It’s Eat Pray Love meets murder mystery in Lise McClendon’s deliciously cozy chronicles of sisterhood, international travel … and a soupçon of danger.
A dead husband with a secret life is always a winner (fictionally speaking, of course), but what about a secret past for a special treat? In fact, a past so secret even Harry the husband didn’t know about it. That’s the delicious underpinning of … know about it. That’s the delicious underpinning of this sprawling, exuberant, generous-spirited cozy mystery series with a yummy side of international adventure.
A little bit chick lit, a touch of cozy mystery, a whole lot of humor, romance, suspense—all in one box set!
BLACKBIRD FLY – Book One
A dead husband might be sadder except that once Harry dies, his widow, Merle Bennett realizes almost immediately it was no wonder she didn’t know anything about him. They’d pretty much been leading separate lives—several of them, as it turns out. Still, the will’s quite a shock. And so is an intriguing surprise—Harry left her a family home in a tiny French village. Or maybe a family home. Because who was Harry’s family? Finding out is half the fun.
Merle sets out to claim her inheritance, adolescent son in tow, and thus begins a sojourn reminiscent of A Year in Provence mixed up with something by Carolyn Hart, maybe, or M.C. Beaton. Because Malcouziac, Merle’s tiny Dordogne town, is the quintessential village—just perfect for a murder. And a rollicking good time.
THE GIRL IN THE EMPTY DRESS – Book Two
Law practice is in the Bennett sisters’ blood—along with designer suits and stilettos. But they’ve decided to ditch the more predictable Caribbean cruise or spa weekend at a five star hotel to celebrate Merle Bennett’s 50th birthday hiking the French countryside of Dordogne. There’s just one catch: Merle’s little sister Francie has decided to bring along a sixth wheel: a work colleague named Gillian Sargent, whose utter aloofness wouldn’t be so bad. Except she seems to be hiding something…
GIVE HIM THE OOH-LA-LA – Book Three
It’s Bridget Jones does Christmas in the Big Apple, and this year it promises to be especially festive, as all five Bennett sisters are in town for a very special occasion: Annie, the oldest Bennett, is engaged at the tender age of fifty-five. But while Bohemian Annie is securely and happily in love with a devoted fiancé, Merle-in-the-middle is navigating the roller coaster of her own love life: Pascal, her one-time French summer fling, has unexpectedly flown to New York for the holidays. But why? A relationship ultimatum? Or is there something more mysterious in the works? Because a festive family outing to a drag revue at Pascal’s request just begs more questions to be answered…and the unfolding of dangerous connections to Merle’s own family.
THE THINGS WE SAID TODAY – Book Four
Annie is finally getting hitched to Callum Logan in the picture-postcard idyllic Scottish Highlands. The mother of the groom has generously put up the Bennett family in her Kincardie House estate, a gorgeous hunting lodge that’s been in the Logan family for generations. But Annie has reservations. Meanwhile, Merle and Francie are navigating relationship crises of their own. And amidst the Highlands’ signature fog, rain, sheep, and heather—not to mention the festivities’ decadent five course meals and family drama—a rare rainstorm with hurricane-force winds is heading right for the wedding party. And Jinty Arbuckle, the high-strung estate housekeeper, struggles to keep the Kincardie House in order and its brash American guests happy, all the while guarding secrets of her own.
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Fast moving story that made you want to keep reading.
Was her name Merle or Merble? Doesn’t online publishing have a spell checker?
Well written and edited. Words count!
Good book.
I liked this series. The one draw back to making further purchases from this author is her outspoken political views on social media which go counter to mine. Everyone is allowed an opinion. I can also choose where to spend my disposable income.
Very slow paced confusing and rambling not at all as described in summary
Characters seem real and plot is realistic.
Good plot but I DID NOT like the use of the f word at all. I will not get another of her books and will not recommend her books to anyone else.
I loved this series.
Reading first book now. Curious as to how it will end. Interesting mystery and really likable and relatable characters.
If you want a nice book you can read pretty quick , try this.
Strong characters, logical presentation of facts. Realistic personality traits of characters. Strong definition of place, setting. Nice consistent flow of character presentation from first to fourth book.
Great stories in all four books.
Very good books didn’t want to put now afraid I’ll miss something.
A good murder mystery! A little too ‘worldly’ for my personal tastes though
I ended up loving these books, although I wasn’t sure at first. I found the beginning a bit slow, and the story wasn’t what I expected. But once Merle got to France, the story took off and I sped through them all and wanted more. I bought book five and look forward to reading it as well as the rest of the series.
My only complaints are some continuity issues, a time where I thought, that (no specifics because of spoilers) can’t happen because of that, and how the author leaves some threads unresolved without any character seeming to note they were unresolved. I’ll see of those threads pick up in future books. Now onto book five!