You're an expatriate Englishman living frugally in France, but you're getting a bit threadbare and rough around the edges. What's a good bloke to do?

If you're Luciano Bennett (no questions about the first name please, he gets a bit embarrassed...), you place a desperate ad in the International Herald Tribune:

"Unattached Englishman- Mid thirties, personable, fluent French, seeks interesting and unusual work, preferably in the Aix/Avignon area. Anything considered except marriage."

He receives several unsuitable replies, but then is drawn to that of Julian Poe. Poe is unbelievably rich, and needs Bennett's help in a tax fraud scheme. For which Poe will pay him very handsomely. Plus, he gets to speed around Monte Carlo in Poe's Mercedes, stay at his palatial apartment, and charge incredible meals on Poe's credit card.

Things get a little complicated however, when an important attache case delivered to Poe is intercepted by Italians.

Turns out the case contains the secret for the cultivation of the unpredictable and RUINOUSLY expensive black truffle. Whoever has the case holds millions in future revenue in their hands.

Bennett is aided by Anna Hersh, an American and ex-Israeli army woman (and coincidentally Poe's ex). He has to deal with Italian AND Corsican mafia, the Cote d'Azur police, and Poe's black belt bodyguard/gorilla Shimo.

Of course, there are the usual gourmet descriptions of everything from truffles to vintage wines with the usual Mayle flair. This book is the equivalent of reading champagne. It's a great beach read-- nice and lightweight. Just sit back and be entertained. It's one of my all time favorites.

Recommended: Yes