What do you think?
Rate this book
Sam Levitt #3
Корсиканска афера
Милиардерът Франсис Рьобул се наслаждава на гледката от къщата си, когато съзира огромна яхта, чиито пътници са твърде заинтригувани от неговия имот.
Собственикът й е Олег Вронски, руски магнат, който няма да се спре пред нищо в стремежа си да се сдобие с дома на Рьобул. И ето че Сам Левит отново е на ход, подкрепян от чаровната Елена Моралес. За да се справят с опасния руснак, трябва да навлязат дълбоко в подземния свят на Корсика и да прибягнат до хитрост, защото залогът е животът на техния приятел.
Изпълнена с неочаквани обрати, живописни сцени и, разбира се, завладяващи описания на насладата от храната и виното, "Корсиканска афера" е еднопосочен билет към удоволствието в провансалски стил.
Собственикът й е Олег Вронски, руски магнат, който няма да се спре пред нищо в стремежа си да се сдобие с дома на Рьобул. И ето че Сам Левит отново е на ход, подкрепян от чаровната Елена Моралес. За да се справят с опасния руснак, трябва да навлязат дълбоко в подземния свят на Корсика и да прибягнат до хитрост, защото залогът е животът на техния приятел.
Изпълнена с неочаквани обрати, живописни сцени и, разбира се, завладяващи описания на насладата от храната и виното, "Корсиканска афера" е еднопосочен билет към удоволствието в провансалски стил.
143 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
August 17, 2017
It's a ridiculously quick read - a bit better than the previous book - but doesn't come close to capturing the charm of the original "The Vintage Caper".
March 22, 2015
Okay, this is getting a little ridiculous. I wouldn't have thought it possible for this book to be even slighter than The Marseille Caper but it is. This was pretty close to a novella, with poorer characterization.
Really, the last 3 books should be edited into a single volume - and large sections re-written. Quite disappointing and pointless. The trifling storyline gave short shrift to characters that, several books ago, would have been mined for depth and amusement. I have to assume the author has to crank these out for house repairs or to meet contractual obligations.
Library book, thank goodness.
Really, the last 3 books should be edited into a single volume - and large sections re-written. Quite disappointing and pointless. The trifling storyline gave short shrift to characters that, several books ago, would have been mined for depth and amusement. I have to assume the author has to crank these out for house repairs or to meet contractual obligations.
Library book, thank goodness.
April 22, 2014
Although it's written in Peter Mayle's light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek style and chock full of good food and excellent wines, there's really not much to this book. I'd call it a novella rather than a novel. Even though it's a mystery, there's very little in the way of suspense or cliff hanging moments. Just enough of a plot to whet your appetite for a substantial meal.
May 9, 2015
Nobody does travel narratives better than Peter Mayle. As a fiction writer, however, he's merely average, and it mostly feels like he's writing the same book over and over while the characters indulge in a slightly different menu of Provençal food and wine. Still, I adore his fictional offerings. They're light, breezy, and fun, perfect escapist reads that never pretend to be more than they are.
November 29, 2014
I've been a Peter Mayle fan for years. He's given us an insight and appreciation of France and the French, especially life in Provence, like no one else. Wether it's a case of trying to stretch his writing legs a little too much or perhaps the pressure of an eager publisher, Mayle's foray into fiction, specifically mysteries, is a farce. His earlier entry into this genre, The Vintage Caper, was acceptable, although guilty of overacting and a plot that would make an emmental blush. In this Corsican version, the premise is completely ridiculous, as is every single character - all culled from central casting: the overbearing and wealthy Americans, the naïve yet wealthy Frenchman, a billionaire bully from Russia and a handful of forgettable thugs and thieves.
All of the nuances that make Mayle's writing so appealing - rich descriptions of the local landscape and sumptuous meals that make us all want to move to the South of France - are sidelined in favour of a pretentious slice life among the ultra-rich. The Corsican connection is fleeting and irrelevant - an opportunity lost. The only upside to this woeful tale is it's astounding brevity. Thankfully it ended quickly well before the pain became just too much to take.
