What do you think?
Rate this book
It’s New Year’s Eve and Max Mallery is treating his team and their partners to a night of celebration in the vibrant centre of Bordeaux. The following day, the inspector is called out to a brutal murder at the Saint Margaux Vineyard, where wine connoisseur Therese Bisset lies dead in the vaulted cellar. As the investigation gets underway, a call from Max’s friend and local Coroner, Paul Theron, has the detectives suspecting that the supposed suicide of a local engineer might not be all that it seems.
With an attractive waitress linking the two cases, Mallery relies heavily upon his colleague, Englishman Jack Hobbs, to join the dots on their most challenging work yet. But, with pressure in both of their personal lives, can Mallery and Hobbs catch the killer?
With an attractive waitress linking the two cases, Mallery relies heavily upon his colleague, Englishman Jack Hobbs, to join the dots on their most challenging work yet. But, with pressure in both of their personal lives, can Mallery and Hobbs catch the killer?
247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2020
5 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Griffiths-Jones
33 books72 followersA.J.Griffiths-Jones is a historian & genealogist with a special interest in Victorian Crime. After a decade of living & working in China, she now lives in Shropshire, England. A.J's interests include cooking, travelling & swimming.
Her debut book 'Prisoner 4374' was the result of ten years research in to the life of Dr.Thomas Neill Cream, the notorious Lambeth Poisoner & Jack the Ripper suspect.
A.J. is currently working on a sequel Ripper book and a series of novels, the first of which 'The Villagers' was published early 2016.
Her debut book 'Prisoner 4374' was the result of ten years research in to the life of Dr.Thomas Neill Cream, the notorious Lambeth Poisoner & Jack the Ripper suspect.
A.J. is currently working on a sequel Ripper book and a series of novels, the first of which 'The Villagers' was published early 2016.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 5, 2020
New Year’s Eve finds Max Mallery and his team celebrating, but the festivities are destined to come to a swift end the following day when a body is discovered at the Saint Margaux Vineyard. Unfortunately, Therese Bisset’s is not the only suspicious death – the apparent suicide of an engineer begins to look like murder and Mallery wonders if the two deaths could be linked. With more suspects than he can shake a stick at, the canny cop and his sidekick must delve into the intimate lives of the deceased to unearth the truth.
I’ve read several books by this author and the Mallery and Hobbs series continues to develop as a murder/mystery with a little extra. What’s always interesting is how the relationships between the main characters adds depth to the stories, as each book charts the police investigation alongside the private lives of the protagonists. Though not necessary to read the previous books in the series (Isobel and Noel), knowing the background to each of the characters is useful, and helps to bring the books alive. One of the nice things about the series is the focus on food and wine, the French phrases peppered throughout the books and the vivid descriptions of the different towns and villages where the action takes place.
An enjoyable addition to a great series.
I’ve read several books by this author and the Mallery and Hobbs series continues to develop as a murder/mystery with a little extra. What’s always interesting is how the relationships between the main characters adds depth to the stories, as each book charts the police investigation alongside the private lives of the protagonists. Though not necessary to read the previous books in the series (Isobel and Noel), knowing the background to each of the characters is useful, and helps to bring the books alive. One of the nice things about the series is the focus on food and wine, the French phrases peppered throughout the books and the vivid descriptions of the different towns and villages where the action takes place.
An enjoyable addition to a great series.
December 6, 2021
I’ve read the first two in this series, and I enjoy the developing relationship of Max Mallery and Jack Hobbs as they set about solving another crime in rural France. This time, there’s a body in a wine cellar, the supposed suicide of an engineer, and the only link a waitress, Sabine. It’s not much to go on and it’s certainly no way to start the New Year! What unfolds is an intriguing a complex mystery with a satisfying ending.
I love the way the author brings the setting to life and celebrates the rich food and wine culture of regional France. Griffiths-Jones provides that perfect combination of a well-developed murder mystery in a captivating and prized setting, very much a holiday destination or the object of wanderlust for many of us.
