June Book Club: Parlez Vous Murder by Susan Kiernon-Lewis
Parlez-Vous Murder? (Stranded in Provence Book 1) by Susan Kiernon-Lewis
Every once in a while, a book comes along that makes you think, “Wait, what?” and Parlez-Vous Murder? did exactly that for me. Picture this: American tourist Jules Hooker escapes to idyllic Southern France near the Riviera when a dirty bomb—an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), no less—throws Europe and America back to the technological stone age. Suddenly, Jules is stranded in a tiny French town where, just her luck, a murder happens right outside her window.
This premise is wild—a modern-day Mad Max minus the desert and spiked cars, but with an EMP that resets life to 1950. (And let me tell you, the rabbit hole on EMPs is deep and fascinating.) Jules, our accidental detective, doesn’t speak more than ten words of French, which adds a layer of hilarity to the chaos. Imagine trying to solve a murder mystery when you can’t even ask for directions to the bathroom without causing a scene. That’s Jules’ life now.
The parts where Jules battles the language barrier cracked me up—relatable to anyone who’s ever butchered a foreign language while abroad. Lastly, there’s police chief Luc, the potential love interest, adding just the right amount of romantic spice to the mix.
Susan Kiernon-Lewis might just be pioneering the “apocalyptic mystery” genre with this series. Parlez-Vous Murder? is great for anyone who enjoys a side of existential dread with their scenic descriptions of France. With 9 books in the series, there’s plenty more chaos where this one came from.
If you’re up for an adventure, or just love the thought of France as the backdrop for an end-of-the-world scenario, give this book a whirl. It’s a ride you won’t forget, offering laughs, suspense, and a crash course in why you might want to brush up on your French survival phrases.
Kelly Brakenhoff is the author of 15 books and a seasoned ASL interpreter. She splits her writing energy between two series: cozy mysteries set on a college campus and children’s books featuring Duke the Deaf Dog.
Parents, kids, and teachers love the children’s books and activity guides because they introduce ASL and the Deaf community through fun, engaging stories. And if you enjoy a smart female sleuth, want to learn more about Deaf culture, or have ever lived in a place where livestock outnumber people, the Cassandra Sato Mystery series will have you connecting the dots faster than a group project coming together the night before it’s due.
A proud mom to four adults, head of the dog-snuggling department, and grandma to a growing brood of perfectly behaved grandkids, Kelly and her husband call Nebraska home.