Not Quite Nice - Hardcover

3.3

3,441 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 140884687X ISBN 13: 9781408846872

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 1625

Theresa is desperate for a change. Forced into early retirement, fed up with babysitting her bossy daughter's obnoxious children, she sells her Highgate house and moves to the picture-perfect town of Bellevue-sur-Mer, just outside Nice.

With its beautiful villas, its bustling cafes and shimmering cerulean sea, the village sparkles like a diamond on the French Mediterranean coast. Once the hideaway of artists and writers, it is now home to the odd rock icon and Hollywood movie star, and, as Theresa soon discovers, a close-knit set of expats. There’s Carol, the infinitely glamorous American and her doting husband David; Sally, the erstwhile British TV star; the ferocious Sian and her wayward Australian poet husband; the sharply witty Zoe with her strangely youthful face and penchant for white wine—and the suave Brian who catches Theresa’s eye.

As Theresa settles to the gentle rhythm of seaside life she embraces her new-found friendships and freedom. However, life is never quite as simple as it seems and when skeletons start to fall out of several closets, Theresa begins to wonder if life on the French Riviera is quite as nice as it first appeared....

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About the Author:

Celia Imrie is an Olivier Award-winning actress best known for her parts in the films Calendar Girls and Nanny McPhee. In February 2015 she returns as Madge in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Her roles on stage include Dotty in Noises Off and Mrs Tilehouse in The Sea, and, on television, Diana in After You’ve Gone, Vera in A Dark Adapted Eye and Miss Babs in Acorn Antiques. Last year she brought her cabaret/revue Laughing Matters to Crazy Coqs and then to the St James Theatre. Her autobiography, The Happy Hoofer, was published in 2011.

Review:

“A warm, light-hearted, fast-paced tale that fans of Peter Mayle will enjoy.” ―Joanne Harris, author of CHOCOLAT

“A very witty novel by a very witty woman. Hugely entertaining.” ―Julian Fellowes, creator of DOWNTON ABBEY

“This charming first novel by British actress Imrie (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Calendar Girls) extols the virtues of retiring abroad . . . All in all, Imrie's funny, over-the-top romp reads like a screenplay. And who knows, maybe that's just where it's headed?” ―Booklist

“A hugely enjoyable romp of a novel with eccentric characters, a delightful background and a savoury tang of crime.” ―Katie Fforde, author of A PERFECT PROPOSAL

“Utterly delicious in every way.” ―Joanna Lumley, actress

“A cinematic denouement followed by an equally dramatic conclusion ties it all in a bow. Actress (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) Imrie's lighthearted first novel touches on real-world financial, occupational, and familial concerns of older readers in a way that's genuine and yet reminiscent of old Hollywood movies . . . Recommended for readers seeking a breezy read with a touch of romance and mystery and a heroine they can relate to.” ―Library Journal

“A comic caper set among the tangled lives of a group of expats in a southern French village.” ―The Observer (UK)

“A delicious piece of entertainment . . . Theresa finds herself in a nest of bonkers, scheming expats, and soon suspects that this paradise comes with serpents. The characters are a hoot and their antics are hilarious; even better, Theresa is a fabulous cook and Imrie includes the recipes of her signature dishes. Read the book, then make the chocolate fudge tiffin.” ―The Times (UK)

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