Aside from a cracking plot, the other strength in this series is the unfolding relationship of the protagonists, and the trials and tribulations of Mallery. Well written in the author’s distinct and engaging style, Sabine is for those after a charming quality read.
I love the way the author brings the setting to life and celebrates the rich food and wine culture of regional France. Griffiths-Jones provides that perfect combination of a well-developed murder mystery in a captivating and prized setting, very much a holiday destination or the object of wanderlust for many of us.
Aside from a cracking plot, the other strength in this series is the unfolding relationship of the protagonists, and the trials and tribulations of Mallery. Well written in the author’s distinct and engaging style, Sabine is for those after a charming quality read.
October 9, 2020
Having read Isobel and Noel, I was keen to get stuck into Sabine. Carrying on from the previous books, the team are alerted to more dark deeds, with two murders in a short space of time, shattering the local community. Mallery and his team embark on their investigations, trying to piece together an intricate puzzle, where lots of stray pieces have entered the mix.
A truly wonderful book, the settings just as vivid as before. It's the character-building where Sabine really comes into its own. Max appears darker than before, with demons plaguing him at every turn as he tries to keep his neck above water. The real star of the book is Hobbs. The author has really built on the previous books, with good old Jacques coming into his own, both at work and at home.
I'm fascinated to see where Jones will take the series from here. A wonderful series, that would work so well on the screen.
Highly recommended.
A truly wonderful book, the settings just as vivid as before. It's the character-building where Sabine really comes into its own. Max appears darker than before, with demons plaguing him at every turn as he tries to keep his neck above water. The real star of the book is Hobbs. The author has really built on the previous books, with good old Jacques coming into his own, both at work and at home.
I'm fascinated to see where Jones will take the series from here. A wonderful series, that would work so well on the screen.
Highly recommended.
October 25, 2020
When a woman is found shot dead in the cellar at a vineyard, Mallery and Hobbs have to find all the clues to find out why the mother of three has been murdered.
With another murder, the team have to split up to work on the two cases. Are they connected? And what does the barmaid, Sabine have to do with these cases?
This is the third book in the series and I look forward to the release of each new story. The author tells a great story and the descriptive writing makes you feel as though you are there. There are many twists that left me with no idea as to who the killer could be!
I highly recommend this book and the series.
With another murder, the team have to split up to work on the two cases. Are they connected? And what does the barmaid, Sabine have to do with these cases?
This is the third book in the series and I look forward to the release of each new story. The author tells a great story and the descriptive writing makes you feel as though you are there. There are many twists that left me with no idea as to who the killer could be!
I highly recommend this book and the series.
December 6, 2020
Oh my word!
These guys & gals just go full throttle & im just in a knot as I don’t do spoilers but seriously!!
Max adore him & just oh Max!!
AJ Griffiths Jones has a great series here. Addictively fabulous!!
These guys & gals just go full throttle & im just in a knot as I don’t do spoilers but seriously!!
Max adore him & just oh Max!!
AJ Griffiths Jones has a great series here. Addictively fabulous!!
October 26, 2020
Loving this series, loved this book, loved the French setting - cinq etoiles
I am loving this Mallory and Hobbs series. It is more than a standard police procedural. It is set in Bordeaux, France, for a start and, with a not quite, dour Yorkshireman detective sergeant (who struggles to speak French) partnered with an exiled, handsome and sophisticated Parisian Detective Inspector, it works. In fact it is, in my view, genius. I simply love a good back story to a series and this series has it all and it is growing, giving me great reading pleasure.
A.J. is of course a well-known accomplished writer and I have read all of her books – if you have not read the ‘Skeletons in the Cupboard’ series you are missing out on truly insightful writing.
With this more ‘in your face’ crime thriller, A.J. brings her acute observation to the fore and after only a few pages the characters leap off the page and the stories are worthy of an Agatha Christie accolade.
