Death at the Chateau

Follet Valley Mysteries #3

by Ian Moore

The third book in the The Times -bestselling murder mystery series, by leading TV/radio comedian Ian Moore! Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Julia Chapman, or MC Beaton

'Cosy, quirky and wry, but most of all, hilariously funny!'
JANICE HALLETT, bestselling author of The Appeal

––––––––––––

Richard Ainsworth's French B&B has been taken over by a production company shooting a historical film at the Château de Valençay. But everything grinds to a halt with the sudden passing of an actor under suspicious circumstances.

To get to the bottom of things, Valérie Dorçay and Richard offer catering services to the hastily resumed production. There they discover that the vanity, duplicity and murder of an 18th century French court is nothing compared to that of a 21st century film set, with more heads yet to roll.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Crime, Cozy Mystery, Humor, France

305 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2023

About the author

Best-Selling author Ian Moore is also a stand-up comedian and conference host in the UK, and husband, father of three boys, farmhand, chutney-maker and Basil Fawlty impersonator in France. Since doing less stand-up, he's stopped taking himself so seriously.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death at the Chateau is another enjoyable read in Ian Moore's cosy mystery series featuring British ex-pat Richard Ainsworth, the proprietor of a chambre d'hôte (B&B) in the (fictional) Follet Valley - a "quiet corner" of the popular Loire Valley region in France.

In this instalment, Richard and his associate, glamorous Valérie d'Orçay - "a professional bounty hunter and possible assassin of international repute" - are engaged as security consultants for the shooting of an historical film at nearby Chateau de Valençay. But nothing is ever plain-sailing for our detecting duo, and it's not long before an extra on the film, an elderly local hero of the Resistance expires dramatically on set. But did Régis Corbeau die of natural causes at an inopportune moment, or was he murdered?

Egos collide and suspects abound as Richard and Valérie, aided by Richard's redoubtable and resourceful femme de ménage (domestic help) Madame Tablier, set about investigating the crime. Further dramatic deaths amongst the film's cast and crew muddy the waters as Richard and Valérie hurtle towards a deadly nighttime confrontation with the killer. Along the way, Richard tries to conceal his growing attraction to Valérie, is reluctantly co-opted to act as the film company's media liaison and discovers that his affinity with chickens does not extend to all poultry, as he's relentlessly bullied by a resident peacock named Clovis.

Death at the Chateau is a rip-roaring read, with a great balance of British-style humour, character hi-jinks and intriguing plot twists. Richard and Valérie lead an engaging cast of characters and the setting of a Renaissance chateau with real-life Napoleonic connections is well integrated with the mystery plot.

I'd recommend Death at the Chateau to any reader who enjoys humorous, action-packed "cosy" mysteries, especially those who enjoy European settings and plenty of cinematic references.

My thanks to the author, Ian Moore, publisher Farrago Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this entertaining title.

[Viola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lieliska vasaras lasāmviela, ko lasīt guļot kāda koka paēnā. Autors ir ar labu humora izjūtu, turklāt prot savērpt arī loģisku detektīva sižetu.

[Spicybooksandmystery · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect book to read when you sit under your blanket with a cup of coffee, just having a cozy moment.

[Not Quite A Bookshop · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has to be the pair’s best adventure yet. A great story which had me hooked from the phrase ‘talkie walkie’. Clearly the bond between the two sleuths is developing and not only in terms of the business they now share. Valerie’s affection for Richard is becoming more obvious and Richard himself is stepping out of his comfort zone, with numerous acts of heroism quite unlike that expected of our ‘Englishman’. The humour is thick and fast in this book and alongside the usual ensemble of supporting characters; Richards wife, Martin and Gennie and of course at least one of Valerie’s ex husbands there’s the addition of a peacock who in typical narcissistic peacock fashion, pecks anyone who dares get in his way and, more detrimentally as far as I’m concerned, steals the avian show from Richard’s beloved chickens. If you haven’t yet ‘visited’ the Follet Valley I urge you to do so but do read the books in order to enjoy the development of these characters to the full.

