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Sam Levitt #2
Марсилска афера
В "Марсилска афера" Питър Мейл отново среща читателите с техните познайници от "Винена афера". Сам Левит, адвокат и познавач на виното, не подозира, че след като успешно е възстановил открадната колекция от ценни бутилки вино, ще му се наложи да посети отново Марсилия, този път в компанията на очарователната Елена Моралес. В дъното на това стои милиардерът Франсис Рьобул, който ангажира Сам за изпълнението на задача, изискваща специални умения. Ства дума за важен строителен проект, който трябва да бъде подобаващо представен. Тази на пръв поглед проста работа обаче се оказва далеч по-трудна и изпълнена с опасности.
Приключенията в Южна Франция продължават по-вълнуващи от всякога.
Приключенията в Южна Франция продължават по-вълнуващи от всякога.
208 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2010
About the author
Peter Mayle
132 books1,186 followersPeter Mayle was a British author famous for his series of books detailing life in Provence, France. He spent fifteen years in advertising before leaving the business in 1975 to write educational books, including a series on sex education for children and young people. In 1989, A Year in Provence was published and became an international bestseller. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages, and he was a contributing writer to magazines and newspapers. Indeed, his seventh book, A Year in Provence, chronicles a year in the life of a British expatriate who settled in the village of Ménerbes. His book A Good Year was the basis for the eponymous 2006 film directed by Ridley Scott and starring actor Russell Crowe. Peter Mayle died in Provence, France.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 449 reviews
August 31, 2013
Feel free to take this review lightly as I did not finish the book. Around the half way point I realized I had no interest in experiencing the ending. The characters were thin, undeveloped, shallow and disengaging. An implausible plot sprinkled with irrelevant historical facts made me want to pick up a Marseille guide book instead of seeking a conclusion. Being one who enjoys traveling to France and Peter Mayle's other offerings I was surprised at my lack of interest.
July 25, 2019
Digital audio performed by Robin Sachs
This is book two in the Sam Levitt crime caper series. I haven’t read the first one yet, and this book references what happened in that book, so perhaps I should have read them in order. But, C’est la vie!
Sam Levitt is a former corporate attorney who’s been hired to help promote a development in Marseille. Think James Bond with less danger and more emphasis on enjoying life. Beautiful (and smart) girls, fantastic yachts, private jets, mansions with gorgeous sea views, political intrigue, sumptuous repasts, and good wine. Not to mention a couple of Corsicans and a multi-lingual assistant, all adept at playing a role. Stir, add a dash of spice and Voila! ... A fast, fun, romp of a comedy crime caper.
Gosh, I miss Peter Mayle!
Robin Sachs does a fine job narrating the audio. He sets a good pace and I love his French accent.
This is book two in the Sam Levitt crime caper series. I haven’t read the first one yet, and this book references what happened in that book, so perhaps I should have read them in order. But, C’est la vie!
Sam Levitt is a former corporate attorney who’s been hired to help promote a development in Marseille. Think James Bond with less danger and more emphasis on enjoying life. Beautiful (and smart) girls, fantastic yachts, private jets, mansions with gorgeous sea views, political intrigue, sumptuous repasts, and good wine. Not to mention a couple of Corsicans and a multi-lingual assistant, all adept at playing a role. Stir, add a dash of spice and Voila! ... A fast, fun, romp of a comedy crime caper.
Gosh, I miss Peter Mayle!
Robin Sachs does a fine job narrating the audio. He sets a good pace and I love his French accent.
April 5, 2013
I was prepared for this foray into "suspense" writing by Peter Mayle to be fairly light-weight. I enjoyed his Provence cycle of books, and knew intuitively that this break in form was risky. The story lived up to my expectations. The book came off as if Jan Karon of "the Mitford tales" series fame tried to write a book of intrigue, without the dramatic or criminal suspense. The present book came off as a lame attempt to couch a cook's tour of Marseille culture and cuisine in mystery guise. Mayle should probably stick to the genre he does so much better, or at least to the region of France to which he has devoted himself. The characters were typical, if totally fictional, personas with whom we have become familiar in his previous work. Even his thugs come off as affable, as though they had day jobs in the cast of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," without the cunning of 'toons. The book progressed like French cinema, with just enough interest to keep the pages turning, but with the assured happy ending always in sight. Fantastic meals, extravagant architecture and accommodations and cutesy, out-of-the-way bistros litter the story, sadly without the attention to why these should be of interest that made the Provence books entertaining.
