Cosy crime mystery set in the Luberon, Provence

25th August 2018

Death in Provence by Serena Kent, cosy murder mystery set in the Luberon, Provence.

Serena Kent is the author name of husband-and-wife writing duo, Deborah Lawrenson and Rob Rees and they clearly work well together as they have produced a delightful cosy murder mystery set in the heart of Provence.

Penelope Vine has reached retirement age (at the ripe age of 50!); she has tended her family, she has invested enough of her time working in forensic pathology, she is divorced. So it is time for this merry divorcée to strike out on her own. Relocation has tempted her! With the help of sharply turned out estate agent, Clémence Valencourt, she finds the supremely delapidated Chant d’Eau and decides to buy it. Her own family members feel she should seek help as this is a decision that really doesn’t suit anyone but her – maybe medication for menopause might help, therapy, a good talking to…. But she is set upon her mission, the stunning views of her new acquisition are to die for. Only someone does die, as we know right from the outset. A body is retrieved from her derelict swimming pool, seemingly that of local drunk and gambler, Manuel Avore, adorned with a playing card, the Ace of Spades (the card of death).

Clémence seems to pop up at the drop of hat “..always here, there, everywhere” which proves to be just a little unnerving. Factor in her seemingly clandestine meetings with other locals – including the handsome Mayor, Laurent Millais – and Penelope feels she has to cast a keen eye over her activities.

As Penny observes the unfolding investigation, she starts poking around herself (after all she has spent quite some time working in the forensic pathology department of the Home Office) and when she finds some old bones whilst someone appears to be taking a pot shot at her, she is all the more determined to get to the bottom of this village murder mystery that seems to centre on her newly acquired on home. Clearly she will not be able to settle into her new life until everything is resolved! But her prying is not appreciated by some of the locals…

The flavour of the area imbues the storyline with colour, smells and scenery. Penelope’s house is near Apt and as she starts to uncover the mystery that unfolds, she takes in her locale, from Bonnieux, past Lacoste (where the Marquis de Sade had his château) and many more delightful villages and scenery. This novel is an absolute delight for foodies and even Le Sanglier Paresseux at Caseneuve, where Penny meets up with handsome Mayor Millais, is featured in the book (top tip, by the way). The terrace proves to be the perfect place to sample Vacqueyras red wine.

The closed and almost incestuous nature of village life in the South of France is well depicted, old family feuds seem to rumble down the generations, gossips freely exchange information, local festivals are ubiquitous, and the odd game of Pétanque (Provençal boules) is featured in the village square. The boulangerie is at the heart of the narrative with its splendid array of pastries which are just too tantalising for the reader stuck elsewhere,

The novel starts out with a real spring in its step, there is humour and sangfroid as this cosy caper evolves. It then flatlines a little as the various strands dovetail in a slightly convoluted fashion. Perfect reading material, however, for literary wanderlust to Provence.

Tina for the TripFiction Team

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