Clare Macintosh
June 2026
My thoughts
Clare as captured what the butler saw perfectly. We think of them as belonging only to the landed gentry However Baxter is not exclusive to one family, he is contracted to where he needs to go.
This is very Agnatha Christie like and fnot like her usual masterful story lines.
It’s quite light hearted and easy to read, with an eclectic mix of characters who require staff at their beck and call.
It it isn’t Clare best work, it’s more a short story with twists that are simple to work out.
I enjoyed it to a degree, it wasn’t gritty enough for me and didn’t feel like a Clare Macintosh novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy.
About
The South of France is stunning, though not without its imperfections, from pickpockets to burglars to the occasional cold-blooded killer. But in his twenty-five years of service, Baxter–with a spotless reputation as a polished, well-mannered butler–has never run into any issues catering to the ultrawealthy. Until now.
Baxter’s latest assignment is at Villa Sérénité, where Alec Prescott is hosting a colorful cast of characters, including his ex-wife, his much younger lady friend, and some Hollywood hotshots, after the Cannes Film Festival. But it doesn’t take long for a week of sun, wine, and a family birthday celebration to devolve into bickering and backstabbing. And soon, secrets aren’t the only thing floating to the surface . . .
When one of the guests is found dead in the villa’s glittering pool, the unflappable Baxter must assist the gendarmes in determining who’s responsible. With some standing to gain and others motivated to take it away, fingers are pointed in all directions. A good butler is expected to see everything and say nothing–but what if he too becomes a target?
