It’s always been Mimi Rousseau’s dream to open her own bistro, but it seems beyond her grasp since she’s been chased back home to Nouvelle Vie in Napa Valley by her late husband’s tremendous debt. Until her best friend Jorianne James introduces her to entrepreneur Bryan Baker who invests in promising prospects. Now, working the bistro and inn until she’s able to pay it off and call it her own, … own, Mimi is throwing the inn’s first wedding ever.
The wedding will be the talk of the town, as famous talk show host Angelica Edmonton, daughter of Bryan’s half-brother, Edison, has chosen the inn as her perfect venue. Anxious, Mimi is sure things are going to turn south, especially when Edison gets drunk and rowdy at the out-of-towners’ dinner, but by the evening, things begin to look up again. That is until six AM rolls around, and Bryan is found dead at the bistro with an éclair stuffed in his mouth. And the fingers point at Mimi, whose entire loan is forgiven in Bryan’s will.
Now it’s up to Mimi to clear her name and get to the bottom of things before the killer turns up the heat again in A Deadly Éclair, the scrumptious series debut by Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber.
more
I was excited to get my hands on this book because I always take great enjoyment from reading this author, I’ve liked all her series. After the death of her husband, who left her with many unpaid debts, Mimi knows that she needs to make some changes in her life. She begins by moving back home and starting fresh. After coming home, a friend introduces her to Bryan, an entrepreneur who gets great enjoyment from helping young professionals in making their dreams come true. With Bryan’s help Mimi’s dream of owning her own Bistro and Inn are becoming a reality. When Bryan’s niece decides to use Mimi for her wedding she can’t help but look towards the future with happiness. The wedding will be all anyone can talk about and Mimi thinks of the exposure it will bring to her little slice of heaven will receive. When Bryan is found dead at the Bistro the morning after family and friends have gotten together Mimi realizes she must figure out who the killer is so that she can clear her good name. She is terrified that her business will suffer before it has truly gotten off the ground. Who killed Bryan and why and will Mimi be able to find those answers? The author did a fantastic job of writing some wonderfully in depth characters. I liked how their differences stood out and how they interacted with one another. Her description of Nouvelle Vie had me wanting to book a flight so that I could visit this charming destination and take a tour of all it had to offer. Don’t get me started on the fabulous recipes that she included at the end. If you love to cook they are definitely a bonus and and a fun way to end any story.
A Deadly Eclair is the debut book in the ‘A French Bistro Mystery’ series written by Daryl Wood Gerber. I read the second book in this series earlier in the year after winning it in a giveaway contest. I enjoyed the characters and setting which led me to starting the series from the beginning. There’s something about the Napa Valley atmosphere full of wine, food, and culture that makes the books easy-to-read, immersive, and charming. I’ve been to many of the places being described or noted which helps ensure an even tighter connection to the story and the characters. It also helps that the books are well-written with the right balance of humor and knowledge (about wine, food, relationships, France).
Mimi’s husband died several years ago leaving her broke. After settling his debt and untying her emotional loss over all his lies, she moved back home to start anew. This book kicks off many months later once she’s decided to open a restaurant with the backing of a new partner, Bryan. He’s a pseudo-father figure for Mimi who lost her dad years ago. Bryan asks her to manager his niece’s wedding as part of her first few events. All goes smoothly until Bryan is found dead with one of Mimi’s famous desserts in his mouth… and, oh yeah, some jewels. Mimi’s surrounded by his family, his niece’s soon-to-be husband’s family, and some interesting friends. Which one of them had a past connection to Bryan that led to murder?
Throw in some wonderful side stories with how Mimi bonds with her new staff, opens her heart to going on a date for the first time, makes new friends, helps her mom overcome some new steps in her life, and tries to earn a living despite a few wondering if she killed Bryan to kick him out of her business. She’s tough, but caring. She’s a little nosy for my tastes, but it’s often typical of these types of series. Mimi has an investment in knowing who killed Bryan since it relates to her new inn, but at times, I felt like she grilled people a bit too much. Especially when they were her guests and she was trying to succeed with her new business. She’d annoy someone in one chapter, then they were friendly with her again in the next one. Maybe I just hold grudges a bit too long!
