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Stranded in Provence #1-3
The Stranded in Provence Mysteries, Books 1-3
Ever wonder what you’d do if someone pushed the re-set button on the world?
The Stranded in Provence Mysteries tell the story of an American woman on vacation in the south of France when the unthinkable happens. After a dirty bomb explodes over the Riviera she finds herself stranded in a French village where daily life is essentially sent reeling back to the 1950s.
So now forget solving crimes with DNA or accessing massive criminal databases. Likewise forget worrying about international terrorism, because that’s now gone too. But you can also forget spending hours on your smartphone, tablet, computer or even TV set.
On the other hand, the bistros are all still open, the produce and cheese markets still run every morning, bicycles dominate the wide avenues instead of cars, and for a budding amateur sleuth and now permanent ex-pat, any murders she stumbles across will have to be solved the old-fashioned way—with brain power and shoe leather.
Oh, and it turns out that romance still works the same as before too.
The Stranded in Provence Mysteries tell the story of an American woman on vacation in the south of France when the unthinkable happens. After a dirty bomb explodes over the Riviera she finds herself stranded in a French village where daily life is essentially sent reeling back to the 1950s.
So now forget solving crimes with DNA or accessing massive criminal databases. Likewise forget worrying about international terrorism, because that’s now gone too. But you can also forget spending hours on your smartphone, tablet, computer or even TV set.
On the other hand, the bistros are all still open, the produce and cheese markets still run every morning, bicycles dominate the wide avenues instead of cars, and for a budding amateur sleuth and now permanent ex-pat, any murders she stumbles across will have to be solved the old-fashioned way—with brain power and shoe leather.
Oh, and it turns out that romance still works the same as before too.
555 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2017
940 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 4, 2019
Enjoyable for anyone
Clever whodunit will have you laughing out loud with twists and turns you did not see coming. Well done and keep them coming.
Clever whodunit will have you laughing out loud with twists and turns you did not see coming. Well done and keep them coming.
September 14, 2019
This Woman Really Is Stranded!
These three books consider an interesting dilemma: what might life be like after some kind of dirty bomb takes out all the electricity, everywhere on the planet? And to add to this interesting situation, our heroine is an American stranded in a small French village because she had exchanged her American apartment with some people from this village to have a 2 week experience in France, and they in America.
These 3 books are challenging mysteries about who committed the murder, or murders, and our heroine manages to solve each one before the police do. I realize this is typical in cozy mystery world, but what I really like about it in these stories is there is a rational reason for the heroine to be the one to figure things out first: the police are too overwhelmed by the societal changes the dirty bomb brought on. Imagine no lights, no cell phones or computers, no email, no faxes, very few vehicles work, and for the police, no 911, no forensic testing, no communication with other police departments, etc. Interesting challenges.
There are also language differences that Jules, our heroine, manages to navigate. Also, many believable characters who help her out in many ways. And her main love interest is...well, I don't want to spoil it for you.
I have many books in my queue waiting to be read, but I'll be downloading Book 4 next.
These three books consider an interesting dilemma: what might life be like after some kind of dirty bomb takes out all the electricity, everywhere on the planet? And to add to this interesting situation, our heroine is an American stranded in a small French village because she had exchanged her American apartment with some people from this village to have a 2 week experience in France, and they in America.
These 3 books are challenging mysteries about who committed the murder, or murders, and our heroine manages to solve each one before the police do. I realize this is typical in cozy mystery world, but what I really like about it in these stories is there is a rational reason for the heroine to be the one to figure things out first: the police are too overwhelmed by the societal changes the dirty bomb brought on. Imagine no lights, no cell phones or computers, no email, no faxes, very few vehicles work, and for the police, no 911, no forensic testing, no communication with other police departments, etc. Interesting challenges.
There are also language differences that Jules, our heroine, manages to navigate. Also, many believable characters who help her out in many ways. And her main love interest is...well, I don't want to spoil it for you.
I have many books in my queue waiting to be read, but I'll be downloading Book 4 next.
April 22, 2020
From one apocalypse to another....
