Reviews
If you like a murder mystery you can get your teeth into, give this one a try. Bon appétit!"— Mystery Scene, "Into the intricate plot the authors were able to weave Cro-Magnon art, a medieval religious sect, and Nazi intrigue, not to mention cooking lessons."-- Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, A charming French countryside cozy, with very authentic and likable characters and an interesting plot that blends the past with the present."— I Love a Mystery Newsletter, "Art history (and prehistory), French food, wonderful descriptions of France's lovely Perigord region, and a clever mystery to boot. What's not to like? Betsy Draine and Michael Hinden have a wonderful knack of educating you painlessly--almost without your noticing--while you make your way through their twisty, witty plot."--Aaron Elkins, Edgar-winning author of The Worst Thing, "I found the world of this book a charmed one."--Lynn C. Miller, author of Death of a Department Chair, "A charming French countryside cozy, with very authentic and likable characters and an interesting plot that blends the past with the present."-- I Love a Mystery Newsletter, This . . . marvelously detailed excursion through the Dordogne will leave you dreaming of castles, chateaus, and caves. . . . With the cooking school component, this multifaceted read will hold great appeal for art, food, travel, and oh yes, mystery readers."— Library Journal (starred review), "Some fascinating French history--and prehistory--is layered into the plot, including Cro-Magnon artists, the 13th-century religious sect of the Cathars, 19th-century French painters, and the turbulent era of the Occupation during World War II. The cooking classes evoke the delicious tastes and aromas of the Dordogne--magret de canard, foie gras, and walnut cake, to say nothing of the wines--and the class excursions, coupled with the amateur sleuths' investigations, take them to picturesque villages and natural sites, local cafes and restaurants, and even a lively regional festival. Skillfully blending a travelogue with an intriguing mystery, Draine and Hinden have produced a debut novel that many readers will hope is the first of a series."-- France Today, "Take a touch of prehistoric art, sprinkle in some delicious southern French cuisine, add a dash of World War II history and a dollop of murder, and you've got a mystery novel that's appetizing, intriguing, and informative. . . . If you like murder mystery you can get your teeth into, give this one a try. Bon appétit! "-- Mystery Scene, "That the book feels like the seamless work of a single author is no coincidence; readers of Draine and Hinden's first mystery will be both entertained and educated by what is clearly a shared passion for the Dordogne and its considerable charms."-- Capital Times, "This . . . marvelously detailed excursion through the Dordogne will leave you dreaming of castles, chateaus, and caves. . . . With the cooking school component, this multifaceted read will hold great appeal for art, food, travel, and oh yes, mystery readers."-- Library Journal (starred review), A brisk and brainy whodunit. . . . That the book feels like the seamless work of a single author is no coincidence; readers of Draine and Hinden's first mystery will be both entertained and educated by what is clearly a shared passion for the Dordogne and its considerable charms."— Madison Capital Times, "If you like a murder mystery you can get your teeth into, give this one a try. Bon appétit!"-- Mystery Scene, "A brisk and brainy whodunit. . . . That the book feels like the seamless work of a single author is no coincidence; readers of Draine and Hinden's first mystery will be both entertained and educated by what is clearly a shared passion for the Dordogne and its considerable charms."-- Madison Capital Times, "A whodunit that nicely balances a breezily light travelogue with urgency and suspense. Readers will hope this is the first of a series."-- Publishers Weekly, Some fascinating French history—and prehistory—is layered into the plot, including Cro-Magnon artists, the 13th-century religious sect of the Cathars, 19th-century French painters, and the turbulent era of the Occupation during World War II. The cooking classes evoke the delicious tastes and aromas of the Dordogne—magret de canard, foie gras, and walnut cake, to say nothing of the wines—and the class excursions, coupled with the amateur sleuths' investigations, take them to picturesque villages and natural sites, local cafes and restaurants, and even a lively regional festival. Skillfully blending a travelogue with an intriguing mystery, Draine and Hinden have produced a debut novel that many readers will hope is the first of a series."— France Today, "If you like a murder mystery you can get your teeth into, give this one a try. Bon apptit!"-- Mystery Scene
