Dark Secrets of the Dordogne
'A strange shape on the wall caught her eye. Pamela crept towards it, fighting a growing sense of dread. When she saw what it was, she let out a blood-curdling scream.’
When Pamela and William Sinclair move to France, their expectations are high. What could be more idyllic than living in a Renaissance château, feasting on local produce and elegant French wines? They don't expect to be stalked by a serial killer who prowls the countryside on the full moon. Nor do they anticipate a power struggle with Shirley Johnson-Smith, the self-appointed Queen of the Dordogne.
A darkly comic French noir, this is a murder mystery populated by exaggerated personalities, sharp satire, and characters who are very much larger than life. Any resemblance to sensible behaviour is purely coincidental. Readers are advised to suspend disbelief, pour a glass of wine, and enjoy the madness. Meet some of the characters here.
Read the reviews below.
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AMAZON REVIEWS
Sharply Observed
Satirical look at Expats
An Undertone of Menace
'Perfectly captures the idiosyncrasies of British ex-pat life in an idyllic French community. You can almost smell the croissants!' David A J Berner
An Undertone of Menace
Satirical look at Expats
An Undertone of Menace
'The author paints a beguiling picture of life as an expat in France, with an undertone of menace that contrasts nicely with the languor of life in the Dordogne.' S Hilton
Satirical look at Expats
Satirical look at Expats
Satirical look at Expats
'A fun sprint through the Brit ex-pat community in the south of France. Social snobbery rules - and then there's the serial killer running amok. A light and easy read. 'J Bartori
Entertaining and Witty
Satirical look at Expats
Satirical look at Expats
'Although set in France, this book reminds me a little of Mapp and Lucia, the EF Benson series of the 20s and 30s. It's an entertaining, witty, cracker of a read! 'AJ Hardy
DARK SECRETS CHARACTERS COME TO LIFE
Pamela and William
Shirley Johnson-Smith
Shirley Johnson-Smith
New arrivals in the Dordogne
Shirley Johnson-Smith
Shirley Johnson-Smith
Shirley Johnson-Smith
Self styled Queen of the Dordogne
The Police Inspector
Shirley Johnson-Smith
Barry, real estate agent
Jean-Luc Lagarde
Barry, real estate agent
Barry, real estate agent
Barry, real estate agent
Spends his days in the local cafe
Montgomery-Smythes
Barry, real estate agent
Lady Isabel, aristocrat
Members of Shirley's social circle
Lady Isabel, aristocrat
Barry, real estate agent
Lady Isabel, aristocrat
Local aristocrat with personal trainer
Dawn Leighton, artist
Crystal Rain, clairvoyant
Local 'Peintre Celebre'
Lives in a caravan with 21 cats
Local 'Peintre Celebre'
Crystal Rain, clairvoyant
Local 'Peintre Celebre'
Zac and Annabelle Latimer
Crystal Rain, clairvoyant
Crystal Rain, clairvoyant
Crystal Rain, clairvoyant
Dawn's best friend and village sage
Angela Clarke | Author
Angela writes novels for curious minds and wandering souls. Her stories blend crime, philosophy, and a touch of mischief, drifting between the shadowy corners of France and the strange inner worlds where transformation begins.
A lifelong lover of travel and adventure, Angela draws inspiration from the places she’s lived, visited, and imagined herself into. Before turning to fiction full-time, she worked for a luxury hotel group, a career that sharpened her eye for polished facades, private dramas, and stories waiting to be told.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually dreaming up her next journey—on the page or across continents—guided by curiosity, intuition, and a healthy disregard for taking life too seriously.
