I've only recently returned to Peter Mayle, having read 'A Year in Provence' many years ago, but only after the t.v. series was made, which I didn't see at the time. I have a copy of the book from the series, with photos, which may not be helpful for the imagination. However, browsing a charity shop recently I came across a clean copy of 'A Vintage Affair' and I loved it. So I have since read three other Mayle stories.
'Anything Considered' is great fun, never too threatening but threatening enough and written in a liquid style. Try it!