his was my first introduction to Greg Mosse having wanted to read his novels for ages and I was not disappointed.
Zoe move to the Southern French town of Sainte-Catherine to reopen the town bookshop and is almost immediately embroiled in the death of an unusual visitor.

I enjoyed the character of Zoe, I liked her realistic reaction to the situation she finds herself in and I loved the new life narrative. The town of Sainte-Catherine proves to be a character in itself with lush descriptions of the place and it's people. This was a real highlight and the mystery is layered upon itself proving to be twisty until the end.

My only reservation is the idea that one key aspect of the story is known to absolutely everyone else apart from Zoe who, in every other aspect, is an intelligent and knowledgeable person. I found it hard to believe that she wouldn't have come across this key thing whilst buying the bookshop, but this was a fleeting foible.

Overall I really enjoyed this, it felt like going on holiday. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read a good 5*. Now, I'm off to book myself a trip to the South of France

Zoe Pascal moves to a small village to open a bookstore. She soon discovers the body of a tourist and finally learns what everyone is talking about when they talk about the Vulture.
This was a fun cozy mystery full of interesting characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC

The French Bookshop Murder by Greg Mosse is a captivating start to a brand-new cosy crime series that delivers charm, suspense, and a touch of literary flair. Set against the backdrop of a quaint French village, the story follows a determined heroine who finds herself caught in a web of secrets after a shocking murder. Mosse masterfully blends atmospheric detail with clever plotting, creating a mystery that’s both engaging and elegantly paced. With memorable characters and a rich sense of place, this book is perfect for fans of cosy whodunits. A promising and utterly enjoyable series debut.