Richard Ainsworth moved to rural France to escape, so being voted mayor of the small town of Saint-Sauver comes as a terrible shock. Fortunately bureaucracy has its benefits and he is shipped off to a health spa to recuperate.

The Esprit de l'Air is a world-famous venue on an island fort off the west coast of France, and was chosen specifically by his business partner and bounty hunter of international repute, Valérie d'Orçay. Richard should have been prepared then.

After a dramatic first night where a bizarre and unfriendly group of guests are pitched against each other, Richard's film-historian mind wanders. Has he seen this all before? And when the first body turns up, he knows he has...

'I love this series, and goodness knows we need the laughs right now. It’s as if Agatha Raisin had moved to France instead of the Cotswolds. Ian's comic touch is as deft as ever' S. J. Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot

'A cracking good read' Jack Dee

‘It was an utter joy to be back with Richard and Valérie in the beauty of France. This is a brilliantly fun addition to a wonderful series and I can’t wait for the next one’ C. L. Miller, author of The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder

Ian Moore is a leading stand-up comedian, known for his sharp, entertaining punditry. A BBC TV and radio regular, he was a Champion on Richard Osman's House of Games and stars in Radio 4’s The Now Show. Ian lives in rural France with his family, where he seeks solace in the production of fine chutney.