Reading this wild romp about a post-EMP world in the middle of the COVID 19 lock down is trippy, to say the least. It is very well written and just plain interesting to read fiction about how a small, charming French town defines a new world order, as seen from the eyes of a flaky American. From the synopsis, I feared going in that this might be some weirdo prepper story, which thank goodness, it is not. So far, I'm finding Stranded in Provence a solid, delightful cozy mystery series with rich, vibrant characters and the added challenge of (legitimate) world building as well as a fantastic take on the human psyche. One of the best new series I have come across. Bravo!
Reading this wild romp about a post-EMP world in the middle of the COVID 19 lock down is trippy, to say the least. It is very well written and just plain interesting to read fiction about how a small, charming French town defines a new world order, as seen from the eyes of a flaky American. From the synopsis, I feared going in that this might be some weirdo prepper story, which thank goodness, it is not. So far, I'm finding Stranded in Provence a solid, delightful cozy mystery series with rich, vibrant characters and the added challenge of (legitimate) world building as well as a fantastic take on the human psyche. One of the best new series I have come across. Bravo!
February 25, 2021
Such an annoying main character...
It was quite an accomplishment for me that I read completely all three books in this trilogy. The main character, Jules, was completely annoying and a selfish spoiled brat, in my opinion. Maybe her personality would be attractive to some readers but I just found it painful to read her thoughts and her inane conversations with those around her. I did not hate the book, thus my three rating rather than a one, but it was not one that I enjoyed. I did very much enjoy the French setting of the stories. I have not read any other books by this author but, hopefully, other main characters are more engaging and likable.
It was quite an accomplishment for me that I read completely all three books in this trilogy. The main character, Jules, was completely annoying and a selfish spoiled brat, in my opinion. Maybe her personality would be attractive to some readers but I just found it painful to read her thoughts and her inane conversations with those around her. I did not hate the book, thus my three rating rather than a one, but it was not one that I enjoyed. I did very much enjoy the French setting of the stories. I have not read any other books by this author but, hopefully, other main characters are more engaging and likable.
September 4, 2019
Dnf
I was very curious to see what this book set was about. An EMP bomb is dropped on Europe and the U.S. The heroine is stranded after a house swap with a French couple. Unfortunately, the author decided to make the bomb America's fault. Iran dropped it but in retaliation for an unnamed thing America did. Combined with other America bashing ( through a ham radio they find out Americans have gone crazy and are killing each other. The author states that is what you should expect from a society that allows its citizens to arm themselves!), I dnf.
I was very curious to see what this book set was about. An EMP bomb is dropped on Europe and the U.S. The heroine is stranded after a house swap with a French couple. Unfortunately, the author decided to make the bomb America's fault. Iran dropped it but in retaliation for an unnamed thing America did. Combined with other America bashing ( through a ham radio they find out Americans have gone crazy and are killing each other. The author states that is what you should expect from a society that allows its citizens to arm themselves!), I dnf.
September 8, 2019
Stranded in France
Loved these books. My heroine Jules Booker is now in a small charming French village after an event that causes all to be without electricity, which means no refrigerators, no cars because of lack of fuel etc. She was on vacation and can't go back to USA. She gets involved in a few murders, a little romance, and meets eccentric characters. These books were great reading, hard to put down, and I loved all the relationships and stories. Can't wait to read the next one.
Loved these books. My heroine Jules Booker is now in a small charming French village after an event that causes all to be without electricity, which means no refrigerators, no cars because of lack of fuel etc. She was on vacation and can't go back to USA. She gets involved in a few murders, a little romance, and meets eccentric characters. These books were great reading, hard to put down, and I loved all the relationships and stories. Can't wait to read the next one.
April 11, 2021
Jules adventures
Jules wants to get away to forget about a broken relationship, however her trip to France isn't what she expected. She planned to immediately head home back to Atlanta when she discovers a dead body and then the world came to an end as we know it. The power grid around the world has been destroyed by a bomb. A must read to find out how Jules servives living in a foreign country with limited language skills. I really enjoyed read these books and look forward to reading more by this author.
