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Stranded in Provence #5

Croak, Monsieur!

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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.

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 6, 2018

408 people are currently reading
272 people want to read

About the author

Susan Kiernan-Lewis

141 books512 followers

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5 stars
122 (43%)
4 stars
85 (30%)
3 stars
45 (16%)
2 stars
20 (7%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Lise.
1,067 reviews
December 10, 2019
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!
Profile Image for Nicole Hughes-Chen.
273 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2020
Rather poor

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.
Profile Image for Carlin.
1,757 reviews18 followers
May 24, 2018
Love this series

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!
4 reviews
September 24, 2019
Wow so disappointed in this book. Loved the previous ones but this one is so not in line...
Profile Image for Sandy Digger.
537 reviews3 followers
December 1, 2019
Beware the cliffhanger

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.
490 reviews9 followers
December 12, 2019
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
Profile Image for Avalon.
618 reviews3 followers
August 13, 2020
French murder mystery

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.
547 reviews3 followers
June 24, 2020
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.
Profile Image for AngelaC.
587 reviews
August 1, 2025
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. 💕🙏🏽
Profile Image for Wilma.
505 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2019
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.
Profile Image for Rachel E..
220 reviews2 followers
October 11, 2023
loving the series

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.
31 reviews2 followers
May 23, 2018
Wow

Susan has done it again. Wow what a good book a real cliffhangar. Can't wait for the next book. I love the stranded in Provence mysteries.
10 reviews
May 30, 2018
Provence Spectacular

A perfect read! Twists, turns, surprises. Great writing and connecting. Now can't wait for more. You did it again Susan Kiernan-Lewis.....thank you!
11 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2018
Loved it I like all of Susan Kiernan-Lewis book's a joy to read.
Profile Image for Mary.
1,519 reviews5 followers
January 2, 2020
Fine, not necessarily my genre of choice but okay.
Profile Image for Dawn Ireland.
Author 97 books70 followers
April 4, 2021
Truly a great read

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.
311 reviews
April 13, 2021
Jules adventures continue

Another great read. Jules continues to get herself in trouble. How is she going to get out of this one? A must read in this series.
Profile Image for Tina.
1,030 reviews17 followers
October 12, 2021
Ooh-la-la

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!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Duckworth.
72 reviews
February 5, 2019
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.
Profile Image for Rebecca Cochran.
83 reviews2 followers
May 3, 2024
Another Great Murder wth Jules

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.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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