Lise McClendon

First of a cozy mystery series. ADIEU, HARRY HUSBAND! BONJOUR, NOUVEAU MONDE!
A dead husband with a secret life is always a winner (fictionally speaking, of course), but what about a secret past for a special treat? In fact, a past so secret even Harry the husband didn't know about it. That’s the delicious underpinning of this sprawling, exuberant, generous-spirited cozy mystery with a yummy side of international adventure.

It might be sadder except that once Harry dies, his widow, Merle Bennett realizes almost immediately it was no wonder she didn't know anything about him. They’d pretty much been leading separate lives. Still, the will’s a shock. And so is an intriguing surprise—Harry left her a family home in a tiny French village. But who was Harry’s family? Finding out is half the fun.

Merle sets out to claim her inheritance, adolescent son in tow, and thus begins a sojourn reminiscent of A Year in Provence, or perhaps Under The Tuscan Sun all mixed up with something by Carolyn Hart, maybe, or M.C. Beaton. Because Malcouziac, Merle’s tiny Dordogne town, is the quintessential village—just perfect for a murder. And a rollicking good time.

Once Merle gets there, she finds…well, France! An unexpected romance! Mystery galore! Murder! And not just murder, but the unnerving experience of being a suspect. Once her passport is confiscated, what can she do but stay and restore her ancient battered house? While enjoying the tender attention of the unusually well-educated, handsome and…yes, quite mysterious roofer she’s hired.… (more)

The ten short stories are:
- Twelve Highlanders An' A Bagpipe
- Killer Thanksgiving
- Fideau Saves the Day
- Cozy Cottage for Rent
- A Tale of Two Vineyards
- Inventions Can Be Murder
- One Night in Brownsville
- The Totem
- Pound of Flesh
- Case of the Prized Pies

These are all cosy mystery stories, following amateur sleuths such as human Birdie in Killer Thanksgiving and dog Fideau in Fideau Saves the Day. As short reads, these are good stories for start-up mystery readers due to the quick read and the range of style, from dog instincts to murder. My favourites are Killer Thanksgiving, Fideau Saves the Day, Cozy Cottage for Rent, and Pound of Flesh.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to StoryOrigin and author.… (more)

The ten short stories are:
- Twelve Highlanders An' A Bagpipe
- Killer Thanksgiving
- Fideau Saves the Day
- Cozy Cottage for Rent
- A Tale of Two Vineyards
- Inventions Can Be Murder
- One Night in Brownsville
- The Totem
- Pound of Flesh
- Case of the Prized Pies

These are all cosy mystery stories, following amateur sleuths such as human Birdie in Killer Thanksgiving and dog Fideau in Fideau Saves the Day. As short reads, these are good stories for start-up mystery readers due to the quick read and the range of style, from dog instincts to murder. My favourites are Killer Thanksgiving, Fideau Saves the Day, Cozy Cottage for Rent, and Pound of Flesh.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to StoryOrigin and author.… (more)