Death in le Jardin (A Follet Valley Mystery)

by Ian Moore

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Death in le Jardin is the fourth book in Ian Moore's Follet Valley cozy series set in the Loire Valley. Released 6th June 2024 by Farrago Books, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is a very light humorous cozy featuring a pair of unlikely amateur sleuths: Richard, a hapless middle aged Englishman running a B&B in France and Valérie, a force of nature femme fatale and, Richard suspects, assassin, or a spy at the very least. 

The inevitable comparisons between this and Osman's Thursday Murder Club books are not entirely apt and unfortunately this series suffers by comparison. There is a frenetic bantering quality to the humor here and there's more self-aware aspect; almost breaking the fourth wall in places. (Metalepsis for the English majors in the room). Despite that, it's entertaining and easy to read and the denouement and resolution are satisfying and well written. There are a number of genuinely funny bits and the author is quite adept at patter and dialogue and his comedic timing is excellent.

Four stars. There are four books in the series currently, along with a couple of shorter stories, and it would make an excellent choice for binge/buddy read or for public library acquisition.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.