Really enjoyed this - will definitely be recommending and looking forward to the next one by this author!

"Death and Croissants" by Ian Moore takes readers on a humorous and laid-back journey through the fictional Val de Follet in the Loire Valley, where middle-aged Englishman Richard runs a quaint B&B. The story unfolds with a mysterious disappearance and a touch of suspense, but ultimately, the novel is a mixed bag of dry humor and uneven pacing.

The novel's strength lies in its charming setting and the author's ability to inject humor into everyday situations. Richard's character, the unassuming B&B owner, serves as an amiable guide through the plot. The depiction of the picturesque Loire Valley and its eccentric inhabitants adds a touch of quaintness to the story.

The disappearance of one of Richard's older guests sets the stage for a cozy mystery, and the involvement of the exotic Valérie adds a layer of intrigue. However, the narrative tends to meander, and the pace is inconsistent. While the dry humor is enjoyable, it sometimes overshadows the urgency of the mystery, making the stakes feel less significant.

As Richard becomes reluctantly involved in the investigation, the story takes unexpected turns, but the execution of these twists may leave some readers wanting more depth. The murder of Ava Gardner, one of Richard's hens, adds an element of quirkiness, but the connection to the main disappearance plotline feels forced and somewhat disconnected.

The characters, while quirky and entertaining, lack significant development. The relationships between Richard and the other inhabitants of Val de Follet are amusing, but they often remain surface-level. Valérie, as the catalyst for Richard's involvement, adds a hint of exoticism but falls short of becoming a fully realized character.

"Death and Croissants" succeeds in delivering a cozy atmosphere with its humorous undertones, but it may not satisfy readers seeking a tightly woven mystery with intricate plot developments. The resolution of the mysteries, while providing closure, may feel somewhat anticlimactic.

In conclusion, Ian Moore's "Death and Croissants" is a three-star read that entertains with its quirky characters, dry humor, and charming setting. While the pacing and plot intricacies may leave some readers wanting more, those who appreciate a light-hearted approach to cozy mysteries may find this novel a pleasant diversion.

This is a great cozy mystery. I loved the setting and characters. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.

Readers who gobbled up Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club will not want to miss Ian Moore’s charming, hilarious and gripping French-set crime romp, Death and Croissants.

Richard is an ordinary middle-aged Englishman who lives a very ordinary life in the Val de Follet in the Loire Valley where he runs a B&B. Nothing much happens to Richard. His life is pretty dull and mundane and that’s just the way he likes it. He does not hanker for wild adventure or excitement; all he wants is to be left in peace and not to let anyone or anything interfere with his plans for a laidback and serene existence. Richard’s plan seems to be going well – until one of his older guests disappears and leaves a bloody handprint on the wallpaper! Just what on earth is going on here? Has crime reared its head in this quiet corner of the world?

Richard is perfectly happy to let others figure out what happened to his guest. But he hadn’t counted on another guest Valerie who seems determined to give Miss Marple a good run for her money. Valerie persuades a reluctant Richard to investigate this disappearance and as she doesn’t seem to take no for an answer, he finds himself with no other choice but to go along with her quest for answers.

Getting to the bottom of this case is not something Richard was unduly bothered with – until one of his beloved hens, Ava Gardner is murdered and things become very serious indeed! Can Richard and Valerie solve this case before more innocent people – and chickens! – get caught in the crossfire?

Who knew murder could be so much fun? Ian Moore’s Death and Croissants is an irresistible page-turner I couldn’t bear to put down. Full of larger than life characters that leap off the pages, red herrings galore, rib-tickling humour and twists and turns nobody will see coming, Ian Moore’s Death and Croissants is an uproariously funny murder mystery that is simply hilarious.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Ian Moore is a stand-up comedian who performs in London and lives in France. He is also a bestselling writer, and author of The Follett Valley Mysteries featuring Richard Ainsworth who is proprietor of a bed and breakfast in the Loire Valley. The first installment of the series, Death and Croissants, which introduces the characters and the setting. An old man who has been staying at the “Chambre d’hôte” as Richard refers to his B&B, has disappeared and has left a bloody handprint on the wall as well as a broken pair of spectacles. Valérie de Orçay, a classic and bossy French woman who is a guest, tells Richard that the old man asked for her help and she is determined, with Richard’s help, to find him. The evidence in the man’s room disappears. This starts a series of silly scenarios where they travel to the neighboring village where the victim, Vincent Grandchamps, lives across the way from his twin brother, Judge Victor Grandchamps, who hates him. During their investigation the pair comes in contact with a strange bobby, a barmaid and cleaning lady, a naturist couple who owns another B&B nearby and who hosted Vincent Grandchamps as well (he left bloody spectacles there also and a bloody handprint there too), and an Italian newlywed couple who Richard believes has ties to the Sicilian mafia.

