Synopses & Reviews
A crime wave jolts Aix-en-Provence in the third delightful Verlaque and Bonnet mystery Fans of Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri, mystery lovers, Francophiles, and foodies will adore this who-done-it with a beautiful European setting. In her riveting follow-up to
Death at the Chateau Bremont and
Murder in the Rue Dumas, M. L. Longworth evokes the sights and sounds of late-summer Provence, where the mistral blows and death comes in the most unexpected places. Olivier Bonnard, the owner of Domaine Beauclaire winery, is devastated when he discovers the theft of a priceless cache of rare vintages. Soon after, Monsieur Gilles d’Arras reports that his wife, Pauline, has vanished from their lavish apartment. As Judge Antoine Verlaque and Commissioner Paulik tackle the case (with a little help from Marine Bonnet), they receive an urgent call: Bonnard has just found Madame d’Arras—dead in his vineyard.
Review
"Mystery and romance served up with a hearty dose of French cuisine. I relished every word. Longworth does for Aix-en-Provence what Frances Mayes does for Tuscany: You want to be there-NOW!"
-Barbara Fairchild, former editor-in-chief, Bon Appetit magazine
"...A promising debut for Longworth, who shows there's more to France than Paris and more to mystery than Maigret."
-Kirkus
"Death at Chateau Bremont is replete with romance, mystery, and a rich atmosphere that makes the south of France spring off the page in a manner reminiscent of Donna Leon's Venice. A wonderful start to a series sure to gain a legion of fans."
-Tasha Alexander, author of the Lady Emily Mysteries
"This first novel in a projected series has charm, wit, and Aix-en- Provence all going for it. Longworth's voice is like a rich vintage of sparkling Dorothy Sayers and grounded Donna Leon. The mix of aristocratic mystery and guide to Provencal wines, foods, habits, and Aix itself is a delight, and the old- fashioned plot line, with actual clues planted for the reader, offers a refreshing return to Golden Age values. A nobleman, with a house in Aix and a crumbling chateau just outside the city, falls to his death from a window. Enter the duo of Antoine Verlaque, the sexy magistrate of Aix, who, according to French law, must respond to and advise police on all suspicious deaths, and his ex-lover, law professor Marine Bonnet. Verlaque seeks Bonnet's advice since she was close to the victim and the Bremont family. The action proceeds against a classic format of interrogating suspects, including Bremont's playboy brother who has ties to the Russian Mob on the Cote d' Azur. The sexual tension and maneuvering that accompany the interviews are, at times, hilarious. Longworth has lived in Aix since 1997, and her knowledge of the region is apparent on every page. Bon appétit."
-Connie Fletcher, Booklist (Starred)
Review
For Death at the Chateau Bremont
"This first novel in a projected series has charm, wit, and Aix-en- Provence all going for it. Longworth's voice is like a rich vintage of sparkling Dorothy Sayers and grounded Donna Leon...Longworth has lived in Aix since 1997, and her knowledge of the region is apparent on every page. Bon appétit."— Booklist
..A promising debut for Longworth, who shows there's more to France than Paris and more to mystery than Maigret."— Kirkus
"Your readers will eat this one up."— Library Journal
"Death at Chateau Bremont is replete with romance, mystery, and a rich atmosphere that makes the south of France spring off the page in a manner reminiscent of Donna Leon's Venice. A wonderful start to a series sure to gain a legion of fans."— Tasha Alexander
"Mystery and romance served up with a hearty dose of French cuisine. I relished every word. Longworth does for Aix-en-Provence what Frances Mayes does for Tuscany: You want to be there-NOW!"— Babara Fairchild, former editor-in-chief, Bon Appetit magazine
"Longworth has a good eye and a sharp wit, and this introduction to Verlaque and Bonnet holds promise for a terrific series."— Globe and Mail
Review
“What follows is a lovely, almost cozy police procedural that deserves to be read with a glass of wine in hand. Longworth paints such a loving picture of Provence that it's likely you'll start planning a vacation trip to France the moment you set the book down.” -
The Denver Post
“This is an intelligently written police procedural with the warm comfort of a baguette with banon cheese.” - Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
“Enjoyable… the books real strength is its evocation of place.” - Publishers Weekly
Review
Praise for
Murder in the Rue Dumas
“Murder in the Rue Dumas is even more spectacular than her first novel, which is no small feat. The pacing is perfect, the characters delightful,
