Nancy Fairbanks

Carolyn Blue, food writer, is off with her husband and son on a tour of France. The group is made up of faculty and family members of Carolyn's husband's previous university. The tour is through the Normandy and Loire Valley, not only will there be history but also fine dining. At least that is the plan.

Among the travellers are three faculty members who are vying for the position of dean of the college of arts and sciences. Professor Childeric, a pompous man with a huge ego; Dr. Hugh Fauree, who is being pursued by another faculty member for romantic purposes; and Dr. Laura de Sorentino, who is married to a plastic surgeon who seems to only have his mind on what could be done to make other tour members look better. Also thrown into the mix is a 16 year old girl who is going through that rebellious stage and has eyes for the Blue's son Chris.

From the start there seems to be frequent accidents happening, the first at the luggage carrousel when Professor Childeric goes to retrieve his luggage. Immediately he charges that Dr. Fauree is the instigator. Childeric seems to be the target, but who is causing these accidents and why are the big questions. It doesn't help that Carolyn seems to be one of the victims in a number of them. Is someone out to get her? Why?

Various tour members may have reasons for wanting Childeric out of the way, but no one is telling. Along with trying to figure out who it is, there is also a number of not-so-tasty meals that all have to endure. Seems that the tour company does not have the highest standard of taste.

A cosy mystery set in some of the most historic and beautiful parts of France. It keeps you guessing who is the instigator and why. There are entries from the person who it is, but you still don't know till the end, but you do get an idea of why.

There are also recipes for a few of the dishes in the book, for those who like that.… (meer)

Carolyn Blue comes to Barcelona to meet up with her friend Roberta and enjoy the tastes of Spanish cuisine. She also finds a the discovery of a dead body in a performance art piece also on her menu. The fact that it bears a striking resemblance to her friend is just more spice on the dish.

The style of the book is a narrative between Carolyn and the Inspector Pujol, the policeman in charge of the investigation. Told in chapters titled by the character who is narrating at that point. Carolyn telling of the dive/dangerous areas of the town she winds up in and what is happening from her side. Inspector Pujol tells of what he has to deal with in the upper echelons of the politicos he has to deal with, along with dealing with the American lady and her talkativeness. Carolyn moves at a quicker pace than Pujol but both with the same goal...solve the murder.

One glitch is dealing with the names. An example is Inspector Pujol's name is formally Inspector Ildefons Pujol i Serra. It seems that i Serra denotes 'of Serra'. A number of characters are so names in the text. Also being in California I am used to a different type of Spanish that what is found in Spain. I know there is a difference. Once I settled into this all was fine.

I have read Nancy Fairbanks' books before and do enjoy them. They are light read with enough clues and red herrings to keep you guessing along the way. Also the characters aren't weighted down with too much personal baggage. What I call a fun quick read or ... a Goodread.… (meer)