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Chef Maurice Mysteries #0.5
Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale, A Short Story Prequel
A exclusive e-short introducing Chef Maurice, soon to appear again in new series of culinary cozies, starting with Chef Maurice and a Spot of Truffle (Spring 2015).
A tale of intrigue, kidnap and the price of fish…
When a mysterious carved wooden fish turns up in the morning seafood delivery, bearing a desperate—albeit badly spelt—plea for help, Chef Maurice, proprietor of Le Cochon Rouge in the Cotswold village of Beakley, has only one response: if he can’t steam it, grill it or fry it, he’s not interested.
Unfortunately, friend and food critic Arthur Wordington-Smythe is more than willing to get the pair embroiled—or should that be broiled?—in what could turn out to be some seriously fishy business.
Time then for a trip to the Cornish seaside in search of the fish’s owner, a parking space, and a jolly good plate of haddock and chips, not necessarily in that order...
A tale of intrigue, kidnap and the price of fish…
When a mysterious carved wooden fish turns up in the morning seafood delivery, bearing a desperate—albeit badly spelt—plea for help, Chef Maurice, proprietor of Le Cochon Rouge in the Cotswold village of Beakley, has only one response: if he can’t steam it, grill it or fry it, he’s not interested.
Unfortunately, friend and food critic Arthur Wordington-Smythe is more than willing to get the pair embroiled—or should that be broiled?—in what could turn out to be some seriously fishy business.
Time then for a trip to the Cornish seaside in search of the fish’s owner, a parking space, and a jolly good plate of haddock and chips, not necessarily in that order...
33 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2014
5 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Lang
4 books67 followersJ.A. Lang is the author of the Chef Maurice Mysteries, set in the fictional Cotswold village of Beakley, conveniently located within driving distance of her home in Oxford, England. She lives with her husband, an excessive number of cookbooks, and a sourdough starter named Bob.
Her favourite authors include Agatha Christie, P.G. Wodehouse and Terry Pratchett.
When not at her writing desk, she enjoys cooking, eating, travelling to places with good food, drinking good wine, and thinking about her next meal. (Please note that any similarities between J.A. Lang and her main character, Chef Maurice, are purely coincidental.)
Her favourite authors include Agatha Christie, P.G. Wodehouse and Terry Pratchett.
When not at her writing desk, she enjoys cooking, eating, travelling to places with good food, drinking good wine, and thinking about her next meal. (Please note that any similarities between J.A. Lang and her main character, Chef Maurice, are purely coincidental.)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 30, 2017
This was a short story, only about 30 pages, featuring Chef Maurice and his friend, restaurant critic Arthur Wordington-Smythe. It starts with Maurice pointing out the less than acceptable quality of bass supplied by his new fishmonger, the old one, Mr Mersters having retired and shut shop. Inside the sea bass, Sous Chef Patrick discovers a carved wooden fish and on it inscribed a plea for help. Maurice shows it to Arthur of course, but is himself not inclined to investigate the matter though he agrees to accompany Arthur, who wants to get to the bottom of the matter. They set off to the Cornish coast to investigate, where Arthur does the investigating while Maurice enjoys a delicious seafood meal. However, it is Maurice who finally ends up getting to the bottom of it all.
This prequel to the Chef Maurice series was another fun read. This is of course before he solves his “first” mystery and before Hamilton the micro-pig appears on the scene. In fact, Arthur’s great dane Horace is also missing from the action. But Sous Chef Patrick is there, and experimenting with food and using his knowledge of computers to get more business for Le Cochon Rouge. Maurice has his Poirotesque moustache and Pork-Pie hat of course, but is not in the least interested in the mysterious wooden fish. In fact, even in his second mystery, I doubt he would have been if it didn’t involve finding the source of his precious white truffles, and then of course rescuing Hamilton. Still this was fun enough and I enjoyed their investigations, all the food, and how Maurice finally caught on to the solution. Good fun. I wonder why the author only wrote three books and seems to have stopped. Anyway, at least I have two more to read still. Three and a half stars.
This prequel to the Chef Maurice series was another fun read. This is of course before he solves his “first” mystery and before Hamilton the micro-pig appears on the scene. In fact, Arthur’s great dane Horace is also missing from the action. But Sous Chef Patrick is there, and experimenting with food and using his knowledge of computers to get more business for Le Cochon Rouge. Maurice has his Poirotesque moustache and Pork-Pie hat of course, but is not in the least interested in the mysterious wooden fish. In fact, even in his second mystery, I doubt he would have been if it didn’t involve finding the source of his precious white truffles, and then of course rescuing Hamilton. Still this was fun enough and I enjoyed their investigations, all the food, and how Maurice finally caught on to the solution. Good fun. I wonder why the author only wrote three books and seems to have stopped. Anyway, at least I have two more to read still. Three and a half stars.
February 22, 2015
Review
Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale by J.A. Lang
A Chef Maurice Mystery Short Story
Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale serves as a prequel to whet our appetites for the upcoming Chef Maurice and a Spot of Truffle.
When a wooden fish with a plea for help message carved into it is found inside the day's fresh sea bass Chef Maurice and food critic Arthur Wordington-Smythe decide to investigate. Questioning citizens of a coastal village and enjoying the local cuisine, the duo wind up solving more than one mystery.
The story is short. Very short. An amuse bouche, if you will. I could easily have finished it in one sitting. But it worked to introduce us to these new characters, in particular Chef Maurice, whose mind is as keen as his appetite. He reminds me a bit of Monsieur Pamplemousse and Charly Poisson. While not a seafood fan (the only thing I like that swims in the sea is duck) I am a bit of a foodie and I couldn't help but become enamoured with the talk of food, " the bass, en papillote with dill and fennel". And I love that sous chef Patrick appears to be dabbling in molecular gastronomy.
The book is a fun short story that gives us some insight into its characters, their motivation and how they think, in preparation for their big debut. I look forward to reading their full course mystery.
Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale by J.A. Lang
A Chef Maurice Mystery Short Story
Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale serves as a prequel to whet our appetites for the upcoming Chef Maurice and a Spot of Truffle.
When a wooden fish with a plea for help message carved into it is found inside the day's fresh sea bass Chef Maurice and food critic Arthur Wordington-Smythe decide to investigate. Questioning citizens of a coastal village and enjoying the local cuisine, the duo wind up solving more than one mystery.
The story is short. Very short. An amuse bouche, if you will. I could easily have finished it in one sitting. But it worked to introduce us to these new characters, in particular Chef Maurice, whose mind is as keen as his appetite. He reminds me a bit of Monsieur Pamplemousse and Charly Poisson. While not a seafood fan (the only thing I like that swims in the sea is duck) I am a bit of a foodie and I couldn't help but become enamoured with the talk of food, " the bass, en papillote with dill and fennel". And I love that sous chef Patrick appears to be dabbling in molecular gastronomy.
The book is a fun short story that gives us some insight into its characters, their motivation and how they think, in preparation for their big debut. I look forward to reading their full course mystery.
February 11, 2015
Chef Maurice is a man with a big heart and a appetite to match.He only wants the best quality ingredients for his restaurant, Le Cochon Rouge so when he finds a wooden fish with a cryptic message carved in it from his new fish supplier, he wants nothing to do with it and he is angry that he had to change suppliers because his previous one retired thinking it must be somehow related.
His friend and FOOD critic, Arthur wants to try to solve the mystery of the wooden fish and Chef Maurice grudgliny tags along to the Cornish Seaside to try to reel in the fishes owner and have some tasty fish and chips along the way.
This was a fun and short but enjoyable read, being a prequel to the first in this series coming soon. Chef Maurice's sous chef, Patrick and the Le Cochon Kitchen were very enjoyable additions to the story. His FOOD critic friend, Authur also made the story very entertaining. Great food descriptions are what I loved most in this British Culinary Mystery. I loved Chef Maurice's stereotypical chefs attitude and hearty appetite all awhile looking for his next meal I look forward to reading and reviewing the first book the Chef Maurice Mysteries.
His friend and FOOD critic, Arthur wants to try to solve the mystery of the wooden fish and Chef Maurice grudgliny tags along to the Cornish Seaside to try to reel in the fishes owner and have some tasty fish and chips along the way.
This was a fun and short but enjoyable read, being a prequel to the first in this series coming soon. Chef Maurice's sous chef, Patrick and the Le Cochon Kitchen were very enjoyable additions to the story. His FOOD critic friend, Authur also made the story very entertaining. Great food descriptions are what I loved most in this British Culinary Mystery. I loved Chef Maurice's stereotypical chefs attitude and hearty appetite all awhile looking for his next meal I look forward to reading and reviewing the first book the Chef Maurice Mysteries.
May 20, 2015
Chef Maurice is happy cooking in his kitchen and making bargains for fishes, when he find a wooden fish in crate with something scribbled on it.
He shares this with Arthur and arthur forces chef to solve the mystery.
Its a sweet story with funny moments sprinkled around and the ending a simple and non predictable.
Just hope the full book is as good
I give this book 3/5
DeVil D
He shares this with Arthur and arthur forces chef to solve the mystery.
Its a sweet story with funny moments sprinkled around and the ending a simple and non predictable.
Just hope the full book is as good
I give this book 3/5
DeVil D
January 1, 2025
Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale is a short intro to the Chef Maurice Mystery series. Enjoyable short story allowing the readers to meet Chef Maurice. I love the mystery of the wooden fish. I enjoyed the author's writing style. I also enjoyed the author's ability to create a wonderful mystery in such a short amount of time
December 29, 2018
This was a fun (short) introduction to the Chef Maurice mysteries. It was too short to give you more than a taste of what's to come, but that's enough for me. I'm planning on reading the rest of these mysteries and keeping my eye on this author.
November 13, 2015
Chef Maurice has just started using a new supplier of fish. On the very first day a carved wooden fish inscribed with a plea for help is found inside one of the newly delivered bass. While Maurice would prefer to ignore it, Arthur is filled with enthusiasm to solve the mystery. He is certain that somebody is being held on a boat against his or her will. The next day the two men head to the shore intent on solving the mystery.
Short mysteries can be difficult to write, and I normally don't love them. There isn't much space in which to develop characters, drop clues, create a sense of place, and still create an intriguing mystery. JA Lang, however, did a splendid job. The story contained all of the humor that her longer books contain, and Chef Maurice and Arthur were as fun as ever. I do wish there had been another paragraph motivation at the end, but ultimately there was certainly enough information available for the reader to figure out what happened and why.
Short mysteries can be difficult to write, and I normally don't love them. There isn't much space in which to develop characters, drop clues, create a sense of place, and still create an intriguing mystery. JA Lang, however, did a splendid job. The story contained all of the humor that her longer books contain, and Chef Maurice and Arthur were as fun as ever. I do wish there had been another paragraph motivation at the end, but ultimately there was certainly enough information available for the reader to figure out what happened and why.
March 14, 2015
Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale (A Chef Maurice Mystery) by J.A. Lang is a rather quirky British cozy mystery. It is a short story (can be read in about thirty minutes) about Chef Maurice, owner of Le Cochon Rouge. In his daily shipment of fish from Bert Soundman, the new supplier he finds a small wooden fish. Engraved on fish is a message for help. Chef Maurice’s old supplier, Mr. Mersters retired without any notice. Chef Maurice and Arthur Wordington-Smythe (friend and food critic) set out to investigate. Arthur is hoping to get a story out of the investigation. He has been forced into writing other types of stories recently in order to earn his paycheck.
It is a cute story but the mystery is very easy to solve. I give Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale 3 out of 5 stars. I liked it, but I did not love it.
It is a cute story but the mystery is very easy to solve. I give Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale 3 out of 5 stars. I liked it, but I did not love it.
