Publisher's Synopsis
In the early 2000s Sophie and John Williams, like many of their British compatriots, decide to follow their dream and go to France in order to find a house for their impending retirement. After several disappointments, their French estate agent, Jean-Christophe, eventually shows them a converted barn that seems to meet all their requirements. When they move in they are surprised to find that the manager of the orphanage lodged in the adjacent house appears to resent their presence. At about the same time Julie Smithers, a single woman in her thirties, leaves her routine job and a troubled romance in London and moves into a renovated house in a nearby village. She has resolved to write a book and is settling down to her new way of life when a faulty faucet brings her into contact with a handyman named Steve, another British expat. Sophie and John try to get used to their new way of life in the beautiful French countryside, but are hampered by their ignorance of the French language and culture, resulting in misunderstandings with local workers as well as mishaps in restaurants and elsewhere. Some of the unfortunate incidents are amusing while others are downright annoying. Julie and Steve embark on a passionate romance, but that, too, is not without its ups and downs. Matters become increasingly ominous for Sophie and John, as their neighbor appears to be perpetrating a series of increasingly hostile acts. Eventually, after attempting to resolve the conflict by peaceful means as well as by increasing the height of their garden wall, John and Sophie decide to complain to the local police. The situation takes an ominous turn when their neighbor enters their house with murderous intent.
