The Mysterious Parchment cover art

The Mysterious Parchment

Death d'Azur and Dolce Vita, Book 1

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The Mysterious Parchment

By: Fiona Wilder, Alexandra Chapman - translator
Narrated by: Helen Keeley, Matthew Biddulph
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Two worlds rub shoulders on the azure-blue Italian-French Riviera. Meet Giulia Lombardi, an ambitious and analytical detective from lively Ventimiglia, and François Bonnet, a warm-hearted and nonchalant taxi driver from elegant Menton. While Giulia focuses on solving tricky cases, the amiable François dreams of becoming a crime writer.

Their paths cross when his taxi is stolen and found again on the Italian side of the border with a corpse inside. Unexpectedly, the detective and her prime suspect team up. Giulia’s sober approach to procedure collides with François’s casual charm and sharp observation skills – an explosive mix that generates sparkling ideas throughout more than just this case.

A crime story filled with warmth, emotion, humour and Mediterranean flavour, and a mismatched investigative duo proving that opposites not only attract but can actually work exceptionally well together. Just as they should when death ripples through the dolce vita of the Côte d'Azur.

©2024 Audible (P)2026 Audible Ltd. Cosy Mystery
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I absolutely loved this listen. Wonderfully narrated. Reminded me of the Mallorca Files. Would love to see it as a tv series. I could imagine it produced in the same style - lovely scenery, great main character duo, engaging storylines. Very watchable. It would do very well. I think the Mallorca Files is on its third series now. I hope that happens.
Definitely recommend 👍

A thoroughly enjoyable listen

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A really enjoyable listen - highly recommend. Particularly enjoy the stories within a story format. Well narrated.

Original and enjoyable

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The stories are pretty weak and yet somehow this was enjoyable. It felt a bit like The Famous Five for grown ups- gentle. There was even the focus on food and eclairs!
I think it was made by the performance which was very good,
The perfect agreeable story for lolling in the sunshine.

Weirdly pleasant

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The individual stories keep you interested and seeing the relationship growing together with their families.

Love the two main characters and theur relationship

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The male narrator sounded like He was reading to children. The "voices" he tried were not consistent..
The writing was awful,
for example
"the thundering of Cicadas"
I'm sorry but Cicadas sound could be described as a drone or loud buzx
buz but they DON'T thunder!
then we had the awful
Two men standing near the body "" close nearby""
Close to
or near to
BUT not both
At that point I couldn't listen any further.....

Awful narration!

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