The story is difficult to follow, but Moore does a good job of developing his characters. The way things are going in Richard’s B&B, it seems he will get enough bad reviews that he won’t be able to make a decent living, much due to his cantankerous cleaning woman, Madame Tablier, and the poor service from Richard who is distracted by all that is going on.

Readers who like slapstick British comedy will find this a humorous cozy mystery, albeit difficulty in following it. Others, who prefer understated types of comedy, not so much.

While there is a fairly good storyline, it is presented in an amateurish way, which won’t appeal to mainstream cozy readers. Hopefully the subsequent additions to the series will be easier to follow.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed reading it the plot was interesting and the characters made me want to know more about them. I highly recommend.

Death and croissants. God love Richard! Stupidly funny in all the right ways. Kept me guessing until the very end. Really enjoyed reading this one.

🗡🥐 Death and Croissants 🥐🗡

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This book was very kindly sent to me by @netgalley and @farragobooks in exchange for an honest review.

Now then, as you may have also noticed, the cover gives off a very Thursday Murder Club vibe. The story itself has elements similar to the TMC, albeit a bit subtle, but great for fans of said book.

Richard, a middle-aged Englishman runs a B&B in the Loire Valley, France. He’s a film expert and quite content with his now slow life, after splitting from his wife thank you very much. His highlight of the day is his afternoon nap (same Richard, same). However, after a round of guests stay at the B&B he becomes embroiled in a missing person/murder case after a guest at the hotel, Grandchamps goes missing. One of the guests, Valerie d’Orcay takes (drags) Richard on this wild ride, and suddenly his quiet life, seems not so quiet anymore.

It’s a fast-paced page turner, full of strong women, miserable old people and young villains. If you like humorous escapades including chicken costumes, absolutely give this a whirl!

Review also posted on Goodreads and Instagram @bookishbates

It has taken me a year to read this. Not because I didn't like the book, more so getting the time to read. I'm sure I am way past due leaving my review for NetGalley, but here it is just the same.
At first it took me several chapters before I began liking the story. The main character Richard is quite whiny and it was quite a long distance into the book before he finally warmed to me. Valerie was my favorite by far. She was strong, persuasive and yet likable. The story feels like a cat and mouse game in search of the missing Monsieur Grandchamps. Many references to the golden days of movies, a murdered hen and some scenes described that I for one could have done without. Overall not a book I would recommend, but I didn't hate it either... so likeable.

It took me a while to get into this book, but I'm really glad I stuck with it. Richard and Valerie make a fantastic team and it was fun to see their characters develop. I didn't guess anything ahead of time, which was both fantastic and also somewhat frustrating as I felt about as confused as Richard in parts. Which I believe to be the whole point and thus makes it very well written. I would recommend this book, as it was very enjoyable. 3/5 stars given as it took a while for me to get into and because I would have loved an epilogue of sorts to say a bit more. But my guess is that there will be more books where things will continue.

Well, this was great fun!

A cross between a slapstick romp and a cosy mystery, the story follow ex-pat Richard as he runs a small B&B in France and is somewhat coerced into investigating the disappearance of an elderly guest and the vicious murder of Ava Gardner (the chicken).

I was reminded of an earthbound The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, as poor hapless Richard (Arthur Dent) is chivvied around by the glamorous, strong-willed Valerie (a mixture of Zaphod Beeblebrox and Trillian) and the dour, pessimistic Madame Tablier (clearly Marvin).

Throw in swingers, starlets, spies, mafia, irate housekeepers and a small dog, and you have the recipe for a distinctly Franglais fish-out-of-water mystery caper; ideal for a quick, fun, holiday read.

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

An enjoyable book but not roll on the floor laughing as promised. More smalls smiles. It was well written though and easy to imagine yourself in france. Enjoyable characters and you do end up cheering the main lead whose a wet blanket on. Will be interested in the next book!

This is very different from what I normally read but I found it charming and entertaining. I would definitely be interested in the rest of the series.

A quiet British expat B&B owner Richard Ainsworth lives in rural France and turns sleuth when one his guests disappears in this witty whodunit. This is the first in the Follett Valley series, perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club.

