FRANCE, ROMANCE, TRUFFLE DOGSā¦AND A SOUPĆON OF DANGER! A bit like Eat Pray Love meets murder mystery, Lise McClendonās second Bennett Sisters mystery chronicles the traditional hunt for priceless European truffles, the unexpected thrill of romance overseas, the ups and downs of sisterly bonding rituals, and murderous intrigue in the heart of France.
Law practice is in the Bennett sisters' bloodāalong with designer suits and stilettos. But they've decided to ditch the more predictable Caribbean cruise or spa weekend at a five star hotel to celebrate Merle Bennett's 50th birthday hiking the French countryside of Dordogne. Merle, for her part, could use the break from her boyfriend James back in New York City. Plus thereās the endless horizon of roses and vineyards, the scent of lavender, the delicate karma of sisterhoodāresplendent with its bickering and gossipāand, oh yes, the wine.
Thereās just one catch: Merleās little sister Francie has decided to bring along a sixth wheel: a work colleague named Gillian Sargent, whose utter aloofness wouldnāt be so bad were it not peppered by constant singing, an unwanted accompaniment to the idyllic French landscape. Itās not just that Gillian throws off the finely tuned five-spoke Bennett sister spin: truth be told, Merle canāt seem to find a single redeeming quality about her.
Somewhere along the walking trail, Gillian stumbles upon an injured dogā possibly a missing truffle hunter--and after several days of puzzling behavior, she and the pooch disappear without a trace. As if this werenāt drama enough, Merleās boyfriend shows up unannouncedāas does her French lover. Zut alors! And yetā¦Vive la France!
The Girl in the Empty Dress is a delicate mix of sisterly laughs and international intrigue, sure to delight cozy mystery fans and armchair travelers alike.