Jean-Pierre ALAUX and Noël BALEN
on Tour August 4-23 with
Flambé in Armagnac
(cozy mystery)
Release date: August 6, 2015
at Le French Book
140 pages
ISBN: 978-1939474414
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SYNOPSIS
A small town holds fiercely onto its secrets. In the heart of Gascony, a fire ravages the warehouse of one of Armagnac’s top estates, killing the master distiller. Wine expert Benjamin Cooker is called in to estimate the value of the losses. But Cooker and his assistant Virgile want to know more. How did the old alembic explode? Was it really an accident? Why is the estate owner Baron de Castayrac penniless? How legal are his dealings? The deeper the Winemaker Detective digs, the more suspicious characters he uncovers. There is more than one disgruntled inhabitant in this small town. As we witness the time-honored process of Armagnac distillation and the day-to-day activities of the hunt, the market place, and the struggle for power and duck confit, we get a glimpse of the traditions of southwestern France where this mystery of possible arson and murder lies below the surface.***
My Review
It 's a quick read but very compelling and engaging, with characters well written and a storyline simple and believable.
Benjamin and Virgile have a new assignment in Gascony. A fire has destroyed a significant production of Armagnac and unfortunately the masters distillers has lost his life. Our wine expert and detective is called to estimate the loss of Armagnac for an insurance company: the estate's owner asked a high damages and they want to know if it is appropriate. Benjamin will not only make an expertise but will investigate to discover if the fire was not intentional.
In this book has even more space the character of Virgile. He's a nice guy, intelligent, highly educated, just a little clumsy and naive, but is learning much from his head, slowly is gaining the trust and respect of Benjamin.
It 's the seventh book starring the detective winemaker Benjamin but can be read as a stand alone. It's really enjoyable that every book is set in a different region of France and has as its protagonist a different wine: is like taking a wine tour of this wonderful country.
If you enjoyed reading romance about France, good wine and cozy mystery then definitely pick this up!
I received an advance reader edition of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Jean-Pierre Alaux is a magazine, radio and TV journalist
when he is not writing novels in southwestern France.
He is the grandson of a winemaker
and exhibits a real passion for wine and winemaking.
For him, there is no greater common denominator than wine.
He gets a sparkle in his eye when he talks about the Winemaker Detective,
which he coauthors with Noël Balen.
Noël lives in Paris, where he shares his time between writing, making records, and lecturing on music.
He plays bass, is a music critic and has authored a number of books about musicians in addition to his novel and short-story writing.
ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR
Translator Sally Pane studied French at State University of New York Oswego and the Sorbonne before receiving her Masters Degree in French Literature from the University of Colorado. She has translated several titles in this series.
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Entry-Form
Visit each blogger on the tour: tweeting about the giveaway everyday of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! [just follow the directions on the entry-form] Global giveaway open internationally: 5 participants will each win a copy of this book. Print/digital format for US residents Digital for all other residents ***CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ OTHER REVIEWS, EXCERPTS, AND A GUESt-POST
thanks for your nice review on this great book. Emma at FBT
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