Today I have a review of Death in Provence by Serena Kent, now available from Harper Books!
My Thoughts:
Death in Provence is a shiny new mystery series, bordering on cozy, by Serena Kent. Every mystery needs a sleuth, and here we have Penelope Kite. She seems to find dead bodies wherever she goes.
Penelope buys Le Chant d’Eau (“The Song of Water”), a stone farmhouse in the hilly countryside of Provence, as a retirement gift for herself. She’s divorced from a cad and tired of playing free babysitter to her grandchildren, so this phase of life is about her. In her former life, she worked in forensics in England. I can’t fail to mention The Song of Water needs some work- some major work!
Penelope’s idyllic early retirement life is short-lived when she finds a body floating in her swimming pool. The “arrival” of this body exposes the secrets and darkness underlying this for-all-appearances charming village.
Penelope’s former work drive has her wanting answers and now. This hits too close to home (literally) to just let it go. So, alongside the lackluster chief of police, she does her own investigation. Her friend, Frankie, arrives to lend some support, too.
Oh, how I loved the setting of Provence for this one! It adds so much atmosphere, warmth, and history. I loved Penelope – she’s a delight with sharp intelligence and clever wit. I’ll definitely be following along on her next adventures. Easy breezy and full of humor, this is just the kind of book you want to nestle into. The mystery was engaging, there’s lots of yummy Provençal food, and Penelope is already a master at sailing this new ship of a series.
I also have to add, Serena Kent is a wife and husband author duo. I LOVE THAT.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
The first entry in a clever, lighthearted mystery series set in modern Provence—a delightful blend of Agatha Christie and Peter Mayle—featuring the irrepressible Penelope Kite, a young-at-heart divorcee with a knack for stumbling across dead bodies.
It’s love at first sight when Penelope Kite sees Le Chant d’Eau—The Song of Water—the stone farmhouse tucked high in the hills above the Luberon valley, complete with a garden, swimming pool, and sweeping mountain vistas. For years, Penelope put her unfaithful ex-husband and her ungrateful stepchildren first. Since taking early retirement from her job in forensics at the Home Office in England, she’s been an unpaid babysitter and chauffeur for her grandchildren. Now, she’s going to start living for herself. Though her dream house needs major renovations, Penelope impulsively buys the property and moves to St. Merlot.
But Penelope’s daydreams of an adventurous life in Provence didn’t include finding a corpse floating face down in her swimming pool. The discovery of the dead man plunges her headlong into a Provençal stew of intrigue and lingering resentments simmering beneath the deceptively sunny village. Having worked in the forensics office, Penelope knows a thing or two about murder investigations. To find answers, she must carefully navigate between her seemingly ubiquitous, supercilious (and enviably chic) estate agent, the disdainful chief of police, and the devilishly handsome mayor—even as she finds herself tempted by all the delicacies the region has to offer. Thank goodness her old friend Frankie is just a flight away . . . and that Penelope is not quite as naïve as her new neighbors in St. Merlot believe.
Set against the exquisite backdrop of Provence, steeped in history, atmosphere, and secrets, Death in Provence introduces an irresistible heroine and a delightful new mystery series.
Have you read Death in Provence, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
I have read 10 % of the book , and I ‘ll definitely pick it up again soon . Great review 💞
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Thanks, Priyasha! I hope you enjoy it too!
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Oh I love cosy mysteries and I love location books so sounds like a win-win for me.
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I think you’d enjoy this one! This series is off to a promising start.
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I’ll be checking it out. 😍
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Wonderful review and picture, Jennifer. I added this cozy mystery to my tbr list. Happy Reading to you. 🌸🌸🌷🌷❤️📚
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Thank you, Virginia! It was a fun and engaging cozy! ♥️ xoxo
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Oh, the setting sounds delicious! Excellent review, Jennifer, and how unusual to have a husband/wife writing team. I have one series with this kind of writing combination and it’s really, really good.
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Thanks, Jonetta! I started a series from the beginning- YAY! ♥️ Yes, the setting is fab and so much as far as the writing team. What series is it that you enjoy with that combo? I want to take note.
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Ilona Andrews who authors the Kate Daniels UF series. They don’t seem to know how to write a bad book.
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Oh, that’s great to know- thanks, Jonetta!
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Love the setting and the idea of a husband wife team of authors.
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It added so much, Marialyce! A fun setting for a mystery!
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Sounds like a delightful book! 💜
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It definitely was, Darinda! ♥️
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I’m interested to see how the author sets this story into motion as I’ve never heard of a murder mystery series as being cozy! Also, I can only imagine how the setting adds to the story.
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Oh, yes, there’s a whole genre of cozy mysteries out there, LP. They are inspired by Agatha Christie. Strong the mystery, light on the gory details. Usually fun and winsome too. It’s a genre I don’t read often enough. ♥️
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Interesting – I’ve never thought of Agatha Christie as a cozy mystery!! That makes much more sense then – I guess I read more of this genre than I realized! ☺️
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I really like cozy mysteries and this one looks as though it could be the start of a very nice series. Terrific review!
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Thanks, Mackey! It was a fun and endearing start to a new series! I’ll definitely be following along.
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I love stories that take me away from my cold Canadian winter! This sounds good, Jennifer, thanks!
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Thanks, Jacquie! This one will definitely be a fine escape to the south of France!
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Sounds wonderful Jennifer! Love this review!
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Thanks so much, Berit! ♥️
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Hoping to read this soon, it’s on my shelf!
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I hope you love it, Shell! It reads fast!
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Maybe after my current reads! A change of pace.
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The setting for this sounds really great! Lovely review!
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Thank you! It was such a fun and inviting setting for a cozy!
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You’re welcome! That’s great! 🙂
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The location, the food, the mystery all sound wonderful. Fabulous review!
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Thanks, Anne! It was a wonderful start to a new series!
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This sounds really good! Great review ❤
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Thanks, Dee! It was a charming cozy! ♥️
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Ah, I do enjoy lighter crime, especially when it’s in a setting to dream of! I shall look out for this series… 😀
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Yes, such a lovely setting, FF! It’s nice to mix the lighter stuff in every once in a while!
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I just got this one. I have read two other books written by the wife half of this duo. You might want to look for them.
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I hope you enjoy this one, Joyce, and I will definitely look into her books. Thanks for letting me know you enjoy them.
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