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Penelope Kite #2
Death in Avignon
Set amidst the gorgeous backdrop of Provence, Serena Kent’s second book in the deliciously entertaining Penelope Kite series finds the amateur sleuth romantically linked with the mayor of St. Merlot and dashing to solve the murder of an expat artist—perfect for fans of Peter Mayle and Agatha Christie.
After an eventful first few months in Provence, it seems Penelope is finally settling into her delightful new life, complete with a gorgeous love interest in the mayor of St. Merlot.
When Penelope and the mayor attend a glamorous gallery opening, Penelope’s biggest worry is embarrassing herself in front of her date. But the evening takes a horrifying turn when a controversial expat painter, Roland Doncaster, chokes to death.
A tragic accident? Or a malicious plot? Reluctantly drawn into the murder investigation, Penelope discovers that any number of jealous lovers and scheming rivals could be involved. And with dashing art dealers to charm, patisseries to resist, and her own friends under suspicion, Penelope will need to draw upon all her sleuthing talents to uncover the truth.
Set against the stunning vistas of Provence, Serena Kent returns with the second installment of her charming mystery series featuring the unflappable Penelope Kite.
After an eventful first few months in Provence, it seems Penelope is finally settling into her delightful new life, complete with a gorgeous love interest in the mayor of St. Merlot.
When Penelope and the mayor attend a glamorous gallery opening, Penelope’s biggest worry is embarrassing herself in front of her date. But the evening takes a horrifying turn when a controversial expat painter, Roland Doncaster, chokes to death.
A tragic accident? Or a malicious plot? Reluctantly drawn into the murder investigation, Penelope discovers that any number of jealous lovers and scheming rivals could be involved. And with dashing art dealers to charm, patisseries to resist, and her own friends under suspicion, Penelope will need to draw upon all her sleuthing talents to uncover the truth.
Set against the stunning vistas of Provence, Serena Kent returns with the second installment of her charming mystery series featuring the unflappable Penelope Kite.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2019
131 people are currently reading
1460 people want to read
About the author
Serena Kent
5 books114 followersSerena Kent is the author name of husband-and-wife writing duo, Deborah Lawrenson and Robert Rees. Deborah has previously published eight novels including The Art of Falling, The Lantern, The Sea Garden and 300 Days of Sun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
June 27, 2019
One thing that I have going for me at this time is that despite picking up books with a similar tone, the contents of the stories and the rich layered backgrounds are making for interesting reading.
This particular book was no different, in being different that is. The entire book is set in France and the love that the lead protagonist feels for her new life is very vividly described. We meet middle-aged, step-grandmother to young kids Penny Kite. This is the second book of the series but we get a good dose of information regarding the previous case and all the people involved. The characters were all not remarkably likeable: the children are selfish and mean, the local friend is catty for the most part, the love interest is distracted and does not say much, Penny is self-conscious constantly and even the good friend embarrasses her more than helps her. One of these things and not all added to the times that all of the above characters behaved well would have been nicer. The case was solid and well done. The reasoning will not be obvious until the players start to describe it themselves.
If I was not bogged down by all the negativity floating around (something which I cannot deny makes it more authentic and possible), I would have enjoyed it more. I read it slower than others trying to ensure I was not letting the speed of the tale influence my reactions. I would recommend this to those people looking for a cozy mystery without quirky characters, just realistic ones and a more intricate case than usual.
I received an advance copy thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is completely based on my own reading experience.
This particular book was no different, in being different that is. The entire book is set in France and the love that the lead protagonist feels for her new life is very vividly described. We meet middle-aged, step-grandmother to young kids Penny Kite. This is the second book of the series but we get a good dose of information regarding the previous case and all the people involved. The characters were all not remarkably likeable: the children are selfish and mean, the local friend is catty for the most part, the love interest is distracted and does not say much, Penny is self-conscious constantly and even the good friend embarrasses her more than helps her. One of these things and not all added to the times that all of the above characters behaved well would have been nicer. The case was solid and well done. The reasoning will not be obvious until the players start to describe it themselves.
If I was not bogged down by all the negativity floating around (something which I cannot deny makes it more authentic and possible), I would have enjoyed it more. I read it slower than others trying to ensure I was not letting the speed of the tale influence my reactions. I would recommend this to those people looking for a cozy mystery without quirky characters, just realistic ones and a more intricate case than usual.
I received an advance copy thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is completely based on my own reading experience.
April 21, 2020
I love the setting and protagonist of this cozy. I had trouble keeping track of who was who in the mystery this time. Why name characters Clemence and Claudine?
