by Mary Stewart, 1955
Fun murder mystery set in the south of France. A young beautiful widow goes with her friend to Avignon. She gets involved with a boy and his dog. She ends up saving the day and marrying his father. It’s suspenseful and the settings are so well-described, you feel as if you are there. I just wish I could speak French so I would know how to pronounce all the words: Avignon, Les Baux, Marseilles, etc. There are lots fast cars (a Riley, a Bentley, and a Mercedes) racing along the roads in the south of France. It ends beautifully on the terrace of the Hotel de la Garde with sparkling sea and sparkling champagne and happiness for all the good guys.