Mystery in Provence by Vivian Conroy (Tuesday Intros & Teaser Tuesday)

Title: Mystery in Provence

Author: Vivian Conroy

Publication: 7 October 2022 

Format: Kindle ebook

Amazon Description

Figure out whodunnit in this exciting new 1930s crime series that whisks you away to the most gorgeous escapist destinations!

A beautiful French estate
A wedding
A murder
And a novice detective intent on solving her first case!

Fresh from teaching at her prestigious Swiss boarding school, Miss Atalanta Ashford suddenly finds herself the most eligible young lady in society when she inherits her grandfather’s substantial fortune. But with this fortune, and an elegant new Parisian home, comes a legacy passed down from grandfather to granddaughter…sleuthing discreetly for Europe’s elite.

This young lady isn’t one to back down from a challenge and Miss Ashford must depend on her sharp wit and charm to solve her first case, which takes her to the lush lavender fields of Provence and a wedding at the mansion of the Comte de Surmonne.

Now, as murder strikes twice, Atalanta will have to race to solve the case but will she be able to stop the blushing bride from facing a fatal ‘I do’?

Ramble-y Teaserish Stuff

Once upon a time there was Lady Alkmene Callendar and Jake Dubois and a series cliffhanger that I still haven't entirely gotten over. Like, at all. Like, not even a little bit. There are some people in life that you just can't get over. Jake Dubois is one of those -- even if he is supposedly fictional.

I may be on my way to forgiving Vivian Conroy at least a teensy bit thanks to the beginning of her newest series -- Miss Ashford Investigates. I was immediately drawn to the premise of boarding school teacher Atalanta inheriting her estranged grandfather's fortune -- and investigative services. She is immediately thrown into the deep end when a young heiress wants her to investigate whether or not her fiancé's first wife was murdered -- and by whom. Atalanta really has no idea what she is doing outside from some guidance her grandfather left to her in letters and his butler, Renard. 

He's no Jake, but I would very much like to see a lot more of Renard in future installments. Maybe even moreso than Raoul, the one I'm pretty certain is being set up to be the new Jake ... or Oliver from Conroy's Cornish Castle series. As of yet I'm not convinced ... and the five stars got bumped to four-and-a-half because of it. It's not his fault. Jake is 💕💕💕 and Renard sort of gives off Pennyworth vibes for me. Raoul just kind of "is" in comparison right now.  

The story was excellent and kept my interest and kept me guessing thanks to the twists and turns and a whole rainbow of herrings. While I still mourn Jake, it is clear that Vivian Conroy has done it again and another great series has begun.

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"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by Socrates' Book Reviews. 

"Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.