Jules wants to get away to forget about a broken relationship, however her trip to France isn't what she expected. She planned to immediately head home back to Atlanta when she discovers a dead body and then the world came to an end as we know it. The power grid around the world has been destroyed by a bomb. A must read to find out how Jules servives living in a foreign country with limited language skills. I really enjoyed read these books and look forward to reading more by this author.
August 19, 2021
Ok read
If you don't mind Americans being bashed by the citizens of Provence or the elderly being disparaged by a snarky know it all who has a serious case of diarrhea mouth around potential murderers as she tries to function in a foreign country where all modern amenities have come to a halt when an EMB has been leashed on the world, then you might enjoy reading these books. All in all, not a terrible read with lots of twists and turns probably better geared to a more juvenile or younger reader.
If you don't mind Americans being bashed by the citizens of Provence or the elderly being disparaged by a snarky know it all who has a serious case of diarrhea mouth around potential murderers as she tries to function in a foreign country where all modern amenities have come to a halt when an EMB has been leashed on the world, then you might enjoy reading these books. All in all, not a terrible read with lots of twists and turns probably better geared to a more juvenile or younger reader.
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March 29, 2021French murder mystery
Book 3 in the series sees Jules living on the farm with the elderly sisters and selling their wine. An elderly schoolteacher was murdered and other bodies have shown up. The sisters want Jules to travel to the night market to sell the wine but it's very dangerous. Her friend Katrine asked her husband to accompany Jules but why does Jules feel afraid when they are travelling? Lots of twist and turns to keep one guessing throughout. Entertaining read
Book 3 in the series sees Jules living on the farm with the elderly sisters and selling their wine. An elderly schoolteacher was murdered and other bodies have shown up. The sisters want Jules to travel to the night market to sell the wine but it's very dangerous. Her friend Katrine asked her husband to accompany Jules but why does Jules feel afraid when they are travelling? Lots of twist and turns to keep one guessing throughout. Entertaining read
August 30, 2019
Unique story line
I really enjoyed the three books. The story was unexpected and entertaining. I enjoyed Jules and look forward to her relationship growing with the locals and her new community. The village sounds gorgeous and makes us all want to live there if there is an actual EMP.
I really enjoyed the three books. The story was unexpected and entertaining. I enjoyed Jules and look forward to her relationship growing with the locals and her new community. The village sounds gorgeous and makes us all want to live there if there is an actual EMP.
October 11, 2019
Fun
I really enjoyed these books. The mystery in each book is completely resolved, however, there is a hook into the next book regarding the main character’s life. I prefer books that are complete, and if they’re well written I eagerly read the next book without having to be hooked into it. These is a clean, fun mystery series and I look forward to others.
I really enjoyed these books. The mystery in each book is completely resolved, however, there is a hook into the next book regarding the main character’s life. I prefer books that are complete, and if they’re well written I eagerly read the next book without having to be hooked into it. These is a clean, fun mystery series and I look forward to others.
December 3, 2019
Good story line. Woman from Atlanta goes to Provence for a vacation when an EMP goes off over the Medditerrian. She can't get back to the U.S. Not much seems to change in France. Restaraunts and bars are still open. The French need to keep their daily lives as usual as possible. There's markets taking pkace. She has to has to earn a living, so she decides to become a private detective.
December 26, 2019
I read the first one because I really enjoyed the Maggie Newberry series. It's quite different and the writer carries off the whole apocalypse thing really well. It's kind of back to basics with the policing which is interesting.
It looks as though the French really could live on wine and cheese at the end of the world.
It looks as though the French really could live on wine and cheese at the end of the world.
March 2, 2021
This 3 book series is about Juliet who goes to France on a vacation. She swapped homes with a couple from France for two weeks; but an electromagnetic incident leaves France, the U S and many other countries with no power. No power means no electricity, no cell phones, no air conditioning, no working cars newer than the 1950’s and many mod cons inoperative. This sad state of affairs continues throughout this series and Jules’ visit through the first 3 books of this series and beyond. A good story about how the country and the county cope and deal with the emergency that they are dumped into. Along the way Jules encounters many challenges and characters that make for good reading.
