Death and Croissants by Ian Moore is the first book in the Follet Valley Mysteries, set in the picturesque Loire Valley and starring (reluctantly), an English B&B owner. Released in the UK in 2021, Death and Croissants finally made its North American debut in March 2023.
Title: Death and Croissants
Author: Ian Moore
Series: Follet Valley Mysteries #1
First Published: March 14, 2023 (North American release)
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genres: Mystery
Acquired: from the publisher
*** Thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. ***
Richard is a middle-aged Englishman who runs a B&B in the fictional Val de Follet in the Loire Valley. Nothing ever happens to Richard, and really that’s the way he likes it.
One day, however, one of his older guests disappears, leaving behind a bloody handprint on the wallpaper. Another guest, the exotic Valérie, persuades a reluctant Richard to join her in investigating the disappearance.
Richard remains a dazed passenger in the case until things become really serious and someone murders Ava Gardner, one of his beloved hens … and you don’t mess with a fellow’s hens!
A very reluctant sleuth
In this hilarious new cozy mystery from UK comedian Ian Moore, the main character, Englishman Richard, is a quiet, unassuming Bed-and-Breakfast owner who gets reluctantly involved in a murder mystery. While I know in most cozy mysteries, the amateur sleuth starts off hesitant and wary, Richard, is almost an extreme example. This man needs to almost be physically dragged into taking part in the mystery solving – it’s almost comical!
While Richard would rather be quietly going about his life, he gets roped into the mystery solving by the beautiful and mysterious Valerie, a French woman who seems very determined to get involved in solving the disappearance of a fellow B&B guest. It’s not until one of Richard’s beloved hens gets murdered that he decides to take some action.
The mystery of the missing man is incredibly twisty and complex, with lots of red herrings and surprise turns at every corner. While I usually like to try figuring out whodunnit as I read, this was one book where I just gave up and sat back to see where the story took me. It’s a wonderfully fun mystery that barely lags in action and moves along at a very good pace. The dialogue is snappy and there are some fun movie references littered throughout (Richard is a film buff/historian).
A hilarious cast of supporting characters
I think Richard being as reluctant as he is makes a wonderful contrast to many other amateur sleuths who seem to rush headlong into danger without the slightest hesitation. I think many of us would realistically want to avoid the bother and go about our daily lives (although maybe with a bit more gusto than Richard). So I can totally understand why someone would prefer quietly running his business and watching movies at home rather than run around looking for a missing man while trying to avoid possible mafia hitmen.
While Richard is the calming (almost to the point of falling asleep) influence at the centre of the story, the rest of the characters are more like a whirlwind of action around him. Along with Valerie, and the missing guest, there’s also Richard’s no-nonsense cleaner, a honeymooning couple, Italian hitmen, a grumpy judge, swinging neighbours, an estranged wife, and a daughter who always seems to call Richard at the most inconvenient moments, resulting in some hilarious Facetime misunderstandings. These characters swirl around poor Richard, who can’t help but be caught up in the action.
This isn’t to say that Richard can’t be brave and take action when he really needs to. But he’s definitely not one to run into it headfirst. I think it will be a lot of fun to see how this reluctant sleuth gets lured into future adventures.
Quote from Death and Croissants