Now that I’ve devoured two, I can say I’m a series fan and look forward to the third which I assume will be published in mid-2019. I’ll be on the lookout for joining the blog tour or ARC team if possible.
I really enjoyed this Cozy Mystery. I won this copy and I voluntarily chose to review it. I’ve given it a 5* rating. This one kept me guessing till the very end. There were a lot of suspects and a grumbly detective. The heroine kept investigating, like she couldn’t help herself and putting herself in danger. There was a little romance and a lot of interesting recipes included, all around a new resturant. A person could get hungry reading this book.
Award Winning author Daryl Wood Gerber (Avery Aames) has a new series. A Deadly Eclair is the first of her French Bistro Mystery series. Mimi Rousseau has opened a new bistro/inn in Napa Valley. Thanks to her investor Bryan Baker she has booked her first wedding, Bryan’s niece, Angelica. Things take a bad turn when tragedy hits in the early morning hours of Angelica’s wedding day and we soon find out they are not all one big happy family.
The author does an excellent job of using descriptive words to help us get to know all the new characters and “see” the setting. In addition the story is filled with mystery, good food (recipes included), wine, romance and humor. It is different from the usual cozy mystery in that the victim is a known and likeable character before he meets his demise.
An ARC was provided to me by NetGalley for a honest review.
A Deadly Éclair by Daryl Wood Gerber is the first book A French Bistro Mystery series. Mimi Rousseau owns Bistro Rousseau and Maison Rousseau in Nouvelle Vie in Napa Valley, California thanks to her mentor, Bryan Baker. Mimi is hosting a wedding at Maison Rousseau for Angelica Barrington and Lyle Ives. The out-of-towners dinner is going beautifully until father-of-the-bride, Edison Barrington arrives late and drunk. Mimi handles the situation and the event proceeds. The next morning, Angelica finds Bryan dead on the bistro patio. Unfortunately, the evidence points to Mimi as the killer. Mimi wants to clear her name and that of her establishment. Mimi uses her deductive skills to track down the real killer and clear her off the suspect list.
A Deadly Éclair is nicely written, contains good characters, and luscious food descriptions. Daryl Wood Gerber sets up a lovely backdrop for A French Bistro Mystery series. I appreciate the descriptions of Mimi’s establishments and the area. We are provided the backstory on Mimi and how she came to live in Napa Valley. I found Mimi to be a relatable (and likeable) character along with the other people in the story. I am glad that she is an intelligent woman running her own business. I did feel that readers are introduced to a few too many characters in the first couple of chapters. It was hard to keep track of everyone in the beginning. The pace of the book is a little slower that I usually like, but it does go with this story. The author is setting the stage for her new characters. I am rating A Deadly Éclair 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I wish the murder had been more complex. One clue (if you need it) gives the identity of the killer. The why takes a little longer to discern. I did like the author’s use of misdirection to throw readers off the trail of the real culprit. There are recipes at the end of the book for the dishes mentioned in the story. I am eager to read more stories in A French Bistro Mystery series.
A Deadly Eclair by Daryl Wood Gerber is the first in a new cozy mystery series by this author and was a great introduction to the small and quirky small town of Novelle Vie in Napa Valley.
Mimi Rousseau was a dynamic protagonist. She’s smart, independent and with the help of entrepreneur Bryan Baker has made her dreams come true in Nouvelle Vie. She owns her own bistro and inn. She has surrounded herself with a great team including her best friend Jorianne, who manages the inn, Chef C, Stefan and Heather who work in the bistro. I enjoyed meeting all of them and found them to be likeable, a little quirky and yet serious about being the best at the bistro. Ms. Gerber has a distinctive writing style and the description of Novelle Vie and the cast of characters made me feel like I was right there with them throughout the story.
