Kitty and her husband Matt are invited to swap Torbay and the English Riviera for Nice and the French Riviera. The trip is actually a secret mission to retrieve some important papers from a spy as Europe reacts to the rise of fascism. But on their arrival, they find their contact dead…
Murder on the French Riviera is the 16th book in the Kitty Underhay (now Bryant) series of cosy murder mysteries.
Under cover of sightseeing, Kitty and Matt are exploring their holiday destination while keeping their true purpose a secret. Unfortunately they discover their contact murdered in an alley. The killer may be looking for the papers so the race is on to find them first, but this could also lead to danger for the pair.
I enjoyed the change in dynamic that is offered by the new setting. The backdrop of the international political situation in 1936 brings the plot to life and has been well researched. Matt and Kitty have the respect of government officials and are entrusted with an important mission. It is nice to see ‘amateur’ sleuths being given the respect they deserve!
Kitty’s focus is upon the other guests at their hotel and also the casino where the victim was last seen. There are a range of characters to explore and suspect. I thought the mystery was sustained well and the characters act in keeping with the historical era depicted.
Murder on the French Riviera is an enjoyable addition to this well established series.
Book Description:
A grand old hotel, fresh coffee on the balcony, a perfect view of the sparkling ocean and… surely not another murder? Thank heavens Kitty Underhay is on the case!
Late spring, 1936. As Kitty Underhay steps onto the sun-drenched station platform in Nice, on orders from Whitehall to track down a missing man, she hopes there will still be time to lie by the pool, preferably with a cocktail in hand. But when she and her husband Matt take a brief evening stroll, instead of finding a perfect croissant, they stumble across a body…
Kitty and Matt quickly realise it is Fred Bennett, the man from Whitehall they were hoping to find. Had he simply drunk too much fabulous French wine, or is something fishy going on in this seaside city?
When Kitty and Matt uncover a casino matchbook in Fred’s pocket, they head to the glamorous waterfront establishment where a wealthy widow, a disreputable aristocrat and a cash-strapped reporter swiftly make their suspect list. But with more questions than cards in a pack, can Kitty and Matt nail the killer before he comes after them too? Or will they realise that everything isn’t always nice in Nice?
Fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey or Lee Strauss will adore this utterly charming murder mystery. Set on the stunning French Riviera, this novel is the perfect treat for cozy crime fans!
Author Bio:
Helena Dixon is the author of the best-selling Miss Underhay murder mystery series and
lives in Devon. Married to the same man for over thirty-five years she has three daughters, a
cactus called Spike, and a crazy cockapoo. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel and
housework. She was winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 and Love Story of the Year 2010
as Nell Dixon.
