On this pageAuguste DidierThis page lists novels and short story colelctions that feature the chef and amateur detective Auguste Didier. Cover images are, where possible, of the first UK edition and a recent paperback or digital edition.
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| Tom Wasp: Novels / short story collections | |
Murder in Pug's ParlourAmy MyersMalvern Publishing Company1986 An Auguste Didier novel.
"During a shooting party at Stockbery Towers, the steward Greeves is found dead - apparently poisoned whilst partaking of his habitual savoury and brandy alone in Pug's Parlour. The local police constable immediately suspects master chef Auguste Didier of the murder - and, hurt as much by the aspersions cast on his cuisine as by the suggestion that he is a poisoner, Auguste is forced to turn detective in order to prove his innocence. Greeves had not been the most popular figure below stairs - and Auguste quickly uncovers a multitude of motives amongst the staff, whilst also finding the time to concoct the most exquisite and delectable dishes for the house party. The noble family and guests upstairs find this murder in Pug's Parlour most amusing - until one of them is killed." |
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Murder in the LimelightAmy MyersMalvern Publishing Company1986 An Auguste Didier novel.
"Auguste Didier, master chef, has been enticed by Robert Archibald to desert Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Stockbery to bring his talents to the Galaxy Theatre in London's West End. In the two years that have passed, Auguste has all but forgotten he was once suspected of that most foul of crimes - murder. Then, amid the glamour of the chorus line, the excitement of a first-night opening, and the electric atmosphere of the stage, a killer strikes. And Auguste is drawn once more into a murder investigation. Watching the petty jealousies and fears that abound in the theatre, he follows each clue with the same fastidious dedication that he applies to his culinary art, and soon uncovers a multitude of motives. But will he catch the killer before there is another death...?" |
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Murder At Plum'sAmy MyersHeadline1989 An Auguste Didier novel.
"For the first time in its history, Plum's, that palace of respectability where English gentlemen can find refuge from the world, has agreed to admit ladies. Nothing has been right since. A series of bizarre incidents plague the club. A rat appears on the dining table, newspapers are mutilated, obscene letters are sent to the doorman, and a member's portrait is slashed. 'Pranks,' say the members. Then a slightly less than lethal dose of poison in the brandy cream dessert turns master chef Auguste Didier into the Master Detective again. And just in time. Then the impossible happens - a murder at Plum's! One of the members is found dead - and Auguste and his friend Inspector Egbert Rose of Scotland Yard are on a not-so-discreet hunt for a demonically clever and ruthless killer. A gentleman perhaps." |
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Murder at the MasqueAmy MyersHeadline1991? An Auguste Didier novel.
"When master chef Auguste Didier decides he needs a rest in his native Cannes he is convinced that there at least he will not encounter murder which seems recently to have stalked him as inexorably as Jack the Ripper his victims. No cold hand of violent death could possibly touch this delightful place of sun and warmth... But back in London Inspector Egbert Rose of Scotland Yard is investigating a series of jewel burglaries. Only when he meets the sixth victim, ballerina Natalia Kallinkova, does he realise this is no ordinary case. For each missing jewel had been encased in an exquisiteFabergé egg, the gift of the Grand Duke Igor of Russia to his ex-mistresses. Worse, he discovers there is a seventh egg...and Inspector Rose sets off hot-foot to warn its owner - in Cannes. There, the Gentlemen (the English, under the captaincy of the Prince of Wales) are about to engage the Players (the rest of the world) in a to-the-death cricket match. And where such passions are raised, murder is sure to follow." |
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Murder Makes an EntreeAmy MyersHeadline1992? An Auguste Didier novel.