February 27, 2020
This was a delicious slice of armchair travel – I have never personally been to Provence, but I think my new life goal might be to get there. Serena Kent’s British heroine, Penelope Kite, has started over in Provence after a divorce and seeing her children out of the nest. She’s rehabbed a gorgeous old stone farmhouse (I’m assuming it’s gorgeous, because, by the sound of the book, everything in Provence is gorgeous). She lives a pleasant life walking into the village for croissants, eating lots of incredible sounding meals, drinking wine that sounds just as luscious, practicing her cello, and oh yes – she has a flair for detection.
As Penelope (call her Penny) lives in a small village, she’s gotten to know a few folks (this is book two in a series), and one of them, Clemence, invites her along to an art opening. This, as it turns out, is a pretty classic Murder She Wrote style setting for a crime. As Penny peruses the exhibit, she finds one artist who paints everything in black, one very feminist conceptual artist, a charming Brit ex-pat who is an absolutely awful painter, and one actually talented painter who uses antique pigments to achieve an otherworldly color effect.
Of course, one of the artists meets his maker at the exhibit (by poisoned olive, no less), and Penny embarks on an investigation despite herself. As the killings begin to pile up, she finds herself more enmeshed in solving the original murder, but along the way the authors take you, the reader, on a fabulous tour of the Provencal countryside.
This dream is interrupted by a visit from Penny’s grown children, their spouses, and ill-behaved young, but it does force her to attend to the matter of rehabbing the bathrooms and making the house fit for guests. It’s a pretty funny interval, and it reminded me very much of an updated version of Michael Bond’s classic Monsieur Pamplemousse series. There’s a similar light touch and tone to the proceedings.
Penny also rediscovers her love of music, something she had put aside, and joins a group, expanding her friend base even further. The crimes, however, are tied to the art world, and the reader gets a good look into the life of some of the French galleries where the action occurs. While there’s an element of satire to the storytelling, it’s all pretty good natured.
The denouement is pleasantly caperish and the book concludes with a gorgeous wedding, which also happens to thwart Penny’s plans for a dinner a deux with a possible flame. There’s always book three to look forward to – this series already feels like a comfortable, delicious old shoe, and I’m hoping its life will be a long one.
As Penelope (call her Penny) lives in a small village, she’s gotten to know a few folks (this is book two in a series), and one of them, Clemence, invites her along to an art opening. This, as it turns out, is a pretty classic Murder She Wrote style setting for a crime. As Penny peruses the exhibit, she finds one artist who paints everything in black, one very feminist conceptual artist, a charming Brit ex-pat who is an absolutely awful painter, and one actually talented painter who uses antique pigments to achieve an otherworldly color effect.
Of course, one of the artists meets his maker at the exhibit (by poisoned olive, no less), and Penny embarks on an investigation despite herself. As the killings begin to pile up, she finds herself more enmeshed in solving the original murder, but along the way the authors take you, the reader, on a fabulous tour of the Provencal countryside.
This dream is interrupted by a visit from Penny’s grown children, their spouses, and ill-behaved young, but it does force her to attend to the matter of rehabbing the bathrooms and making the house fit for guests. It’s a pretty funny interval, and it reminded me very much of an updated version of Michael Bond’s classic Monsieur Pamplemousse series. There’s a similar light touch and tone to the proceedings.
Penny also rediscovers her love of music, something she had put aside, and joins a group, expanding her friend base even further. The crimes, however, are tied to the art world, and the reader gets a good look into the life of some of the French galleries where the action occurs. While there’s an element of satire to the storytelling, it’s all pretty good natured.
The denouement is pleasantly caperish and the book concludes with a gorgeous wedding, which also happens to thwart Penny’s plans for a dinner a deux with a possible flame. There’s always book three to look forward to – this series already feels like a comfortable, delicious old shoe, and I’m hoping its life will be a long one.
June 28, 2019
Penny has moved to France, for a new life after her divorce….
She has friends, the ‘sharp’ Clemence is chic and glamorous, takes Penny to Museums, Art Galleries and music events……the handsome Mayor, Laurent is a possible romance too and the marvellous Frankie brings some humour…
One evening at an art exhibition, an artist, Roland Galbraith Doncaster ‘Don’, collapses and later dies…..the police investigate this as a suspicious death….Penny had previously investigated a suspicious death (previous book) and she is again drawn into the mystery…
She had worked for the Home Office in Forensic Pathology, so she believes Don May have been poisoned!!
And so the investigation begins, with art forgery, smuggling and murder….all set in a marvellously idyllic lifestyle of rural France, with deliciously described food, wine and pastries….made my tummy rumble more than once..
There’s the chaos of Penny’s family arriving, a disagreeable police officer and a budding romance which makes this an absolutely charming cosy crime mystery. It has a clever plot and likeable, well drawn characters and a satisfying end…….one to enjoy, relaxing in the sunshine with a glass of wine…
Thank you to The publishers, the author and NetGalley for a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
She has friends, the ‘sharp’ Clemence is chic and glamorous, takes Penny to Museums, Art Galleries and music events……the handsome Mayor, Laurent is a possible romance too and the marvellous Frankie brings some humour…
One evening at an art exhibition, an artist, Roland Galbraith Doncaster ‘Don’, collapses and later dies…..the police investigate this as a suspicious death….Penny had previously investigated a suspicious death (previous book) and she is again drawn into the mystery…
She had worked for the Home Office in Forensic Pathology, so she believes Don May have been poisoned!!