and the setting so real it's impossible not to think you can reach out and touch it. Do not miss this book! - Tasha Alexander, author of the Lady Emily series
“As intricate as the mystery is, what provides the most pleasure in reading Murder in the Rue Dumas is Longworths description of Verlaque and Bonets daily lives… one can practically smell the freshly-baked croissants.” - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“Fans of European sleuths with a taste for good food … will have fun.” - Publisher's Weekly
“What really makes Longforths writing special is her deep knowledge of French history, landscape, cuisine, and even contemporary cafes and restaurants. This is that rare atmospheric mystery that is street-wise and café-canny.” - Booklist (starred review)
“Longworths gentle procedural succeeds on several levels, whether its for academic and literary allusions, police work, or armchair travel. With deftly shifting points of view, Longworth creates a beguiling read that will appeal to Louise Penny and Donna Leon fans.” - Library Journal
“French-set mysteries have never been more popular [and] among the very best is a series set in Provence featuring Monsieur Verlaque, an examining magistrate, and his sometime girlfriend, law professor Marine Bonnet.” - The Denver Post
Review
Praise For
Death at the Chateau Bremont "This first novel in a projected series has charm, wit, and Aix-en- Provence all going for it. Longworth's voice is like a rich vintage of sparkling Dorothy Sayers and grounded Donna Leon...Longworth has lived in Aix since 1997, and her knowledge of the region is apparent on every page. Bon appétit."— Booklist
..A promising debut for Longworth, who shows there's more to France than Paris and more to mystery than Maigret."— Kirkus
"Your readers will eat this one up."— Library Journal
"Death at Chateau Bremont is replete with romance, mystery, and a rich atmosphere that makes the south of France spring off the page in a manner reminiscent of Donna Leon's Venice. A wonderful start to a series sure to gain a legion of fans." — Tasha Alexander
"Mystery and romance served up with a hearty dose of French cuisine. I relished every word. Longworth does for Aix-en-Provence what Frances Mayes does for Tuscany: You want to be there-NOW!" — Babara Fairchild, former editor-in-chief, Bon Appetit magazine
"Longworth has a good eye and a sharp wit, and this introduction to Verlaque and Bonnet holds promise for a terrific series." — Globe and Mail
Review
“Charming”—Marilyn Stasio,
The New York Times Book Review
“A splendid read” - Mystery Scene Magazine
“[T]horoughly delightful… Longworth deftly handles what is in effect a locked-room mystery, but the books real strength lies in the backstories she creates for each of the distinctive characters. The puzzles answer, buried in the past, is well prepared by what has come before.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Longworth once again immerses readers in French culture with this whodunit, which will delight Francophiles and fans of Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri. The setting will also appeal to readers who enjoy trapped-on-the-island mysteries in the tradition of Agatha Christies And Then There Were None.” - Library Journal
“Longworths maritime version of a country-house cozy offers genuine pleasures” - Kirkus
“Longworths novels, set in the south of France are mysteries for foodies, with the plot providing a table upon which the enchanting meals and accompanying wines are served.” - Booklist
“[A] charming read with a well-crafted mystery and characters as rich and full bodied as a Bordeaux.” - The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“The fourth installment of M.L. Longworths mystery series recalls some of Agatha Christies tales from exotic places, updated with balky Internet access… Its an ideal beach read.” - The Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Synopsis
Introducing a seductive new mystery series set in Provence-featuring chief magistrate Antoine Verlaque. Set in charming and historic Aix-en-Provence, France, Death at the Château Bremont introduces readers to Antoine Verlaque, the handsome and seductive chief magistrate of Aix, and his on-again, off- again love interest, law professor Marine Bonnet. When local nobleman Etienne de Bremont falls to his death from the family château, the town is abuzz with rumors. Verlaque suspects foul play and must turn to Marine for help when he discovers that she had been a close friend of the Bremonts. This is a lively whodunit steeped in the rich, enticing, and romantic atmosphere of southern France.