All of the nuances that make Mayle's writing so appealing - rich descriptions of the local landscape and sumptuous meals that make us all want to move to the South of France - are sidelined in favour of a pretentious slice life among the ultra-rich. The Corsican connection is fleeting and irrelevant - an opportunity lost. The only upside to this woeful tale is it's astounding brevity. Thankfully it ended quickly well before the pain became just too much to take.
July 11, 2014
Quite simply this book would not have been published had the author not had a bestseller previously. The devices that work so well in a travel memoir i.e. sumptuous descriptions of food, quirky characters and knowledge of exotic places are not enough to create a compelling mystery. It is billed as "...brimming with entertaining twists." Try as I might I cannot even name one. Truthfully there was no mystery. You know who the culprit is from the start and there is no doubt about how it will unfold. The major premise is unsupportable. What indication is there that by killing the owner you will be able to acquire property he won't sell you? If French probate laws are as bureaucratic and time consuming as they are in the US, he would be facing months, if not years, of delays. Without a guarantee a new owner would be willing to sell. The story was not good enough for the reader to ignore this obvious flaw.
September 27, 2019
It was short, light reading. This was not a typical mystery, full of intrigue and deception, but rather a recognizable "enemy", who was set on having a rich Frenchman's mansion. Filled with expensive wine, elegant food and all things exquisite, it was an easy read, tied with a haute d'coute bow at the end. I plan on reading the rest in the series.
June 24, 2014
The best thing about this disconnected novel is its length. 2 of 10 stars
July 16, 2014
truly stupid
August 10, 2019
I love this series. While Sam and Elena spend their vacations in Marseille with their friend Francis Reboul, Francis finds himself under the pressure of a dubious Russian, who lies in front of Marseille with his luxury yacht and has decided to buy Reboul's property. Francis does not want to sell, so the Russian is always brazen and ready to let Francis get killed. Of course, far from him and therefore he has chosen Corsica, unaware that Francis and Sam have very good friends there in the underground.
Great and exciting written with a lot of good food that made my mouth water.
Great and exciting written with a lot of good food that made my mouth water.
August 4, 2014
This is definitely summer reading, light and single minded in plot. Despite pesky Russians everywhere, I was never concerned for Francis Reboul's safety, given his crew of friends. There is always an open bottle of champagne (that's fine) and I would have even appreciated more foody conversation.
It was read by Erik Davies who is probably wondering how he did French, American, Corsican and Russian accents, male and female protagonists, without losing his mind.
Made my drive drivable.
It was read by Erik Davies who is probably wondering how he did French, American, Corsican and Russian accents, male and female protagonists, without losing his mind.
Made my drive drivable.
November 1, 2016
Oy! The Sam Levitt canon are not the best of Mayle by a long shot - and each addition is more vapid than the last. What started as a charming though slight series has devolved to a wisp of empty frivolity. I was going to say The Corsican Caper smacked of The Hardy Boys, but with French cooking and wine. However, the Boys may actually beat this one for nuance and depth. Time to lay this series to rest, Mr. Mayle.
October 7, 2014
Three stars for atmosphere. It was so much fun reading about The underbelly of Corsica, far from the beautiful images I have of a wonderful trip there. Now wishing I spent time in the seedier bars. I think I missed the true heart if the place.
Two stars for story. I forgot that Mayle's novels read much like his nonfiction. Anecdotal with a little bit of plot thrown in.
Two stars for story. I forgot that Mayle's novels read much like his nonfiction. Anecdotal with a little bit of plot thrown in.