And so the investigation begins, with art forgery, smuggling and murder….all set in a marvellously idyllic lifestyle of rural France, with deliciously described food, wine and pastries….made my tummy rumble more than once..
There’s the chaos of Penny’s family arriving, a disagreeable police officer and a budding romance which makes this an absolutely charming cosy crime mystery. It has a clever plot and likeable, well drawn characters and a satisfying end…….one to enjoy, relaxing in the sunshine with a glass of wine…
Thank you to The publishers, the author and NetGalley for a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
August 25, 2019
After murder and mayhem the previous year (Death in Provence), Penelope Kite is finally feeling settled in her new life in the charming Provençal village of St Merlot. Renovations on her stone farmhouse are almost complete. Family is coming to visit. And there is that dinner date with the dashing and devastatingly attractive mayor, Laurent Millais. Their previous attempts to have time alone were foiled by unexpected events. This time, a pre-dinner visit to an art exhibit in Avignon ends when an artist has to be rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state. Mayor Millais feels it is his civic responsibility to go along in the ambulance. So much for the intimate dinner … so much for the artist ... and so much for Penelope’s quiet life. Once again the former personal assistant to an eminent British forensic pathologist, finds her natural instincts for solving crimes on high alert as one mysterious death after another occurs, all inexplicably linked to art, toxic paint and shady dealings. Enticing gastronomic details, stunning scenery, quirky characters and entertaining full immersion into the history and traditions of Provence, make this another must-read by Serena Kent.
August 18, 2020
I enjoyed the glimpse of places I have visited in Provence. I was not interested in all the women's clothing details nor did the charcter of the protagonist go very deep. A quick read for me. The fist book in this series was not as well written.
June 28, 2022
I really liked this. It was a modern cosy. So there were references to contemporary things, but it still felt like a cosy. I found the protagonist likeable and relatable, and it was a mystery story while at the same time being amusing and light-hearted.
September 17, 2020
Another thoroughly enjoyable book. Makes me want to visit Provence.
April 10, 2022
Not as good as the first in the series. You still get a glimpse of South France but this one wasn’t as intriguing.
March 2, 2020
Full review can be found here: https://www.criminalelement.com/book-...
October 19, 2022
I thought this book was slow reading especially at the end. It was like the author had a set amount of pages she had to write and drew out the ending.
There were too many characters to keep track of and too many that had similar sounding names.
I liked the descriptions of the French countryside and Nice. Also liked the descriptions of the French and English food.
There were too many characters to keep track of and too many that had similar sounding names.
I liked the descriptions of the French countryside and Nice. Also liked the descriptions of the French and English food.
June 25, 2019
Penelope Kite enjoys her decision of leaving her old life behind and moving to Provence. However, trouble seems to follow our Penny around and during a very usual art exhibition that she's attending one artist is taken ill. He dies in hospital few days later. But it is only the beginning of further dead bodies, people going missing and smuggled art and Penelope finds herself in the centre of this all. Her old habits outweigh her common sense again and she starts to investigate. In the meantime, her whole family comes to visit and then Frankie to help her with the investigations, again against the recommendations of Penny's nemesis, police chef Georges Reyssens.
It was another brilliant, light and quick cosy crime authored by Serena Kent. It is a second book in the Penelope Kite series, but to be totally honest, it doesn't matter too much if you have read the first book or not, there are enough cameos and references to what has happened, and the characters actually stay the same. Though I'd really advise you to read "Death in Provence" because it was simply another great and entertaining read.
Serena Kent is a dazzling story - teller and her writing style is engaging, welcoming and chatty. She knows well when to loosen up the atmosphere and when to put a red herring to make the story even more complex and thrilling. It is also humorous and more than once a sentence or innocently dropped word or two made me chuckling to myself. The descriptions of the landscape, setting and food are long and very detailed but they are vivid, beautiful and bring all the things to life easily and effortlessly.
The characters are so well developed and feel very realistic, really, like breathing and living people. The banter between them is flawless and effortless, actually everything in this book seems to simply flow seamlessly, and it is a great feeling. Because not many new characters are introduced in this book, I felt like coming back to a group of my old mates and beginning right where we have ended our last adventure. Penelope, as usual, soon finds out that there is more to the deaths as initially supposed and with police that's not so willing to cooperate, she has to use her skills she's learnt as a former forensic pathologist's assistant. Who did it? And why?
