Moore's Follet Valley series optioned for TV by Agatha Raisin producers

Comedian Ian Moore’s mystery series Follet Valley, including the first book Death and Croissants (Farrago), has been optioned for TV by the company behind "Agatha Raisin".

Independent production company Free @ Last TV acquired rights from the Duckworth Books imprint, which published Death and Croissants on 1st July 2021. 

The Follet Valley series follows Richard, a middle-aged Englishman who runs a bed-and-breakfast in the Loire Valley, France. One day an older guest goes missing, leaving behind only a bloody handprint on the wallpaper. Another guest, the enigmatic Valérie, persuades a sceptical Richard to investigate the disappearance, leading them both into a series of local amateur sleuth investigations.

Barry Ryan, joint m.d. of Free @ Last TV, said: "Charm. Wit. Flair. It’s rare to come across a first novel that manages to combine an intriguing twisty plot with laugh-out-loud humour. Ian is a first-class writer and we immediately saw the potential for a long-running series with returnable characters we know people will adore. We’re proud to add Follet Valley to the Free @ Last TV slate and are very much looking forward to getting going."

Moore commented: "I'm so happy. I wrote the books with the idea of putting a smile on people's faces. I hope the TV versions will do the same and I know that Free @ Last TV want the same. Smiles all round."

Pete Duncan, m.d. of Duckworth Books, added: "Knowing what Free @ Last TV has achieved with Agatha Raisin, now headed for its fourth season, we are thrilled to be working with Barry and the team on Ian’s charming Follet Valley series."