Case of the Missing Madonna, The

Reviewed online - link below

Loved this book, great read for curling up on the couch with a cup of tea and a box of chocolates. Look forward to reading more about Patrick and Oscar

To Be Taken At Mealtimes

This was a very satisfying read. It would seem that this is the second in a series of stories featuring the eminently charming Patrick du Courvoisier. Whilst little is lost from not having read the first book the frequent allusions to it acts as a constant dangling carrot.

Much of the action takes place in France, Cannes to be precise, and all that the name conjures in the imagination is here in abundance. There are inevitable comparisons with James Bond but it is a fast paced mystery that never loses momentum. There’s some interesting war time history which interested me enough to make me want to do some research on how much is evidential fact. There is plenty of excitement and action, Courvoisier is what I like to call a ‘Houdini Hero’, he gets into seemingly impossible situations and manages to extricate himself with aplomb. But he seldom seems to lose his humanity. If you are a lover of this genre you’d be hard pressed not to enjoy it. And does the guy get the girl? I’m not going to tell you, you will have to read it to find out.

I would have given this five stars but for the ending. The actual case of the missing Madonna is solved satisfactorily with all ends tied up neatly and then when you think it’s all done and dusted there is another chapter that goes nowhere. I thought I had a ‘duff’ copy with pages missing but I think the writer is attempting to whet the appetite for a future du Courvoisier mystery. To be honest I don’t think it’s necessary. For me I would happily seek out previous books in this series and await future ones.

One word of warning; I had to read this at meal times as the numerous and detailed digressions of Patrick into French gastronomy and wine, (boy, this guy can eat), played havoc with my salivary glands!

Whizz