"Death in Avignon" was a breezy, light - hearted read, a perfect escapism that you're going to enjoy on an evening or two, with a glass of wine. Or two. It has such a relaxing feeling to it, flawlessly transporting you to the autumnal and wintry Provence. Even though it deals with murder and some dead bodies there is a lightness to it, humour and sparkling, clever sarcasm and irony. There are many possible killers in this story, and it was absolutely brilliant, to read about their motives, trying to make a guess and - of course - not guessing. But that's me, the super - detective. So pour yourself this above mentioned glass of wine, grab a croissant and prepare yourself for a fantastic visit to France, with a murder or two as a bonus. Truly recommended!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
June 23, 2019
This is a light, quick murder mystery, perfect for summer – and a nice relief from well-intentioned literary fiction or, frankly, the depressing state of the world right now. I hadn’t read the first in this series, but to be honest I don’t think that matters; there are enough references to it to get the gist of what happened and who the main characters are without necessarily feeling that you are missing out on much.
Penelope Kite has settled into her new life in Provence, having separated from her husband, and is now, in her early 50s, enjoying her dream. In the first book of the series a man was apparently found drowned in her swimming pool; here, a man is taken ill at an art exhibition that she is attending. Trouble seems to follow Penny around, of course! What follows is a tale of art forgery and smuggling that draws in various nefarious characters in the area, as Penny locks horns with her nemesis in the police department, Georges Reyssens. In the midst of her investigations Penny’s children descend on her farmhouse and provide a series of family set-pieces which set a domestic tone to the book. As Penny investigates, the bodies start to pile up and, ably assisted by her best friend Frankie, who also comes to visit, and other local characters, the plot is unravelled and all’s well that ends well.
Come to this with an open mind and a sense of escapism and readers will definitely enjoy this cozyesque murder mystery. There are elements of Martin Walker’s Bruno series with long, detailed descriptions of the local food, and there is a sense of the Brit abroad that made Peter Mayle’s books so popular. It’s a bright, breezy book that doesn’t take itself too seriously and allows the reader to spot the clues whilst just relaxing into the undemanding warmth of a Provencal autumn. It all slips down rather nicely, like a good glass of wine.
Penelope Kite has settled into her new life in Provence, having separated from her husband, and is now, in her early 50s, enjoying her dream. In the first book of the series a man was apparently found drowned in her swimming pool; here, a man is taken ill at an art exhibition that she is attending. Trouble seems to follow Penny around, of course! What follows is a tale of art forgery and smuggling that draws in various nefarious characters in the area, as Penny locks horns with her nemesis in the police department, Georges Reyssens. In the midst of her investigations Penny’s children descend on her farmhouse and provide a series of family set-pieces which set a domestic tone to the book. As Penny investigates, the bodies start to pile up and, ably assisted by her best friend Frankie, who also comes to visit, and other local characters, the plot is unravelled and all’s well that ends well.
Come to this with an open mind and a sense of escapism and readers will definitely enjoy this cozyesque murder mystery. There are elements of Martin Walker’s Bruno series with long, detailed descriptions of the local food, and there is a sense of the Brit abroad that made Peter Mayle’s books so popular. It’s a bright, breezy book that doesn’t take itself too seriously and allows the reader to spot the clues whilst just relaxing into the undemanding warmth of a Provencal autumn. It all slips down rather nicely, like a good glass of wine.
April 13, 2020
Penelope Kite is a bit over 50, has divorced her husband, raised her step children, and moved to Provence where she becomes involved in murders. Penny is attracted to the mayor of St. Merlot, Laurent Millais, he has invited her to attend an opening at a local art gallery. One of the exhibitors, a loud, brash, not very good artist, flamboyant ‘Don’ Doncaster, collapses and later dies in hospital.
The rest of the mystery revolves around potential love interests and their viability, finding the murderer, discovering a smuggling scheme, and dealing with stepchildren who are overwhelmed with parenting and concerned that Penny is wasting their inheritance.
The story drifts a bit, but the friendships Penny is exploring and discerning which can be trusted, her routines in Provence, and the fact that she is not a twenty or thirty something heroine make the mystery entertaining. The puzzle gets more complicated when Penny discovers a smuggling plot. There is danger and suspense, but not too much description of death or danger. Recommended for cozy readers and those who like different settings. We were in Provence a year ago so the settings were interesting and meaningful for me.
Readalikes:
Susan C. Shea – Love & Death in Burgundy; Cay Rademacher – Murderous Mistral; M. B. Shaw – Murder at the Mill; Rhys Bowen – Crowned and Dangerous; Jeanne M. Dams – A Dark and Stormy Night; Lexie Elliott – The French Girl; Stella Cameron – Folly; Martin Walker – The Templars’ Last Secret; Mariah Fredericks – A Death of No Importance.
