By: Noel Balen
Genres: Mystery Culinary
Posted: March 7, 2018
I found the story of the bouchons interesting -- they were started by women who used to be cook-housekeepers, out of work as the wealthy did less entertaining; and serving free meals to soldiers during the two world wars. The bouchon or small basic restaurant of Lyon prospered and became a desirable business with the growth of tourism, and this has potentially led to a motive to kill the owners.
Sadly we don't see much of the victims, so it's hard to feel that much sympathy, but we do learn enough to furnish a plethora of possible villains. Laure Grenadier and her photographer Paco Alvarez trot briskly from one location to the next as they work up an article. As Paco is Spanish he gives Laure a reason to explain the customs and recipes to the reader. More detailed crime solving would require a longer book or else less time discussing the tourist sights. The light mystery MINCED, MARINATED AND MURDERED was written in French and translated by Anne Trager for her firm Le French Book which aims to bring enjoyable modern French writing to English-speaking readers. Bon chance!
Book Summary
Revelations in a city where food is so much more than a meal in a deliciously authentic culinary mystery novel set in France.
A routine assignment in Lyon, France's traditional capital of gourmet food, turns bitter for food writer Laure Grenadier when a beloved chef is found murdered. A wave of panic follows with a second death, and Laure sets out to find the truth. As she reviews the city's traditional bistros, interviews the town's best chefs and local food producers, and shares stories and culinary lore with her photographer Paco Alvarez, she uncovers secrets and rivalries. But will she find the murderer before the city loses more of its master chefs?
Laure's passion for food and deep knowledge of culinary history combine with a reporter's natural curiosity and a particular Parisian chic, turning her into a natural sleuth in a city where food is so much more than a meal. Paco's photographer's eye brings the details to life, while murder and mayhem spice up the mix.
In this fun, satisfying, mouth-watering French mystery novel, authors Noël Balen and Vanessa Barrot whisk readers to France for a troubling mystery, local culinary anecdotes, recipes, home-grown products, and very human feelings.
"When you feel as much hunger as grief, then you know you're still alive."
Minced, Marinated And Murdered
by: Noel Balen
Le French Books
March 1, 2018
On Sale: February 20, 2018
Featuring: Laure Grenadier; Paco Alvarez
200 pages
ISBN: 1939474671
EAN: 9781939474674
Kindle: B078R8GK2F
Paperback / e-Book