In ‘Sabine’ – there are two separate deaths. One an obvious murder, a wine event organiser shot in the head in a vineyard cellar, the other, a suspicious suicide of a respectable engineer. There are no obvious links other than the stretched team of Bordeaux detectives have to deal with this over the New Year period. And then there is the gorgeous waitress, Sabine; a new love interest for Mallory or something more sinister?
As they delve so we also get more understanding of the relationships between the team members, their life outside the police station and this all adds wonderful colour to the story.
No plot spoilers because the twists and turns are there to be enjoyed by the reader, except the ending is shocking, exciting and left me wanting more.
J’ai adore cette serie, j’ai adore ce livre, j’ai adore le décor francais. Loving this series, loved this book, loved the French setting - cinq etoiles
I recommend this book, this series, this author – 5 stars
I am loving this Mallory and Hobbs series. It is more than a standard police procedural. It is set in Bordeaux, France, for a start and, with a not quite, dour Yorkshireman detective sergeant (who struggles to speak French) partnered with an exiled, handsome and sophisticated Parisian Detective Inspector, it works. In fact it is, in my view, genius. I simply love a good back story to a series and this series has it all and it is growing, giving me great reading pleasure.
A.J. is of course a well-known accomplished writer and I have read all of her books – if you have not read the ‘Skeletons in the Cupboard’ series you are missing out on truly insightful writing.
With this more ‘in your face’ crime thriller, A.J. brings her acute observation to the fore and after only a few pages the characters leap off the page and the stories are worthy of an Agatha Christie accolade.
In ‘Sabine’ – there are two separate deaths. One an obvious murder, a wine event organiser shot in the head in a vineyard cellar, the other, a suspicious suicide of a respectable engineer. There are no obvious links other than the stretched team of Bordeaux detectives have to deal with this over the New Year period. And then there is the gorgeous waitress, Sabine; a new love interest for Mallory or something more sinister?
As they delve so we also get more understanding of the relationships between the team members, their life outside the police station and this all adds wonderful colour to the story.
No plot spoilers because the twists and turns are there to be enjoyed by the reader, except the ending is shocking, exciting and left me wanting more.
J’ai adore cette serie, j’ai adore ce livre, j’ai adore le décor francais. Loving this series, loved this book, loved the French setting - cinq etoiles
I recommend this book, this series, this author – 5 stars
October 10, 2020
It's New Years day..after a celebratory night out with his team in Bordeaux Inspector Max Mallery and Detective Jack Hobbs are called out to The Saint Margaux Vineyard where a woman has been found dead in the cellar..Upon visiting the deceased woman's husband ,Marcel Bisset ,a Corporate banker ,and seeing the grief of the three children Milo, Floria and Ella ..Mallery and Hobbs feel there seems to be no motive or reason as to who could have murdered Therese Bisset. When Beatrice Caron ,an art gallery owner returns home from a buisness trip and finds her husband Raymond dead..it appears at first to be a suicide...until the dead man's photo is put on the wall and one of the team remembers something that could prove crucial to the case ..Sabine..a beautiful young waitress is in the middle of her shift when Mallery, Hobbs and Thierry decide to go for a drink after a long shift ..As the team find a link between the two cases and arrests are made, in a race against time two of the team are taken to hospital in two separate incidents...but who will survive ..and who is responsible for all that has happened? Sabine is the third book in this series..A series that is both Captivating and Beautiful in every way .From Jack Hobbs or Poirot as the team call him to Mallery with his huge heart and a born leader. AJ Griffiths Jones writing is Stunningly Beautiful..She has the ability to flip your emotions in one fell swoop ..In my top 5 series of the year ..5 stars ..❤
September 1, 2023
An Unexpected Link
Sabine, the third story in the Mallery & Hobbs Murder Case mysteries, by A. J. Griffiths-Jones. This is a continuation of the series of contorted and ever-growing-darker mysteries.
As in each story, Mallery is a French police inspector. Hobbs is a British cop expat learning to work with the French speaking police and residents. This makes for some laughable moments as colloquialisms are misinterpreted. It is humor, also known as a comedic break, that takes the bite out of the gruesomeness of murder.
As Mallery and Hobbs work to solve crimes, enter into the plot the beautiful and svelte Sabine. Her presence, her countenance is inviting yet mysterious. This beauty soon finds herself embroiled in two seemingly unrelated murder investigations. But are these separate crimes? Is Sabine the elusive connecting link? Will she help solve these murders?
This was another of Griffiths-Jones’s plots with unexpected twists and turns that creep up on the reader. If you love exciting mysteries, you may find yourself gobbling up these stories, as I am.
Sabine, the third story in the Mallery & Hobbs Murder Case mysteries, by A. J. Griffiths-Jones. This is a continuation of the series of contorted and ever-growing-darker mysteries.
As in each story, Mallery is a French police inspector. Hobbs is a British cop expat learning to work with the French speaking police and residents. This makes for some laughable moments as colloquialisms are misinterpreted. It is humor, also known as a comedic break, that takes the bite out of the gruesomeness of murder.
As Mallery and Hobbs work to solve crimes, enter into the plot the beautiful and svelte Sabine. Her presence, her countenance is inviting yet mysterious. This beauty soon finds herself embroiled in two seemingly unrelated murder investigations. But are these separate crimes? Is Sabine the elusive connecting link? Will she help solve these murders?
This was another of Griffiths-Jones’s plots with unexpected twists and turns that creep up on the reader. If you love exciting mysteries, you may find yourself gobbling up these stories, as I am.
June 5, 2021
Exciting Crime Caper!
Enigmatic detective duo Hobbs and Mallery are back, this time battling their wits against two brutal murders.
The story slowly unravels amidst the beauty of the French countryside. With numerous suspects, the author does an excellent job creating an exciting who-dunnit that leaves the reader guessing to the very end. A.J Griffiths-Jones cleverly weaves murder, betrayal, infidelity and plain wicked scheming to create a scintillating tale full of twist and turns.
I absolutely loved this book and read it within a few days as I was eager to find out who the murderer was. It is beautifully written. I've read a few of this authors previous books and she certainly has the knack of creating diverse, colourful characters. It is clear that 'Sabine' has been well researched. I loved all the French touches and literally felt transported to another country. A very enjoyable, absorbing read from a very talented author. Five shiny gold stars :-)
Enigmatic detective duo Hobbs and Mallery are back, this time battling their wits against two brutal murders.
The story slowly unravels amidst the beauty of the French countryside. With numerous suspects, the author does an excellent job creating an exciting who-dunnit that leaves the reader guessing to the very end. A.J Griffiths-Jones cleverly weaves murder, betrayal, infidelity and plain wicked scheming to create a scintillating tale full of twist and turns.
I absolutely loved this book and read it within a few days as I was eager to find out who the murderer was. It is beautifully written. I've read a few of this authors previous books and she certainly has the knack of creating diverse, colourful characters. It is clear that 'Sabine' has been well researched. I loved all the French touches and literally felt transported to another country. A very enjoyable, absorbing read from a very talented author. Five shiny gold stars :-)
November 30, 2022
As always from AJ a fantastic read. I love the Mallery and Hobbs books, they’re such a great mix of crime fiction and story delving into the police officers lives too. So well written, a real treat to read but she was very naughty this time with a real cliff hanger at the end! Will definitely be looking to get the next in the series very soon!
November 4, 2020
Another great read
Once again another great detective mystery by A.J. Griffiths-Jones, continuing with her Mallery and Hobbs series. This time the duo are faced with not one murder but two.
This is the third book I've read and can't wait for number four!
Once again another great detective mystery by A.J. Griffiths-Jones, continuing with her Mallery and Hobbs series. This time the duo are faced with not one murder but two.
This is the third book I've read and can't wait for number four!
November 1, 2020
Another excellent book in the series, great settings and characters
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews