Death at the Chateau: The side-splitting cosy murder mystery series by leading comedian (A Follet Valley Mystery Book 3)

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Now at the third (proper) instalment of the Follet Valley series, we are starting to see the characters as old friends, and that is precisely what you might expect and certainly want from this type of fiction. This book has a relatively slow start, but once the storyline unfolds you find yourself completely lost in it. For further information about your statutory rights, contact your local authority Trading Standards department or consumer advice center (for example the Citizen's Advice Bureau if you are in the UK).

The denouement is quick and feels sudden, in that I feel they get the answers from out of thin air, but the end is suitably interesting. If you love mysteries set in France, and if you love quirky mysteries, you have to give Death at the Chateau by Ian Moore a try. For further information about your statutory rights, contact your local authority Trading Standards department or consumer advice centre (for example the Citizen's Advice Bureau if you are in the UK).

Richard still owns a boutique hotel, still loves classic movies, hates IMPD, talks to his beloved flock of chickens, and tries to avoid his "competitors".

You can also listen on any Alexa-enabled device, compatible Fire tablets, Kindles, Sonos devices and more. Supervising the set of a film about Napolean, whilst trying to protect filmstar Lionel from a stalker, Richard and Valerie are now investigating a string of deaths amongst the cast and crew. A film set is the perfect backdrop for murder and intrigue, and the series regulars are joined by a cast of suitably self-absorbed actors for the latest instalment in this fun, easy-to-read series.

This is the third book of the series and it’s been lovely to revisit the blundering Richard and mysterious Valerie (not to mention their deviant neighbours) in the French countryside. Despite his misgivings, Richard is drawn into Valérie’s investigation, and finds himself becoming a major player. I must say it took me a bit longer to get into this one due to the introduction of so many new characters at once, but this really is a hilarious read and perfect for fans of the ‘cosy crime’ genre. Richard and Valérie lead an engaging cast of characters and the setting of a Renaissance chateau with real-life Napoleonic connections is well integrated with the mystery plot. Gallery images of our book boxes show an example of what may be included – treat and gift content may differ.

It made me smile, perhaps not laugh out loud, but then I’m not a middle aged Englishman in France, so it’s hard to fully get Richard’s feelings. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. This is the 3rd in the series of books featuring Valérie and Richard who, without meaning to, get caught up in another murder situation. The “will they, won’t they” relationship between the main characters continues, and I’m hopeful for how this will progress in the next book! A gentle book with farce like qualities mixed with the number of deaths along the lines of Midsomer Murders makes an entertaining light read.The novel is told from his point of view, so much of the humour comes from his reactions to the notably more volatile Valérie and his desire to underplay life in general.