The Only True Remedy

by Elizabeth Mostyn

Poirot has his little grey cells, Morse has his classical education, Patrice Lanier just has 'the things themselves'.
His thigh is in plaster, his mother-in-law is losing her memory, his wife is obsessed with that. His children text more than they speak and even his dog is not speaking to him. His assistant, ex-nun Pucelle, has gone undercover in the underbelly of the Parisian drug culture. He needs to be in Avignon to support his wife, in Paris to support Pucelle, and in Pont-St-Esprit to pursue his own investigation.
Returning to his office, Patrice must lock down there are 250 terrorists in the city, ready to blow it to kingdom come.
How is Patrice going to find them in time?
And where the hell is Pucelle?

360 pages, Paperback

Published April 26, 2023

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, the magic of reading is getting lost in a book and being transported to another place and time. Elizabeth Mostyn was instantly able to transport me to Paris because of her phenomenal sense of place. Her descriptions enabled me to form a picture in my mind, but what engaged me most was the crafting of French syntax into her narrative. It enhanced the story so much that I found myself reading with a French accent. I kid you not! Reading on my Kindle was the perfect choice as the ‘more than occasional’ insertion of French meant that I could tap on the word to get a definition if I couldn’t figure it out from context clues.

I’ll admit to being curious about the meaning of phenomenology. Mostyn capably defined it for me and explained how Patrice uses it in his work. I loved that this book is based on real science and history.

I found myself reaching to Google as I read.
✔️Pain Maudit - Aug 1951 event that was never explained
✔️Personhood and Alzheimers sparked interesting debate
✔️Neurofibrillary tangles
✔️Converging paths of epilepsy and Alzheimer
✔️pleasant dementia

Commissaire Patrice Lanier, a qualitative researcher and phenomenologist, is pulled in three different directions; his assistant Pucelle needs him in Paris, his wife needs him in Avignon and he needs to be in the South of France, in Pont-St-Esprit, for his investigation. Adding to the tension is the fact that there are terrorists on the loose!

What a great supporting character! Pucelle, his assistant and ex-nun, is working undercover to understand the Parisian drug culture. You’ll learn all about Krokodil, a street drug sweeping the Russian immigrant community. To balance the tense moments, Mostyn has peppered her prose with humour and lighter narrative. I smiled learning about the origin of Pucelle’s name.

I was gifted this copy by the author through her publisher and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Coleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through voracious readers only, in exchange for an honest review. There were multiple plot lines, Patrice, Colette and Pucelle’s stories. They at times intersected and at other times I wondered what held them together as a cohesive story. The loose ends however, were tied up at the end.
I enjoyed the pharmaceutical focus but at times found it a bit dense reading. The phenomenological slant was intriguing.
The characters are sympathetic, and generally well rounded. I liked the smattering of French throughout.
I did not find the resolution of the pain maudit satisfactory but did like the thread overall.

[Zee's Bookish Haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wild read. I loved each and every character and their individual journeys. I've read a lot of detective/true crime/cop books before but this is my first time encountering a phenomenological detective book and was certainly interesting. The French phrases (though I don't speak or understand) is also a nice touch as it gave it a more authentic feel to it since the setting is in France. It was great to see a bit of humor around as well so it doesn't feel too heavy. I have received a free copy on BookMuffin from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review

[Kimberly Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Only True Remedy was an interesting story set in France. The main character is a detective who was injured and is supposed to be recuperating but is torn in different directions between his family, partner and his own investigations. The writing is very descriptive and the use of the French language mixed in brings you to the location. It can get annoying when you need to use translate often to figure out what they are talking about but in the long run, it’s worth it! I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while to get the characters straight. Patrice seemed like a feminine name [Patricia…]. Pucelle, I thought, must be a woman because her name ended in “elle”, however I am not familiar with the French language. As it turns out, Patrice is a man. Pucelle is an ex-nun.

Once I got everything straight, I started over [with a little cheat sheet] and enjoyed the plot and the setting and the characters.

I read this novel courtesy of Voracious Readers and the author. Self-published 05/02/2023.

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 2 out of 5]

A free book from Voracious Readers thank you

Touted as a detective novel I found this more a work more taken with pharmacology than an easy reading novel.

All the French words, statements etc are off putting in the flow especially without language understanding. Yes there is a reference however requires referencing other pages.

More interesting in Part 3 however mostly dry reading to get there!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

His life is full to the brim and he has a leg in plaster. His wife is worried about her mother and he has to hunt down terrorists to stop them causing death and destruction. His life is full and he may need help but will he? See where he will take you
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I was caught up in his story

[Magnolia Spruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a free copy. It starts a bit dry and too many medical words. I mean, I want to read a detective novel. This transports to a different places and I have to keep on googling new words.

Yes, Alzheimer's details are pretty important but it took me a long time to even find this a detective novel. Almost dnf!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ebook via voracious readers in exchange for an honest review. At first I had difficulty getting into this story, it is very unusual. The character Pucell hooked me and I had to know what happened to her! All in all an engrossing book with many stories within.

[Caroline Browne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book by Author in exchange for a honest review. I found it to be a great book. Something could relate to never have enough time in day. Great storyline I loved the characters. Would recommend.

[Sharron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written book. I look forward to reading more of this authors books.

[Lyndsay Fiorentino · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Good storyline, a bit of a slow burn. Overall worth the read.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book from the author via voracious readers only.

[Caroline Browne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found a bit hard to get into. Would recommend.

[Allison Goode · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters and the read.
Thank you Voracious Readers Only for allowing me to read an ARC ebook for my honest review.