Imagine a trip to France, Italy, Iceland, Greece, Cuba, Laos, South Africa, Delhi…without luggage and no airfares. People have discovered they can travel vicariously through the pages of crime fiction, fully enjoying the atmosphere, food, and drink along with characters like, Bruno, Montalbono, Erlendur, Diaktoros, Paibun, Griessel, and Puri. Sit back, have a glass of wine, or a beer, some brie and a French stick.
Here are a few suggestions to enjoy, with some edibles thrown in for good measure.
- France: Martin Walker’s Benoît “Bruno” Courrèges is the Chief of Police in St. Denis, in the Périgord region of southwestern France. This gentle character is a lover of cooking (there is a cookbook available). Perhaps you’ll read about the area’s wine, and aperitif chaboral. There will be Canaillou cheese, beefstaeaks marinated in garlic, mustard and of course wine. Or perhaps a tourine of leek and potato soup. The crimes are well thought out, the characters embrace the area fully. The travels through the neighbouring areas. Check out Bruno’s site or a fun time.
- Italy: Meet Andre Camilleri’s somewhat incorrigible Inspector Salvo Montalbano, Sicilian police detective. Pasta ‘ncasciata and eggplant parmigiana, and Montalbano’s favorite, arancini, rice balls, that he describes as a “pinnacle of existence” is served with very chilled white wine, and later finished off with whiskey. It is through food that this detective solves his cases, and through a dark humor evident in Montalbano’s thoughts or dialogue. You might also discover some new crime writers as this detective reads a lot of them, from Maigret to Mankell. And yes, there is a cookbook, I segreti della tavola di Montalbano. Le ricette di Andrea Camilleri, by Stefania Campo.
- Iceland: Arnaldur Indridason’s series features Inspector Erlendur. The city Reykjavik is a character unto itself. The country’s barren landscape, is much like Erlendur’s tough exterior, haunted by his past. Reykjavik’s City Library has even put together a walking tour: Dark Deeds that is seeing where Iceland’s writers set their seedy crimes! Read these with some pickled herring and Akvavit by your side.
- Greece: Considered to be like Poirot, Anne Zouroudi’s, Hermes Diaktoros, aka ‘the fat man’, is a private detective. Travel to the Greek islands and all over Athens. Serve with chilled Mythos Beer, squid salad with lemon, a vinaigrette salad with feta, and fresh warm bread, and Hermes’ much favored creamy custard bougatsa. What could be better!
- Cuba: José Latour’s books offer a glimpse of aspects of Cuba. All stand alone’s, his twisted plot lines keep the reader turning pages. Havana Best Friends, is a personal favourite. Rich characters, and brilliantly written setting take you in and out of Havana’s private homes and into the streets to see the locals. Have a black beans and rice, grilled chicken (pollo asado) and a Cuban coffee!
- Laos: It’s 1976, Laos when Colin Cotterill’s character Dr Siri Paiboun, comes on the seen as the appointed state coroner. Trained as a doctor he has no experience in forensics. These books are full of the political turmoil of the time as the Communist Pathet Lao have just taken over. Keep in mind, some of the food mentioned in his books come from what may have been someone’s last meal. Goes well with beer, sticky rice dipped in chilli and fish sauce.
- South Africa: Deon Meyer introduced Detective Inspector Benny Griessel a member Cape Town’s Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, drinks rather than eats but that’s because of the gruesome cases he investigates. The back drop of Cape Town is as Oslo is to Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole series. Meyer’s tightly written plots, are never disappointing. Griessel’s favored drink is Jack Daniels. Chakalaka is a nice side with any meal.
- India: Delhi’s favorite private detective, Vish Puri, is Tarquin Hall’s gift to mystery readers around the world. Amusing, you can tell by the titles, The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken, and filled with the aromas of Delhi, Puri delights in eating while pondering the case he works on per book. There’s a great NPR interview with Hall, that will situate you in the detective’s environs. Serve with chilli cheese toast, or khichri with homemade curd with tart mango pickle and perhaps a cold beer.
Next time we’ll travel to the UK!
Happy reading and bon appétit!!
