The Brittany Murders: Anne Penketh’s Cozy Crime With a French Twist

Last Updated on April 22, 2026

This is an incredibly sad admission to make, but one of my favourite parts of going on holiday is the sheer amount of books I have the time to read.

Sure, I do the touristy things and eat my body weight in the local pastries, but on the plane, and in the evenings, nothing gives me greater pleasure than having the time to make a dent in my ‘TBR’ list.

A case in point is when I recently managed to read three books in five days, one of which was The Brittany Murders by Anne Penketh.

This particular version was from Kindle Unlimited (a great space-saver in the suitcase), and within minutes, I was transported to the small French village of Louennec in Brittany.

So, what is it all about? Should you add it to your list, and will you enjoy it? Let’s find out!

Welcome to Brittany

Let’s set the scene: rolling green hills, a salty breeze off the Atlantic, and the kind of crusty bread that makes you question everything you ever thought you knew about carbs.

Welcome to Louennec, a small village in Brittany, and the setting for The Brittany Murders, the first book in the Brittany Murder Mysteries series.

A year earlier, Jennifer and her family decided to make the move from London and start a new life in France.

The locals are mostly friendly, the views are stunning, and the bread—well, let’s just say if you’re not hungry now, you will be by chapter three.

It’s their first Christmas in this new home, and Jennifer, eager to make friends and maybe distract herself from the chaos of trying to run a small holding, decides to throw a party for the local expats.

The tradition is to put on a Pantomime (very British), and everyone is excited to know which story they will be performing and who got what part.

The wine flows, Pippa’s homemade biscuits are a hit, and everyone is settling in for a night of festive cheer.

But, as you may have guessed, things don’t stay merry for long. Estate agent Adam, the very man who sold Jennifer her new home, goes missing.

And when he turns up face down in the fish pond, the party mood evaporates faster than a bottle of Bordeaux at a French picnic!

Is it an accident? Was he murdered? Hmmm…

Meet Your Sleuths: Jennifer and Pippa

Jennifer is our main guide through the story – a woman looking for a fresh start, but who finds herself knee-deep in small-town intrigue instead.

She’s relatable, curious, and just nosy enough to make a believable amateur detective. Her partner in crime (solving, not committing) is Pippa, a former City banker who’s swapped spreadsheets for sourdough and now runs the village bakery.

Pippa is feisty, funny, and not above using her baking rounds as an excuse to gather a little intel.

She also happens to be a neighbour of the local detective, who, despite his best attempts, cannot get her to stop investigating!

Adam’s death is initially written off as a tragic accident, but Jennifer and Pippa aren’t so sure.

The French police, seem to be making slow progress so our heroines take matters into their own hands, poking around the village, asking awkward questions, and uncovering more than a few red herrings along the way.

But the path to solving crime never runs smooth, and soon another murder has everybody just a little bit on edge.

A Village Full of Secrets

One of the joys of a cozy mystery is the setting, and Penketh delivers in spades. Louennec is painted with affection and detail: from the sweeping hills to village charm, you can almost smell the sea air and hear the clatter of cups in the local café.

The village is a character in its own right, full of expats and locals, each with their own quirks, secrets, and suspicions.

The plot moves at a breezy pace, with enough twists to keep you guessing but never so many that you lose track of who’s who.

Anne Penketh is generous with her clues and misdirections, and there’s a real sense of fun in the way she lays out the puzzle. You’ll definitely find yourself playing detective right alongside Jennifer and Pippa.

Not Just A Mystery

All good books are more than just one note, and The Brittany Murders does this in spades. Whether it’s Jennifer trying to manage her crumbling marriage or her two children, or Pippa trying to navigate the beginnings of a new life, there’s something deeply relatable about their struggles.

As fun as it would have been to give them easy breezy lives, the reality of starting all over again is much harder, and I was glad that Penketh didn’t shy away from this.

That said, Jennifer’s husband is thoroughly unlikable. I mean, he is a class A jerk of the highest order, and I really hope that as I move through the series, she gives him the heave-ho!

Thankfully, it doesn’t dominate the storyline, and the writing style is warm and witty, with just the right amount of humor to balance out the darker elements of the story.

It’s the kind of humor that feels like it’s coming from a good friend over a glass of wine—relatable, a bit cheeky, and always affectionate.

A Cozy Mystery With Heart

While The Brittany Murders is, at its core, a whodunnit, it’s also a story about community, belonging, and the sometimes-bumpy road to finding your place in a new world.

The mystery is satisfying and well-plotted, but it’s the relationships and the sense of place that will keep you turning the pages.

And if you fall in love with Jennifer and Pippa (spoiler: you probably will), there’s good news – there are two more books in the series.

The follow-ups, Murder at the Château and The Baguette Murders, take our sleuths on new adventures, each with their own unique twists and plenty more French flavour.

Final Thoughts: Should You Read It?

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery that’s equal parts charming and clever, with characters you’ll want to invite to your next dinner party (just maybe don’t let them near the fish pond), The Brittany Murders is a great pick.

It’s fun, atmospheric, and just the right amount of twisty – perfect for curling up with on a rainy afternoon or taking along on your next holiday.

And if you happen to find yourself craving a fresh baguette or dreaming of a move to rural France by the end, well… don’t say I didn’t warn you.

So go ahead, pour yourself a glass of something French, settle in, and let Jennifer and Pippa take you on a delightful, and occasionally deadly, tour of Brittany. You’ll be glad you did.