April 13, 2015
This is a short story that was before Chef Maurice and A Spot of Truffle. We are introduced to Chef Maurice and his sous-chef, Patrick. Chef Maurice is an adorable French chef at Le Cochon Rouge. He shares the kitchen with his good-natured sous-chef, Patrick.
The story begins with a fish-supplier that has closed his business rather suddenly. With the order of fish from a new supplier is delivered, a mystery is also delivered.
Will Chef Maurice find out what has happened to Mr. Mersters, his old friend and original fish supplier, in time or will he follow a red herring?
I highly recommend this book. I hope that there are more adventures for Chef Maurice and the staff of Le Cochon Rouge.
The story begins with a fish-supplier that has closed his business rather suddenly. With the order of fish from a new supplier is delivered, a mystery is also delivered.
Will Chef Maurice find out what has happened to Mr. Mersters, his old friend and original fish supplier, in time or will he follow a red herring?
I highly recommend this book. I hope that there are more adventures for Chef Maurice and the staff of Le Cochon Rouge.
December 28, 2014
I enjoyed this short story about Chef Maurice, and am looking forward to reading the full length book when it comes out in the spring. Chef Maurice finds a call for help in his fish delivery one morning. Chef Maurice is ready to let the matter go, but his friend Author wants to solve the mystery. Chef Maurice and Author go on an adventure to find the clues. This book is a fun read and the characters are interesting, and I was surprised by who done it.
May 25, 2015
A very cute short story related to the Chef Maurice novels, which I'm planning to start reading right after this. Chef Maurice is a grumpy French chef who, along with a food critic, sets out to solve a mysterious kidnapping.
There is a lot of humor in this story, and the mystery doesn't turn out at all like I expected it would. Anxious to see how the author deals with a full length novel involving these characters.
There is a lot of humor in this story, and the mystery doesn't turn out at all like I expected it would. Anxious to see how the author deals with a full length novel involving these characters.
October 17, 2015
Well, I'm hooked (ha!). I'm putting the rest of the series on my to-read right now. Chef Maurice is irascible and stubborn, but so much fun to spend time with, and the supporting characters are engaging in their own right. Lang conveys a rich sense of place in few words. I can see this as a TV series in the vein of Pie in the Sky. (Andrew Payne, are you listening?)
August 10, 2015
Although this is a short story, the author pulled it off & made it seem like a full length mystery, without all the "extra wording" needed to make it full length. Like a stripped down version of a full length. I enjoyed it
April 7, 2015
This is a short story to introduce you to Chef Maurice, a new British cozy mystery series. It was an enjoyable story involving a mysterious wooden fish. The description of the Cornish seaside made me want to visit. I would definitely read the first book in this series!
May 18, 2015
This is an intro novella to a new mystery series that features a pushy chef and his critic friend. I didn't think that this was as fleshed out as it could have been for an intro novella, but the mystery was interesting and how it was solved.
January 23, 2015
Didn't get the point in the story... hope the full novel will be better as there was little chance for character development here other than 'chef needs food'
February 21, 2015
Good
the story is one that is all a bout solving a kidnapping of a man who had fishing boats.the ending a surprise.
the story is one that is all a bout solving a kidnapping of a man who had fishing boats.the ending a surprise.
January 18, 2016
Cute but not for me.
March 1, 2015
A fun quick read
This was a cute story the literally made me laugh out loud. Took off a star for the abrupt ending...but it was successful in making me want to read the next one.
This was a cute story the literally made me laugh out loud. Took off a star for the abrupt ending...but it was successful in making me want to read the next one.
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February 7, 2018Unusual plot
Fun for a quick read. It seemed to wrap up the loose ends nicely. No dead bodies, a nice change.
Fun for a quick read. It seemed to wrap up the loose ends nicely. No dead bodies, a nice change.
April 12, 2015
Pretty interesting and well-written, I liked the British English. However there's not much more to it. This short story was simply too short.
September 11, 2016
A good prequel to what looks like a funny cozy mystery series. Wasn't expecting the twist in the prequel and I'm looking forward to being puzzled again next time :)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews