| Divorcee
Penelope Kite, a forensic pathologist assistant, decides to
become an expat and start life anew in Provence, France, settling
on the idyllic town of St. Merlot. Agent Clémence Valencourt
shows Penny a lovely stone farm house called Le Chant d’Eau,
and though the property definitely needs a lot of work, Penny
loves the property. Clémence introduces Penny to the
gardener who worked for the previous owners and, that night,
Penny goes to sleep dreaming of possibilities, only to find
a body floating in the overgrown pool the next day. Penny’s
past experience reveals that the death was murder, but when
she explains why to Inspector Gamelin and Mayor Laurent Millais
after their arrival, the Inspector becomes suspicious and
the mayor is amused, then identifies the dead man, whose family
once owned the farm.
Penny calls her friend. Frankie, the force to be reckoned
with, to reveal the events. Frankie immediately arrives to
provide emotional support, check out the farm house, give
advice on what needs to be done and the probable cost. But
after Frankie leaves, Penny discovers another body, and then
her home is broken into. Was it a neighbor? Now that Frankie’s
gone, who can Penny trust?
I love mysteries set in Britain and France, and this story
immediately caught my eye. Penny, Frankie, Clémence
and the other minor characters are well-drawn and true to
form. The mayor, who looks like a movie star, catches Penny’s
eye, and I can’t help but wonder if there’s a
possible romantic involvement in the makings. I can dream,
right? I can’t wait to read more about the happenings
in St. Merlot. Wonderful characters, great setting, and a
well-plotted and intriguing mystery make this a charming first
release in a series that promises to be one of my favorites.
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