On the HahaFiction shelf
Death and Croissants
Follet Valley Mysteries · Book 1 · 2021
Richard Ainsworth wants a quiet life running his Loire Valley B&B. A guest vanishes, leaving a bloody handprint, and another guest, Valérie, insists they investigate. The killing of Richard’s hen Ava Gardner makes the affair much harder for him to ignore.
From the publisher’s blurb
“Nothing ever happens to Richard, and really that’s the way he likes it.”Read the full description at Farrago Books
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What makes it funny?
Richard names his hens after film stars, then finds himself protesting about a life increasingly occupied by Mafia threats involving poultry. His idea of a manageable problem differs sharply from Valérie’s.
The comedy at work
Richard keeps trying to avoid confrontation while Valérie pushes ahead. His attachment to vintage films and his hens gives him plenty to worry about besides the missing guest, with a perpetually offended housekeeper adding further friction.
Try this if…
A French B&B and a reluctant English investigator frame the dry humor. The appeal lies strongly in the company and Richard’s resistance to being dragged into danger.
Good to know
A hen dies in the setup. Publishers Weekly also notes that the book spends less time on actual investigation than dedicated puzzle readers might expect.
A few distinguishing details
- A B&B owner with film-star hens gets drawn into a disappearance
More funny amateur sleuth
Sources & further reading
- Death and Croissants by Ian Moore at Sourcebooks
Publisher
- Sandy’s Book a Day review and brief excerpt
Review
- Fantastic Fiction bibliography
Book information
- US publisher
Publisher
- Publishers Weekly review
Review
- Farrago publisher
Publisher
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