Sam Levitt Capers Series

When a Riviera socialite’s diamonds are stolen—the latest in a string of seemingly unconnected but increasingly audacious jewelry heists across France—Peter Mayle’s bon vivant and master sleuth, Sam Levitt, and his partner, Elena Morales, are soon on the case. In these “perfect crimes,” Sam sees the hand of a master criminal, but as he and Elena dig deeper, they begin to realize just how dangerous it may be to pursue the truth. In the midst of all the excitement, there’s a house to renovate, rosé to share, and feasts of the Provençal summer bounty to enjoy—giving The Diamond Caper all the hallmarks of another delightfully sun-splashed Peter Mayle adventure. 

When billionaire Francis Reboul finds himself on the wrong side of a Russian tycoon, he’s fortunate to have vacationing friends Sam Levitt and Elena Morales on hand to help him out. Now it’s up to Sam—who’s saved Reboul’s neck before—to negotiate with an underworld of mercenaries, hit men, and Mafioso, to prevent his friend from becoming a victim of “Russian diplomacy.” As usual, Sam and Elena still find time to enjoy the good life, but as Sam’s sleuthing draws him closer to the truth, he realizes Reboul might not be the only one in trouble. Rich with clever twists, sparkling scenery, and mouthwatering gustatory interludes as only Peter Mayle can write them, The Corsican Caper is an adventure par excellence.

When lovable rogue and sleuth extraordinaire Sam Levitt’s last adventure in France ended, he thought it’d be a while before he was back, especially with the beautiful Elena Morales to keep him in Los Angeles. But a job offer from the immensely wealthy Francis Reboul soon has Sam and Elena in sunny Marseille, on a quest for further excitement . . . and delectable dining. Yet as competition over the valuable local waterfront grows more hotly disputed, Sam, representing Reboul, finds himself in the middle of an increasingly intrigue-ridden and dangerous real estate grab.

Will Sam survive to enjoy another bowl of bouillabaisse? All will be revealed in the wonderfully satisfying climax to this as-only-Peter-Mayle-can-write-it romp through the south of France.

A globetrotting detective story, filled with the culinary delights and entertaining characters from the national bestselling author of A Year in Provence and our most treasured chronicler of French life.

“Wine and food aficionados will find much to savor…. Light, funny, and packed with a menu’s worth of scrumptious descriptions of exceptional dinners and drinks.” —USA Today

The Vintage Caper begins high above Los Angeles with a world-class heist at the impressive wine cellar of lawyer Danny Roth. Enter Sam Levitt, former lawyer and wine connoisseur, who follows leads to Bordeaux and Provence. The unraveling of the ingenious crime is threaded through with Mayle’s seductive renderings of France’s sensory delights—from a fine Lynch-Bages to the bouillabaisse of Marseille—guaranteed to charm and inform even the most sophisticated palates.