"Only a dinner of first-class excellence can tempt the Prince of Wales to endure the ordeal of being the president of the Society of Literary Lionisers. And he ensures this by insisting that the year's highlight, the banquet at Broadstairs, will be cooked by master chef Auguste Didier. Broadstairs is famed not only as a seaside resort but also as the holiday haunt of Charles Dickens - the author the Society has chosen to lionise for the year of the Prince's presidency. The banquet, attended by six Peggottys, two Betsy Trotwoods, a couple of Little Dorrits, a Scrooge and a Mr Pickwick, not to mention a highly emotional Miss Havisham, passes off well - but the readings that follow do not. In the middle of the murder scene from Oliver Twist, the reader Sir Thomas Throgmorton collapses and dies. It is soon realised that he has been poisoned, and Inspector Naseby of the local constabulary believes Didier's banquet is to blame - after all, what can you expect when a foreigner cooks the food? Luckily Inspector Egbert Rose of Scotland Yard is on hand to help Didier's investigations to prove his innocence of this most heinous of accusations." |
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Murder Under the Kissing BoughAmy MyersHeadline1992 An Auguste Didier novel.
"At the exclusive Cranton's Hotel in London, master chef Auguste Didier is host to a varied party of guests intent on enjoying a real English Christmas, complete with boar's head, Christmas trees, kissing boughs, party games and ghost stories. But not all is as it seems beneath the happy veneer of festive pleasures, for a killer stalks the elegant corridors. How could a baroness from the Continent, three pretty wards of a Foreign Office official, a soldier on leave from the South African War, a rich industrialist, a maiden lady from the provinces, a young married couple, a French diplomat and his beautiful wife with a roving eye, or a crusty retired army officer be embroiled in murder - not to mention a plot to assassinate the Prince of Wales? Auguste Didier, while anxiously ensuring the hotel cuisine reaches his own high standards, works his way through the complex ingredients of murder to put an end to the mysterious and terrible deeds that have not only ruined his Christmas but also disrupted his kitchens." |
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Murder in the SmokehouseAmy MyersHeadline1994 An Auguste Didier novel.
"Late in 1901, Auguste Didier and his Russian bride Princess Tatiana are visiting the Yorkshire seat of the Tabor family for a banquet the King has promised to attend. Determined that tobacco will not sully her priceless tapestries, Lady Priscilla Tabor dispatches gentlemen who wish to smoke to a gloomy Gothic folly which has been allotted for this unseemly purpose. Even His Majesty the King is no exception to the intransigent Lady Tabor's rules. Unfortunately for her ladyship, Tatiana is curious both about the smokehouse and about the filthy habit indulged within its walls. In the middle of the night, Auguste finds himself unceremoniously hauled from his bed by his wife to inspect the body she has just discovered there. Once again, Didier is forced, reluctantly, to play detective - there are many secrets to be revealed and questions asked. Is this a case of suicide or murder? And, even more important, who is the corpse?" |
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Murder at the Music HallAmy MyersHeadline1995 An Auguste Didier novel.
"It's 1902 and Auguste Didier finds himself reluctantly recruited for a week's work at the Old King Cole music hall in the East End. Ostensibly there as chef of its greasy run-down eating house, Auguste has another role: to prevent a possible foul murder by being constant bodyguard to famous comedian Will Lamb. At first Will's fears of being the victim of someone's murderous intentions seem unfounded. After all, he's only had a portentous dream and he's really rather popular. But when other more sinister omens occur, Auguste begins to sense real danger - and Will Lamb dies on stage in front of his eyes. The search is on for a killer - and it has to be someone who's had access to the props. Auguste's job is made more complicated by the fact that a national treasure has also been reported missing from Windsor Castle. And there are enough tenuous threads to indicate that the crimes must somehow be linked." |
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Murder in the Motor StableAmy MyersHeadline1996 An Auguste Didier novel.
