Murder and The Missing Dog

Château in Burgundy #2

by Susan C. Shea

"The quirky village residents make this an appealing series debut" Library Journal on Murder Visits a French Village

Ariel Shepard has spent the last year renovating her beautiful French ch�teau, while also ingratiating herself into the lives and hearts of the quirky locals of Noyers-sur-Serein. The shocking business of the murder of the local historian is behind her and she is finally feeling at home.

However, it's not long before murder and mystery once again seek Ariel out, when she and her friend Katherine find the body of the elderly Madame Toussaint in the doorway of Katherine's flea market shop.

Who would want to harm this lonely soul? Where is the bag the woman never leaves home without? And more importantly, where is her loyal, loving dog who never leaves her side? Could Raoul, Ariel's stoic gardener, really have something to do with it? And could Madame Toussaint have been mixed up with the robberies increasing around the idyllic villages of France?

Despite warnings from the rather handsome Brigadier Allard, Ariel, with help from Katherine and Pippa, once again dons her sleuthing hat . . .

Genres: Cozy Mystery

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2024

About the author

Born in NYC, raised on as diet of reading and art, transplant to Northern CA, satisfying career in journalism, higher ed exec, and then leapt off the diving board to become crime author.

I have an author page on Facebook. blog on 7CriminalMinds with 9 other crime authors, have an active web site with lots about France and, yes, I'm a Francophile!

NEW BOOK coming March 2023 - more Burgundy, but with a new theme...

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I really don't know why I don't have a France shelf, but it would be tedious to try to add one now.) Young American widow Ariel continues to rebuild the chateau her husband left her, trying to make it into a bed and breakfast. Visiting her friend in a nearby village, she finds a body on the steps of her friend's bric-a-brac shop, and recognizes an elderly, reclusive woman who lives in her village. But where is the woman's faithful dog, who always accompanies her? Ariel, her friend, and an eccentric Englishwoman decide to investigate, even though she promises the stern but handsome policeman in charge that she'll stay out of trouble. Naturally, she suspects all the wrong people, but does manage to help trap the people who are really guilty and uncover an historical injustice.

[Margie Bunting · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Susan C. Shea's second A Chateau in Burgundy mystery, Ariel Shepard is an American woman who is still in the process of renovating the old French chateau that her husband bought for her--without her knowledge-- prior to his unexpected death She hopes to turn it into a B&B full of local color and culture. but it's a bigger, more expensive project than she expected.

Just as she and her American and British friends are recovering from a murder (detailed in the previous book), Ariel comes upon a very elderly woman lying dead in the doorway of Katherine's shop, the victim of a murder. Mrs. Toussaint was a mysterious figure, leaving her home only to offer some items for sale at the shop. The motive for her murder is unclear, and the whereabouts of her beloved canine companion, without whom she is rarely seen, is uncertain. The mystery is an intriguing one, as Ariel and her friends try to unravel it, feeling a responsibility to bring justice for Mrs. Toussaint. They conduct their own investigation quietly and methodically, although sometimes ignoring the law, Was the woman somehow involved with the theft of valuable goods, or is there a much deeper and more significant reason for her murder?

I enjoyed the engaging characters, and I found the resolution of the case very gratifying. But even more satisfying is the author's detailed description of the chateau's renovation, as well as the beauty of this region of France and the culture of a particular small town. There is a hint of potential romance, which will hopefully continue in future series entries.

My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of the book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in a series, and I requested it on NetGalley, because I read the first book, Murder Visits A French Village, some time ago, and I quite enjoyed it.

The protagonist, Ariel, was a likeable character; I remember that I liked her the first time around, so I was pleased to find another book where she was featured as a protagonist.

Just like with the first book, I felt the author did a lovely job when it came to capturing the French setting. That setting came to life for me, and I wanted to escape into it. I also warmed to some of the other characters.

The thought of the missing dog was something that went to my heart a little bit, and so I felt like that was a motivation to keep reading. I found this very light and easy reading, it was easy to read in one sitting. I also think that if I hadn't read the first book prior, I may have enjoyed reading this as a standalone. If you like cosy mysteries that will help you escape for a little while, this may appeal to you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

[Kim Dague · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to Net Galley for this early reader ebook copy of “Murder and the Missing Dog” by Susan C. Shea! I was intrigued by the genre; always love a mystery; the setting; a small village in France; and, as an animal lover, by the title’s missing dog! Our main character Ariel arrives at her village shop and finds a dead body on the doorstep: an elderly local woman who often visited her shop with her black tote bag and loyal dog … but both bag and dog are missing! Ariel and her friends cannot resist trying to solve the mysteries of who would kill their neighbor and why, while searching for both bag and dog, alongside the police. The mystery is pleasantly twisty, tho I never felt that I got to know the characters very well. This may be due to the fact that I had not read the first book in this series! I would still recommend to those looking for an easy-reading mystery, (PS. The dog is ok!) #MurderandtheMissingDog #NetGalley

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently widowed American Ariel Shepard is working to renovate the old French chateau that her husband bought shortly before his death when he planned for them to do this together and to make it a vacation destination. Her best friends are British expat Katherine who is also a shop owner and Pippa. Together they try to fit in with the villagers, are motivated to find a murderer, and irritate the Brigadier. It's a fun story with quite a bit of situational humor, misunderstandings, red herrings, and amazing plot twists all held together by suspense. Loved it!
I requested and received an EARC from Severn House via NetGalley. Thanks!
Book 2 of A Château in Burgundy Mystery

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder and the Missing Dog
Is a fun cozy mystery in a small town in France. American Ariel is fixing up a rundown chateau to open a bed and breakfast. Ariel finds the body of an elderly resident in the doorway of a shop. Her bag and her dog are missing which makes Ariel believe it is murder. With her two friends, she investigates.
This is the second book in the series A Chateau in Burgundy. I have not read the first one and it was easy to follow. I loved the characters and the town. Look forward to reading more.

[Jean Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you encountered an elderly person whom leaves you wondering what their back story is? Perhaps you imagine the history behind the person is just an ordinary tale of being a secretary or a simple cook? Would the persons be archaeologists or anthropologists?

This book takes you to Burgundy, France region. A perceived homeless person is found dead. What has happened to this woman? It is up to Ariel Shepard and her friends to figure out whether the woman has been dealt foul play or general death.

This is a good tale of mystery for us readers to solve.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't worry if you, like me, missed the first book- this entertaining mystery will be fine as a standalone. Ariel, an American widow, is rebuilding her life, and her chateau in a small French village. And then, an elderly member of the community is found dead on her friend Katherine's doorstep- and the woman's dog is missing. These two intrepid outsiders solve the mystery and, well, no spoilers from me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fun cozy read.

[Avril Hemingway]

This is the second book in the series and I haven't read the first. I did feel this might have mattered as I didn't get to know the characters very well. They did seem to be eccentric and eclectic but not very revealing of their characters. The mystery itself was interesting but fairly obvious. It was still an entertaining read however. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm liking this cozy mystery set in FRance. It's a sort of fantasy as it requires a bit of suspension of belief but I have fun in reading about the setting and the cast of characters.
The solid mystery kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[B. Neufeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked it.