September 28, 2015
The Marseille Caper is a light-hearted romp through Marseille, with Sam and Elena attempting to convince the chairman of the building/planning committee to authorize their client's plans for apartments by the sea instead of the competitor's plans for high rise hotels. Nothing is simple and the Englishman behind the hotel plan uses all sorts of devious ways to derail Sam and Elena and get his plan pushed through.
Not terribly exciting. I knew it was meant to be light and not very dramatic but, to be honest, I was pretty bored from the first page to the last page. It was a book group read and not too difficult so I finished it. I'm not interested in the other books in the series.
The author does put a lot of detail into Marseille history and food and drink. It almost seemed out of place in this book, but I did find that part interesting.
Not terribly exciting. I knew it was meant to be light and not very dramatic but, to be honest, I was pretty bored from the first page to the last page. It was a book group read and not too difficult so I finished it. I'm not interested in the other books in the series.
The author does put a lot of detail into Marseille history and food and drink. It almost seemed out of place in this book, but I did find that part interesting.
November 19, 2012
For a mystery novel, this book disappointed because there was hardly any mystery. The plot was obvious and unsurprising. However, I finished the book because I found the descriptions of the Marseille countryside and delicious French food to be absolutely stunning. I found myself constantly on the verge of drooling from the nights that the characters have out on the town. Fun, fast, unchallenging...good book for a poolside read or if you want something where you don't have to think.
December 16, 2017
The two star rating is not reflective of the quality of this book, but rather it was not my cup of tea. It was a fun, quick read. It is not a deep mystery with lots of twists and turns; the story is simple and predictable. That is what I like about this book. I don't like complicated stories and plot twists that make you feel like you are on a roller coaster and are going to be sick at any moment. I've read other books by Peter Mayle and thought I would like it, but this one fell short. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and the story wasn't interesting to me.
December 11, 2012
Although I do not actually remember reading the first book, I thoroughly enjoyed it's sequel. A bit of a slow start, but then the action picks up and my stomach rumbled at the wonderful food and wine Sam and his girlfriend Elena are eating throughout. I stayed up late to finish the book which means it is a winner.
"At the end of The Vintage Caper, Sam had just carried off a staggering feat of derring-do in the heart of Bordeaux, infiltrating the ranks of the French elite to rescue a stolen, priceless wine collection. With the questionable legality of the adventure���and the threat of some very powerful enemies!—Sam thought it’d be a while before he returned to France, especially with the charms of the beautiful Elena Morales to keep him in Los Angeles. But when the immensely wealthy Francis Reboul—the victim of Sam’s last heist but someone who knows talent when he sees it—asks our hero to take a job in Marseille, it’s impossible for Sam and Elena to resist the possibility of further excitement . . . to say nothing of the pleasures of the region. Soon the two are enjoying the coastal sunshine and the delectable food and wine for which Marseille is known. Yet as a competition over Marseille’s valuable waterfront grows more hotly disputed, Sam, representing Reboul, finds himself in the middle of an increasingly intrigue-ridden and dangerous real-estate grab, with thuggish gangsters on one side and sharklike developers on the other."
"At the end of The Vintage Caper, Sam had just carried off a staggering feat of derring-do in the heart of Bordeaux, infiltrating the ranks of the French elite to rescue a stolen, priceless wine collection. With the questionable legality of the adventure���and the threat of some very powerful enemies!—Sam thought it’d be a while before he returned to France, especially with the charms of the beautiful Elena Morales to keep him in Los Angeles. But when the immensely wealthy Francis Reboul—the victim of Sam’s last heist but someone who knows talent when he sees it—asks our hero to take a job in Marseille, it’s impossible for Sam and Elena to resist the possibility of further excitement . . . to say nothing of the pleasures of the region. Soon the two are enjoying the coastal sunshine and the delectable food and wine for which Marseille is known. Yet as a competition over Marseille’s valuable waterfront grows more hotly disputed, Sam, representing Reboul, finds himself in the middle of an increasingly intrigue-ridden and dangerous real-estate grab, with thuggish gangsters on one side and sharklike developers on the other."