June 25, 2019
Such a delight to be reunited with the likeable hedonistic ensemble... And the joy to continue on to their next adventure
February 1, 2020
Ehhhhhhh. I still love Sam and Elena and Reboul, but this one was pretty weak. Not bad, just weak, like it relies on all of the characterization built in the previous two books. It doesn’t spend any time fleshing out or expanding on the core group. And the plot was... light, to say the least. Still, it’s a fun fantasy where the good guys win and no one gets hurt!
December 8, 2021
More of a novella than a novel that is heavy on descriptions of food and light on mystery. I kept waiting for something exciting or ominous to happen and it never did.
February 18, 2024
The storyline in this book takes the concept of "Caper" novels to a whole new level of absurdity. It's puzzling how it got past the editorial team without any red flags. Despite the questionable plot, at least the cover design is appealing.
June 1, 2017
Have not read Mayle in awhile, but felt like something light and fun. And that's exactly what I got, a mini sojourn to the south of France, but without the hassle of actually traveling. Nice to know he still entertains, with his knowledgeable flare for food and wine. A delicious caper.
March 20, 2022
While I like this author and his travelogues/ex-pat tales, this is a very light (both in terms of actual volume and of plot and character development) read. Nice descriptions of towns in Provence and of meals. However, the tireless attempts to depict the lifestyles of the rich and famous just gets a bit tiresome.
July 27, 2022
Perfect for summer /vacation. Easy to follow, but so well written and with lovely gastronomic& landscape details of southern France.
April 2, 2014
Opening a new book by premier raconteur Peter Mayle is very much like returning to your favorite restaurant - you know dinner will be delicious and you cannot wait to taste it. So it was for me upon beginning The Corsican Caper - eager to meet the intriguing characters, to vicariously enjoy gourmet meals, well chosen wines, and visit luxurious only to be dreamed of places. (In this case, one of the places is a yacht, The Caspian Sea. Or as Mayle puts it “the mother of all yachts” - three hundred feet of dark blue with four decks, radar, helicopter pad and two speedboats behind. Plus, of course, an interior so luxe it would put a Park Avenue penthouse to shame.)
Mayle’s characters always travel First Class and eat in 5 star restaurants - what a joy it is to join them! Once again we’re in the company of Sam Levitt who well knows how to solve a crime without missing a meal or a glass of wine. He and the beautiful Elena Morales are coming from California for an extended visit with their dear friend, Francis Reboul..As it happens (and you knew it would) Reboul lives in a palatial Corsican estate, El Pharo, one of the most prime properties in all of the Mediterranean.
While awaiting his guests Reboul notices the mega yacht just several hundred yards offshore. It slows, comes to a stop and several figures appear on the top deck - they all appear to be looking directly at him. Of course, Reboul finds this a bit disconcerting, and he would be more than disconcerted if he knew that the owner of the yacht was an unscrupulous billionaire Russian, Oleg Vronsky.
Vronsky has been checking out the coast for a suitable home, and he wants El Pharo. Problem is the Russian always gets what he wants, sometimes leaving a dead body or two behind. He’s never been charged with a crime since when the deaths occurred Vronsky had been away in another country. The Russian begins his quest for El Pharo by hiring a reputedly clever real estate agent, donating large sums of money to ingratiate himself with the local populace, and then offering to pay whatever price Reboul demanded.
Reboul remains adamant in refusing to sell. What can Vronsky do? You’ll find out as Sam worries about Reboul’s safety and then concocts a plan.
Mayle is as ever a charming entertaining guide as action shifts along the bounteous Mediterranean coast with twists and turns (sometimes comedic), glorious scenery, and gustatorial delights aplenty.
Enjoy!
- Gail Cooke
November 8, 2014
This latest novel from Peter Mayle, the author of A Year in Provence, is a light frolic of suspense with the local billionaires along the Mediterranean coast near Marseilles. The author tells the readers from the onset who the victim is and who wants to kill him, but this knowledge doesn't lessen the tension.