The plot moved so quickly with red herrings, lots of suspects, and twists that I just couldn’t put the book down. Oh, and the food sounded so delicious that I was hungry the whole time that I was reading. Luckily, Ms. Gerber provided many recipes at the end of the book. Seriously, you cannot go wrong with this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
Mimi Rousseau’s husband passed away leaving her with a mound of debt to pay off. After selling off everything to pay off the debt Mimi moved back to her hometown of Nouvelle Vie in Napa Valley. Mimi met Bryan Baker, very successful entrepreneur, through a mutual friend. Bryan saw something in Mimi’s dream to own her own French Bistro and decided to back her in opening a bistro and inn. The bistro and inn were starting to thrive and are hosting their first big event, a destination wedding of Bryan’s niece. After the dinner on the first night of activities, Bryan is found dead on the bistro’s patio. Mimi is devastated to lose her mentor and horrified to find out she is a suspect. Can Mimi clear her name and help find the real killer before any other bad things can happen?
This is a great start to a book series. Author Daryl Wood Gerber is a great storyteller. I really enjoyed getting to know Mimi and her family and friends. The characters are really well developed, you feel like you are reading about some really quirky fun friends. The mystery is at a great pace with just the right amount of red herrings, I did not figure out the murderer until the moment Mimi starts to figure out who the murderer was. The storyline was very entertaining and the description of the setting is great, I could really picture the town and vineyards surrounding the bistro. The book includes recipes that are mentioned throughout the book.
I recommend this book, it is definitely great for mystery lovers and foodies alike. I was provided with an ARC of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
What a wonderful start to a new cozy mystery series. We meet Mimi who runs a bistro and B&B with an adorable French theme. We gets lots of food, lovely details, and a central place for the story. Add in some well developed characters and a mystery with lots of curves to get a book you just can’t put down. This really is a must read for fans of the genre and food. I just loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
I enjoyed this first in a new series. Mimi opens a French Bistro with help of funding from Bryan, he then hosts his niece’s wedding there. At the pre dinner things don’t seem all that happy among some of the bridal party members. When Bryan is found dead the next morning by the bride to be, everyone is in shock. Mimi starts to search for who could have done this to this kind man, but as she questions people she finds that Bryan wasn’t quite loved by everybody. There are plenty of suspects and the mystery is good, it kept me switching suspects. The characters are likable, and the setting sounds beautiful. I will continue on with this series.
Great cozy mystery filled with all the things I love…great characters, great storyline, great food, and a dash of romance!
Mimi Rousseau is returning home in hopes of achieving her dream…opening her own little bistro. She isn’t quite sure that is in the cards for her until her best friend finds her an investor, Bryan Baker. She is finally on the right path when Bryan is murdered. All clues point to her. She will have to work hard to clear her name if she wants her freedom and before all her dreams go up in smoke.
The murder mystery itself has a cast of suspects, and the author kept me guessing throughout the entire book. The heroine, Mimi, was a great character. I admired her independence and intelligence. She needed both of those things to get her out of the predicament she was in. I am also looking forward to seeing where her potential romance with Nash will lead her.
This was an enjoyable, witty, cozy mystery. The fabulous scenery of the beautiful Napa Valley was an added bonus. Throw in a great cast of secondary characters and an AMAZING collection of recipes, and you have yourself a wonderful beginning to what promises to be a wonderful series!!!
I enjoyed backtracking to book 1 in this series. And I loved it
but I couldn’t help wishing for a little more.
I loved the story and plot. I loved the characters.
I just wanted the story about how Mimi got to where she is and a little more back story on the Mimi-Bryan relationship or story.
With all the descriptions of Bryan I just missed getting to know him before he is clobbered over the head and left for dead in a rather gruesome (not blooded at all) way. Left with gems and an E’clair in his mouth is just a little sick. What’s up with this villain? Hmm. This is surely a good ‘ole mystery.
As the story progresses Mimi puts off Tyson the detective handling the case. But they are long time friends so he gives her a little lee-way. Plus he is totally interested in Mimi’s bestie and
employee Jo so he doesn’t chastise Mimi too much when she starts snooping.
And who wouldn’t when their benefactor is murdered. But opp’s
her cell phone is missing and when it’s found the last text is to
poor Bryan. For a bit Mimi is a prime suspect but Raymond the
gardener saves the day or this case Mimi when he mentions he
saw her about the time that Bryan met his demise. Mimi was doing what she does alot of pacing and talking to herself.
The talking to herself helps her work out the mystery and sometimes daily operations of the Bistro.