January 23, 2013
A sequel to Mayle's previous novel, The Vintage Caper, this is typical, if not, formulaic Mayle. But for enthusiasts of his writing, phrasing, and dry wit and understatements, this is Mayle in his element. After professionally and cleverly recovering a stolen vintage wine collection, Francis Reboul returns to recruit Sam Levitt to help with the selection process of a new development overlooking the Mediterranean. Levitt and his stunning partner, Elena Morales, take up Reboul's cause, and what ensues is a light, airy and entertaining read with all of the trademark Mayle flourishes; every painstaking sweet and savory detail of the cuisine of the South of France, succinct and lively character sketches, and refreshing and vibrant descriptions of Marseille and the region, with callbacks to its rich culture and history.
There are no clever plot twists with The Marseille Caper; what transpires towards the story's climax and end are telegraphed by the author. But again, this is Peter Mayle, and it comfortably and enjoyably entertains.
There are no clever plot twists with The Marseille Caper; what transpires towards the story's climax and end are telegraphed by the author. But again, this is Peter Mayle, and it comfortably and enjoyably entertains.
February 14, 2013
I picked this up from my library's Blind Date with a Book display. It was wrapped in craft paper and said "French Thriller." It is set in France, but it's not so much a thriller. I'm having a hard time even thinking of this as a mystery. Perhaps it's more of an adventure--a mostly tame adventure populated by very wealthy older people. For the most part Mayle's characters are interesting--his male characters are more believable than his female--and his place and food descriptions are very detailed and appealing. I just wasn't surprised by much of the action. He essentially told us what was going to happen and then it happened. It wasn't a bad book, but I don't think I'll be rushing out to get any of the others in this series.
March 29, 2013
This is a pretty pathetic excuse for a book. Its plot and characters are as thin as can be and the book is padded out with tourist tips that read like they were produced by the local Syndicat d'Initiatives. They are so flat that you are never sure if he has actually ever set foot in the city. Mayle seems to be still trying to live off the reputation he won with A Year in Provence, which had some genuine charm. If this is all the effort he is willing to put into a book, he should just give up writing.
April 27, 2020
An extra star for how much it made me want to eat bouillabaisse
August 28, 2019
Disclaimer: I wrote this review of the Kindle Book. Some of you may find the exact same review of the Hardback. That is only because try as I may I find it difficult to navigate the murky waters of Goodreads's methods. I tried to change the edition from the hardback to the Kindle, but instead Goodreads is going to show that I've reviewed each version. Fine with me. My review of BOTH editions follows. Ugh.
I'm relieved to say that after my disappointment with A Year in Provence, I was far less disappointed in The Marseille Caper. I noted in my review of the memoir/novel of his first year in Provence that he's a capable writer. And I'll rate him slightly above some other mystery writers.
But for one, I like my mysteries rough and dangerous, their protagonists men who while good at their jobs are often not very good at all with handling their lives. Not so the hero of this novel. He is a man who, if he doesn't have it all, has quite enough thank you very much. Looks, brains, cleverness. For those of you who like this kind of cuppa tea, that's what you like. Not for me, and it's one reason I probably won't read others of the Mayle's whodunits.
As for whodunit, nobody did much of anything in the Marseille Caper. I found the book, while not at all unpleasant, almost without suspense. So another major element in mysteries I crave has not has not satisfied my craving in the Marseille Caper.
However I happen to be traveling to Marseille and other parts of Provence next month, and feel I have a better knowledge of this city that I've not yet seen, and for that I thank the author. You may like it much better than I did - I hope so!
I'm relieved to say that after my disappointment with A Year in Provence, I was far less disappointed in The Marseille Caper. I noted in my review of the memoir/novel of his first year in Provence that he's a capable writer. And I'll rate him slightly above some other mystery writers.
But for one, I like my mysteries rough and dangerous, their protagonists men who while good at their jobs are often not very good at all with handling their lives. Not so the hero of this novel. He is a man who, if he doesn't have it all, has quite enough thank you very much. Looks, brains, cleverness. For those of you who like this kind of cuppa tea, that's what you like. Not for me, and it's one reason I probably won't read others of the Mayle's whodunits.
As for whodunit, nobody did much of anything in the Marseille Caper. I found the book, while not at all unpleasant, almost without suspense. So another major element in mysteries I crave has not has not satisfied my craving in the Marseille Caper.
However I happen to be traveling to Marseille and other parts of Provence next month, and feel I have a better knowledge of this city that I've not yet seen, and for that I thank the author. You may like it much better than I did - I hope so!
August 4, 2017
There are a couple more books in the Sam Levitt series and this one felt like a placeholder.
The story begins where the "The Vintage Caper" ended. French billionaire Francis Reboul, apparently amused by Sam's success, hires him to represent his associates in securing an important development project on the Marseilles waterfront. Francis wants to keep his role and interest secret until the project is underway. So, Sam and Elena get to go on a working holiday.
The spirit of joy and adventure - and all the prescient observations - running throughout the first book was definitely missing in this one.
It wasn't much of a mystery - or even a caper. Oh well.
The story begins where the "The Vintage Caper" ended. French billionaire Francis Reboul, apparently amused by Sam's success, hires him to represent his associates in securing an important development project on the Marseilles waterfront. Francis wants to keep his role and interest secret until the project is underway. So, Sam and Elena get to go on a working holiday.
The spirit of joy and adventure - and all the prescient observations - running throughout the first book was definitely missing in this one.
It wasn't much of a mystery - or even a caper. Oh well.
April 8, 2022
Та й таке. Заноситься цікаво - американському авантюрнику один будівельний магнат пропонує попрацювати майже підставною качкою, щоб забрати собі проект у Марселі і перехопити його в бандитського англійського лорда, який, звісно, все зробить набагато гірше і без душі. Головний герой бере під руку даму серця і переживає всілякі пригоди в Марселі, не забуваючи смачно поїсти в ресторанчиках на фоні чудовної природи. І наче починається непогано, але потім випливають такі лютєйші штампи, що хай йому. Аж дивно, "Good Year" такий милий був.
February 19, 2024
Peter Mayle's knack for infusing his writing with humor and a deep affection for France and its vibrant inhabitants shines through, offering delightful entertainment. The sprinkling of various wines and foods throughout the book brings to mind the joy found in his previous works. However, this particular story falls short in excitement, with character development feeling somewhat repetitive.
June 28, 2020
Not as good as the first but still a nice enough read!
October 3, 2018
Din nou în Marsilia este o încercare a lui Peter Mayle de a ieși din zona de confort pe care i-au dat-o, probabil, cărțile cu Provence, care l-au și făcut celebru, de altfel. Nimic palpitant nu se întâmplă, cel mult o răpire, o încercare de incendiere sau o bătaie încasată de un ziarist de la „gorilele” unui milionar britanic. Desfășurarea acțiunii este simplă și previzibilă, iar sfârșitul, la fel.
Am scris mai multe pe blog https://dorinadanila.com/2018/10/02/d...
Am scris mai multe pe blog https://dorinadanila.com/2018/10/02/d...
July 27, 2020
Enjoyable easy read with likable protagonist set in Marseille.
July 18, 2023
Such an easy summer read. I see it in Movie form. Really enjoy Peter Mayle. Straightforward, engaging, humorous, delightful characters. It’s refreshing to read a book that takes you away to the south of France without an agenda. I loved it!