Billionaire Francis Reboul is enjoying his palatial coastal estate, Le Pharo, and entertaining his guests, Sam Levitt and Elena Morales from Los Angeles. The tranquility of their quiet lunch and pleasure in Reboul's fine wine cellar is interrupted when a helicopter flies overhead and swoops low enough for them to see the binoculars that are trained on the estate and its occupants. Reboul soon discovers through his contacts in the Marseilles police that a Russian billionaire with a less than savory past has sailed into harbor on his yacht The Caspian Queen, and has his eye on Le Pharo. He has made up his mind to own Reboul's estate, whether Reboul wants to sell or not.
When Reboul refuses the offer to sell at any price, Oleg Vronsky makes plans to eliminate Reboul, as he has down before when some person stood in the way of something he wanted. Sam and Elena discover that Vronsky is smart as well as ruthless. He always manages to be far away when a rival is killed.
The action moves to the island of Corsica, where loyalties are strong and people know who their friends and enemies are. While Vronsky has taken off to Paris, he has left behind a couple of Russian thugs, but they are no match for a the Corsican mafia types who protect their own.
I read this novel in a day and a half, and enjoyed every moment of an escape into the world of champagne for lunch and a snack of escargot and caviar. It was a very pleasant diversion from reality.
(As published in Suspense Magazine)
Billionaire Francis Reboul is enjoying his palatial coastal estate, Le Pharo, and entertaining his guests, Sam Levitt and Elena Morales from Los Angeles. The tranquility of their quiet lunch and pleasure in Reboul's fine wine cellar is interrupted when a helicopter flies overhead and swoops low enough for them to see the binoculars that are trained on the estate and its occupants. Reboul soon discovers through his contacts in the Marseilles police that a Russian billionaire with a less than savory past has sailed into harbor on his yacht The Caspian Queen, and has his eye on Le Pharo. He has made up his mind to own Reboul's estate, whether Reboul wants to sell or not.
When Reboul refuses the offer to sell at any price, Oleg Vronsky makes plans to eliminate Reboul, as he has down before when some person stood in the way of something he wanted. Sam and Elena discover that Vronsky is smart as well as ruthless. He always manages to be far away when a rival is killed.
The action moves to the island of Corsica, where loyalties are strong and people know who their friends and enemies are. While Vronsky has taken off to Paris, he has left behind a couple of Russian thugs, but they are no match for a the Corsican mafia types who protect their own.
I read this novel in a day and a half, and enjoyed every moment of an escape into the world of champagne for lunch and a snack of escargot and caviar. It was a very pleasant diversion from reality.
(As published in Suspense Magazine)
November 27, 2015
#3 Sam Leavitt - Cozy Mystery
Delightful mystery set in France. Sam Leavitt and his wife Elena arrive from Los Angeles for an extended visit with various friends in France.
Their host and good friend, Francis Reboul's magnificent coastal estate is their first stop. Francis is troubled when a massive yacht is obviously focused on his property, including the yacht's helicopter flying overhead.
The yacht owner, wealthy and dangerous Russian tycoon Oleg Vronsky has decided he badly wants Francis's exquisite coastal property. Francis refuses to sell for any amount. The Russian is known for not taking 'no' for an answer, several times with deadly results. Francis, Sam and Elena discover that murder charges have never been able to be proven. The Russian ups the pressure on Francis to sell.
Sam, Francis and Elena investigate their options, while indulging in the best French foods, wine and champagnes. The friends must come up with a plan to implicate the cagey billionaire to protect Francis's life.
The amazingly superb cover art has caught my eye many times on the library's New Release shelf. I finally picked it up, and am very glad I did! This is #3 in a trilogy - I'll definitely read 1 & 2.
I loved Peter Mayle's armchair trip to the South of France!
Delightful mystery set in France. Sam Leavitt and his wife Elena arrive from Los Angeles for an extended visit with various friends in France.
Their host and good friend, Francis Reboul's magnificent coastal estate is their first stop. Francis is troubled when a massive yacht is obviously focused on his property, including the yacht's helicopter flying overhead.
