Death and Croissants by Ian Moore & Recipe by Ian Moore
Author
Info from Suffolk libraries interview and other sources.
Ian Moore is not just an author
One of the top live comedians in the UK and he gets a regular gig at the world-famous Comedy Store in London.
Ian Moore
Now living in France with his wife, three sons, and his ever-growing menagerie, Ian has become (without really trying) .. “an expert in UK and European visa, travel, trade agreements and UK-EU bickering”.
His skills don’t stop there, he enjoys making chutney and impersonating Basil Fawlty!
Appearing on many shows all over the world, radio, TV and live stand up, Ian is also a regular on BBC 5 Lives Fighting Talk and TRT World and if that wasn’t enough, he has a podcast called Monsieur So British, which goes hand in hand with his weekly blog.
He also writes books (obviously) and is a regular columnist for Living France Magazine.
Even though Death and Croissants is Ian’s first comic crime (and first in a series) set in rural France, it isn’t his only book.
A la Mod: My So-Called Tranquil Family Life in Rural France, and the follow up, C’est Modnifique!: Adventures of an English Grump in Rural France have both been best sellers.
In an interview Ian was asked about his heroes when growing up, and listed David Niven, Humphry Bogart, Bing Crosby, all of which, he said, “…had elements of the person I wanted to be..”
Valérie and Richard are introduced in this first book Death and Croissants.
Ian based Valérie on “.. a composite of every terrifying French woman over 40 that I've ever met; a cold, literal logic, utter self-confidence and poise. Richard, on the other hand, isn't a million miles away from me. His desire for peace and quiet, certainly and his reluctance to 'get involved', possibly. I would like to think I'm more dynamic, but I'm probably not.”
Ian puts the success of his comedy crime series down to “pure escapism” saying
“There's nothing heavy, upsetting or - probably most importantly - anything to remind the reader of the outside world, and a lot of people need that right now. I know I do!
The publisher, Farrago, has a strapline, 'Books to make you smile.' I think the Follet Valley series does that, or that's the intention anyway!”
Something I read from an interview Ian put out, was this piece of advice.
“Don’t apologise for being there”
I believe he was talking about being in the stage when doing live stand up, but I feel this is a great bit of advice to follow throughout life.
Death & Croissants by Ian Moore
The Book
A who dunnit, published in 2022, this first book in the comic crime series, set in rural France, by Ian Moore has been optioned for the TV rights, and translation rights in five countries.
Other books in this series are Death and Fromage, Death at the Chateau and Death in Le Jardin.
Death and Croissants, finds Richard, an unremarkable middle-aged man running a B & B in the fictional valley of Val de Follet in the Loire Valley.
A place where crimes are easily prevented and the only excitement is the sex dungeons of another B & B in the area.
It’s quiet, nothing much happens and Richard likes it that way!
When a guest disappears from his B & B and a bloody handprint appears on one of the guest bedroom walls, in walks the exotic and enthusiastic Valerie, with her fast car and judgmental dog, Passsepartout.
She persuades a reluctant Richard to investigate the disappearance but it’s not until someone kills Ava Gardner, one of his beloved hens, that Richard gets mad enough to put to really step into the investigation.
Separated from his wife Clare, and with the formidable Madam Tablier, a cleaner with an attitude, Richard would rather get lost in the world of old movies and breakfast preparations.
However, as matters begin to open up with the investigation, things become complicated with twists of comedy and surprise turns.
My Thoughts
I enjoyed listening to this book so much, I was sad when it ended.
It’s funny, and written in a way that’s easy to enjoy.
From the first line, “Is there anything in this world quite as joyless as muesli?” It’s clear the sort of character Richard is.
With open prejudices and a view of the world that sits somewhere between grey and getting excited about buying the bread for next day’s meal, as I listened on and Richard interacted with his surroundings more, I began to be excited about where this character was going.
Even though this isn’t the first novel I’ve read where a laid back almost timid man, is easily under the influence of a strong women, it is certainly one of the better ones.
It’s Ian’s knowledge of life in France and his observations of some of the more stereotypical aspects of the French character that moves this book from just ok into a book that warrants being recognised as a force in comedic writing circles.
The pace of Death and Croissants suited me and had enough twists to keep me interested enough to want to speed up.
I enjoyed Richard and Valerie, the main players in the book, and hope that in the next book, they’ll develop more, letting me see how their relationship develops as the books develop and move on.
Having flawed external characters, such as the married couple who run an alternative B & B with a sex dungeon, sets the book up for future fun, frolics and capers.
I’d definitely recommend this book to others and I give it a 4 egg rating.
Food
Recipes straight from the authors mouth, or writings anyway.
An option of a ham recipe and an excerpt from another of his books (which includes something he researched for that book), a big treat, and gifted to Foodie Book Club by the oh so talented Ian Moore, author of this month’s read.
Ian says, “I'm giving you a few options because in the second book I had to create my own meal plans and I got thoroughly carried away!”
“I hope that's OK Lee, and thanks so much for choosing one of my books.
All the best, Ian”
Find Ian on X here, on Instagram here and Facebook here.
The Recipe
Boiled Ham with a Fizz
The coke makes it moist and sticky
Take a gammon joint, smoked or unsmoked and put it in a large pan.
Cover it completely with Coca Cola - yes, you heard me right, Coca Cola.
Put in half an onion and maybe a chopped carrot, bring it to the boil.
Let it bubble away for a couple of hours, you will have to top the Coca Cola up as you go along.
After that, remove the joint and put it in a roasting tray, fat side up.
Cut the very top of the fat off, leaving the juicy stuff underneath, and score the top with a knife, no deeper than the layer of fat.
Then smear a chutney, marmalade or jam of your choice on top and put it in the oven for 20 minutes or so on no higher than 180 degrees.
Slice and serve.
It is gorgeous.
To turn it into a Christmas ham, sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top.
Note: I boil down the remaining liquid until it's quite thick and glutinous - It makes a gorgeous marinade.
OPTION TWO
This is responsible for a possible murder in Death and Fromage:
Extract:
‘Messieurs et mesdames,’ he boomed, his deep, sonorous voice almost echoing off the exposed pipes, ‘I have come home!’ The applause started again and he held his left arm aloft, dropping the smaller man on his feet. He waited for the applause to die down again. ‘This’ – he held the plate aloft – ‘is the dish that made my name! Parfait de fromage de chèvre de Grosmallard!’ He bowed to more applause as the restaurant lights flashed full-beam and suddenly the place was awash with waiters and waitresses who’d manoeuvred into position during the gloom, placing the celebrated dish on each place. ‘Only this time,’ shouted Grosmallard over the din, ‘it is made by my son, Antonin!’ He hauled Antonin back under his arm, but most people were staring in wonder at the majesty in front of them. To describe it as a parfait of goat’s cheese was underselling it.
On the white plate was indeed a parfait of goat’s cheese, egg-shaped and smooth as marble. Beside it was a small beetroot and raspberry tart; nasturtium flowers lay across the tart, as delicate as snowflakes. But the theatricality of the final touch, the central eye-catching drama of the dish, was the red berry coulis accompanying the two other elements and which lay beneath both. It was on the plate as a perfect handprint, a perfect blood-red handprint. It was magnificent.