Pace: Leisurely paced
Characters: Mature women
Story: Intricately (overly) plotted
Writing style: Engaging; Descriptive
Tone: Atmospheric; strong sense of place
Frame: Luberon Valley, Provence FR; contemporary
Theme: Life in small towns
The rest of the mystery revolves around potential love interests and their viability, finding the murderer, discovering a smuggling scheme, and dealing with stepchildren who are overwhelmed with parenting and concerned that Penny is wasting their inheritance.
The story drifts a bit, but the friendships Penny is exploring and discerning which can be trusted, her routines in Provence, and the fact that she is not a twenty or thirty something heroine make the mystery entertaining. The puzzle gets more complicated when Penny discovers a smuggling plot. There is danger and suspense, but not too much description of death or danger. Recommended for cozy readers and those who like different settings. We were in Provence a year ago so the settings were interesting and meaningful for me.
Readalikes:
Susan C. Shea – Love & Death in Burgundy; Cay Rademacher – Murderous Mistral; M. B. Shaw – Murder at the Mill; Rhys Bowen – Crowned and Dangerous; Jeanne M. Dams – A Dark and Stormy Night; Lexie Elliott – The French Girl; Stella Cameron – Folly; Martin Walker – The Templars’ Last Secret; Mariah Fredericks – A Death of No Importance.
Pace: Leisurely paced
Characters: Mature women
Story: Intricately (overly) plotted
Writing style: Engaging; Descriptive
Tone: Atmospheric; strong sense of place
Frame: Luberon Valley, Provence FR; contemporary
Theme: Life in small towns
May 7, 2020
The beauty of France nearly steals the show in this one as the writer vividly describes the location where her lead character experiences a mystery of monumental proportions.
Penelope Kite had what most would call a tumultuous summer. Grateful to be settling down in Provence and getting used to her new life, Penelope is basically in love with her daily routine. Who wouldn’t be? After all, we’re talking about lovely evenings, amazing weather, new friends with new stories to tell, and so much more. She’s doubly excited over heading to an exclusive art gallery opening escorted by the handsome mayor of St. Merlot.
But the Avignon art world becomes tainted when Roland Doncaster—who is known by many to be a somewhat controversial painter—dies from choking on an almond-stuffed olive. There are many things that this could have stemmed from; a simple accident where no one is in the wrong, to a murder by poisoning at the hands of a rival painter. Penny Kite becomes embroiled in the tragic circumstances as she tries to bring the truth to light. But as the pool of jealous lovers, charming art dealers, and new friends that until recently were unknown to Penny grows deeper, she finds her work cut out for her in order to bring justice to the fallen man.
This is the second in the series, but the author has done a fantastic job of offering data on Penny’s previous case as well as her past, her more than selfish step-children, and more so that the reader never feels lost if they missed out on the first book.
A solid sequel to what will most likely be a great mystery series that fans will enjoy for years to come.
Penelope Kite had what most would call a tumultuous summer. Grateful to be settling down in Provence and getting used to her new life, Penelope is basically in love with her daily routine. Who wouldn’t be? After all, we’re talking about lovely evenings, amazing weather, new friends with new stories to tell, and so much more. She’s doubly excited over heading to an exclusive art gallery opening escorted by the handsome mayor of St. Merlot.
But the Avignon art world becomes tainted when Roland Doncaster—who is known by many to be a somewhat controversial painter—dies from choking on an almond-stuffed olive. There are many things that this could have stemmed from; a simple accident where no one is in the wrong, to a murder by poisoning at the hands of a rival painter. Penny Kite becomes embroiled in the tragic circumstances as she tries to bring the truth to light. But as the pool of jealous lovers, charming art dealers, and new friends that until recently were unknown to Penny grows deeper, she finds her work cut out for her in order to bring justice to the fallen man.
This is the second in the series, but the author has done a fantastic job of offering data on Penny’s previous case as well as her past, her more than selfish step-children, and more so that the reader never feels lost if they missed out on the first book.
A solid sequel to what will most likely be a great mystery series that fans will enjoy for years to come.
June 28, 2019
Penny has moved to France, for a new life after her divorce….
She has friends, the ‘sharp’ Clemence is chic and glamorous, takes Penny to Museums, Art Galleries and music events……the handsome Mayor, Laurent is a possible romance too and the marvellous Frankie brings some humour…
One evening at an art exhibition, an artist, Roland Galbraith Doncaster ‘Don’, collapses and later dies…..the police investigate this as a suspicious death….Penny had previously investigated a suspicious death (previous book) and she is again drawn into the mystery…
She had worked for the Home Office in Forensic Pathology, so she believes Don May have been poisoned!!
And so the investigation begins, with art forgery, smuggling and murder….all set in a marvellously idyllic lifestyle of rural France, with deliciously described food, wine and pastries….made my tummy rumble more than once..
