The Marseille Caper by Peter Mayle

If you're in the mood for a lively romp through the south of France, check out The Marseille Caper by Peter Mayle. This is apparently the sequel to The Vintage Caper, which I haven't read. But it doesn't matter. The main characters, Sam and Elena, work for an international insurance company. A character from their most recent case, Francis Reboul, shows up in L.A. and asks Sam to work on a case for him involving a huge construction project on the Anse des Pecheurs in Marseille. And before you can say Bonjour, Sam and Elena are jetting off to Europe. They work on the case. They eat French delicacies and drink French wine. They work on the case, they see the sights. You get the drift. It's an enjoyable piece of fluff with a happy ending. And what more can you ask for on these cold winter days than a vicarious trip to the sunny south of France?