“Some people spend the whole of their lives sitting waiting for one train, only to find that they never even made it to the station.”

Peaches for Monsieur le Curé is the third novel in Joanne Harris’s Chocolat series, but you really don’t need to read the first two to understand what’s happening here (although I recommend you do!). Like the other two novels, very little happens in the way of plot, but you’ll be so wrapped up in all the French and the food that you won’t really care.

“Those people who say that words have no power know nothing of the nature of words. Words, well placed, can end a regime; can turn affection to hatred; can start a religion or even a war. Words are the shepherds of lies; they lead the best of us to the slaughter.”

At the open, Vianne Rocher receives a letter from her (deceased) friend Armande, imploring her to return to Lansquenet to solve a problem for someone. Vianne, along with her two daughters, obeys, and ends up living in Armande’s old house and trying to figure out how to help. She suspects it has something to do with the sudden influx of residents from North Africa — who are clashing with Vianne’s old enemy, Father Reynaud. But of course, things are not always what they appear…

As with the two others, the writing here is lovely and the scenery and food so realistic that you just want to jump in. My favorite parts of this novel versus the other two are the increased roles of Vianne’s two delightful daughters (particularly the lovely little Rosette), and the shortage of Roux, who I never care for very much, thank you!