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Cover image for the Paperback format of A Very French Corpse

A Very French Corpse

Part of the series: Loire Valley Mystery
ISBN 9780715655962 Published 2 July 2026
£9.99

AN IMMORTAL FOUND DEAD
AN ANCIENT LEGACY AT RISK

In the hallowed city of Tours, the death of a sixteen-year-old dressed as an ‘Immortal Knight’ appears to be a tragic overdose. Juge d’instruction Matthieu Lombard is called in to investigate.

When, weeks later, a provocative author is found brutally murdered, Lombard suspects the two deaths are connected by a sinister, coercive force. As he digs deeper, the case begins to challenge his loyalties and unearth disturbing echoes from his own past. What started as apparent roleplay turns into something far darker — and far deadlier.

The third book in the gripping crime series from the The Times-bestselling author.

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Pre-order: charged now, published 2 July 2026. Print is despatched on publication; ebooks are ready to download that morning.

Pre-order: charged now, published 2 July 2026. Print is despatched on publication; ebooks are ready to download that morning.

Pre-order: charged now, published 2 July 2026. Print is despatched on publication; ebooks are ready to download that morning.

Book details
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780715655962
Published
2 July 2026
Pages
352
Dimensions
129 x 198 mm
Genre
Fiction
Imprint
Duckworth

Reviews

'Like a French inspector Morse, a gallic delight reminiscent of Fred Vargas and Donna Leon' 

C. K. McDonnell, author of The Stranger Times

'An engrossing, slickly plotted policier that will leave you wanting more' 

Tom Benjamin, author of the Daniel Leicester mysteries

‘A cracking good read’ 

Mark Billingham, author of the Tom Thorne thrillers

'A timely and gripping procedural with a twist'

Heat

'Charming, clever and expertly crafted… wickedly fabulous' 

Rachel Lynch, author of the Detective Kelly Porter thrillers

'Full of twists and turns, I couldn't put this down. Great stuff' 

Simon McCleave, author of the D.I. Ruth Hunter thrillers

‘This is great fun… crime fiction at a European pace, with a fabulous Loire Valley setting… reminiscent of Michael Dibdin’ 

Sarah Hilary, author of the D.I. Marnie Rome thrillers

'An accomplished and compelling tale' 

Martin Walker, author of the Bruno, Chief of Police, Dordogne Mysteries

'Wine, chateaux and murder, what's not to love? I highly recommend' 

Cara Black, author of the Aimée Leduc Investigations

'A bracing antidote to the many stories of beautiful, sun-soaked French towns... Juge d’instruction Matthieu Lombard is a great character, curmudgeonly but clever, dogged but sensitive, and with a brain packed with the kind of general knowledge that wins quizzes' 

Literary Review
'A surprising and truly entertaining mystery… Moore has finely drawn, colourful characters… incredibly enjoyable' 
Paul Burke, Crime Time FM

'A hotbed of grudges and feuds. Thrilling’ 

Marie Warren, Crime Monthly

'A cunning murder mystery, a dive into history, a warm and intimate portrait of provincial France and, in Juge Lombard, a compelling continental detective – a terrific read' 

Jon Henley

About the author

Ian Moore

Ian Moore

Ian Moore is a leading stand-up comedian, known for his sharp, entertaining punditry, who regularly headlines at London’s world-famous Comedy Store. A TV/radio regular, he stars in Dave’s satirical TV show Unspun and Channel 5’s topical comedy Big Mouths. Ian lives in rural France and commutes back to the UK every week. In his spare time, he makes mean chutneys and jams. 

Author website - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram

Everything by Ian Moore