Synopses & Reviews
The fifth entry in this acclaimed series finds Verlaque and Bonnet investigating a murder and the provenance of a mysterious painting
Like Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri, M. L. Longworths enchanting mystery series blends clever whodunits with gustatory delights and the timeless appeal of Provence. The Mystery of the Lost Cézanne adds a new twist by immersing Antoine and Marine in a clever double narrative that costars Provences greatest artist.
A friend in his cigar club asks Antoine to visit René Rouquet, a retired postal worker who has found a rolled-up canvas in his apartment. As the apartment once belonged to Cézanne, Rouquet is convinced hes discovered a treasure. But when Antoine arrives at the apartment, he finds René dead, the canvas missing, and a mysterious art history professor standing over the body.
When the painting is finally recovered, the mystery only deepens. The brushwork and color all point to Cézanne. But who is the smiling woman in the painting? She is definitely not the dour Madame Cézanne. Who killed René? Who stole the painting? And what will they do to get it back?
Review
Praise for M.L. Longworth Praise for Murder on the Ile Sordou “[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 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
“Charming”—Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review
“A splendid read” - Mystery Scene Magazine
Praise for Death in the Vines “Judge Antoine Verlaque, the sleuth in this civilized series, discharges his professional duties with discretion. But were here to taste the wines, which are discussed by experts like Hippolyte Thebaud, a former wine thief, and served in beautiful settings like a 300-year-old stone farmhouse. So many bottles, so many lovely views. A reader might be forgiven for feeling woozy.” - Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times
“Though the plot is hair-raising, what keeps you glued to this mystery is its vivid portrait of everyday life in Aix, which deftly juxtaposes the elegance of the city…with quotidian woes and pleasures.” - Oprah.com
“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
Praise for Murder in the Rue Dumas “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
“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
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
“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
“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
“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
Synopsis
The fifth entry in this acclaimed series finds Verlaque and Bonnet searching for a murderer--in a crime tied to Provence's greatest artist
The latest book in the Verlaque & Bonnet Mystery series, The Curse of La Fontaine, is available now from Penguin Books
A friend in his cigar club asks Antoine Verlaque to visit Rene Rouquet, a retired postal worker who has found a rolled-up canvas in his apartment. As the apartment once belonged to Paul Cezanne, Rouquet is convinced he's discovered a treasure. But when Antoine arrives at the apartment, he finds Rene dead, the canvas missing, and a mysterious art history professor standing over the body.
When the painting is finally recovered, the mystery only deepens. The brushwork and color all point to Cezanne. But who is the smiling woman in the painting? She is definitely not the dour Madame Cezanne. Who killed Rene? Who stole the painting? And what will they do to get it back?
Like Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri, M. L. Longworth's enchanting mysteries blend clever whodunits with gustatory delights and the timeless romance of Provence. The Mystery of the Lost Cezanne adds a new twist by immersing Antoine and Marine in a clever double narrative that costars Provence's greatest artist.
-Art theft is a hot topic on the mystery scene, and no one's heist is livelier than Longworth's.- --Kirkus Reviews
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.