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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Digital audio performed by Eric Davies
3.5***
This is book #1 in the Sam Levitt series. Sam's a former corporate attorney and now something of a crime expert; he's also a lover of good food, good wine and beautiful women. When he's asked by his former girlfriend, and lead insurance investigator, to help discover the truth behind a $3 million wine heist, Sam agrees. After all, it involves an expenses-paid trip to France.
Mayle has given the reader a crime caper with a plausible (if fantastic) plot, a wonderful cast of characters, and mouth-watering descriptions of food and wine. (Fair warning: You may find that you are constantly hungry when reading this.) Mayle’s love of France shines through; I could practically smell the aromas from a restaurant’s kitchen and feel the sun on my face. And I love that twisty ending! A fast, fun, delicious read.
Eric Davies does a fine job reading the audiobook. He sets a good pace and has the skill to differentiate the characters. I loved his interpretation of Reboul.
3.5***
This is book #1 in the Sam Levitt series. Sam's a former corporate attorney and now something of a crime expert; he's also a lover of good food, good wine and beautiful women. When he's asked by his former girlfriend, and lead insurance investigator, to help discover the truth behind a $3 million wine heist, Sam agrees. After all, it involves an expenses-paid trip to France.
Mayle has given the reader a crime caper with a plausible (if fantastic) plot, a wonderful cast of characters, and mouth-watering descriptions of food and wine. (Fair warning: You may find that you are constantly hungry when reading this.) Mayle’s love of France shines through; I could practically smell the aromas from a restaurant’s kitchen and feel the sun on my face. And I love that twisty ending! A fast, fun, delicious read.
Eric Davies does a fine job reading the audiobook. He sets a good pace and has the skill to differentiate the characters. I loved his interpretation of Reboul.
alidottie's review against another edition
3.0
3 and a half. This was a cute little story--caper in the title is definitely fitting. I kept picturing this made into a movie. I think it could have been better, but a caper it was!
ash_bees's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book is more for folks who want to imagine the sensations of eating and drinking foods, with a very convenient mystery between meals.
Also, I'm a bit disturbed that the groundskeeper disappearing didn't cause more alarm. Everyone seems to accept very easily that the groundskeeper was responsible for the heist and then disappeared, with the racist suggestion that a person of color of course was the thief. But the groundskeeper could have tried to stop the thief and the thief disposed of the body, and that's why the groundskeeper seemingly disappeared.
Also, I'm a bit disturbed that the groundskeeper disappearing didn't cause more alarm. Everyone seems to accept very easily that the groundskeeper was responsible for the heist and then disappeared, with the racist suggestion that a person of color of course was the thief. But the groundskeeper could have tried to stop the thief and the thief disposed of the body, and that's why the groundskeeper seemingly disappeared.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
kraley's review against another edition
3.0
I love the word caper. It seems to covey a sense of fancy along with action. This little mystery had both. While the mystery wasn't really a mystery, the solution to the problem was well done. It was similar to the movie The Italian Job. I love clever con men (when in a caper). The additions of French cuisine will have you craving soft cheeses and croissant.
cathyatratedreads's review against another edition
3.0
Fun little book. Not a lot of mystery or anything, but a light read for an afternoon, with lots of delectable details about food (and wine, of course, if one likes that sort of thing) and different cities in France. Mayle is just having fun touring his readers around and sharing with us the pleasures he has been enjoying in Provence for years, in the form of a light novel.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/vintage-caper-fiction-book-review/
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/vintage-caper-fiction-book-review/
rscuderi's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. Light mystery read, good for summer fun, but don't expect too much.
tobyyy's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, so I wouldn’t actually classify this as a mystery, because there’s very little question of whodunit and there’s also no real explanation. As a mystery, this is flimsy and overdone. However, if you’re looking for a book that’s feel-good and has no huge conflicts (albeit no major cliffhanger parts either), this would be one for you. It’s calm, the descriptions are enjoyable, and overall this felt more like a way for Mayle to write a fictionalized love letter to France than anything else.
debbartram's review against another edition
3.0
This is probably more of a 2.5 star rating...the book was mildly entertaining, but lacked any real drama, mystery, or much of a story. As always, there was much eating of food and grinding of wine.
gingom's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5