There’s the chaos of Penny’s family arriving, a disagreeable police officer and a budding romance which makes this an absolutely charming cosy crime mystery. It has a clever plot and likeable, well drawn characters and a satisfying end…….one to enjoy, relaxing in the sunshine with a glass of wine…
Thank you to Tracy and Compulsive Readers for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
She has friends, the ‘sharp’ Clemence is chic and glamorous, takes Penny to Museums, Art Galleries and music events……the handsome Mayor, Laurent is a possible romance too and the marvellous Frankie brings some humour…
One evening at an art exhibition, an artist, Roland Galbraith Doncaster ‘Don’, collapses and later dies…..the police investigate this as a suspicious death….Penny had previously investigated a suspicious death (previous book) and she is again drawn into the mystery…
She had worked for the Home Office in Forensic Pathology, so she believes Don May have been poisoned!!
And so the investigation begins, with art forgery, smuggling and murder….all set in a marvellously idyllic lifestyle of rural France, with deliciously described food, wine and pastries….made my tummy rumble more than once..
There’s the chaos of Penny’s family arriving, a disagreeable police officer and a budding romance which makes this an absolutely charming cosy crime mystery. It has a clever plot and likeable, well drawn characters and a satisfying end…….one to enjoy, relaxing in the sunshine with a glass of wine…
Thank you to Tracy and Compulsive Readers for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
May 28, 2020
I read lots of mysteries - usually British contemporary or Golden Age- but I also enjoy a good cozy and this one is a delight.
First in the series is Death in Provence that I made the mistake(the phony French accents are dreadful and often indecipherable) of listening to. It almost put me off the series but I liked the setting and characters so I read Death In Avignon and I'm so glad I did.
Penelope is an recent British expat whose hefty divorce settlement has enabled her to fulfill her dream of buying property in Provence and escaping the demands of her two adult stepchildren.
Like many mature women in cozies, Penelope finds herself involved in local crimes much to the dismay and disapproval of the local police chief.
The setting is marvelous and the reader vicariously visits lots of lovely villages in Provence and samples multiple delicious French meals.
The characters are great. There's Penelope's, larger-than-life, old friend Frankie who visits from England and causes Penelope many a hangover due to overindulging in too many glasses of French wine. The police chief is a smarmy little man you love to hate but there's also several charming and handsome men who catch Penelope's eye.
All in all the first two books have been great fun and I look forward to Penelope's next adventure.
First in the series is Death in Provence that I made the mistake(the phony French accents are dreadful and often indecipherable) of listening to. It almost put me off the series but I liked the setting and characters so I read Death In Avignon and I'm so glad I did.
Penelope is an recent British expat whose hefty divorce settlement has enabled her to fulfill her dream of buying property in Provence and escaping the demands of her two adult stepchildren.
Like many mature women in cozies, Penelope finds herself involved in local crimes much to the dismay and disapproval of the local police chief.
The setting is marvelous and the reader vicariously visits lots of lovely villages in Provence and samples multiple delicious French meals.
The characters are great. There's Penelope's, larger-than-life, old friend Frankie who visits from England and causes Penelope many a hangover due to overindulging in too many glasses of French wine. The police chief is a smarmy little man you love to hate but there's also several charming and handsome men who catch Penelope's eye.
All in all the first two books have been great fun and I look forward to Penelope's next adventure.
February 9, 2020
This is the second in the Penelope Kite Mystery series. Penny has settled into her new life in Provence making friends, including the handsome Mayor of St. Merlot. She and the mayor attend a gallery opening as a prelude to sharing dinner. However, their plans are thwarted when one of the artists dies.
Penny is drawn to help solve the murder even though she has more than enough to keep her busy with the renovations on her new home with its leaky windows, ancient bathroom, etc., and her love/hate relationship with food.
If you haven’t read the first book in the series, you might feel a little left out of the loop when Kent fails to provide you with sufficient information to learn to care for both her main character and the plethora of secondary characters. Her physical descriptions of these characters were meant to inform her new readers about these people, but physical descriptions fail to make us care about them. For some reason, the people Penny considers to be friends come off as shallow and lacking in real empathy.
If you have visiting Provence on your bucket list, this cozy may be the book for you, but even then, you may want to read the first book in the series to get a better feel for the author’s characters.
My thanks to Harper and Edelweiss for an eARC.
Penny is drawn to help solve the murder even though she has more than enough to keep her busy with the renovations on her new home with its leaky windows, ancient bathroom, etc., and her love/hate relationship with food.
If you haven’t read the first book in the series, you might feel a little left out of the loop when Kent fails to provide you with sufficient information to learn to care for both her main character and the plethora of secondary characters. Her physical descriptions of these characters were meant to inform her new readers about these people, but physical descriptions fail to make us care about them. For some reason, the people Penny considers to be friends come off as shallow and lacking in real empathy.