The French Bistro Mysteries is a great series.
Even though I wanted a little more back story I can only hope that maybe in future installments we’re given a little more. That says a lot because the author does a great job of introducing the characters making you feel like your apart of what is going on.
I can only wonder what happens in book 3. I’ve already read book 2 where Mimi’s Chef is the prime suspect when her poor sister is murdered. So hmm. Will Jo her bestie be the next suspect. Or maybe Raymond the gardener. Maybe even Irene the Chocolate Coffee Shop owner who tends to gather in a lot of gossip. Or maybe just some random new character.
Who knows. I can’t wait!
If you like a good Cozy mystery. And if you enjoy food you’ll love the French Bistro Series. You’ll enjoy the addition of the
recipes at the end.
I received a complimentary copy.
A Deadly Eclair
A French Bistro Mystery, Book #1
Daryl Wood Gerber
5 Stars
Synopsis:
It’s always been Mimi Rousseau’s dream to open her own bistro, but it seems beyond her grasp since she’s been chased back home to Nouvelle Vie in Napa Valley by her late husband’s tremendous debt. Until her best friend Jorianne James introduces her to entrepreneur Bryan Baker who invests in promising prospects. Now, working the bistro and inn until she’s able to pay it off and call it her own, Mimi is throwing the inn’s first wedding ever.
The wedding will be the talk of the town, as famous talk show host Angelica Edmonton, daughter of Bryan’s half-brother, Edison, has chosen the inn as her perfect venue. Anxious, Mimi is sure things are going to turn south, especially when Edison gets drunk and rowdy at the out-of-towners’ dinner, but by the evening, things begin to look up again. That is until six AM rolls around, and Bryan is found dead at the bistro with an eclair stuffed in his mouth. And the fingers point at Mimi, whose entire loan is forgiven in Bryan’s will.
Now it’s up to Mimi to clear her name and get to the bottom of things before the killer turns up the heat again in A Deadly Eclair, the scrumptious series debut by Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber. (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well written and well developed. Mimi is a smart strong caring woman. She is just about to fulfill her dream of owning her own bistro and inn. She is thrilled to be hosting the wedding of a famous celebrity and is praying that everything goes as good as it can. She was not planning for there to be a murder during the festivities. When she becomes a person of interest, she knows she has to find the killer before her life goes up in smoke.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. It defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. It drew me into the story and carried me along at an exciting pace. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through most of the book I felt like I was right there watching all of the action taking place. And the descriptions of the foods had me salivating.
The mystery was well plotted and not easy to solve. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. There were a lot of red herrings thrown in and twists and turns to maneuver and i did not figure the identity of the killer until it was revealed at the end which in my opinion is great.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. And if you like eating food, this is a must read book.
The next book in the series is scheduled to be released in July.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
A DEADLY ÉCLAIR by Daryl Wood Gerber is the 1st book in the A French Bistro Mystery Series.
It’s the story of Mimi Rousseau, a young widow after the untimely death of her husband, returning to back to her hometown, Nouvelle Vie in Napa Valley after finding out he had deceived her and left her past broke. Her best friend, Jorianne James, introduces her to entrepreneur Bryan Baker who helps her to fulfill her dreams of owning a bistro, Bistro Rousseau, and an inn, Bistro Rousseau, as well.
Mimi is planning her first big event which she hopes will be the first of many to help to establish her business as “the place” to cater big functions. It’s the wedding for famous talk show host Angelica Edmonton. Angelica is the daughter to Bryan’s half-brother, Edison. However, things start to go off track when the father to the bride shows up drunk. It goes from bad to worse when Bryan is found dead early the next morning. Not only is he found dead on the bristro’s patio, but he has one of Mimi’s eclairs stuffed into his mouth with her cell phone nearby. Then the police find out that according to his recent will that all of Mimi’s debts are to be wiped clean in the event of his death making Mimi their number one suspect.
This book has an amazing cast of characters which blend as well in their occupational slots as they do in the creation of the storyline. I can definitely see where these people will grow and shine in their own right in the upcoming books in this series. The supporting characters for this book like the wedding party were also well written and they weave into the story smoothly.