[Nicci Bean · Rating 1 out of 5]

If anybody could point out the hilarity to me, I'd be rather grateful. This book was so boring I almost gave up, but I'm a determined lass so I battled through. What a waste that was.
In honesty, I couldn't even tell you the plot, who died, or who did it. If you like the Thursday murder club, don't read this. You'll save yourself time and disappointment.

[Andrew Macdonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cosy crime, funny established characters. Just not in the same league as Osman...!

[Jenny]

Jag vet inte varför jag började lyssna på denna. Jag var inte så förtjust i de tidigare delarna så efter lite funderande så har jag kommit fram till att jag struntar i denna bok och serie.

Jag lyssnade 35 %.

[Shay Redwine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad I kept going in this series. This one was better than the previous two, still cozy & a quick, easy read.

[Charlotte Pawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard is a middle-aged Englishman running a B & B in the Val de Follet. Due to past investigations, he has now teamed up with exotic Valerie to open a detective agency and had been dragged into their first case as security for a film set at the Chateau de Valencay. Both main characters could not be more opposite with Richard wisecracking to overcome being out of his depth. The mystery is very much a cozy afternoon read with the real point of the book being the lighthearted humour. Perfect for a quirky quick afternoon read.
Thank you NetGalley and (Farrago Books) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Jean-Luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murderous shenanigans and suspicious poisoning by Viagra are some of the unpleasant woes plaguing the crew of a dysfunctional movie production gathered at the Château de Valençay in order to finish filming à wonky historical piece centered around Napoleon and Talleyrand at the tail-end of the First Empire....

And yes, Richard and Valérie are back working as security agents and diving head first into a hilarious mayhem that kept me in stiches for a few hours. I love this wonderful series and its laughing out loud wacky situations, its delightful quirkiness full of goofy slapstick and delicious verbal pyrotechnics, and last but not least its screwy cast of characters, peacocks and hens included...

This terrific novel is the perfect antidote to forget for a few joyful hours the depressing world we live in!

Highly recommended and to be enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever! Many thanks to Farrago and Netgalley for this very entertaining ARC!

[Brandon Calluy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts off slow, but gets better and better! Great setting, nice reveal...
It's a good mystery novel. I do think this last chapter in Richard Ainsworths life is the "weakest".
Can't wait for a new one!!

[MimLovesReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our "Englishman in France" lead, Richard, is very much channelling The Pink Panther in this 3rd (excluding Papa Noel) Follet Valley mystery.

Lots of wit & shed loads of charm, as always.

Thoroughly enjoyed! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately it was probably the least interesting story of the three, wasn’t really something that could’ve been guessed from the start which made it all seem a little redundant up until you found out the ending. The development of the main characters is the big redeeming factor.

[Jonathan Waugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in this series, and another excellent entry.

Although most of this book takes place on location at a castle, instead of at the guesthouse, the main and supporting characters from the first two books manage to be on site. This provides both continuity and a refreshing change after the first two novels and novella. And, again, it is laugh out loud funny in places. Very enjoyable.

[Norina Müller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mal nett für zwischendurch aber mich hat der Krimi nicht umgehauen. Teilweise fand ich die Chemie zwischen den zwei Privatermittlern merkwürdig und auch das Ende war mir etwas zu schnell bzw. auch nicht ganz logisch.

[Agnes Watson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Deffo not my kinda vibe - long slog

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should've been called death and peacocks but here we are.

[Sophie Annett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the way he writes, so effortlessly funny. Richard and Valerie make the best pair, I hope they’ll be another book!

[Faras_bookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much! It’s so easy to read, funny, enjoyable. Simply the perfect cozy murder mystery!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story:
Richard and Valérie’s fledgling Follet Valley-based private investigation company has a new job — security and bodyguard duties for a Hollywood production and one of its stars, filming in the nearby Chateau de Valençay. When one of the actors dies, the pair suspect foul play, and set about getting to the bottom of things with a mixture of skill (Valérie) and blind luck (Richard). But with as much drama off set as on, will the pair be able to solve their latest mystery?

My thoughts:
“Death at the Chateau" is the third book in the hilarious Follet Valley Mystery series (following "Death and Croissants" and "Death and Fromage"), and this time we join Richard and Valérie as their private investigation agency is taking shape. Having found they were alienating Richard’s neighbours, they have sworn off investigating marital infidelity, and instead have entered the world of private security. A film set is the perfect backdrop for murder and intrigue, and the series regulars are joined by a cast of suitably self-absorbed actors for the latest instalment in this fun, easy-to-read series.

Having enjoyed the first two books, it was great to pick up this story again, and I found the mystery to be suitably twisting and with a satisfying conclusion. The “will they, won’t they” relationship between the main characters continues, and I’m hopeful for how this will progress in the next book! I do also think this could be enjoyed as a standalone read, and overall is a great summer read for anyone who enjoys a cosy mystery with a good dose of self-deprecating British humour!

[Kirsty Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cosy mystery, although not very cosy or mysterious. Too many characters who lacked any real development or depth for me to be invested in. This story just didn't work for me, no surprises and I couldn't find the humour either. The start was promising, unfortunately the most interesting character was killed off.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Farrago Books for an advance copy of Death at the Chateau, the third novel in the Follet Valley Mystery series featuring Richard Ainsworth, owner of an upmarket chambre d’hôte and Valérie dOrçay, former spy and perhaps assassin who are now working together in a newly formed security company.

Richard and Valérie are providing security on a film set at the nearby Chateau de Valeçay when one of the actors dies, natural causes according to the police, murder according to a disbelieving Richard and Valérie. They proceed to investigate and discover more intrigue than the film script.

I thoroughly enjoyed Death at the Chateau, which is a lighthearted romp in the Loire region with a good mystery attached. It made me smile, perhaps not laugh out loud, but then I’m not a middle aged Englishman in France, so it’s hard to fully get Richard’s feelings. The novel is told from his point of view, so much of the humour comes from his reactions to the notably more volatile Valérie and his desire to underplay life in general. This is a man who finds solace spending alone time with his hens who, obviously as he is a doctor of film history, are named after the greats, like Joan Crawford.

The plot is suitably silly with more murders, a stalker and over the top actors. Still, it is a puzzle as to what is going on and why. I found myself trying to work it out and failing miserably. I feel slightly cheated as not all the information is available before the denouement to make an educated guess, but the literal unmasking of the perpetrator was fun, being a mixture of skill and ineptitude. No prizes for guessing who was which.

Death at the Chateau is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win this in a competition run by the publishers, so it’s only fair to do a review. This book continues the Follet Valley Mysteries & I would recommend that you start at the beginning rather than reading it as a standalone.

Richard Ainsworth runs a chambre d’hôte, a posh B & B according to a recent guest. It has been taken over by a production company who are filming at the local chateau. The Château de Valençay is providing the backdrop & sets for the film which features His Serene Highness Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand- Périgord, one time owner of the chateau in the 18th century.
Alongside the B & B, Richard has set up a new security agency with Valérie D’Orçay & they have been hired to provide security on the set during filming. Things do not start well when a local war hero dies on the first day. Richard & Valérie are not going to stand idly by, deciding to investigate & solve the murder, in order to save their & the agency’s reputation. During their delving, we are introduced to the actors & production team. The intrepid pair uncover the truth but only after they discover lies, duplicity & murder to rival any 18th century court.

The mystery unfolds in chronological order revealing some wonderful characters & fun moments which make this a great read, whilst you try to spot clues. If Agatha Christie or similar writers are your go to, this will be right up your street.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

📚Death at the Chateau
✍️Ian Moore
3⭐️

This is the third instalment of the Follet Valley Mysteries series, which I read without having read the previous two. This meant I did miss out on some of the backstory between Richard and Valerie, however this was an entirely new mystery with a new cast of characters so this wasn’t make or break for me. A group of actors are shooting scenes for a historical film at the B&B, including giving a 102 year old local man a cameo. The elderly man dies, followed by a prominent cast member, the film’s historical consultant and the suspicious poisoning of another actor. Existing characters Richard and Valerie were fleshed out, with distinct personalities and a shared backstory thanks to the previous goons in the series. Personally, I didn’t like Richard, he came across as a bit of a bumbling plonker with things happening to him rather than happening because of him. A review on the cover by Janice Hallett (author of The Appeal, which I read earlier this month) describes the book as witty, which I did not get at all. The conclusion was well thought out, with tendrils back to WW2, which I would have liked to explore in more detail.