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. He is dull and boring; semi-retired, watching old movies, trying to write a book, looking after his chickens and potentially facing divorce.
One day, however, one of his older guests disappears, leaving behind a bloody handprint on the wallpaper and broken bloodied glasses in a bin . Another guest, the enigmatic Valerie, along with her pampered pooch, Passepartout persuades a reluctant Richard to join her in investigating the disappearance.

The pair find themselves mixed up with the Sicilian mafia, a brotherly feud, nudity, a local pair of British swingers and murder. This is a lot for Richard to take in,but before long he realises that this is the most fun he’s ever had in his life.

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!
The book is an easy read and the humour and the quirky characters were great fun for the most part. I’m hoping the next book is even better.

A cozy mystery that makes for an enjoyable read but personally I didn’t like any of the characters too much and that probably affected my book rating.

‘Death and Croissants’ is one of those cosy murder mysteries that I love to read between the more intense procedural detectives and thrillers.
Moore’s writing is interlaced with humorous little anecdotes and reflections and, whilst his characters are determined to find the killer, you definitely have the feeling it’s very much down to luck as to whether they will or not.
Although sometimes a little slow-moving this is worth a read if you want easy entertainment.
Thank you to Farrago and NetGalley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐<b><u>Rating: 3</b></u> ⭐
Richard is an owner of a B&B in a small quiet town in France. He himself is quite dull and finds that nothing much happens other than the steady flow of guests.
One day after a mystery disappearance of a guest, who made quite a mess and left without paying, Richard gets roped into a manhunt by Valérie; another guest of his who seems to run head first into the challenge of uncovering what has happened.
Suddenly, dull, plain Richard who liked it when nothing really happens gets swept into a man hunt where suspicious people arise at each turn.
❤️<b><u> What I Liked</b></u> ❤️
<b><i> Humour:</b></i> I enjoyed the humour within the story. Richard’s dry British humour carries well throughout the book alongside situations that you can’t help smile at. I felt that the comedy aspect rounded him quite well as a character.

💔 <b><u>What I Disliked</b></u> 💔
<b><i> The vocabulary:</b></i> The only way I can explain what I did not like is that there were too many words. I do not necessarily mean that the book could have been shorter but more the way it was written did not seem to flow as well. I feel as though a mystery should be a page turner keeping you guessing but some of the words used lead to it being over descriptive. By the time I neared the end I didn’t want to put it down but that was mainly so the mystery could conclude.

<b><i>The characters:< b></i> I feel as though the characters had no depth to them. I had to write this review rather promptly as I feel they are fading from my memory. Perhaps more of a back story for them may give them more depth especially as a series so that there are parts of them that can continue to build as the series grows.
📖 <b><u>Overall View</b></u> 📖
Slightly humorous book with a few plot twists but just a generic mystery. Whilst I suppose the plot was well thought out the characters lacked depth. I do not see myself going back for a reread nor do I think I’ll jump at the second book in the series.
<i>I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

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I loved the concept of this book and was really looking forward to reading it. I’ve read Richard Osman’s books and it seemed to be along the same lines - a witty retiree who is unexpectedly solving crimes and who comes into contact with a host of colourful characters.

This book though really went off course for me. It became a different book. Where other books have an awareness they’ve gone into unusual territory, this didn’t seem to. I wasn’t sure how to characterise it in the end and also couldn’t put my finger on why the excellent ingredients (including the title and cover design!) set up at the start didn’t quite come together to make a good meal.

*Many thanks to Ian Moore, Farrago books, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
A fun read, dark as it may seem, with a British expat running a B&B in France. One day it turns out that his quiet life changes thanks to his guests and suddenly he finds himself in a most unexpected circumstances.
A perfect weekend read for the funs of detective stories.

Ian Moore is a British comedian living in rural France decided to write a mystery series called Follet Valley. Book one in the series, Death and Croissants, is delightful. Richard Ainsworth a beige sort of English man is living in the Follet Valley and running a B and B after being made redundant ( that means laid off for us Americans). His wife Clare missed the UK so she headed back home leaving Richard in limbo. He doesn't know where his marriage stands but at least he has his chickens named for 40s movies leading ladies. He stands around fading into the wallpaper, getting drunk on wine and watching old movies. He was a film historian until IMDB came along.

When a guest goes missing and a woman checks in that reminds Richard of Doris Day from a Rock Hudson movie, Richard's life seems to take a turn. Next thing he knows he is breaking and entering, helping kidnap Italian assassins and wearing a chicken costume in a dungeon while taking a FaceTime from his daughter.

I can't wait for book two. This series is absolutely amazing!!!!!!