decipher the contents of the letters she decides to go to Normandy to look for the area mentioned in them. She meets Alex Dubois in Lisieux and together they search for  the meaning behind the letters, all the while becoming more attached to each other. This was a good and interesting story for a lazy Sunday afternoon.