(all pictures are downloadable—portraits + book covers)
ONE-LINER: Elle Jauffret is a former criminal attorney and the award-winning author of the Suddenly French Mysteries.
SHORT SHORT BIO (50 words):
Elle Jauffret is the Agatha Award-nominated and PenCraft Award winning author of the Suddenly French Mysteries series and a former criminal attorney whose work blends legal intrigue, identity, and culinary flair. She enjoys connecting with readers at conferences and book clubs.
SHORT BIO (100 words):
MEDIUM BIO (186 words)
Elle Jauffret is the Agatha Award-nominated and PenCraft Award-winning author of the Suddenly French Mystery series, blending legal intrigue, small-town charm, and culinary flair. A former criminal attorney for the California Attorney General’s Office, she weaves her legal expertise into character-driven, traditional, yet procedural mysteries set against the picturesque backdrop of coastal San Diego.
A French-born American, Elle holds law degrees from Université Côte d'Azur (France) and George Washington University (USA). She’s an active member of Sisters in Crime (where she serves as a board member for the San Diego chapter), Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. Her debut novel, Threads of Deception, earned praise from bestselling authors: New York Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry called it "a powerful, complex, and compelling mystery," while USA Today bestseller Hank Phillippi Ryan hailed Elle as "a smart and fresh new voice."
Elle regularly speaks at conferences like WonderCon, Comic-Con, and the San Diego Writers Festival. Passionate about literacy, she chaired the Pediatric Literacy Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. She lives in coastal San Diego County, the sun-drenched setting for her Suddenly French Mystery series.
LONG BIO (260 words):
Elle Jauffret is a French-born American attorney and award-winning author whose accolades include an Agatha Award nomination, PenCraft Seasonal Award win, and Claymore Award finalist recognition. With degrees from Université Côte d'Azur Law School and The George Washington University Law School, she served as a jurist for the French Embassy before joining the California Attorney General's Office as a criminal attorney.
Her debut novel, Threads of Deception, has garnered significant acclaim. New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry praised it as "a powerful, complex, and compelling mystery" that "dives deep into the human experience," while USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan described Jauffret as "a smart and fresh new voice" whose work offers "a unique French twist."
Elle's contributions to the literary community include volunteering as a write-in host for Sisters in Crime and appearing as a panelist, moderator, and guest speaker at conferences nationwide, including WonderCon, Comic-Con, San Diego Writers Festival, and Southern California Writers' Conference. Her commitment to literacy extends beyond her writing career—she chaired the Pediatric Literacy Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, promoting children's literacy among the military community, an effort particularly meaningful to her as a military spouse.
Elle is an active member of Sisters in Crime (where she serves as a board member for the San Diego chapter), Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She is an avid consumer of mystery and adventure stories in all forms, especially escape rooms. She lives in California with her family, in San Diego county, which serves as the backdrop for her mystery series.
Website: https://ellejauffret.com
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellejauffret/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elle.jauffret/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ellejauffret (new)
Blue sky: https://bsky.app/profile/ellejauffret.bsky.social (new)
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/elle-jauffret
LINKS: Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | Bookbub | Threads |
(Suddenly French, Book 1)
Author: Elle Jauffret
Publisher: Level Best Books
Publication Date: November 12, 2024
Genre: Fiction /Mystery (Trade)
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Retail Price: $16.95 USD (paperback), $5.99 USD (e-book)
ISBN: 978-1-68512-751-0 (paperback) - 252 pages
ISBN: 978-1-68512-752-7 (e-book)
Distributed by Ingram worldwide, fully discounted and returnable
Media/Review Contact: Shawn Reilly Simmons - shawnlevelbestbooks@gmail.com - +1 301.730.1675
Level Best Books: 18100 Windsor Drive, Olney, MD 20832
One-line synopsis: a traditional mystery in which a criminal attorney-turned-private chef returns to California after a bomb destroyed her firm and left her with French foreign accent syndrome, stumbles into a murder, and clashes with the detective who happens to be her new roommate.
Synopsis:
High-profile D.C. criminal attorney, Claire Fontaine, is leaving the legal world behind to become a private chef after a criminal explosion destroyed her law firm and left her with (French) Foreign Accent Syndrome. In order to heal and reassess her life, she returns to Caper Cove, California to cater for a fashion TV show on the request of a rising designer friend, only to find said friend dead. Determined to prove that it's not a suicide but a murder, Claire teams up with childhood best friend, Suggie Oh, and clashes with Detective Ben Torres who happens to be her new roommate.
This debut novel blends classic mystery, crime, and character-driven drama. It presents an intriguing, multifaceted murder case that keeps readers guessing, while offering insider glimpses into the fashion industry, political campaigns, and the legal world. It also explores the experience of navigating life with an accent, challenging conventional notions of Americanness.
CONTACT INFO
jauffret.elle @ gmail.com
https://ellejauffret.com/
PUBLISHER
Publisher: Level Best Books
18100 Windsor Drive, Olney, MD 20832
Media/Review Contact: Shawn Reilly Simmons - shawnlevelbestbooks@gmail.com -
+1 301.730.1675
Subsidiary rights: rights@ellejauffret.com
For media inquiries, please contact LG Opilka at media@ellejauffret.com.
I wanted to challenge stereotypes about American identity and to counter the misconception that individuals with accents or speech disorders are less intelligent—in a lighthearted way. Claire, my protagonist, a born and raised American, suffers from a rare speech disorder called “foreign accent syndrome” which leads others to mistake her for a foreign tourist (the French origin of her first and last name doesn’t help). Through her experiences, I aim to highlight the struggles faced by individuals with accents or speech disorders and prompt readers to rethink assumptions about American identity and intelligence. Claire serves as a unique lens to explore societal expectations and resilience in the face of preconceptions.
Why French?
As a former criminal attorney with a French accent myself, I thought my personal experiences, often humorous, would give authenticity to my character and her stories.
How would you compare Claire Fontaine, your novel’s protagonist, to other famous detectives?
Claire shares the same accent as Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie), speaks in a distinctive manner like Columbo (TV series), and must overcome stereotypes and preconceived notions about her competence like Veronica Mars (TV series of the same name) and Adrian Monk (TV series “Monk”). Similarly to Temperance Brennan (TV series “Bones”), she has a professional but somewhat contentious working relationship with a (sexy) cop.
ENDORSEMENTS
“Elle Jauffret spins a powerful, complex, and compelling mystery! THREADS OF DECEPTION dives deep into the human experience and does so with elegance and insight. Highly recommended!” — Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of NecroTek and The Dragon in Winter
“A charming traditional mystery with a unique French twist – – and a captivating mix of fashion, food, and fascinating characters! Elle Jauffret is a smart and fresh new voice, and this chic, cinematic, and unpredictable story, revealed in a gorgeous setting, will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can.” — Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today Bestselling author of ONE WRONG WORD
“With a charming and confident heroine, a sexy police detective, and dripping with Hollywood intrigue, Threads of Deception is a must-read for mystery lovers, a fierce debut for author Elle Jauffret!” — Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten and the #murdertrending series
"Elle Jauffret’s Threads of Deception is a delectable debut novel in which Jauffret stitches together a mouth-watering mystery that will leave readers hungry for more!" — Daphne Silver, Agatha Award winning author of Crime and Parchment
“In Threads of Deception, Elle Jauffret weaves together her astute knowledge of the law, her experiences as a French-born American, and her love of the classic mystery to create an engaging series readers will enjoy. This is a multi-layered story about rash judgements and assumptions, the facades we create, the things some people will do to protect their secrets, and the lengths one woman will go to get justice for her friend.” — Kate B Jackson, Agatha-winning author of Sasquatch Hunters, the Chattertowne Mysteries Cruising Sisters Mysteries
“Threads of Deception is a fast-paced mystery with unique characters, refreshing humor, and unexpected adventures that will keep you turning pages. Jauffret’s use of an unusual medical condition, fascinating backstory, and vivid setting add to the intrigue and interest, but her descriptions of scrumptious food will have you planning a visit to the nearest French bakery. By the last page, she’s left just enough breadcrumbs to draw you forward into what will no doubt be a delightful series you’ll enjoy with a book in one hand and pain au chocolat in the other.” — Annette Lyon, USA Today bestselling author of Just One More
"When it comes to serving up an intriguing, unique and satisfying mystery, Jauffret is the crème de la crème." — Wendy Toliver, best-selling author of Regina Rising and Red’s Untold Tale
"Death and deception in the cut-throat world of fashion? Yes please! THREADS OF DECEPTION was such a delicious ride. Claire Fontaine is a smart and likeable protagonist in the vein of Finlay Donovan and Aurora Teagarden. Highly recommend! " — Lorien Lawrence, author of the Fright Watch series and The Many Hauntings of the Manning Family.
OUT Nov. 11, 2025
(Suddenly French, Book 2)
Author: Elle Jauffret
Publisher: Level Best Books
Publication Date: November 11, 2025
Genre: Fiction /Mystery (Trade)
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Retail Price: $16.95 USD (paperback), $5.99 USD (e-book)
ISBN: 979-8-89820-037-4 (paperback) - 282 pages
ISBN: 979-8-89820-038-1 (e-book)
Distributed by Ingram worldwide, fully discounted and returnable
Media/Review Contact: Shawn Reilly Simmons - shawnlevelbestbooks@gmail.com - +1 301.730.1675
Level Best Books: 18100 Windsor Drive, Olney, MD 20832
Tagline: In a world of perfect disguises, murder is the ultimate transformation. A gripping coastal mystery where true crime meets pop culture, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie with a modern twist and a hint of romance.
Synopsis: When former DC attorney Claire Fontaine stumbles upon a dead surfer during her morning beach run in Caper Cove, she's pulled into a deadly game where fantasy and reality collide. With her father suddenly a murder suspect and her own reputation under attack by a vicious online troll, Claire must navigate the treacherous waters of competitive surfing, cosplay obsession, and small-town secrets.
As bodies pile up during the international surfing festival, Claire discovers that some people will kill to become someone else—while others will die to protect who they really are. From the exclusive Swim and Racquet Club to the hidden cliff paths where lovers meet, everyone has a mask to hide behind. But when the killer strikes again, targeting a beloved cosplay queen, Claire realizes the murderer isn't just eliminating rivals—they're erasing identities.
Racing against time before the festival ends and suspects scatter across the globe, Claire must unmask a killer who's been hiding in plain sight. In a world where transformation is an art form and authenticity can be deadly, she'll learn that the most dangerous monsters are often the ones who look exactly like everyone else.
A gripping coastal mystery where true crime meets pop culture, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie with a modern twist and a hint of romance.