A Cyclist's Guide to Villains & Vines - (A Cyclist's Guide Mystery) by Ann Claire (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

When American expat and bicycle tour company proprietress Sadie Greene guides a hard-to-impress group of sophisticated seniors on a stunning trip in northeastern France, she expects some twists, turns, and sudden stops to sip the Riesling. She doesn't anticipate a detour leading straight to murder . . .

Sadie Greene and her Oui Cycle crew vow to wow her most discerning private group yet with a trip they will never forget. It won't be easy. The Silver Spinners, six globetrotting seniors, arrive with thrilling tales of two-wheeling adventures. Sadie worries she'll fail to impress such worldly travelers, even with the backdrop of Alsace, a dreamy region of rolling vineyards, delicious cuisine, and fairytale architecture. Sadie is dead wrong. Her group is stunned, but not for the right reasons . . .

Trouble starts when a guest crashes into a corpse on a solo midnight ride. Or so she says. But when body isn't found, Sadie hopes it was all a bad dream. She aims to reset the mood with a fun, sunny day pedaling through the vineyards. However, an impromptu detour ends in a crash, and a shattered wine barrel isn't the only victim. A dead man spills out. Sadie still thinks they can ride away unscathed. After all, who would they know so far from home? Murder once again throws a wrench into Sadie's gears. The corpse has shocking links to her tour.

The Silver Spinners are key witnesses, prime suspects, and dangerously eager to play amateur detectives. Sadie finds herself tangled in the chaos. With her guests' lives and Oui Cycle's reputation on the line, Sadie is determined to trail the culprit. But can she stay on course long enough to reach the truth, or is she heading for a fatal collision with a cunning killer?

Review Quotes

Praise for A Cyclist's Guide to Crime & Croissants

"A fun, fast-paced cozy mystery set in the sun-soaked south of France." --BookPage

"Aside from the rain and the murders, a good time is had by all." --Kirkus

"Fasten your bike helmets and prepare for a thrilling ride through the French countryside with a plucky heroine, a group of cycling tourists, and a murderer. A delightful blend of mystery, travel, and joie de vivre!" --Ellery Adams, New York Times bestselling author

"Lovely book! Ann Claire spins a delicious fast-paced mystery across the French countryside with a spirited amateur sleuth, a vibrant cast of characters, and a mélange of memorable suspects. Grab this one tout de suite!" --Cleo Coyle, New York Times bestselling author

"Storybook villages, delicious French cuisine, a mysterious gendarme, and murder. An original new voice in mysteries, Ann Claire hits all the right notes with scents, scenery, the people, and the fantastic food. Intriguing characters will keep you wondering as they bicycle through charming towns to the brilliant conclusion. Warning: you'll want to stock up on French cheeses and croissants!" --Krista Davis, New York Times bestselling author of the Domestic Diva Mysteries

"I thoroughly enjoyed this cycling tour through the French countryside. Descriptions of the scenery were vivid enough to make me feel like part of the group, and the food was superbe! Tour owner, Sadie Greene, was both savvy and relatable as she wrangled a diverse set of cyclist suspects with aplomb. I'd be happy to follow her anywhere." --Laurien Berenson, author of Peg and Rose Stir Up Trouble and the Melanie Travis Canine mysteries

"A delightful romp through the glorious French countryside, complete with wine, croissants, a twisty murder that will keep you guessing, and a spunky sleuth. You'll fall in love with Sadie and her Oui Cycle cohort. Best of all, you can enjoy this bicycle tour from the comfort of your favorite reading nook." --Laura DiSilverio, nationally bestselling, award-winning author

"Take a ride through the south of France with A Cyclist's Guide to Crime & Croissants. This delightful cozy mystery is equal parts transporting, enthralling, and delicious down to the very last buttery crumb!" --Kate Lansing, author of the Colorado Wine Mysteries

"So enjoyed spending time with Sadie Greene and friends in the picturesque French countryside--highly recommend adding the Cyclist's Guide series to your list. Ann Claire's mysteries are always clever, engaging, and humorous. A true delight!" --Cynthia Kuhn, author of the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries and the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries

About the Author

Ann Claire is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cyclist's Guide Mysteries and the Christie Bookshop Mysteries, as well as the Bookmobile Mystery Series and the Santa Fe Café Mystery Series written under the pennames Nora Page and Ann Myers. She lives with her French husband in Colorado, but regularly travels to visit family in Southern France. A member of Sisters in Crime and the Pikes Peak Writers, she can be found on Instagram @AnnClaireAuthor or @AnnClaireMysteries on Facebook.