Death and Croissants

A comedy murder mystery set in France with amateur sleuths, one of who is out of his depth, while his exotic partner is very much in control by a leading comedian. Richard is a middle-aged Englishman who runs a B&B in the fictional Vallee de Folle in the Loire Valley.

Nothing ever happens to Richard, and really that's the way he likes it. One day, however, one of his older guests disappears, leaving behind a bloody handprint on the expensive wallpaper, much to the annoyance of his housekeeper. Another guest, the exotic Valerie, persuades a reluctant Richard to join her in investigating the disappearance, and leads him into a world of crime which has hitherto been a mystery to him.

In fact, for much of the time it continues to be a mystery, as Richard remains a dazed passenger in the case until things become really serious and someone murders Ava Gardner, one of his beloved hens. The disappearance of a guest in highly suspicious circumstances is one thing, but you just don't mess with a fellow's hens!