Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale — J.A. Lang

A tale of intrigue, kidnap and the price of fish…

When a mysterious carved wooden fish turns up in the morning seafood delivery, bearing a desperate -- albeit badly spelt -- plea for help, Chef Maurice, proprietor of Le Cochon Rouge in the Cotswold village of Beakley, has only one response: if he can't steam it, grill it or fry it, he's not interested.

Unfortunately, friend and food critic Arthur Wordington-Smythe is more than willing to get the pair embroiled -- or should that be broiled? -- in what could turn out to be some seriously fishy business.

Time then for a trip to the Cornish seaside in search of the fish's owner, a parking space, and a jolly good plate of haddock and chips, not necessarily in that order...