Part Grisham, Part Oceans 11. All a Great Read
This wonderful slim little novel, it comes in at only 220 pages, by Peter Mayle was a joy to read. Once I sat down with a cup of coffee in the morning, and later a cup of wine in the evening, it was fast paced and exciting like the mystery novels I read as a kid. Although this was not a book I would have enjoyed as a younger man, I did love the French scenery and feel as Mayle once again used his love and knowledge and familiarity with all things France to bring this story into my living room and heart.
The story is one of Sam, the one time lawyer, one time criminal, now turned private investigator for an insurance company, hired by an old flame Elena to find out whether some stolen Bordeaux wines from a California collector’s cellars, worth 3 million dollars, had been Spirited away (see what I did there?) or if they were looking at an insurance fraud scheme.
From Southern California to the slopes and chateaus of the French ‘Napa Valley’, this is a thriller, crime novel, detective story with a personal redemption and a ‘long lost love’ story all rolled into a Grisham-esque feel. It was thoroughly enjoyable and I finished so quickly, one day on a lazy sunday, because once I started it was difficult to put down. Just wanted to see what was around the next corner, on the next page.
I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in france, good wine, detective stories or just great writing. Peter Mayle has succeeded in making me a Peter Mayle fan. Bravo, and pass the Cabernet.
-pgme
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