The 13th Fellow: A Mystery in Provence

Against the panoramic backdrop of the Cassis cliffs of Provence, France, an exotic mix of the beautiful people of poetry-- poets, academics, and patrons of the arts-- is assembling at a centennial honoring the founder of the Félibrige Foundation. Finding itself with a surplus of talent, the Foundation has awarded one more than its customary dozen fellowships, but even before the gathering can get underway, the unlucky 13th fellow has fetched up dead. But what is the motive? Professional jealousy? Romantic rivalry? Or something to do with a dark secret about the Félibrige’s founder he’s uncovered in his research? American Professor Havilah Gaie has always seen herself as “an academic version of Pam Grier’s characters: smart, quick on their feet, loyal with a keen sense of purpose.” Now she’s got a chance to suit up for action because suddenly she’s a witness in a murder, having spoken with the victim on her phone moments before he was attacked. A specialist in global conflicts and comparative democracy and citizenship, fluent in several languages, honored for her academic achievements by the Ordre des Palmes Académiques, and equally appreciated for her accomplishments in filling out a bikini, she’s shocked by the brutality of her colleague’s murder and determined to ferret out the truth. But she’ll have to stay a few steps ahead of Thierry Gasquet, the dashing French agent assigned to protect her and avert an international scandal. And he’s certainly enjoying keeping her in his sights.