
A counterfeit currency gang are at large on the French Riviera and the French police believe it to be an English set up. A phone call to Scotland Yard sees Detective-Inspector Meredith and Acting-Sergeant Strang pack their bags, open the windows, put the roof down and drive to the South of France hot on the tail of ‘Chalky’ Cobbett.
Bill Dillon, a young Englishman, is also heading to the Riviera and to the Villa Palomo. The villa is owned by Nesta Hedderwick a wealthy widow on a tomato juice diet, who lives with her companion Miss Bertha Pelligrew and a collection of young people – her niece Dilys, the questionable play boy Tony Shenton and his girlfriend Kitty Linden and an artist Paul Latour. When Bill arrives it becomes clear that more than one of them has something to hide and the tension begins to rise.

Meredith and Strang put up at the Hotel Louis and meet their French counterparts, Inspectors Blampignon and Gibaud, the four quickly overcome their language difficulties and form a companionable team.The Mediterranean sparkles under a cloudless blue sky and the scent of mimosa and heliotrope hang in the warm air. With the investigation taking them to Monte Carlo and Nice, and having the glittering harbour as a crime scene, Meredith and Strang are in no hurry to return to London!
Death on the Riviera is a lot of fun, it’s a good story that builds on excitement, with an array of characters, humour and red herrings. First published in 1952 the glamour of the Riviera is delectable.
The title certainly has my attention. I may not like the idea of death at such a gorgeous place but I’m glad the title made me picture the sand, beaches and cliffs. ๐
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you’re right, the warmth came off the pages!
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John Bude is probably one of my favourite writers in the BLCC series. His books are consistently reliable – nicely paced and full of interesting characters. What a treat, especially at the tail end of winter!
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It did feel like a treat and I see I have another one waiting for me!
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It’s great fun, isn’t it? Like Jacqui, I’ve found the John Bude books to be one of the highlights o the BLCC series – perfect escapism!
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It is fun and I loved the French and English police enjoying themselves together!
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It sounds fun – and what a wonderful cover! Makes me want to go on a holiday to somewhere nice and warm!
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I love the covers, it would be perfect reading on a sun lounger with a cocktail!
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This was my first Bude. I really liked Strang and hoped he might be a long-term sidekick for Meredith but I’ve never spotted him again, so far at least. Good fun, isn’t it? And nice to have a little holiday on the Riviera even if it’s virtual!
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Yes it was lovely to be somewhere warm! That’s a shame about Strang, I liked the gently teasing and avuncular style Meredith had towards him. I checked on your top ten list and see there’s a Bude on that so I’ll definitely be reading more of him!
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I wonder if the tomato juice diet works???
That gorgeous cover has a โwish you were hereโ effect ๐
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well, I don’t want to give anything away!
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๐
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