Death In Le Jardin| Book Review
- dessimalakov
- Jul 5, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 3, 2024
A Cozy Mystery in Rural France, Book 4 of the Follet Valley Mystery series
Author: Ian Moore
Series: A Follet Valley Mystery, Book 4
Release Date: June, 6th 2024
Genre: Romance
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Official Description:
From the bestselling author of Death and Croissants comes a murder mystery perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Julia Chapman, or MC Beaton.
On the surface, Richard Ainsworth has life where he wants it. Middle-aged navel gazing and Olympic levels of procrastination are exactly what rural life in France should be about.
Then crisis hits his posh B&B when redoubtable housekeeper, Madame Tablier, is accused of murder. Even more surprisingly, it's the murder of a former fiancé, turned brother-in-law. None of which the stubborn old woman denies.
Valérie d'Orçay is having none of it and their investigation leads them to a strange tourist garden village, where backbiting, recriminations and even former colleagues provide a deadly scenario more tangled than knotweed.
Warning : This article might contain spoilers !!
I was really looking forward to this book as I have binge-read the previous instalments and couldn't wait to see where the journey would take Richard & Valerie. While the series maintains its cozy and charming atmosphere, it admittedly lacks some of the wit and suspense found in The Thursday Murder Club or my beloved Three Pines series. What sets this series apart, however, is the potential romantic subplot between Richard and Valerie.
After four books, I was hoping to see some progression in their relationship, maybe a little kiss? A slow burn is enjoyable, but there comes a point where the lack of development becomes frustrating. If an author introduces a romantic subplot, there's an unspoken agreement with the reader to eventually deliver on that promise.
When it comes the mystery itself, I liked the fact that this time round, the focus was on Madame Teblier. She is such a character. You can't help but love her for her grumpy, controlled, but loyal and very fastidious, unyielding demeanour. As her brother-in-law is murdered, she becomes the primary suspect. Richard & Valerie are convinced she is innocent but trying to protect someone. The entire who's-done-it was a bit messy, in my opinion. A lot of side-stories suddenly popped up but weren't always driving the plot forward. Unfortunately, the suspense suffered from it and by the end - I didn't care that much who the actual murderer was.
While this may not be the strongest entry in the series, I remain invested in the village, its inhabitants, and especially Richard and Valerie's dynamic. I'll continue reading, but I sincerely hope the next book brings some development to their relationship. My patience for this particular storyline is wearing thin, and I'm eager to see where the author takes it next. death in le jardin book review
death in le jardin book review
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This review reflects my own and unbiased opinion.
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