We are returning to France for another great summer read by Gillian Harvey . The Village Cafe in the Loire was published by Boldwood on July 12th. High-flyer Becky Thorne cannot believe what she’s being told. She doesn’t need to be signed off for burnout! Life has been a bit chaotic lately, that’s all. As if dealing with her enviable job and permanent meddling from her mother aren’t enough, she’s also inherited a café in the Loire from an estranged great-aunt, complete with sitting tenant who refuses to budge. But nobody stands in Becky’s way! Ignoring her best friend Amber’s advice, she decides to storm over to France and sort the tenant out. Then she can finally get the café sold and jump back on the career ladder. What she doesn’t count on is the tenant being Pascale, who is six feet of tall, dark, handsome and extremely grumpy about her plans for change. Not to mention the village and the secrets it holds about her past. Becky’s path to succes...
A Christmas Murder by Mary Grand #Review
Susan didn’t plan on being an amateur sleuth and, after two
successful investigations, she’s looking forward to a quiet Christmas. So, when
local businesswoman Meera is in desperate need of help, Susan agrees rather
reluctantly.
The task should be easy enough. The infamous press mogul Duncan Fern is coming back to the Isle of Wight, the scene of his family’s childhood holidays, to celebrate Christmas with his grown-up children and their partners, his new glamorous wife Kirsten who is forever dripping with diamonds, and the spikey editor of his paper the Morning Flame, Antoine. The newly-refurbished luxurious Bishopstone Manor is the perfect setting for a festive break and all Susan has to do is help Meera host.
But when a snowstorm descends over the island, and the following morning a body is found, Christmas at the Manor takes a darker turn. Can Susan get to the bottom of the mystery before the murderer strikes again…
My Thoughts
The Isle of Wight provides a great setting for this wintry mystery story. centred in an imposing Manor House, now opening as an hotel, it gives all the closed room vibes with a varied cast of characters. Susan would rather be settling into her new home but finds herself spending Christmas working as an assistant to the hotel's owner. The family who come to spend Christmas together bring all their past baggage with them and although Susan tries to stay under the radar, they can't help but notice her amateur sleuthing ways.
With different motives on show and complicated family dynamics, there are several suspects for the inevitable death which blights the holiday. The cosy crime genre is just right for the story. Susan's growing friendships add to our knowledge of her character. I haven't read any of the previous books in the series but I did enjoy Susan's visits to the pin sharp elderly Alice whose pointed observations moved the story on.
In short: Plenty of intrigue for the festive season
About the Author
Mary Grand writes gripping, page-turning suspense novels, with a dark and often murderous underside. She grew up in Wales, was for many years a teacher of deaf children and now lives on the Isle of Wight.
You can follow Mary here: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter Sign Up | Bookbub
Thanks to Mary Grand, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
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