Bücher von Peter Mayle

The bestselling, much-loved classic account of an English couple enjoying the fruits of French rural living - an irresistible feast of humour and heart.Peter Mayle and his wife did what most of us only imagine doing when they made their long-cherished dream of a life abroad a reality: throwing caution to the wind, they bought a glorious two hundred year-old farmhouse in the Lub ron Valley and began a new life.In a year that begins with a marathon lunch and continues with a host of gastronomic delights, they also survive the unexpected and often hilarious curiosities of rural life. From mastering the local accent and enduring invasion by bumbling builders, to discovering the finer points of boules and goat-racing, all the earthy pleasures of Proven al life are conjured up in this enchanting portrait.'One of the most successful travel books of all time... Mayle created a new travel genre' GuardianDelightful' Washington Post'Engaging, funny and richly appreciative' New York Times Book Review'Stylish, witty, delightfully readable' Sunday Times'I really loved this book' Julia Child

The beloved author Peter Mayle, champion of all things Provence, here in a final volume of all new writing, offers vivid recollections from his twenty-five years in the South of France--lessons learned, culinary delights enjoyed, and changes observed.Twenty-five years ago, Peter Mayle and his wife, Jennie, were rained out of a planned two weeks on the Côte d'Azur. In search of sunlight, they set off for Aix-en-Provence; enchanted by the world and life they found there, they soon decided to uproot their lives in England and settle in Provence. They have never looked back. As Mayle tells us, a cup of café might now cost three euros--but that price still buys you a front-row seat to the charming and indelible parade of village life. After the coffee, you might drive to see a lavender field that has bloomed every year for centuries, or stroll through the ancient history that coexists alongside Marseille's metropolitan bustle. Modern life may have seeped into sleepy Provence, but its magic remains.With his signature warmth, wit, and humor--and twenty-five years of experience--Peter Mayle is a one-of-a-kind guide to the continuing appeal of Provence. This thoughtful, vivid exploration of life well-lived, à la Provence, will charm longtime fans and a new generation of readers alike.

When billionaire Francis Reboul finds himself on the wrong side of a Russian tycoon, he's fortunate to have vacationing friends Sam Levitt and Elena Morales on hand to help him out. Now it's up to Sam-who's saved Reboul's neck before-to negotiate with an underworld of mercenaries, hit men, and Mafioso, to prevent his friend from becoming a victim of "Russian diplomacy." As usual, Sam and Elena still find time to enjoy the good life, but as Sam's sleuthing draws him closer to the truth, he realizes Reboul might not be the only one in trouble. Rich with clever twists, sparkling scenery, and mouthwatering gustatory interludes as only Peter Mayle can write them, The Corsican Caper is an adventure par excellence.

A delightful, best-selling tale about the business and pleasure of wine, adapted into a Ridley Scott movie starring Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard. Max Skinner has recently lost his job at a London financial firm and just as recently learned that he has inherited his late uncle's vineyard in Provence. On arrival he finds the climate delicious, the food even better, and two of the locals ravishing. Unfortunately, the wine produced on his new property is swill. Why then are so many people interested in it? Enter a beguiling Californian who knows more about wine than Max does-and may have a better claim to the estate. Fizzy with intrigue, bursting with local color and savor, A Good Year is Peter Mayle, beloved author of A Year in Provence, at his most entertaining.

Verbrechen und Leidenschaft an der Côte d'AzurMit einer Nudelfirma sind sie reich geworden, der bärbeißige Signor Castellaci und seine gutmütig-matronenhafte Frau. Doch ihre feinen Klunker sind sie los. In dem Wandsafe hinter dem klassischen Ölgemälde waren sie vielleicht auch eine Spur zu klassisch aufbewahrt. Fußspuren, Fingerabdrücke: Fehlanzeige. Das Hauspersonal, vom Koch bis zum Dienstmädchen, ist mit betonfesten Alibis gewappnet. Klar, dass der Verdacht bald auf die Eigentümer selbst, auf die Castellacis fällt. Daher beauftragt die zuständige Versicherung, die sich mit einer Schadensersatzforderung in Millionenhöhe konfrontiert sieht, Elena Morales, den Tycoon und seine Frau unter die Lupe zu nehmen. Mit überschaubarem Erfolg. Die Klienten haben immer pünktlich bezahlt, und außer schlechten Manieren ist ihnen nichts nachzuweisen.Endlich trifft auch Elenas Freund, Sam Levitt, der gerade einem Freund beim illegalen Zigarrenhandel geholfen hat, in Frankreich ein. Sein Sportgeist und eine überrachende moralische, zivilrechtliche Aufwallung machen es ihm unmöglich, sich mit dem Fakt eines perfekten Verbrechens abzufinden. Er nimmt anstelle der längst im Dienstschlaf befindlichen Polizei und der resignierten Elena die Ermittlungen mit Feuereifer auf. Schon bald entdeckt er eine ganz neue Spur - die obendrein einen hohen Charmefaktor aufweist.

Ein Oligarch namens Oleg Vronsky ist in der Bucht von Marseille mit seiner Luxusjacht vor Anker gegangen und observiert das Palais von Reboul. Immer dreister werden seine Versuche, den Franzosen zum Verkauf des historischen Gebäudes zu bewegen, er schaltet sogar die korsische Mafia ein. Doch Rebouls Freund, der Anwalt Sam Levitt, heckt einen Gegenplan aus, der es in sich hat ... Farbig und charmant entführt Peter Mayle uns in ein Marseille und ein Korsika zum Erschrecken und zum Verlieben.

Peter Mayle hat sich seinen großen Traum erfüllt und ist in die Provence gezogen. Doch das erste Jahr ist gar nicht einfach, und immer wieder kommt es zu Missverständnissen - nicht nur, weil man die Sprache dort einfach nicht versteht, sondern auch, weil die Lebensweise der Franzosen so merkwürdig anders als die der Briten ist.

Bon vivant and expert sleuth Sam Levitt and his partner in love and intrigue, Elena Morales, return in the latest installment of the delightfully sun-splashed Provenal Caper series. When a Riviera socialite's diamonds are stolenthe latest in a string of seemingly unconnected but ever-more-audacious jewelry heists across FranceElena flies in to investigate the insurance claim. It's a trip she's more than happy to make, as it gives her a chance to meet up with old friends in Marseilleand, particularly, with Sam. Once reunited, Sam isn't entirely distracted by domestic matters. In the pattern of these ';perfect crimes' he's beginning to see a master at work, and he's quickly determined to connect and solve the cases. But as he and Elena dig deeper, they begin to realize just how much is connected and how dangerous it may be to pursue the whole truth. Meanwhile, there's a house to renovate, rose to share, and feasts of Provenal summer bounty to enjoy. Full of Peter Mayle's inimitable wit and style, The Diamond Caper is sure to charm faithful fans and new readers alike.

A second idyllic helping of rural life in France from the bestselling author of the classic A YEAR IN PROVENCE. Skulking through customs with a suitcase full of truffles, toads singing the Marseillaise, taking pastis lessons and finding gold at the bottom of the garden, you might think there is little time left for pleasures of the table.TOUJOURS PROVENCE proves that while you might not be able to get away from it all, you can have fun trying.'Peter Mayle's idyllic portrait makes you almost taste the wonderful food and wine, feel the sun and balmy breezes' Sunday Express'Anyone with any feel for the land and the people who lead their lives close to it will be enchanted' Yorkshire Evening Post'Splendidly amusing... filled with things which will help you to understand, at least in part, the glory of this wonderful place' Dirk Bogarde