November 13, 2012
Take a delightful romp with a charming ex-thief turned sleuth through the crowded, sun-blanched streets of Marseille and enjoy the feel of the Mediterranean breeze as you gaze out on its blue splendor and savor the tastes and sights that make this one of France's most popular sights. Sam Levitt, hired by a man he conned several months ago, is on a mission to secure a valuable seaside property for commercial development. The assignment sounds easy, but the underworld in this beautiful region is dark and intent on sabotaging his plans. Will he and the lovely Elena be able to enjoy their luxurious surroundings and time away from their busy lives in California or will they be pulled into a web of danger that threatens not only their employer's plans but also their lives? The adventure is on as they come face-to-face with crooked politicians, shady British aristocrats and some big heavies intent on hurting them and their friends. Charming as ever, though, Sam is determined to succeed and uses all his cunning to outwit his foes.
Certainly more entertaining than the first book in the Sam Levitt series, but full of all the rich, mouth-watering descriptions of Provence that make Mayle's books so enjoyable, The Marseille Caper is a delectable and light read that's sure to please anyone dreaming of escaping to the French coast.
Certainly more entertaining than the first book in the Sam Levitt series, but full of all the rich, mouth-watering descriptions of Provence that make Mayle's books so enjoyable, The Marseille Caper is a delectable and light read that's sure to please anyone dreaming of escaping to the French coast.
December 13, 2012
And now for something completely different...
After reading the lengthy and invovled Game of Thrones, I decided to read something short and light hearted. Peter Mayle writes delightful, funny books and his latest was ready for me at the library. Mayle has been writing books that take place in the south of France for quite a while now. They are always light, funny, and full of descriptions of food and wine. The Marseille Caper, the latest book, is no exception.
Sam and Elena, who we met in The Vintage Caper, are back. Sam is hired by Francis Raboul, the man Sam tricked in the last book, to be a front for him in a development venture. Apparently Francis has a great idea for a housing development in Marseille, but the chairman of the committee that will choose the winning design hates him. Sam will got to Marseille and present the idea. Francis will step in after construction has started.
Sam and Elena are charmed by the south of France, but have some obstacles to maneuver around in order to even be able to make the presentation. They have to outwit thugs who will stop just short of murder to get their own way. Meanwhile, Sam and Elena enjoy the sun and food of the Marseille area.
November 27, 2015
#2 Sam Leavitt trilogy - Cozy Mystery
Sam Leavitt, "former corporate lawyer, crime expert and wine connoisseur" is relaxing at his luxury hotel/home in L.A. after his last investigation. In the highly entertaining Book 1, Sam's on-and-off girlfriend, Elena, contacts him on behalf of her company, an insurance company processing a claim. A wealthy and high powered L.A. executive has been robbed of millions of dollars of rare wines from his private reserves, from his highly secure home. Sam must keep his cool as he investigates a tangle of clues, while the insurance company and their wealthy client are spitting mad over the claim.
Book 2 opens with a big surprise. The offer made to Sam is irresistible - first, he gets to return to France with Elena, and use all his wits, skills, and charms for a big payoff for an unlikely ally.
I enjoyed the lovely armchair traveler's trip back to France. The characters, the descriptions of France, the details of wine and winemaking are all so interesting and entertaining. One need not be a wine expert (or drinker) to enjoy this trilogy. Every day, time stops for meals of exotic French food, and, of course, wine.
Loved the details about the rivalry between Paris and Marseille that goes back to the early 1600's.
Sam Leavitt, "former corporate lawyer, crime expert and wine connoisseur" is relaxing at his luxury hotel/home in L.A. after his last investigation. In the highly entertaining Book 1, Sam's on-and-off girlfriend, Elena, contacts him on behalf of her company, an insurance company processing a claim. A wealthy and high powered L.A. executive has been robbed of millions of dollars of rare wines from his private reserves, from his highly secure home. Sam must keep his cool as he investigates a tangle of clues, while the insurance company and their wealthy client are spitting mad over the claim.
Book 2 opens with a big surprise. The offer made to Sam is irresistible - first, he gets to return to France with Elena, and use all his wits, skills, and charms for a big payoff for an unlikely ally.
I enjoyed the lovely armchair traveler's trip back to France. The characters, the descriptions of France, the details of wine and winemaking are all so interesting and entertaining. One need not be a wine expert (or drinker) to enjoy this trilogy. Every day, time stops for meals of exotic French food, and, of course, wine.
Loved the details about the rivalry between Paris and Marseille that goes back to the early 1600's.
February 28, 2014
I think I've read all of Peter Mayle's books, and I really like all of them even though they are very lite. I even liked the book about the bakery. This is another wonderfully silly and stylish caper. If it were written in the 1960s it would be turned into a film with Audrey Hepburn, but since it was written in the early 21st c, Mayle seems to have had George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in his mind as he was writing. Yum.
There are giant plot holes but we're not looking for perfect plotting from Peter Mayle. We're looking for style and a feeling of being transported to a warmer, more beautiful, more glamorous world, and he really comes through in this newest book. It's like reading a really good issue of W magazine, with the delicious descriptions of style and restaurants and sharp insights into people in the Glam World. I liked it a lot.
At one point he describes a tiny restaurant in Marseilles that serves nothing but steak, with or without fries — but it's the best steak you've ever had, in the most beautiful chic little setting, This book is just like that. It's not a world-class restaurant, it's a slim little slice of delicious and delightful.
There are giant plot holes but we're not looking for perfect plotting from Peter Mayle. We're looking for style and a feeling of being transported to a warmer, more beautiful, more glamorous world, and he really comes through in this newest book. It's like reading a really good issue of W magazine, with the delicious descriptions of style and restaurants and sharp insights into people in the Glam World. I liked it a lot.
At one point he describes a tiny restaurant in Marseilles that serves nothing but steak, with or without fries — but it's the best steak you've ever had, in the most beautiful chic little setting, This book is just like that. It's not a world-class restaurant, it's a slim little slice of delicious and delightful.
November 30, 2012
Quelle horreur! Ou est le vin?
A book by Peter Mayle with mere glancing references to wine, glancing I say! Food, yes, but not the glorious description of course after course, it was practically pedestrian, by Mayle-ien standards.
C'est dommage.
This is a sequel to The Vintage Caper, which had ended where I expected an adventure to begin, so I suppose my wish was granted for more story. But this is a VERY quick read, albeit pleasant enough, but if it were a wine? Light, not memorable, no legs and no finish whatsoever. Pinot grigio at best (and not a very good one, although if chilled sufficiently is drinkable) but not what I have enjoyed with most of Mayle's previous books, although I will suspend the wine comparisons rather than beat a dead cheval.
Quick, mildly, very mildly amusing and borrowed from the library.
A book by Peter Mayle with mere glancing references to wine, glancing I say! Food, yes, but not the glorious description of course after course, it was practically pedestrian, by Mayle-ien standards.
C'est dommage.
This is a sequel to The Vintage Caper, which had ended where I expected an adventure to begin, so I suppose my wish was granted for more story. But this is a VERY quick read, albeit pleasant enough, but if it were a wine? Light, not memorable, no legs and no finish whatsoever. Pinot grigio at best (and not a very good one, although if chilled sufficiently is drinkable) but not what I have enjoyed with most of Mayle's previous books, although I will suspend the wine comparisons rather than beat a dead cheval.
Quick, mildly, very mildly amusing and borrowed from the library.
September 26, 2015
True to form in The Marseille Caper, Mayle offers up a light, sleek entertainment, peppered with his characteristic name dropping of fine restaurants and wine along with those of posh luxury goods. The good guys are charming rogues, the bad guys well-heeled, but tasteless English nouveau riche. Sam Levitt returns after his premier foray in A Vintage Caper, but this time he is teamed up with Francis Reboul, the roguish billionaire from whom Levitt stole some prime wine in A Vintage Caper. This time the two are trying to pull off a building scheme in Marseille though millionaire Lord Wapping is bent on destroying their plan and promoting his own.
There is nothing thought-provoking here. No grand themes. A good holiday from more serious reading, a guilty diversion, but a well-written one with pretty scenery.
