Fth-Monsr Pmplms Aloft

The fifth in Bond's series about Aristide Pamplemousse, France's premier gourmet guide, begins with a mission right up his allee. Once more, however, a fairly simple task grows into an escapade for M. Pamplemousse and Pommes Frites, his smart little dog. They are driving to Port St. Augustin where Aristide is to advise on epicurean treats offered VIPs on a dirigible flying from France to England, reaffirming the entente cordiale signed by the two nations in 1904. Nothing must fail, but M. Pamplemousse senses threats to the great occasion even before arriving in the seacoast town. A group of oddly behaving nuns; a near-fatal fall by Yasmin, the trapeze artist at the local circus; the snubbing from Aristide's old friend, a British detective; and other events plant suspicions that turn the gastronome into his former self as inspector of police in Paris. The funny, exciting mystery will delight readers who may weep with envy of the feasts that are ordinary fare for M. Pamplemousse and Pommes Frites. (Sept.)