A Muslim community – including a mosque – of mostly Moroccan families relocated from Marseille has formed across the river, causing friction with some members of this very traditional Catholic community. She finds significant changes in the village.
Vianne finds this request from beyond the grave impossible to refuse, and returns to Lansquenet with her daughters at the start of the summer holidays moving temporarily into Armande’s old house, which now belongs to her grandson. The letter implies that Vianne is needed in the village, and urges her to pay Reynaud a visit. The letter contains a note from Armande herself, written just before her death and left for Luc to open on reaching the age of twenty-one. Then Vianne receives a letter from her old friend Armande’s grandson Luc, writing to her from Lansquenet. Anouk is still close to Jean-Loup, the young friend she made in THE LOLLIPOP SHOES, although she is worried for him because he needs an operation that may put his life at risk. Rosette is still mostly non-verbal, but has a vibrant inner life. Vianne has been living and working in her floating chocolate shop with her daughters, Rosette, who is eight, and Anouk, who is now fifteen, although Roux, who finds it impossible to settle in one place for long, has resumed his itinerant lifestyle. Father Reynaud, Vianne's erstwhile adversary, is disgraced and under threat.Three years have passed. Nor is it only the incomers from North Africa that have brought change. But Lansquenet is different now: women veiled in black, the scent of spices and peppermint tea, and, on the bank of the river Tannes, facing the church: a minaret.
When Vianne Rocher receives a letter from beyond the grave, she allows the wind to blow her back to the village in south-west France where, eight years ago, she opened up a chocolate shop. It isn't often you receive a letter from the dead. 'Absolutely enchanting' - ***** Reader review 'Impossible to put down' - ***** Reader review 'Superbly written and flows along beautifully' - ***** Reader review 'Brilliant and thought-provoking' - ***** Reader review 'I found it unputdownable' - ***** Reader review 'This bewitching novel stirs the senses' - Good Housekeeping 'Expertly crafted, typically mouthwatering' - Daily Mail 'Vianne - unconventional, good-hearted, slightly magical - blows in like a refreshing breeze, forcing people to question their prejudices. Perfect for fans of Victoria Hislop, Fiona Valpy, Maggie O'Farrell and Rachel Joyce. A welcome return to Vianne Rocher and the village in rural France that was the setting for Joanne Harris's remarkable and much-loved number one bestseller Chocolat.
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