If you have visiting Provence on your bucket list, this cozy may be the book for you, but even then, you may want to read the first book in the series to get a better feel for the author’s characters.
My thanks to Harper and Edelweiss for an eARC.
February 26, 2020
Penelope thinks she's going to have a lovely dinner with the dreamy Laurent, Mayor of St Merlot but that plan is foiled when Don, an artist, chokes to death on an almond stuffed olive at an exhibit in Avignon. Sort of a cozy set in Provence (sigh), this features a mature amateur in Penelope, except she's not really an amateur because she worked in forensics back in the UK. Of course, there are any number of reasons why someone might have poisoned Don and Penelope eventually finds the truth. Along the way, there are some wonderful scenes of the area (and the food!). Penelope's family leaves something to be desired (they are seriously ungrateful) but she rises above all of it. This is the second book in the series but was fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fun read.
March 21, 2020
Retired English divorcee Penelope is settling into her Provencal cottage and crushing on the handsome local mayor. Once again their plans for a dinner a deux are thwarted when an obnoxious artist passes out at the art exhibit where they've stopped. When the artist dies, the police suspect poisoning. This brings the ever-snoopy Penelope into the local art community, where she unwittingly insults both her new French bestie and the mayor himself. She must call her English friend Frankie, a woman with no filters, to help her investigate the suave art dealer who knows all the artists and who seems interested in Penny herself. There are times when Penny is irritating, just as friends are in real life, and obsessed by things like the food and scenery (and ease of parking!), but expatriates can be like that. Delightful fun.
October 28, 2021
This is the 2nd in the Penelope Kite mystery series. Although it’s part of a series, you can read this book as a stand alone, as this author sums up what you need to know from the previous book at the beginning.
Penelope is invited to go with her love interest , the mayor, to Avignon to attend an art show. One of the artist collapses from choking and later dies at the hospital. Will this death be deemed a murder by poison? Will Penelope be able to keep her self busy with her renovations and her overbearing family visiting or will she not able to hold back and get involved with the investigation?
A fun light read that will transport you to the South of France and will keep you guessing until the end! If you are like me, I love reading about books set in France as it takes me back to the time where I lived there for 6.5 years!
Penelope is invited to go with her love interest , the mayor, to Avignon to attend an art show. One of the artist collapses from choking and later dies at the hospital. Will this death be deemed a murder by poison? Will Penelope be able to keep her self busy with her renovations and her overbearing family visiting or will she not able to hold back and get involved with the investigation?
A fun light read that will transport you to the South of France and will keep you guessing until the end! If you are like me, I love reading about books set in France as it takes me back to the time where I lived there for 6.5 years!
June 6, 2020
Don Doncaster, an overrated English artist, dies after being taken ill at an exhibition in France of his and other artists work, all represented by the same agent. I enjoyed the Englishwoman abroad aspect and the travelogue nature of the places in Provence, most of which I have visited. The story itself was a fairly standard Miss Marple type of adventure, where the central character, Penelope Kite, can't help herself but to get involved in a murder investigation and appear to be a few steps ahead of the local inept police. Then her children and grandchildren came out to stay with her and the story almost grinds to a halt for the week. The pace does eventually pick up again, but I found the denouement to be disappointing and not really signposted in the previous pages.
June 27, 2019
In the first book of the series, Death in Provence, we meet Penelope Kite a woman who leaves England to move to France where she has bought an old farm to renovate. Here she finds herself involved in the investigation of a murder. In this second novel, in true Jessica Fletcher style, Penelope stumbles again in a murder during an art gallery opening when one of the artists is killed right in front of her. Unable to let it go, Penelope starts her own investigation with the help of her former estate agent and now friend Clemence, her larger-than-life best friend Frankie, and her possible love interest Laurent, the Major of St Merlot.
In DEATH IN AVIGNON, we meet again some of the quirky and entertaining characters we met in the first novel and we are introduced to new ones. We find out more about Penelope, about her past, about her family. Her good-natured and inquisitive character make people confide in her, sometimes without realising it, and we see her putting herself in danger once again to solve a murder.
I loved the beautiful descriptions of Providence, so detailed, evocative, and realistic. And let’s talk about the food and the wine. My mouth was literally watering as, page after page, I read about croissant, cheese, and much more.
Twists and surprises that I didn’t see coming go perfectly along with the comedy of some of the situations Penelope finds herself in. A story of intrigue, jealousy, and friendship DEATH IN AVIGNON is the new refreshing, entertaining, and suspenseful novel by the husband-and-wife writing duo, Deborah Lawrenson and Rob Rees, and I am already looking forward to book number 3!
In DEATH IN AVIGNON, we meet again some of the quirky and entertaining characters we met in the first novel and we are introduced to new ones. We find out more about Penelope, about her past, about her family. Her good-natured and inquisitive character make people confide in her, sometimes without realising it, and we see her putting herself in danger once again to solve a murder.
I loved the beautiful descriptions of Providence, so detailed, evocative, and realistic. And let’s talk about the food and the wine. My mouth was literally watering as, page after page, I read about croissant, cheese, and much more.
Twists and surprises that I didn’t see coming go perfectly along with the comedy of some of the situations Penelope finds herself in. A story of intrigue, jealousy, and friendship DEATH IN AVIGNON is the new refreshing, entertaining, and suspenseful novel by the husband-and-wife writing duo, Deborah Lawrenson and Rob Rees, and I am already looking forward to book number 3!
September 23, 2023
Penelope Kite getting on with her life in Provence and like the book it is a little slow. Not much happens except a few suspicious deaths which could be murders.
The authors (yes Serena Kent are a writing duo) due give a sense of place and life in this region of France. It makes me want to visit.
It was hard to keep up with so many characters especially those with similar names.
The tone of the book felt old fashioned as if it is set in the 1950s although to draw the reader away from that feeling the internet and mobile phones are in use.
Not the worst book I have read, but it felt a little bland.
The authors (yes Serena Kent are a writing duo) due give a sense of place and life in this region of France. It makes me want to visit.
It was hard to keep up with so many characters especially those with similar names.
The tone of the book felt old fashioned as if it is set in the 1950s although to draw the reader away from that feeling the internet and mobile phones are in use.
Not the worst book I have read, but it felt a little bland.
July 7, 2019
This is the second book in the Penelope Kite series, it follows Death In Provence. Although part of a series, this is can easily be read as a standalone.
This was a really enjoyable read, as I got immersed into Penelope’s world. The descriptions of Provence are just beautiful, so evocative of the area. This book sees Penelope trying to solve the murder of Roland Doncaster, a painter in Avignon, who chokes on an almond stuffed olive.
I really enjoyed this book, it is well written and very funny.
This was a really enjoyable read, as I got immersed into Penelope’s world. The descriptions of Provence are just beautiful, so evocative of the area. This book sees Penelope trying to solve the murder of Roland Doncaster, a painter in Avignon, who chokes on an almond stuffed olive.
I really enjoyed this book, it is well written and very funny.
September 6, 2019
Another wonderful murder mystery from the pen of Serena Kent. In her previous book, Death in Provence, we met Penelope Kite, a ex-pat from Surrey and une femme très sympathique. In this, the second book, she goes from strength to strength. Her sleuthing is even cleverer and her charm no less enticing. She is ten times any Miss Marple – so warm, so easy to be with. I love these books.
As always though, it is tightly written, well-crafted and deviously plotted – thoroughly entertaining. A great read and well deserving of 5 stars.
As always though, it is tightly written, well-crafted and deviously plotted – thoroughly entertaining. A great read and well deserving of 5 stars.
July 1, 2020
This was a Xmas present and I worried I wouldn't enjoy the book at first as it was the second in the series (and I'd not read the first), however the descriptions by the author brought me up to speed quickly and there was no need to read the first! Although having now read this, I want to read the first!
I enjoyed the amateur defectiveness of this book and the setting - having been to the South of France on a number of occasions it was nice to picture where this book is set. There is some rather outrageous plot lines, but i think that adds to this book's character!
I enjoyed the amateur defectiveness of this book and the setting - having been to the South of France on a number of occasions it was nice to picture where this book is set. There is some rather outrageous plot lines, but i think that adds to this book's character!
July 12, 2020
Ex-pat Penelope Kite attends an art exhibition for four local artists. One, another British ex-pat, is singularly untalented but his paintings sell--better than some more talented artists. His collapse at the exhibition is thought initially to be from a heart attack but, after his death, something more sinister is rumored. Penelope, curious and possibly holding a key piece of evidence, is drawn into the investigation.
A library pick and, unfortunately, the second in a series. I think this might have been more enjoyable read in sequence.
A library pick and, unfortunately, the second in a series. I think this might have been more enjoyable read in sequence.
March 16, 2020
I very much enjoyed the mystery in this book. It turned out to be just the right amount of complexity so that the reader did not immediately solve it. However, I was very disappointed in the portrayal of all of the secondary characters except Penny’s English friend, Frankie. These characters, including Penny’s family, were thoroughly unlikeable. I will not be rushing to read the next book which is unfortunate because the premise of the series is really very good.
February 25, 2021
Penelope Kite, an Englishwoman living in Provence, stumbles into yet another mystery. Murders, art, icons, Russians. I like the cast of characters who continue to become more full in this second book. The descriptions of Provence, the bread, and Penelope's house are entertaining and interesting to me. Her continued "almost" dinner with Laurent. The mystery of Clemence's husband. Who is he?? I'll read the next book. I would give it 3.5 stars but am starting to round up instead of down now.
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