Life is never dull for Beth and her grumpy husband, Jack. In this fifth sparkling episode of the Fat Dogs series, they take on an accident-prone puppy, an impossible forest project and murderous pheasants. Renewed tangles with French authorities and an unexpected animal adoption add to their challenges.
Join the pair as they hunt down rampant mushroomers, raise countless critters and build witches with knobbly knees in their eccentric corner of rural France.
What readers think Fat Dogs and French Estates IV
I think this is one of my favorites
What can I say? I love all Beth’s Fat Dogs books, and this one is superb. Madness, mayhem and fun. Anyone who follows Beth’s monthly blogs will be happy to see some of their favorite animal characters introduced into this series, and will laugh at many of the situations they get into. But life isn’t all fun; there’s a lot of hard work involved in running a domaine and much animal husbandry. But Beth manages to see the humorous side of most situations, and you will chuckle along with her. I enjoyed catching up with old friends from previous books, especially the irascible but lovable Jack; and meeting more fascinating characters. All in all, a most enjoyable read and a great addition to the series. I think this is one of my favorites. I hope Beth finds time in her busy life to start on book 6. Who said retirement would be restful?
An exceptional blend of memoir, history, and animals
The book equivalent of comfort food-with no calories!
I love Beth Haslam’s style of writing; her choice of words, and how she says things. This is her 5th book, and it was certainly well worth the wait. Intelligent, her meticulous selection of words makes it so beautifully descriptive. Her word and phrase choices are second to none. I like the chapter titles-they intrigue, yet they don’t give anything away, and it all makes sense as you read the chapter.
This is definitely up to standard-I was in right from the beginning. The quality of the writing; just what we’ve come to expect from Beth Haslam. She just does it every time, and gets better and better.
This has all the right ingredients for me: memoir, moving to a new life abroad, animals, mishaps, hurdles, renovations, French country life, growing their own etc. Beth has become so expert at holding the reader’s attention, and the timing of events. The book often made me chuckle and smile.
There are so many vet visits and dramas, you lose count. And you don’t see them coming. This is an exceptional blend of memoir, history, and animals. Concludes for now, but tempts you to know what’s in store for them next.
A simply scrumptious book.
Couldn’t put it down, loved every word
Just finished #5. Couldn’t put it down, loved every word. Beth of bringing everything to life, you are there in the moment with her. Jack is very patient, and a secret softy with the animals. Loved her visits to markets, you really get a feel of them. Max brought a smile and a giggle with his antics. Aby is a lady, or at least thinks she is.
It was wonderful to visit old friends and to be introduced to new friends, Aby, Max and Tripod. Beth’s vivid description is wonderful, she really has a way with words. I am friends on Facebook and she is always responding to posts etc. Waiting for #6, no pressure Beth.
I read it in one sitting
Book 5 in a wonderful series. No spoilers but highlights and lowlights – lots of both. Let’s see… new members of the household, a potager (veggie garden), pheasant midwifery, fascinating archeology, a grape harvest, Christmas celebrations and tapas in the middle of country France. Add the predictable tussles with machinery, fencing, invasive critters, weather, mud, escaping poultry and of course, Jack (grumpy softie), and you can see why I read it in one sitting.