March 2, 2021
What do you do when you're stranded in a country where you don't speak the language and an EMP has wiped out all electronics? Well, if it's the South of France, apparently you eat a lot of baked goods, drink wine, and figure out whodunnit by wits, luck, and perseverance. Add in the possibility of a romance and you've got a series that's a lot of fun to read.
November 2, 2021
I liked the premise but much of the read was silly. The fact that no forensics would be conducted in a murder investigation is ridiculous. Fingerprints were used pre-electricity. Has Europe never heard of solar lighting? The lead character was a bit of a ninny and not translating the French was annoying. I read the 3 books hoping it would get better. It did not.
May 1, 2020
I enjoy reading books by Susan Kiernan-Lewis. I find the locale descriptions are vivid in detail and can imagine myself experiencing whatever the h is at the time. I am enjoying this new series as much as the Maggie Newberry series and can't wait to continue reading more.
August 23, 2020
Three Great Stories
I enjoyed the three stories.
A very interesting plot which unfolded well and took you from one Book to the next!I
I look forward to being able to read others in this Series.
I enjoyed the three stories.
A very interesting plot which unfolded well and took you from one Book to the next!I
I look forward to being able to read others in this Series.
February 7, 2021
I like the Jules character. The story line was interesting but lost a lot of points with me as the characters in the story continued to eat, drink, and be merry....really??...they had ice and coffee??? Maybe a different story line would have made the books less disappointing
February 22, 2021
Loved it
Really enjoyed the book. Some of the twist and turns in the oil seemed to be a stretch however I enjoyed leaning about some of the country side in France. Jules was a little out there but charming at times - as were some of the other characters.
Really enjoyed the book. Some of the twist and turns in the oil seemed to be a stretch however I enjoyed leaning about some of the country side in France. Jules was a little out there but charming at times - as were some of the other characters.
March 3, 2021
Stranded in France
I enjoyed these three books; however they were just fun and truly not very believable. I have so many books to read that I will not bee continuing with this series.
I enjoyed these three books; however they were just fun and truly not very believable. I have so many books to read that I will not bee continuing with this series.
March 14, 2021
Surprisingly entertaining
Not your normal post-apocalypse story. A tour of a small chunk of Provence with unique challenges and circumstances. Interesting collection of characters and plots.
Not your normal post-apocalypse story. A tour of a small chunk of Provence with unique challenges and circumstances. Interesting collection of characters and plots.
March 16, 2021
Perils of Jules
A wonderful updated version of the Perils of Pauline, happily French, full of intrigue and misunderstandings under the apocalyptic background of a worldwide EMP. A great read.
A wonderful updated version of the Perils of Pauline, happily French, full of intrigue and misunderstandings under the apocalyptic background of a worldwide EMP. A great read.
April 14, 2021
An interesting mix of murder, romance and the change of lifestyle after an EMD
An mix of murder, romance and the change of lifestyle after an EMD. After a breakup Jules goes to the Romantic region of Provence and life changes dramatically.
An mix of murder, romance and the change of lifestyle after an EMD. After a breakup Jules goes to the Romantic region of Provence and life changes dramatically.
April 18, 2021
Life after death
At best this series is getting g better as each case gets more dangerous. But the relationship between Lucky & Jules gets even more interesting. Can't wait to read#4 in the series
At best this series is getting g better as each case gets more dangerous. But the relationship between Lucky & Jules gets even more interesting. Can't wait to read#4 in the series
January 29, 2023
enjoyed the book very much
The writing on how kind the French people were toward her. My friends that have visited France stated how unkind the French people were towards Americans. I would hope if a terrible situation would happen they would be kind. Who knows this is fiction.
The writing on how kind the French people were toward her. My friends that have visited France stated how unkind the French people were towards Americans. I would hope if a terrible situation would happen they would be kind. Who knows this is fiction.
September 2, 2019
A good beach read!
September 17, 2019
See the individual books for my review
September 20, 2019
3.5 stars
First three books in a fun mystery series.
First three books in a fun mystery series.
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November 8, 2019Good series for cbick-lit! A bit of romance plus murder mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews