File Updated: 01/04/00

New Crime & Mystery Fiction Titles From Allison Busby JULY-SEPT 1998
Michael Bond Monsieur Pamplemousse Omnibus Vol.1 Pbk published July 1998 by Allison Busby at £9.99 ISBN: 0 74900 352 9 Artwork by: Cover design & illustration: Pepe Moll
When the first Pamplemousse novels, featuring the former security sleuth turned food inspector, and his faithful bloodhound Pommes Frites, were published in the early 1980s, they soon gathered a devoted fan club and since the BBC broadcast Pommes Frites' views of his master's exploits, there has been a huge demand for their return to print.
Monsieur Pamplemousse
Pamplemousse, inspector of food and detective extraordinaire is delighted to dine 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
Pamplemousse and Pommes Frites set forth to sample the 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, Pamplemousse finds himself 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…
Praise Monsieur Pamplemousse:
'Monsieur Pamplemousse and his faithful dog Pommes Frites are true and original comic inventions' The Guardian
'Engaging mix of farce, detection and cuisine' The Times
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 followed.

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Michael Bond Monsieur Pamplemousse Aloft Pbk published July 1998 by Allison Busby at £5.99 ISBN: 0 7490 0347 2 Artwork by: Design: Pepe Moll
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.
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

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.

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Frank Palmer Red Gutter Pbk published July 1998 by Allison Busby at £5.99 ISBN: 0 74900 336 7 Artwork by: Design: Pepe Moll
Praise for Frank Palmer:
'Excellent whodunnit' Philip Oakes, Literary Review 'Formidable action-crammed teaser ...style and know-how' John Coleman, The Sunday Times
'Not a clue or character is fudged' Christopher Wordsworth, The Observer
Phil 'Sweeney' Todd's boss has been mysteriously killed and he is forced to take over an investigation into a series of animal rights bombings - or are they? Is family fraud or Freemasonry responsible for one of the bombs?
A good result for 'Sweeney' could mean promotion and power but he has to make a snap decision - save himself and a livestock transporter or expose his own panic-stricken incompetence ... Frank Palmer gave up journalism to write the now-completed 'Jacko' series, highly acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic.

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