Monsieur Pamplemousse on Probation

Monsieur Pamplemousse #12

by Michael Bond

Monsieur Pamplemousse finds himself in deep water when an unfortunate collision with a Mother Superior is caught on camera by the French tabloids. To avoid media attention, he is sent to the Auvergne to report on legendary chef Andre Dulac, currently in line for Le Guide’s top award of a Golden Stock Pot Lid, an opens a can of worms which threatens the very sanctity of France’s premier gastronomic bible. Being on the edge of haute cuisine takes on a whole new meaning, and his attempt to get at the truth by harnessing a state-of-the-art TV camera to his ever-faithful hound Pommes Frites, ensures that outside broadcasting will never be quite the same again.

Genres: Mystery, Humor, Fiction

174 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

About the author

Michael Bond, CBE was an English children's author. He was the creator of Paddington Bear and wrote about the adventures of a guinea pig named Olga da Polga, as well as the animated BBC TV series The Herbs. Bond also wrote culinary mystery stories for adults featuring Monsieur Pamplemousse and his faithful bloodhound, Pommes Frites.

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming cosy mystery. Monsieur Pamplemousse and his faithful bloodhound Pommes Frites are sent to the Auvergne to report on a hotel. Chaos follows and the chef Andre Dulac is attacked. Monsieur Pamplemousse finds himself distracted from himself work by a series of baffling events.

This is a sweet series of mysteries with a lovable protagonist, and his even more lovable dog. This episode has a strong plot with mysterious family secrets, and the culinary details enhance the plot. There are some laugh out loud moments of farce, and a satisfying denouement. Very enjoyable and uplifting.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would be better if the Monsieur Pamplemousse novels were longer and if there were more of them. I approach too rapidly the end Michael Bond's series. He died in 2017, having written the last, "Monsieur Pamplemousse and the Tangled Web" in 2015. There is much to miss following the author's death. One generation will miss his Paddington Bear books. One generation will miss his Olga da Polga books. And those of us devoted to his mildly risque, highly-entertaining culinary adventures of Aristide Pamplemousse and his faithful canine companion Pommes Frites, will be saddened that there are no more. From the meals which Pamplemousse describes as an undercover correspondent-inspector for Le Guide, one may infer that Micheal Bond ate and drank exceptionally well. In this exciting episode, the pair return to the place in which Pamplemousses grew up before joining the Sûreté. He is sent there by the director of the Guide to check-up on Chef Andre Dulac before awarding his hotel-restaurant the Golden Stock Pot Lid -- the highest award given. He is also there to let the press coverage cool down on an apparent indiscretion with a French nun. Chef Dulac is promptly murdered which puts Pamplemousse and Pommes Frites to work on the case. There are only six more novels to go ... and then there are more.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

the parts I like , i really really like, then there are the confusing parts he so likes to do!!!
Duval and Dulac two similar names that have alot to do with each other, but the usual antics of Monsieur Pamplemousse and Pom Frittes is always entertaining!!!THe director really gets them into some tight spots- but they always get through them!!

[Magali · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book felt like a waste of time. Character names made it a bit confusing (Duval/Dulac) the constant use of bad French made it annoying ("le gare", "ce n'est pas normale", Honoré for a female character name...). It was meant to be a whodunit, but I got to the end with no idea who it was that actually had done it. Disappointing.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed it in the beginning but found Mr. Pamplemousse to be stupid to the point of ruining the story for me.

[Misha Herwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant enough. Some laughs and I love the bloodhound Pomme Frites but basically did not hold my attention.

[Nini · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always with Monsieur Pamplemousse and Pomme Frietes a culinary adventure is mixed hilariously with a good mystery. The more of this series I read the more I fall in love with the characters. I fully recommend theses books to any cozy murder fans especially if they like me are a fan of food !