A Deadly Pate — Ruthe Furie

Murder A La Carte

The urgent pleas of her ex-mother-in-law bring Fran Kirk to a tiny village in France. It seems both the fine cuisine of Chez le Rouquin and the integrity of Fran's aunt-by-marriage, Annee, have been called into question by a fatal touch of poison in the pate. The family is counting on Fran's P.I. talents to expose the killer.

The victim is Annee's husband Denis, the cafe chef, and Annee is at the top of the gendarmes' list of suspects. Their marriage had not been a happy one, and Annee certainly had the opportunity to season her husband's food with a dash of revenge. But Denis had a host of enemies, including an unhappy staff and some ornery customers, as well as a financial arrangement unknown to his wife. When more victims begin to fall, Fran looks for a common thread. What she finds is a full menu of deceit, infidelity, scandalous family secrets...and a most unappetizing feast of murder.