When headhunter Fabrice Valantine faces a smoking ban at work, he decides to undertake a course of hypnotherapy to rid himself of the habit. At first the treatment works, but his stress levels begin to rise when he is passed over for an important promotion and he finds himself lighting up again - but with none of his previous enjoyment. 
Then he discovers something terrible: he accidentally causes a man's death, and needing a cigarette to calm his nerves, he enjoys it more than any other previous smoke. What if he now needs to kill someone every time he wants to properly appreciate his next Benson and Hedges?
An original and totally French black comedy from best-selling author Antoine Laurain.

Smoking Kills

Literature & Fiction

Laurain, Antoine

Humor & Satire

Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio

Avid antiques collector Pierre-Francois Chaumont unearths the find of a lifetime at a Paris auction house: an 18th-century portrait of a gentleman who looks just like him. Researching into the painting's history, he has the chance to abandon his tedious existence and walk into a brand new life.Antoine Laurain is a Parisian screenwriter, antiques collector, and prize-winning novelist. The President's Hat was a 2013 ABA Indies Introduce choice.

The Portrait

This international bestseller is a charming "fable of romance and redemption" about an unsuspecting accountant who happens upon the life-changing power of a rather special hat (Telegraph) "As entertaining as it is original, this is the story to enjoy like a chocolate with a surprise centre" -Marie France "Impossible to resist" -L'Express Dining alone in an elegant Parisian brasserie, accountant Daniel Mercier can hardly believe his eyes when French President François Mitterrand sits down to eat at the table next to him. Once the presidential party has gone, Daniel discovers that Mitterrand's black felt hat has been left behind. After a few moments' soul-searching, Daniel decides to keep the hat as a souvenir of an&nbsp;&nbsp; extraordinary evening. It's a perfect fit, and as he leaves the restaurant Daniel begins to feel somehow . . . different. Has Daniel unwittingly discovered the secret of supreme power? Over the course of the next 2 years the iconic item of headgear plays with the lives of the men and women who wear it, bringing them success that had previously eluded them. As it makes its way from head to head, the wearers find themselves acting with more confidence, decisiveness, authority and panache--just like the original wearer. Some, like Daniel, attribute their new luck to the hat itself, while some are unaware of its magical effects. All, however, find themselves changed by their time spent wearing the president's hat. Shot through with a delicious, wicked sense of humour, this delightfully quirky novel is a vivid re-creation of 1980s Paris, and an enchanting exploration of life's possibilities.

The President's Hat

Dramas & Plays

Pushkin Press

Described as "Parisian perfection" by Queen Camilla, you won't want to miss this charming, quirky love story from one of the UK's favourite French authors! In this bestselling novel, a bookseller pursues a mystery woman--known only through the jottings in her red notebook--through the streets of Paris Bookseller Laurent Letellier comes across an abandoned handbag on a Parisian street, and feels compelled to return it to its owner. Quickly ruling out the police station, which is always best avoided, he turns the contents out onto his kitchen table to see if they hold a clue. The bag contains no money, phone or contact information. But it does yield a small red notebook, full of handwritten thoughts and jottings that reveal someone Laurent would very much like to meet. From the lists of likes and dislikes, things noticed and things felt, emerges the portrait of a woman who might just be his soulmate. But without even a name to go on, and only a few of her possessions to help him, how is he to find one woman in a city of millions? He'll have to turn to his daughter, who helps him decode the possessions and sends him on a madcap journey around the French capital. Meanwhile, in an anonymous hospital room, fragmentary thoughts float through the mind of a woman in a coma. She thinks she's called Laure, and she has some strong opinions and painful memories - but will she ever wake up and get a fresh chance at life? Soaked in Parisian atmosphere, this lovely, clever, funny novel is the perfect French holiday read!

The Red Notebook

Literary

A very special bottle of wine sends 4 neighbors back to 1950s Paris, where they each find the key to a happy future "A glorious time-slip caper... Just wonderful"&nbsp; -- Daily Mail When Hubert Larnaudie, chair of the management committee at his Parisian apartment building, makes an out-of-character decision to invite some fellow residents to drink an exceptional bottle of 1954 Beaujolais, he has no idea of its unique properties. The following morning, Hubert finds himself waking up in 1950s Paris, as do antique restorer Magalie, mixologist Julien, and Airbnb tenant Bob, who's visiting from Milwaukee. After their initial shock, the city of Edith Piaf and An American in Paris begins to work its charm on the time travelers, providing unexpected solutions to the problems they left in the future. Julien pines for Magalie; but she's too focused on the traumatic death of her parents when she was small to notice that he loves her. Bob's wife Goldie is stuck in a coma, and Hubert is obsessed with the foolish decisions that led his ancestors to lose the family fortune. Through chance encounters and the magic of one of Paris's golden eras, each time traveler will find the key they were looking for. But, delightful as 1954 is, they need to work out how to get back to 2017 - because how will they live out a happy future if they're stuck in the past?

Vintage 1954

United States

French Windows

With trademark style and charming whimsy, this intriguing murder mystery of neighbourly curiosity from a "master storyteller" is sure to delight fans old and new (Huffington Post) "Admirably concise; intriguing, comic and poignant by turns, this is a sheer delight"&nbsp; -- The Guardian Five floors, one murder, let the therapy begin. . . Nathalia Guitry was a successful photographer--until the day she caught a murder on camera. Traumatised and unable to work, she begins attending therapy, where Doctor Faber suggests a way out of her creative block: she must write stories about the people she sees in the building opposite, floor by floor. Starting on the ground floor, with the actor-turned-YouTube life coach, and going all the way to the 5th floor via a cartoonist and an ex-trader, Nathalia creates vivid accounts of her Parisian neighbours' lives. But are her tales real or imaginary? Dr Faber becomes increasingly uncertain as their sessions play out, but he has his own has his own quirks and foibles to deal with, from his habit of collecting keys--and interest in finding out what they unlock--to his passion for smoking. As Nathalia's stories climb the floors of the apartment building, doctor and patient engage in an intellectual game of cat and mouse, teasing each other--and the reader--with hints and misdirection. Will you be able to tell truth from fiction? French Windows oozes Parisian perfection from a master storyteller, with a good dose of mystery, intrigue, and suspense.

From the author of The Red Notebook, described as 'Parisian perfection' by Queen Camilla, comes a thrilling murder mystery set in the world of publishing "A stylish whodunnit blended with an affectionate send-up of the world of books"&nbsp; -- The Sunday Mirror "Blends mystery with comedy to great effect" -- The Daily Mail When the manuscript of a debut crime novel arrives at a Parisian publishing house, everyone in the readers' room is convinced it's something special. And, when it's eventually published, the committee for France's highest literary honour, the Prix Goncourt, agrees. But when the shortlist is announced, there's a problem for glamorous editor Violaine Lepage: she has no idea of the author's identity. As the police begin to investigate a series of murders strangely reminiscent of those recounted in the book, Violaine is not the only one looking for answers. And, suffering memory blanks following an aeroplane accident, she's beginning to wonder what role she might play in the story - as well as how to find the mystery author before the prize is announced. In the end it will take the combined investigative powers of a detective, a junior editor, and Violaine's therapist to uncover the truth. They will learn not just about the author of the book, but about the story's origins, and the novel's strange power to exact justice for violence done to a young girl decades ago. But when everything comes to light, one question will remain: can Violaine and the other readers of the mystery manuscript put the past to rest, and find happiness in the present?

The Readers' Room

Red Is My Heart

An Astronomer in Love

This prize-winning French bestseller is a charming fable about the power of a hat that takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride through French life during the Mitterrand years.
Dining alone in an elegant Parisian brasserie, accountant Daniel Mercier can hardly believe his eyes when President François Mitterrand sits down to eat at the table next to him.
After the presidential party has gone, Daniel discovers that Mitterrand's black felt hat has been left behind. After a few moments' soul-searching, Daniel decides to keep the hat as a souvenir of an extraordinary evening. It's a perfect fit, and as he leaves the restaurant Daniel begins to feel somehow . . . different.
Has Daniel unwittingly discovered the secret of supreme power?
For two years the iconic item of headgear plays with the lives of the men and women who wear it, bringing them success that had previously eluded them. Antoine Laurain's brilliantly orchestrated tour captures entertaining portraits of a rich gallery of characters.
Shot through with a delicious, wicked sense of humor, The President's Hat is a vivid re-creation of the everyday life of an era.
"As entertaining as it is original, this is a story to enjoy like a chocolate with a surprise centre."—Marie France
"An enjoyable trip into the heart of the 1980s."—Le Figaro
"Impossible to resist"—L'Express
Antoine Laurain was born in Paris. He is a writer, collector, and director of several short films.

Humor & Entertainment

Humor

Gallic Books

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Laurain, Antoine. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Laurain, Antoine

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Laurain, Antoine. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Smoking Kills

The Portrait

The President's Hat

The Red Notebook

Vintage 1954

French Windows

The Readers' Room

Red Is My Heart

An Astronomer in Love

The President's Hat