[Eloise Mohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah it's good to be back with Richard and Valerie.
As expected in the third instalment of the Follet Valley Mystery series, this crazy pair find themselves in an impossibley bizarre situation.

Once upon a time, Richard was a doctor of cinematography with a grudge against IMDB, then he was the owner of a fancy B&B.. now? He's part of a personal security firm with his gal pal Valerie.
Supervising the set of a film about Napolean, whilst trying to protect filmstar Lionel from a stalker, Richard and Valerie are now investigating a string of deaths amongst the cast and crew.

This book has a relatively slow start, but once the storyline unfolds you find yourself completely lost in it. I will say to persevere through the beginning where we are introduced to what feels like 60000 people in a short period of time, because it does get easier.

Full of wit, sarcasm, humour and a whole lot of impossible situations, Death at the Chateau is another fantastic read for cosy murder mystery fans.

[Hugh Dunnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now at the third (proper) instalment of the Follet Valley series, we are starting to see the characters as old friends, and that is precisely what you might expect and certainly want from this type of fiction. Not truly ‘cosy mystery’ (thankfully!), Death and the Chateau is light, wry and frequently, laugh (not just smile) out loud funny but just as importantly, a genuine crime fiction puzzle.

But this time, the characters feel more defined and their interactions more natural. Also, the plotting is tighter, the red herrings more plentiful and the jokes funnier. This is without doubt the best Follet Valley novel yet.
To be honest, there is little else I would rather read at this time of year – you can almost feel the warmth of a languid late summer French afternoon radiating off the pages.
If Ian Moore keeps writing this series, I’m going to keep reading!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was as good, if not better than the first two. Very quick, gripping read and funny. The characters well defined and we saw more of Richard, Valerie and the redoubtable Mme Tabilier & Clare, and Gennie & Martin the S&M club neighbours.

The story unfolds well, at a good pace, and Richard’s bumbling inner monologue (or the author’s narration of same) is funny, observational as the best bit of the books. He and Valerie are still dancing around each other, and they still work well as a team -by accident rather than design they solve the case, it seems sometimes.

The denouement is quick and feels sudden, in that I feel they get the answers from out of thin air, but the end is suitably interesting. And of course the end leaves us open for another book!

Really enjoyed this Follet mystery and look forward to the next one!!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a proper cozy mystery, then this is the book for you. It has everything you’d want: suspected murders, a film crew getting in the way, and of course Valerie & Richard.

Valerie and Richard are back after forming a security business together. In this third book of the Follet Murder Mystery Series, I’m finding myself more drawn to this pair and the other reoccurring characters in the series.

In starting this book, I did have some trouble getting initially invested in the plot, but once the plot was established, it was smooth sailing from there. In the end, I found this book quite entertaining and sweet at times.

Thank you to Farrago Books & NetGalley for sending me this ARC!

[Georgina Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd in the series of books featuring Valérie and Richard who, without meaning to, get caught up in another murder situation. I’ve read 2 of these and they are great standalone.

I love Richard, he’s such a great character - funny, a bit bumbly and sarcastic as well. He is an ex-film historian who now runs a B&B in France, but gets dragged into these impossible situations by Valérie who is an ex-spy I think (this was probably in the first book which I’ve yet to read, but more gets revealed about her past in each book).

I didn’t guess who was behind everything which made it all the more exciting and kept me reading to the end without wanting it to or to put it down. I’m going to read the first one soon, just to get more of the background to everything. Already excited for more to come.

[Kezia Lucas (keziareads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Thank you to Netgalley and Farrago Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest)

This whole series is just unique and lighthearted mysteries, which I love. There were plenty of twists and turns as well as random and quirky plot points. Richard had a great sense of humour and use of sarcasm which works really well with Valerie’s personality. There were a lot of side characters who we get introduced to very quickly which did make it confusing to remember them all. I did love how this book (and the rest in the series) wasn't trying to be a serious, tense mystery novel and instead was just a fun and slightly chaotic/random read.