Michael Bond

Page Updated: 23/09/98

Michael Bond

About the Author

Bibliography

Monsieur Pamplemousse Afloat

pbk 27 Jul 98

Monsieur Pamplemousse Omnibus Vol.1

pbk 27 Jul 98

British Pbk Original - Allison & Busby (1998)

Monsieur Pamplemousse Afloat
The increasing use of pesticides in Burgundy's vineyards threatens the humble snail, the main ingredient for escargot Bourgignon. On the Canal de Bourgogne, Pamplemousse is lecturing a group of international wine buffs while a Marilyn Monroe look-alike is lying naked on her cabin bed doing cycling exercises, her sole companions a bloodhound stuck in a porthole and a dead parrot. New readers may have difficulty in making the quantum leap between the two but devotees of these novels, aware that such goings-on are par for the course, will rightly suspect there is worse to come. Skullduggery among the vines turns out to be the least of Monsieur Pamplemousse's worries. Michael Bond decided to become a writer while serving in the army during the Second World War. In 1947 he returned to the BBC, where he had worked previously. Paddington Bear, now a household name, was born after a shopping trip on one Christmas Eve when he spotted a small, solitary bear in a large London store. Monsieur Pamplemousse was his first adult novel. Such was the success of his inspired blend of comedy, crime and cuisine that a whole series of books featuring Pamplemousse and Pommes Frites followed.
Praise for Michael Bond:
'Engaging mixture of farce, detection and cuisine' The Times
'Chuckles guaranteed' Sunday Mirror
'Sure to delight Bond aficionados and win him legions of new fans' Belfast Telegraph
'Just enjoy this soufflé of a story' Dairy Mail

British Pbk Original - Allison & Busby (1998)

Monsieur Pamplemousse Omnibus Vol.1
First Omnibus Edition
When the first Pamplemousse novels, featuring the former securite sleuth turned food inspector, and his faithful bloodhound Pommes Frites, were published in the early 1980s, they soon gathered a devoted fan club. 'Very mouthwatering and very funny - five stars' wrote the Listener critic; 'Tres drole, tres bon' applauded Homes and Gardens, whilst the Financial Times wrote 'There is more than a touch of Peter Sellers in the eponymous hero'.
Since the BBC broadcast Pommes Frites' view of his master's exploits, there has been a huge demand for their return to print. Allison & Busby will be publishing the Pamplemousse backlist in omnibus editions, to coincide with the publication of a new adventure.
This first volume contains:
MONSIEUR PAMPLEMOUSSE Monsieur Pamplemousse, inspector of food and detective extraordinaire, is delighted to have the chance to dine once more at the famed La Langoustine. As he cuts into the delicacy of the house, chicken wrapped in pig's bladder and stuffed with truffles and foie gras, he reveals not the expected treat but a dish of far more grisly proportions…
MONSIEUR PAMPLEMOUSSE AND THE SECRET MISSION Monsieur Pamplemousse and the faithful Pommes Frites set forth to sample the appalling cuisine at the inappropriately named Hotel du Paradis, of which they have heard curious tales of the extraordinary effects of the hotel's food on its guests. When Pommes Frites breaks loose to ravage the local canine Ladies and Pamplemousse finds himself the recipient of a heavily loaded baguette, clearly something is amiss…
MONSIEUR PAMPLEMOUSSE ON THE SPOT As a reward for services beyond the call of duty, Monsieur Pamplemousse finds himself ensconced at Les Cinq Parfaits, the world-renowned hotel-restaurant on the shores of Lac Leman. Sadly, Pommes Frites is denied entry to the dining room. Nothing daunted, he sniffs his way to his own gastronomic nirvana - with dire consequences for all concerned…
'Michael Bond writes as deliciously as the meals that Pamplemousse consumes and his touch is feather-light' Listener
'Engaging mixture of farce, detection and cuisine' The Times
'Monsieur Pamplemousse and his faithful dog Pommes Frites are true and original comic inventions' The Guardian

About The Author
Michael Bond decided to become a writer whilst serving in the army during the Second World War. Paddington Bear, now a household name, was born on one Christmas Eve when he spotted a small, solitary bear in a large London store. Monsieur Pamplemousse was his first adult novel. Such was the success of his inspired blend of comedy, crime and cuisine that a whole series of books featuring Pamplemousse and Pommes Frites followed.

Bibliography
N.B. dates and publishers in dark red indicate British First Editions. Dates and publishers in black indicate recent reprints.

Monsieur Pamplemousse Afloat (Allison & Busby Pbk, 1998) Pbk Jul 98 ( Pamplemousse)

Monsieur Pamplemousse Omnibus Vol.1 (Allison & Busby Pbk, 1998) Pbk Jul 98 ( Pamplemousse)

Monsieur Pamplemousse on the Spot (Hodder & Stoughton, 1986) ( Pamplemousse)

Monsieur Pamplemousse and the Secret Mission (Hodder & Stoughton, 1984) ( Pamplemousse)

Monsieur Pamplemousse (Hodder & Stoughton, 1983) ( Pamplemousse)

Monsieur Pamplemousse Investigates ( Pamplemousse)

Monsieur Pamplemousse on Location ( Pamplemousse)

Monsieur Pamplemousse Rests His Case ( Pamplemousse)

Monsieur Pamplemousse Stands Firm ( Pamplemousse)

Monsieur Pamplemousse Takes the Train ( Pamplemousse)

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