Bottle of Lies

Dead Flat #1

by Lise McClendon

At long last French policeman, Pascal d'Onscon, a beloved character in the Bennett Sisters Mysteries, has his own adventure in wine and France.

Pascal is ready for a long break with his live-in love, Merle Bennett, at their cottage in the Dordogne. But a favor is called in from his boss and off he goes to Champagne, to investigate a fraudulent labelling of wine at a swanky domaine. Thus starts Pascal's first adventure in the Bennett Sisters Mystery series, as a wine fraud cop working with the Police Nationale.

This first installment, a novella, explores the inner life and family ties of the attractive French boyfriend of the series. Dead Flat is a trilogy. 'Bottle of Lies' is the first release in the trilogy.

63 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2019

About the author

Lise McClendon is a fiction writer living in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. She has been a film reviewer, a film maker, a journalism professor, and a PR flack. Since her first novel, The Bluejay Shaman, in 1994, she has served on the national board of Mystery Writers of America and the International Association of Crime Writers/North America, as well as on faculty of the Jackson Hole Writers Conference where each year she critiques, speaks, and learns from writers new and old.

Check out the Lise McClendon Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiseMcClendon

Lise McClendon also writes as Rory Tate in the 2011 thriller, JUMP CUT. Her new novel by Rory Tate is PLAN X, available now. Read her latest novel, Château des Corbeaux, 17th in the Bennett Sisters mystery series that began with Blackbird Fly.

Reviews

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEAD FLAT: 1: Bottle of Lies is the tenth book in the Bennett Sisters Mysteries series and is the start of the DEAD FLAT trilogy. I loved this story about French policeman, Pascal d'Onscon and his foray into wine fraud. The storyline is well written and intriguing, with an in-depth look at Pascal and his relationships with friends, family, and loved ones.

I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the request of his supervisor, Pascal follows up on an inquiry from a friend of the supervisor. Apparently a forged label bearing the name of the vintners champagne was used on a bottle of still wine of low quality. An apparent effort to embarrass the man, and give his label a bad reputation.

Districts allowed to use the name Champagne were small, though recently expanded , though apparently not far enough to include the crops of a rival vintner.

Pride, brand power, and various criminal threats seem to be involved

In between contemplating a new job offer and helping extended family, Pascal does seem to have more than his fair share of adventures, but perhaps not much of a vacation.

An ongoing foray into counterfeit Champagne.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to like this book, but simply couldn't get into the story. I put it aside for about four weeks and tried again. Sadly by then I'd lost the gist and that was that! Maybe it's because it's a spin-off from a series of books I haven't read, so the characters were new to me and I couldn't engage with them, their personalities or their actions. Flat and banal. The main tale about French vineyard shenanigans didn't excite my curiosity which is a shame because I'm familiar with France and the proprietary wine culture. The relationship sidebars of the main character, Pascal, did nothing to engender any further interest. I have therefore abandoned this one and won't be reading any more books by this author.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having loved the Bennette sisters through several of their books, now I have to enjoy Pascal d'Onscon, the boyfriend of Merle Bennett. What a joy he is! I really love this spinoff series and am thrilled to see more books are planned. It is a great mystery series with all of the usual twists that kept me guessing to the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jo Trowbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite series is back! Intriguing and suspenseful! Loving it so far!! We are back to Pascal and Merle’s adventures!! Can’t wait to see where parts 2 & 3 takes us!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Micheline · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's lovely to get Pascal's perspective on his relationship with Merle, his job, his sisters, and life in general. Thoroughly enjoyed this segment, and am looking forward to reading the next parts!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fun to read! The point of view from Pascal was awesome! I liked reading about his job, his sisters, and his perspective on his relationship with Merle. I truly enjoyed this and am excited to read the next book!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. Having read most of the other Bennett Sisters mysteries, it was interesting to spend some time in Pascal's world and following on an adventure with him. I am most definitely looking forward to reading more of his story in the upcoming installments.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed having a story that centered on Pascal and allowed a look at his family. I do wish there had been more interaction between Pascal and Merle, but hopefully, that will be seen in the next book in this sequence.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun short story focusing on Pascal, Merle's boy friend, who investigates wine fraud in France. A spinoff of the Bennett Sisters series.

[Kathleen Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Short Read

Loved it; but it ended abruptly. Saddened by this. But, maybe I can locate the next short book. Definitely a recommended read.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, Champagne

Learning more about Pascal is a delight! Oh to be Merle and inherit a home in the Dordogne and meet a dashing Frenchman and...to fall in love!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of a trilogy concerning the boyfriend of Merle Bennett. Pacal d’Onscon, a wine fraud policeman working with the Police Nationale. is sent to the Champagne Region on behalf of, Pierre-Yves Poulin, a friend of his boss Etienne. Someone is illegally selling his still wine under his winery name.
An entertaining well-written novellawith its likeable characters.

[Lissa Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have not read the Bennett Sisters Series you are seriously missing out. This book is a totally different story line (Merel is still in it) that takes you on Pascal’s work adventures. Pascal investigates wine fraud and it is always full of adventure and intrigue. Lise McClendon’s world building is like a fine piece of art. Her works invigorate you and really feel satisfied at the end of each book.