For some people not even the apocalypse can ruin a nice day on the water.
A spring boat ride with no motor, no GPS and no radio. What could possibly go wrong?
When Jules goes to Marseille to run an errand for the twins, she meets an exotic new friend who offers her a daytrip on a French yacht to wash away the gloom of the post-apocalyptic winter Jules has just endured.
The trip promises everything Jules has been craving for the last six months…sunshine, rosé wine, exciting company, bracing sea air…and murder.
What starts out as a pleasure cruise quickly turns into the sail of the damned as, trapped on a boat with a killer, Jules scrambles to find out who not to turn her back on.
This book has no graphic violence, strong language or sexual depictions.
Jules, our resident bumbler, is sent to Marseille by Les Soeurs in order to sell their wine overstock. Whilst there, she bumbles her way on to a day cruise that turns into anything but pleasurable. There is a lot going on in this book, but to reveal any more would ruin the twists and turns.
This story seemed to not fit as well with the previous books. Jules is more willful than even Jules usually is and there is a pall across the entire plot that came dangerously close to depressing.
Previously, I had mentioned that I skipped #4 by accident and had planned to return to it after finishing this one but I think I'll take a wee break before heading back to Chabanel in order to absorb how I felt about Croak, Monsieur!
I looked forward to reading this book because it is set in France. I found it rather easy to get into, however I think the plot is rather unrealistic and the characters are hard to empathise with.
For a book set in France with mostly French characters, I would have liked much more French language in the book and more detail about the location, local fauna, sights and sounds to make me feel like I was in France also.
The 94 year old twins are far too able bodied and able minded to be believable. Luc and Jules are not spoken about in enough detail for the reader to be able to emote with them, and the entire boat scene was utterly unrealistic. Why would you invite a stranger onto your boat if you were planning all that?
The book ends very abruptly and whilst I appreciate that's because Kiernan-Lewis wants you to purchase her next novel, I feel that's a little cheeky. A book should have a start, middle and end. This book has no conclusion. It is akin to stopping after a random chapter. Consequently I was rather disappointed with the ending.
Not one I would recommend, nor will I plan to read any more books by Kiernan-Lewis any time soon. 2 out of 5.
This the latest in the Stranded in Provence series although the next is scheduled to be published in June. Jules is the same impulsive woman who makes bad decisions and then has to find her way out of predicaments with or without help. And of course there is a murder. Loved it!
The story has some interesting twists but it ends on a cliffhanger and I really don’t like that. It starts in a way that makes you think you may have missed a piece of the story but you can mostly catch up. It’s about an American stranded in France after a major catastrophe wipes out all electricity everywhere not just France. It then goes on to tell about her life and then get her into trouble with a most unlikely source. I wasn’t sure how it was going to end but as I stated previously I wasn’t happy with the ending.
The book was very entertaining and I would have appreciated it more if anywhere in its advertisement, it had bothered mention or in any way advise that the book was not a stand alone but, but was a part of a continuing serial. Whereupon, I would not have bothered to either get or read the book. Therefore, I cannot recommend this book to anyone, unless they like to read a continuing saga, which invariably leaves much up in the air to be continued in the next volume, and on and on. Me, personally, not my cup of tea. I prefer reading a book that starts and ends in one volume
Jules is running an errand in Marseille when she bumps into a woman who offers her to join them on a yacht for a day with wine, food, sunshine and relaxation. Little does she know it will be the exact opposite of what she was expecting when the woman's husband is found murdered. Jules wishes she hadn't accepted the offer especially since she doesn't know if she will be next. Keeps you guessing throughout. Well penned.
It was just a little different than your other books. It is starting show how much the main character is so hung up on who she is and not what she could be. Yes there is a murder in the story line but you also know who the murderer is just about the same time. It is great to read about all the emotions that people go threw during stressful times but that can come out of it ok.
Quick fun read. I started this series before covid then came back and a read a few after the pandemic and it hit a bit different, losing access to certain places. This was the first one I read after hearing a family members stories of surviving Hurricane Helene and while it’s different circumstances, some of the themes carry through. Grateful for my running water and electricity. 💕🙏🏽
Another EMP book. And Jules is stuck in France living with two 94 year old twins. The local policeman is her boyfriend. No power, no cars, no internet. But she manages to get a horse to get around quicker.
The first 4 books were much more exciting. This one Still contributed to the over arching story but it wasn’t nearly as intriguing as the others. Still looking forward to book 6.
This entire series is awesome. SKL is a fabulous author. She creates great characters, and comes up with some doozies for circumstances within the pages.
Americans in a detention camp? Marriage in name only? Murder on a yacht? This book has it all; twists and turns galore. Can’t wait to read the next installment!
Another very entertaining read from Ms.Lewis. Her lead character, Jules Hooker can get into more trouble than any 10 people combined. I think what I really love about Lewis's books are that she can inject such humor in the midst of bloody murder, one minute my skin is crawling the next I'm laughing my head off. Lewis has a knack for character development, she does it so well, right down to the village crackpot. If you start on this series, I guarantee you will be hooked, the same can be said for "Maggie Murder" series. Try it you'll like it.
I just love these books, never know what comes next for Jules the All American young woman stranded in France. Hghly recommend this book and all others by this author.