The yacht owner, wealthy and dangerous Russian tycoon Oleg Vronsky has decided he badly wants Francis's exquisite coastal property. Francis refuses to sell for any amount. The Russian is known for not taking 'no' for an answer, several times with deadly results. Francis, Sam and Elena discover that murder charges have never been able to be proven. The Russian ups the pressure on Francis to sell.
Sam, Francis and Elena investigate their options, while indulging in the best French foods, wine and champagnes. The friends must come up with a plan to implicate the cagey billionaire to protect Francis's life.
The amazingly superb cover art has caught my eye many times on the library's New Release shelf. I finally picked it up, and am very glad I did! This is #3 in a trilogy - I'll definitely read 1 & 2.
I loved Peter Mayle's armchair trip to the South of France!
December 29, 2016
Peter Mayle is one of the reasons I want to visit the south of France. His book "A Year in Provence" is the source of that inspiration. Much as he did there, in "The Corsican Caper" he details in the delightful way only he can about the food, the wine, and the culture. You almost feel apart of it. However, it leaves the rest of this short novel light on the caper.
October 22, 2020
I don’t read these books for the in depth mystery, which it doesn’t have. I read them for a glimpse into the food and wine and culture of the well-to-do inhabitants of the south of France. These are relaxing reads best for summer probably as there is an unholy amount of rosé-all-day and champagne in the evening.
May 30, 2014
This is a sweet and short book; part travel (Provence, France) and part mystery. It really made for enjoyable afternoon reading. It would be great for the beach, put it on your list to read this summer.
June 8, 2014
Thriller lite with a foodie 's bent. Objectifies females (lingerie scene and others ... Really? ) Won't read another Mayle again.
June 15, 2015
Not my favorite book by Mayle. Easy read, but felt like a book produced to meet a deadline or a contract obligation.
August 4, 2017
The same main characters of “The Vintage Caper” continue in “The Corsican Caper”. Sam Levitt and Elena Morales are good friends of billionaire Francis Reboul who lives in Le Palais du Pharo in Marseille. Le Pharo is a desirable residence that Oleg Vronsky, a super rich Russian, was eyeing to get Francis Reboul to sell it to him. When Reboul refused even with large sum of money dangled at him, that was when criminal option was considered by Vronsky.
How would Francis Reboul respond to this threat? Can he get away from the Russian way of brutality? Is Sam Levitt able to devise a plan to get his friend from danger?
Peter Mayle, in his straight-forward style, is ingenious in the story line. It is fresh and easy to grasp the plots and the actions. It is subtly humourous despite a crime story at that. The writer brings out the best of France with its food, wine and places of interest. You get to know about Corsica by reading this novel. Corsica was chosen to carry out the act of crime by the Russians, hence the title “The Corsican Caper”.
How would Francis Reboul respond to this threat? Can he get away from the Russian way of brutality? Is Sam Levitt able to devise a plan to get his friend from danger?
Peter Mayle, in his straight-forward style, is ingenious in the story line. It is fresh and easy to grasp the plots and the actions. It is subtly humourous despite a crime story at that. The writer brings out the best of France with its food, wine and places of interest. You get to know about Corsica by reading this novel. Corsica was chosen to carry out the act of crime by the Russians, hence the title “The Corsican Caper”.
August 31, 2017
This novel, set in Marseilles and Corsica, mainly, is pretty bad. The plot and drawing of characters is incredibly simplistic. The plot is that a rich Russian man wants the home of billionaire Francis Reboul and will stop at nothing to get it; meanwhile, Reboul’s friends plot (at many dinners, lunches, and other festive occasions) to outwit and entrap the Russian. The only thing that kept me reading was the continuous descriptions of eating and drinking along the beautiful south of France. Mayle seems much better at non-fiction than fiction, based on having read this book and having seen his A Year in Provenance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews