Going There: Tales from the Riviera and Beyond

by Donna Fletcher Crow

In the summer of 2021 amidst a world-wide pandemic, Donna Fletcher Crow, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter managed to slip through a narrow window of calm for a remarkable journey to France and Switzerland. And much to Donna’s surprise and delight, she was accompanied on the undertaking by characters from several of her novel series—who had adventures of their own.
Going There, Tales from the Riviera and Beyond, is an account of a memorable travel experience in the real world and the fictional. It takes the reader to places physical and imaginary, and like all good books, expands our universe.

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2023

About the author

Donna Fletcher Crow loves to give books away. If you would like a copy of one of her best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates series, go to her website: http://www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com

Donna is the author of 50 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history.
Donna authors 3 mystery series: The best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates Vitorian true-crime series; The Monastery Murders; and The Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense.

Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 14 grandchildren. She is an inveterate researcher and an enthusiastic gardener. You can see pictures of her research trips and her garden, learn more about her books, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and read her blog at: www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com

Reviews

[Jeffrey Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this book a non-fiction description of a trip to the Riviera in post-pandemic times? Does it contain fictional stories including favorite characters from her novels? The answer is yes.

"Going There: Tales from the Riviera and Beyond" is a travelogue of a 2021 trip author Donna Fletcher Crow took with her daughter-in-law and granddaughter as they were returning the latter to her ballerina school in Monaco. Yes, this was at the time where COVID-19 was still a major concern at a point when people were ready for normalcy. She does a good job of reminding us of what mask mandates felt like and the concern of passing a COVID test so she could return home to the States rather than being stuck in her hotel for over a week away from her family at her own expense.

But this book is also a short story collection including some of my favorite characters from her novels. Charles and Antonia from the Victorian True Crimes Lord Danvers Investigates series. Richard and Elizabeth who host a Literary Murder collection. And especially my hero Father Antony and Felicity of the Monastery Murders.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It helped me know the author better. (Coincidentally, I just started another, unrelated book, where the author mentioned too often you read books knowing nothing about the author.) The short stories were entertaining and allowed me to hang out with several of my fictional friends (and the Dowager Duchess as well). Additionally, both the fiction and the non-fiction give you an introduction to the Riviera and what the people there are like.

I highly enjoyed this book and recommend it.

[Susan Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars. I'm a little surprised that Donna Fletcher Crow took so long to write a travel memoir, as scene setting and travel writing are obvious strengths in her fiction. This delightful, whimsical travel diary intersperses her own adventures on the Riviera with those of characters from her three mystery series, all coming together for a finale aboard the Queen Mary II. A fun way for regular readers to connect with their favourite characters, or for new readers to be introduced to Donna's worlds.

[Red Book Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going There was my first time reading anything by this author and I found this to be a quick fun read about the authors travel. The author also included characters from her three mystery series she wrote in this book. I would recommend this to other readers especially if you are looking for a fun short read that can take you to another world. Thank you to Pump Up Your Book tours and the author for this book.

[LeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful idea--part European travelogue and part short stories set in the locations visited. The short stories are updates on characters from Donna Crow's historical and mystery series. Most fun is the one that brings characters from various series together in a fanciful meet-up. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will be most enjoyed by those who have read Crow's three mystery series - The Monastery Murders, Lord Danvers Investigates, Elizabeth & Richard Literary Suspense. Crow weaves together the story of her trip with her daughter to the Riviera with vignettes that tie in with those series, based in the same locations. Descriptions are lush, and the stories are fun to read.