Book review: The Second Worst Restaurant in France, by Alexander McCall Smith

Fans of Alexander McCall Smith will be familiar with the feel of his new novel if not the cast of characters. Some, however, may have met the protagonist already as this book is the second in a series featuring food writer Paul Stewart. The first, My Italian Bulldozer, was set in Tuscany and was billed as “a Tuscan holiday you can have at home”. Following Paul from Edinburgh to Provence, on what he hopes will be a writing retreat and an escape from relationship problems, The Second Worst Restaurant In France has a similar vacation feel, although the peaceful village of Saint Vincent de la Colline turns out to be anything but.