No one that knows Mimi would believe that she would be guilty of such a horrible deed. The mystery is so very well written it takes you on different avenues to different suspects making you doubt your list of suspects. To prove her innocence, you follow Mimi’s adventures wanting to prove not only her innocence but to find out who the murder was and WHY! It’s definitely a book where you want to keep turning the pages with each page having you hurrying to the next.
The description of the food in the story will definitely make you hungry and licking your lips. I was thrilled to find the recipes at the back of the book. I will definitely be making several of them to be savored over and over again – each time smiling when I remember where the recipe came from.
I await with great expectation for book #2 in A French Bistro Mystery to see where the adventures of Mimi and her friends take me and what great food they will introduce me to. I definitely recommend this book to anyone that loves a great, well-written cozy mystery!
Mimi Rousseau is just months into her new venture of a French bistro and hotel in the heart of Napa County. This weekend, she is hosting her first event, the wedding of Angelica Edmonton, noted TV talk show host and the niece of Bryan Baker, Mimi’s benefactor and mentor. However, when tension at the pre-wedding dinner on Friday night leads to a dead body on Saturday morning, Mimi finds herself looking into the murder. What is going on?
It’s fun to find a series set in Napa County that doesn’t focus on wine, although wine is certainly present. The French food will definitely leave your mouth watering as you work your way through this good first mystery. The initial chapter has a bit of a data dump in it, but once beyond that, the mystery picks up and the pace never slows down again. The characters are outstanding, and the relationships between the series regulars is already strong. I’m looking forward to seeing that grow as the series progresses.
A most FANTASTIQUE beginning to a new series in A Deadly Eclair A French Bistro Mystery by Daryl Wood Gerber. Right from the first I was intrigued with the plot, characters and setting. What is better than a Bistro in Napa Valley where the food, and ambiance makes you want to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or some wine while taking in the scenery only to be interrupted by a murder.
Mimi has a wonderful Bistro and Inn that is backed by Bryan who is a generous entrepreneur that believes in Mimi’s ability to make it a success. With her best friend Jo helping by running the Inn and her chef and staff at the Bistro turning out delicious food it seems her dream was coming true. Then when Angelica niece to Bryan is having her wedding Mimi finds herself right in the middle of a murder investigation when Bryan is killed. Who would kill Bryan and why? It seems everyone might have a reason because at the dinner the night before he was killed it seems like he had an argument with almost everyone of the wedding party and these people seem to be holding secrets, and their true colors seem slip out during the investigation. Can Mimi clear herself as a suspect and figure out who killed her fri3nd Bryan, even though she is being threatened?
I really enjoyed this book. From the strong characters to the unique mystery and setting it is a delectable, keep you guessing, roller coaster ride to the very end. I couldn’t put it down. It also has wonderful recipes too.
If you want a good mystery in a wonderful setting, with so many possibilities for the outcome of whodunit then read this book. I don’t think you will be disappointed. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes either.
Another 5 star read and fun new series.
I received this book for my honest opinion and review.
When I discover a series I want to read, I start at the beginning, so I know I’m a few years behind on this first installment of the French Bistro Mystery series. I really enjoyed it, though, and can’t wait to read the next one. The characters have depth, and I find them all intriguing. The setting couldn’t be more alluring. Nicely drawn, made me feel as if I were there. The murder mystery part of the plot came to a satisfying conclusion, and the open-ended relationship issues made me excited for the next in the series. I will definitely be reading more!
I really enjoyed this book. Her description of Mimi’s journey to owning her own business was interesting in how her husband’s betrayal set her back and how she ended up with Bryan’s backing. Her coworkers/friends are interesting and fun and I really enjoyed Stefan and Hannah trying to guess his last name. I like how Mimi was wondering if Hannah really was married and then the description of him at the end wasn’t what I would have expected.
I like that Mimi isn’t involved with the police officer as a lot of cozy mysteries have that. Their friendship is longstanding and that makes it fun to see how they interact with each other. I figured out the killer right away, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story, and I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
This is nice cozy mystery. But, it was a little too long and unnecessarily complicated. The setting is very cool.
Loved this book so Mich that I stayed up all night to finish it.