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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4 great stories of 5 great woman, their romances and adventures! A Great read!!
Reading this is like taking a vacation – not too serious and inventive enough to make it very interesting. I’m not a fan of romance but the story made up for that aspect. Lovely.
These stories about the lives of the Bennett sisters are really close to the relationship that real sisters have with each other. And the stories do build on each other. Some of the premises or settings for the stories are a little far-fetched and out of the norm but, that is part of the enchantment of these books. Read it if you like “cozy” mysteries, stories about family dynamics, family history, and just plain all-around fun to read books.
Great read Story keeps you wanting more
Couldn’t put the series down. Enjoyed them all
Enjoyed following the lives of the sisters. I have read all the books in the series so far.
The main character in all four volumes is Merle Bennett, the middle sister, a lawyer as are all five sisters. In the first book (Blackbird Fly), Merle’s husband dies of a heart attack and leaves her a house in France. This house becomes the focus for three of the four novels as the sisters (Annie, Stasia, Francie, and Elise) come to visit. The mysteries are gentle: the mystery of the wine, of the lost dog, the drowned housemaid), and most of the plots focus on the relationships among the sisters and on their lives. Love is an underlying theme, and Pascal (a Frenchman) is central to that theme. These are marvelous books, giving you a look at living in the French countryside as well as an understanding of family dynamics.
I loved reading about the Bennett Sisters. By the end of Volume 4, I had convinced myself that I could understand the French. I can’t, of course, but not being able to understand it didn’t impede reading or enjoying the plot. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
The French setting for the Bennett Sisters Mysteries was a fun locale. The intrigue of the inherited French cottage with it’s hidden secrets was a plus. Romance is always enjoyable to read about, and even a dog in the story to boot these all add up to an enjoyable riveting read. A “well done” to the author!!
descriptive of France. Also the knowledge of wine was a fun to read.
I read all 4 as a whole. The first was a slow start because of set up and character introduction, but I found, as soon as I finished one, I wanted to start the next. The characters were original and interesting, and the plots were not predictable. I was amused and intrigued most of the time. I read many “cozy mystery” series, but this series never fell into a rut as some so, even when it introduced characters and relationships to potentially new readers. The series entertained me, that’s what I like from a “cozy mystery.”
Delightful characters and well written. I could not wait for reading time each day as I looked forward to the next pages.
I think it was drawn out a little too much
i absolutely loved this book. once i started reading, all cooking, cleaning, and conversing with others were put on hold.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series! I loved the sister characters differences to each other. I would read more if there were more. I was sad when the series ended.
I read all in one day.
Haven’t finished the last one – but it is as entertaining as the first two.
Fun book series to read. Great characters with fun adventures
These books will capture and keep your attention.
I enjoyed every delicious second I spent in France with these characters!