Synopsis
The first installment in a sumptuous new mystery series set in Provence--featuring chief magistrate Antoine Verlaque, who must team up with his old flame Marine Bonnet to solve a mysterious pair of murders
The latest book in the Verlaque & Bonnet Mystery series, The Curse of La Fontaine, is available now from Penguin Books
When local nobleman Etienne de Bremont falls to his death from the family chateau, it sets the historic town of Aix-en-Provence abuzz with rumors. Antoine Verlaque, the charming chief magistrate of Aix, suspects foul play, and when he discovers that Bremont had been a close friend of Marine Bonnet, his on-again off-again girlfriend, Verlaque must turn to her for help.
The once idyllic town suddenly seems filled with people who scould have benefited from Bremont's death--including his playboy brother Francois, who's heavily in debt and mixed up with some unsavory characters. But just as Verlaque and Bonnet are narrowing down their list of suspects, another death occurs. And this time, there can be no doubt--it's murder.
A lively mystery steeped in the enticing atmosphere of the south of France and seasoned with romance as rich as the French cuisine that inspires it, this first installment in the acclaimed Verlaque & Bonnet Provencal Mystery series is as addictive and captivating as Provence itself.
-Longworth's voice is like a rich vintage of sparkling Dorothy Sayers and grounded Donna Leon. . . . Bon appetit - --Booklist
Synopsis
The first installment in the beloved, sumptuous mystery series set in Provence, featuring chief magistrate Antoine Verlaque and his old flame Marine Bonnet, who must team up to solve a pair of murders When local nobleman tienne de Bremont falls to his death from the family ch teau, it sets the historic town of Aix-en-Provence abuzz with rumors. Antoine Verlaque, the charming chief magistrate of Aix, suspects foul play, and when he discovers that Bremont had been a close friend of Marine Bonnet, his on-again off-again girlfriend, Verlaque must turn to her for help.
The once idyllic town suddenly seems filled with people who scould have benefited from Bremont's death--including his playboy brother Fran ois, who's heavily in debt and mixed up with some unsavory characters. But just as Verlaque and Bonnet are narrowing down their list of suspects, another death occurs. And this time, there can be no doubt--it's murder.
A lively mystery steeped in the enticing atmosphere of the south of France and seasoned with romance as rich as the French cuisine that inspires it, this first installment in the acclaimed Verlaque & Bonnet Proven al Mystery series is as addictive and captivating as Provence itself.
"Longworth's voice is like a rich vintage of sparkling Dorothy Sayers and grounded Donna Leon. . . . Bon app tit " --Booklist
Synopsis
A crime wave jolts Aix-en-Provence in the third delightful Verlaque and Bonnet mystery Fans of Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri, mystery lovers, Francophiles, and foodies will adore this who-done-it with a beautiful European setting. In her riveting follow-up to
Death at the Chateau Bremont and
Murder in the Rue Dumas, M. L. Longworth evokes the sights and sounds of late-summer Provence, where the mistral blows and death comes in the most unexpected places. Olivier Bonnard, the owner of Domaine Beauclaire winery, is devastated when he discovers the theft of a priceless cache of rare vintages. Soon after, Monsieur Gilles d’Arras reports that his wife, Pauline, has vanished from their lavish apartment. As Judge Antoine Verlaque and Commissioner Paulik tackle the case (with a little help from Marine Bonnet), they receive an urgent call: Bonnard has just found Madame d’Arras—dead in his vineyard.
Synopsis
The fourth book in the series finds Verlaque and Bonnet on vacation on a remote island in the glittering Mediterranean
Like Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri, M. L. Longworths books enchant mystery lovers with a taste for good food and gorgeous landscapes. In Murder on the Île Sordou, Judge Antoine Verlaque and his girlfriend, law professor Marine Bonnet, are hoping to enjoy a relaxing holiday at the Locanda Sordou, an opulent hotel that is reopening after decades, but someone has other plans.
Maxime and Catherine Le Bon have spent their life savings restoring the Locanda, which lies on an archipelago just off the coast of Marseille. The murder of one of the guests casts a shadow over everyones vacation, and Verlaque and Bonnet are once again called to investigate. But things go from bad to worse when a violent storm cuts off all communication with the mainland. Will the killer strike again?
About the Author
M.L. Longworth has lived in Aix-en-Provence since 1997. She has written about the region for The Washington Post, The Times (U.K.), The Independent (U.K.), and Bon Appétit Magazine. She is the author the Verlaque and Bonnet series, as well as of a bilingual collection of essays, Une Américaine en Provence. She divides her time between Aix and Paris, where she teaches writing at NYU's Paris campus.