Book review of Death in Provence by Serena Kent

Death in Provence, Serena Kent

My review today is for Death in Provence by Serena Kent, one of this summer’s new releases, with a cover so beautiful I couldn’t help but open it immediately and get stuck in.

We meet Penelope Kite at the beginning of her new adventure in Provence. Having swapped life in Surrey, where she is at the beck and call of a demanding family, for a farmhouse with potential in the south of France, things immediately start to go wrong. The discovery of a dead body floating in her swimming pool, strange comings and goings on her property, and a painfully slow police investigation, mean her idyllic new life in France is anything but.

Thankfully she has plenty of chilled rosé and fresh pain au chocolats, and she soon discovers a rich and varied local community in the village of St Merlot. With a background in forensic investigation she can’t help but try to piece together the suspicious circumstances of her neighbour’s demise, but the unfriendly Chief of Police, overly charming Mayor and an estate agent who keeps popping up unexpectedly, would all rather she left well alone. 

This was a great fun read that contained all the best bits of life in France, fantastic local characters and attention to detail that anyone who has spent time in a French village will appreciate. With plenty of humour and a mystery to be solved too, all set against the landscape of Provence that came to life from the pages, this book was perfect holiday reading, for the bargain price of 99p.

Happily, I know that the next book in the series is well on the way and I can't wait to head back to St Merlot and read more.

Death in Provence is out now in ebook format and will be released in paperback tomorrow. Links to Amazon can be found below.

Serena Kent is the author name of husband and wife writing duo, Deborah Lawrenson and Robert Rees. Having read and enjoyed The Lantern by Deborah, I was fascinated by the idea of this partnership and I wasn’t disappointed. You can read more about Serena at her website here and follow her posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Join me back here on Sunday, when Serena Kent will be sharing something a little different, Penelope Kite’s perfect lazy Sunday in Provence. #LazySundayinFrance