"Murder was not on the agenda when the Ladies' Motoring Club committee decided to organise a run of their 1904 motor cars from London to Canterbury under the patronage of His Majesty King Edward VII. It is to be the occasion of the official Motor Club of Great Britain road trials for the electrically powered Dolly Dobbs, which its inventor claims has overcome the need for constant recharging of batteries - and this is its first public outing, after months of secrecy. Trouble is on the way, however, for the Dolly Dobbs sparks off mighty passions: from rival inventor Thomas Bailey determined to beat it; from the Duchess of Dewbury who hopes to drive it; from Hester Hart, the famous lady traveller recently returned to England; from Lady Bullinger, leader of the club's 'racers'; from Hortensia Millward, leader of the Horse Against Motor Car Society and, indeed, it seems, from many others who frequent the club's London headquarters and motor stable. In the club's kitchens, Auguste Didier presents the members with a cuisine worthy of his position as master chef. But when hidden passions explode into hideous murder and Inspector Egbert Rose of Scotland Yard is called in, Auguste's other skills as sleuth are put to the test once more, as he battles to help solve the case." |
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Murder with MajestyAmy MyersSevern House1999 An Auguste Didier novel.
"Getrude Pennyfather, American heiress and folklore enthusiast, is set to enjoy the perfect English village wedding. Even King Edward VII is due to attend. What more could a society bride dream of? For as she arrives in Frimhurst, Gertrude believes that her fiancé, Arthur Montfoy, is the lord of the manor and the joyful celebrations of the local folk seem to confirm this. Indeed, everything about Frimurst seems picture-perfect. Perhaps a bit too perfect… For as time goes by and her wedding approaches, Gertrude realises that not everything in Frimhurst is as it seems. Does that include her husband-to-be, and the wonderful future she has planned for them? Meanwhile a renowned French chef, and distant relative of the King by marriage, is working hard to produce the perfect wedding banquet, at the King’s command. August Didier is a master of his craft, and his focus is such that little distracts him from his enormous task. Until, that is, he spots a familiar face among the wedding guests. The face of a man who has sworn to murder him. Very shortly afterwards, the body of a murder victim is discovered, but it is not Auguste – for now, at least. The death brings Scotland Yard to the scene, and Auguste is reunited with his friend, Inspector Rose. Can they work together to find the killer?" |
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Murder in the Queen's BoudoirAmy MyersSevern House2000 An Auguste Didier novel.
"It seemed a wonderful idea at the beginning: a staged scene to tempt the ghost of tragic Marie Antoinette into showing herself at Le Petit Trianon . And what better way to do so but to recreate a day in her life? Surely no self-respecting ghost would be able to resist? Although for that matter, neither would a woman with revenge in her heart, nor a man with a weakness for a wager… There have been several reported sightings at Le Petit Trianon over the years and, on the fateful day, no fewer than three Marie-Antoinettes are seen. But the dead body found in the late queen’s bed-chamber after lunch is no illusion – and nor is the second body found slaughtered in the garden. Could the two deaths be connected? With everyone under suspicion, Auguste Didier, takes it upon himself to shelve his role as the king’s chef to help an acquaintance, Inspector Chesnais. However, Auguste’s history throws little confidence in his direction. Chesnais is tasked with investigating the crimes, but Auguste has his own plans … With his wife Tatiana’s help, Auguste focuses on the group. Someone amongst them is a murderer." |
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Murder, 'Orrible Murder!Amy MyersCrippen & Landru2006 A collection of short stories that includes stories that feature Auguste Didier and Tom Wasp.
"Auguste Didier, a master chef in Victorian London, flits from Queen Victoria's jubilee to the home of the Rightful King of England, pursuing his love of exquisite food while constantly being distracted by murder. Chimney sweep Tom Wasp walks the streets of East London with his chummy, young Ned, righting the many wrongs he comes across. Aphrodite, when she can take time off from her main duty of looking after the love life of the gods, including her own, proves a keen detective — particularly when her own interests are threatened. Other investigators include an ardent fan of Rudolph Valentino, and even Sherlock Holmes cannot bear to be excluded. Amy Myers’s stories are filled with humor and a love of history."The stories are:
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