The Corsican Caper: A novel

by Peter Mayle Narrated by Erik Davies

Overview

Here is Peter Mayle at his effervescent best-his master sleuth, Sam Levitt, eating, drinking, and romancing his way through the South of France even as he investigates a case of deadly intrigue among the Riviera's jet set.

Billionaire Francis Reboul is taking in the view at his coastal estate, awaiting the arrival of vacationing friends Sam Levitt and Elena Morales, when he spies a massive yacht whose passengers seem a little too interested in his property. The yacht belongs to rapacious Russian tycoon Oleg Vronsky, who, for his own purposes, will stop at nothing to obtain Reboul's villa. When Reboul refuses to sell, Vronsky's methods quickly turn unsavory. Now it's up to Sam-he's saved Reboul's neck before-to negotiate with an underworld of mercenaries and hit men, not to mention the Corsican mafia, to prevent his friend from becoming a victim of Vronsky's “Russian diplomacy.”

The dire situation doesn't stop Sam and Elena from attending glamorous fêtes where the wines and starlets alike sparkle, and enjoying sumptuous meals-from multicourse revelations to understated delights like the first asparagus of the season, on which one must make a wish. But as Sam's sleuthing draws him closer to the truth of Vronsky's schemes, he realizes Reboul might not be the only one unable to enjoy the good life for long.

Brimming with entertaining twists, sparkling scenery, and mouthwatering gustatory interludes as only Peter Mayle can write them,*The Corsican Caper*is a one-way ticket to pleasure, Provençal style.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

03/03/2014
Readers who want to engage by proxy in the lives of Europe’s mega-wealthy will best appreciate this frothy bit of fun from bestseller Mayle, his third novel featuring Sam Levitt (after 2012’s The Marseille Caper). Billionaire Francis Reboul owns the Palais du Pharo, which was “originally built for Napoleon III” and is “the biggest private residence in Marseille, and the most glamorous.” Russian businessman Oleg Vronsky, accustomed to getting whatever he desires by fair means or foul, covets the Palais du Pharo, which Reboul has no interest in selling. Vronsky’s machinations and Reboul’s responses, mostly engineered by his American detective friend, Sam Levitt, who is conveniently visiting, provide the slender framework for Mayle to send his characters on outings to a variety of eating establishments around Provence and Corsica. Those who find the excess a bit much may struggle to invest concern in the nominal suspense. Agent: Ernest Chapman, Escargot Productions (U.K.). (Apr.)

From the Publisher

What floats in this novel are the bubbles from the champagne that always seems to be chilled and waiting, along with Mayle’s usual airy descriptions of French wines and meals.”
—Booklist

“Readers who want to engage by proxy in the lives of Europe’s mega-wealthy will…appreciate this frothy bit of fun from bestseller Mayle.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Richly descriptive…smooth as the most decadent dessert.”
—Kirkus 

Kirkus Reviews

2014-03-13
A third volume in the light-as-a-bon-bon adventures of expatriate gumshoe Sam Levitt, his partner in all manners, Elena Morales, and the billionaire friend who cares more about their company and the quality of the wine than protecting his wealth. It's barely more than a year since we met up with the farcical detectives in Mayle's The Marseille Caper (2012, etc.). We catch up with Levitt's amigo Francis Reboul, looking out upon his Corscican estate, Le Pharo, and awaiting the arrival of his cherished friends. The sort of contentment Reboul enjoys often breeds jealousy, and his estate has captured the notice of an unsavory Russian tycoon named Oleg Vronsky, known to the international press as "The Barracuda." Vronsky has set his eye firmly on Reboul's estate and if €50 million or more won't do the trick, well, perhaps the influence of the murderous Vicomte de Pertuis—a dark-tempered but clever real estate agent whose real name is Vincent Schwarz—can work miracles. After all, accidents happen all the time. That's about all that can be told about another talk-heavy and action-light conflict set in the lush and luxurious surroundings of France. The truth is that, much like an Agatha Christie novel and their many copycats, readers are attracted to these books not because they are difficult or engaging but because they are richly descriptive and emotionally comforting. Sure, a hit may have been put out on the rich Reboul, but that's no reason not to enjoy the meal to come: "Your order has been taken, your first glass of wine is in hand, tantalizing whiffs come through the kitchen door each time it swings open, waiters scurry, there is the moist creaks of corks being eased out of bottles, and everything is as it should be. You settle back in your seat, and all's well with the world." Smooth as the most decadent dessert, with just as many empty calories.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169873559
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	05/13/2014
Edition description:	Unabridged

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