There is nothing thought-provoking here. No grand themes. A good holiday from more serious reading, a guilty diversion, but a well-written one with pretty scenery.
March 12, 2013
In this sequel to The Vintage Caper, Francis Reboul, the victim in the last book, hires Sam and Elena to do a job in Marseille. Sam is not one to pass up an opportunity to delight in the food and wine of the region but even he is surprised at the sharks circling the real estate project and just how far the competition is willing to go to win. Robin Sachs, who could make the phone book exciting, give Peter Mayle's prose more to latch on to, making it lusher, tastier, more alcholic with ever word. And yet it isn't all fun and games. The story has a serious bent and Sachs slips into the hearts and minds of villains easily, although they are more rent-a-villain than hardened criminals. Sachs will be dearly missed. Although this is not a brilliant story, it still shows off Sachs' skill.
July 19, 2013
Peter Mayle has been one of my favorite authors for years and I wish I could really recommend this book. However, the last couple of fiction stories he has written have been a little disappointing. The story, a follow-up to The Vintage Caper, is simple, which isn't new, but to some extent, I feel I have read it before.
I really look forward to Peter's next real-life story of life in Provence or even a future book about Provence. This is where he excels. In France, it seems that real life stories and the everyday happenings are actually the most entertaining. The eccentric characters that make up his stories and the everyday happenings in France are my favorites. No work of fiction can match the people and events of A Year in Provence.
I really look forward to Peter's next real-life story of life in Provence or even a future book about Provence. This is where he excels. In France, it seems that real life stories and the everyday happenings are actually the most entertaining. The eccentric characters that make up his stories and the everyday happenings in France are my favorites. No work of fiction can match the people and events of A Year in Provence.
November 30, 2015
This was honestly one of the worst books I have ever read. I just finished it, because I was curious why and how can this writer be so successful.
The plot was boring, predictable, straightforward with no sub-plots, twists or digressions. It did not offer deeper insight into- well, anything and the basis of the story was repeated description of what the characters were eating and drinking for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and in-between).
Almost all evil-doers were characterized by their lack of appreciation of the French cuisine - longing for their English baked beans and sausage rolls. (that is pretty evil-right?)
All in all, I think even one star is too much, considering other books I previously reviewed.
The plot was boring, predictable, straightforward with no sub-plots, twists or digressions. It did not offer deeper insight into- well, anything and the basis of the story was repeated description of what the characters were eating and drinking for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and in-between).
Almost all evil-doers were characterized by their lack of appreciation of the French cuisine - longing for their English baked beans and sausage rolls. (that is pretty evil-right?)
All in all, I think even one star is too much, considering other books I previously reviewed.
December 20, 2012
Peter Mayle's Provence books are always light entertainment. I usually read them for the atmosphere and the sense of place more than for the story. Two or three sittings usually finishes it off. The tricky part is fighting off the urge to travel sit in one of those cafes have a cafe creme and croissant or glass of vin rouge with some cheese.
This particular story is a a "caper" plot, as the title states. The good guys are busy tricking the bad guys, who are busy tricking them back, no one gets really hurt, and of course, everyone hates the Parisians.
Any of Mr. Mayles books are a fun, easy read, good for taking the readers' minds away to a warm climate.
This particular story is a a "caper" plot, as the title states. The good guys are busy tricking the bad guys, who are busy tricking them back, no one gets really hurt, and of course, everyone hates the Parisians.
Any of Mr. Mayles books are a fun, easy read, good for taking the readers' minds away to a warm climate.
February 16, 2024
I totally loved this book—it was a light, fun romp of a plot set in Marseilles France. A contest of sorts regarding development of a waterfront lot in Marseilles has brought together an interesting cast of characters, including an American lawyer and his attractive girlfirend and a down and out English Lord ensconced on his yacht. Dirty tricks come into play. All the action takes place among the most fabulous sounding restaurants, bars, and villas. All moves quickly and it’s just pure fun. I also listened a bit to the audio of this book; it was read by Robin Sachs with wit and a wonderful French accent. If you’re looking for a light, fun read set in fabulous places, this book is for you.
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