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Verlaque and Bonnet #1
Death at the Chateau Bremont
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
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
311 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2011
621 people are currently reading
3747 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Longworth
11 books481 followersM. L . Longworth has written for The Washington Post, The Times (London), The Independent, and Bon Appétit magazine. She divides her time between Aix-en-Provence, where she writes, and Paris, where she teaches writing at New York University's Paris campus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 627 reviews
April 13, 2011
This book combines two of my favorite genres: mysteries and books about people who drink at lunch in the middle of a workday. And if that second category isn't a real genre, then it should be, because I enjoyed the peephole into contemporary life in Aix as much as I did the whodunit aspect of this book. Also love the complicated, flawed protagonists. I just wish there were a few more books in the series for me to read next; I love a mystery, especially on vacation (and especially one that isn't too bloody, as so many forensic-based modern mystery series are; I like a mystery with a sense of place, like an Agatha Christie, a Barbara Cleverly, or this). My only complaints: it made me so hungry I got up from bed and attacked a 100 calore roasted almond snack pack. And then felt sad I wasn't eating seafood risotto and drinking local wine on the Cote d'Azur.
April 30, 2021
Nooooooooo. I was looking for a new detective series to read as an additional book to browse between denser books. Instead I got a tour through Provence; a guide to what cheeses to eat, what type of cigars are the best, what wine goes with certain types of food, romantic liaisons, clothing styles ad nauseum. The murder mystery took up about 10 pages! The characters were not likeable and the story was non-existent. What a disappointment.
June 26, 2021
I couldn't get into this book and I don't quite understand my problem.
I liked the overall concept, although it's not particularly innovative. This is one of those books that I could put aside without regret for a few hours or even days and do something else, read something else. I wasn't that interested in how it all ends. But it was also not so boring for me to decide that there is no point in finishing this book. It was just fine.
Verlaque is the main character who has many flaws. It should probably make him more human and interesting, but unfortunately it also made him very hard to be likeable. And since this book was not able to really catch my interest, the fact that I could not attached to the main character only exacerbated my problem. Verlaque is not so bad, although at times his snootiness and snobbery was annoying.
The Marine-Verlaque relationship also irritated me a bit. Well, it's hard to talk about any real relationship. I think I liked Marine more than Verlaque, and I was sorry she couldn't get over her feelings for this man. I thought she would be better with someone else. Someone who would treat her better and appreciate her much more.
The plot is fine. There are some interesting twists and possible suspects. The story is set in a small French town and draws from the atmosphere of a quiet sleepy town. Unfortunately for me it somehow didn't work out. The solution to the mystery is interesting and not that obvious, but I'm not sure I'll remember it.
I give this book a weak 3 stars. I am not sure if I will read any more books in this series. Maybe. But certainly not right now.
I liked the overall concept, although it's not particularly innovative. This is one of those books that I could put aside without regret for a few hours or even days and do something else, read something else. I wasn't that interested in how it all ends. But it was also not so boring for me to decide that there is no point in finishing this book. It was just fine.
Verlaque is the main character who has many flaws. It should probably make him more human and interesting, but unfortunately it also made him very hard to be likeable. And since this book was not able to really catch my interest, the fact that I could not attached to the main character only exacerbated my problem. Verlaque is not so bad, although at times his snootiness and snobbery was annoying.
The Marine-Verlaque relationship also irritated me a bit. Well, it's hard to talk about any real relationship. I think I liked Marine more than Verlaque, and I was sorry she couldn't get over her feelings for this man. I thought she would be better with someone else. Someone who would treat her better and appreciate her much more.
The plot is fine. There are some interesting twists and possible suspects. The story is set in a small French town and draws from the atmosphere of a quiet sleepy town. Unfortunately for me it somehow didn't work out. The solution to the mystery is interesting and not that obvious, but I'm not sure I'll remember it.
I give this book a weak 3 stars. I am not sure if I will read any more books in this series. Maybe. But certainly not right now.
July 20, 2017
This series was recommended to me after I recently read one of Martin Walker's mysteries set in France. Death at the Chateau Bremont is the first of a series that is set in Aix-en-Provence and features the chief magistrate of Aix, Antoine Verlaque, and law professor Marine Bonnet who was a former lover of his and, it seems, may become a current lover.
The author of the series, M.L. Longworth, is a reporter and magazine writer, who has written in - among other venues - Bon Appetit magazine. That was certainly evident in this book in which much of the description was devoted to foods and to wines. It seemed that Longworth was eager to show off her knowledge of these things. Maybe she should have stuck to writing for Bon Appetit.
The mystery here begins with the death of a nobleman named Etienne de Bremont who took a header out the window of the attic in the family chateau. At first, it appears to have been accidental, but two of his cousins who are lawyers are not so sure and request an inquiry into the circumstances. Thus enters Antoine Verlaque.
Six months before, Verlaque had broken off his long-running romantic relationship with Marine Bonnet - or did she break it off with him? Like many things in this book, that is a bit of a muddle. But Verlaque knows that Bonnet knew the Bremont family and grew up with the man who was killed as her playmate. He contacts her to ask for information about the family and she becomes involved in the investigation.
There is a lot of fairly aimless wandering around Provence with the main purpose seeming to be the tasting of wine rather than the solving of a mystery. We get copious descriptions of the countryside and the wines but not much description of any investigatory action. That all seems quite haphazard and off the cuff. Somehow I don't think this is representative of French police work. (I did watch The Tunnel on PBS, so obviously I am something of an expert. At least as much an expert as someone who has spent her career writing for posh foodie magazines.)
Anyway, the plot meanders along and then we have a second death - the brother of the first man who died. There's no doubt about how this one happened; he was strangled.
Even so, this doesn't seem to light a fire under Verlaque. He's still more interested in pursuing a resumption of his relationship with Bonnet and in enjoying fine food and superlative wines in 3-star restaurants and savoring his fine cigars (He belongs to a cigar club!) than in finding out what happened to these two men and who is responsible.
I give up! The plot and the characters in this book are just a big, fat mess!
And that reminds me: At one point, Marine is ruminating on the looks and manners of the tourists that flock into Provence and she expresses her disgust at all the fat American and English women who carry around their gallons of water with them. It was an utterly gratuitous insult which contributed nothing to the plot and just made the "heroine" out to be a pompous jerk.
Finally, we do find out what happened in regard to the first death, but the mystery of who killed the second man and why is never solved unless it was in one of those passages where my eyes glazed over as I was speed-reading through the last chapters. Maybe the mystery was carried over to be solved in the second entry in the series, but I'm not curious enough to find out.
The author of the series, M.L. Longworth, is a reporter and magazine writer, who has written in - among other venues - Bon Appetit magazine. That was certainly evident in this book in which much of the description was devoted to foods and to wines. It seemed that Longworth was eager to show off her knowledge of these things. Maybe she should have stuck to writing for Bon Appetit.
The mystery here begins with the death of a nobleman named Etienne de Bremont who took a header out the window of the attic in the family chateau. At first, it appears to have been accidental, but two of his cousins who are lawyers are not so sure and request an inquiry into the circumstances. Thus enters Antoine Verlaque.
Six months before, Verlaque had broken off his long-running romantic relationship with Marine Bonnet - or did she break it off with him? Like many things in this book, that is a bit of a muddle. But Verlaque knows that Bonnet knew the Bremont family and grew up with the man who was killed as her playmate. He contacts her to ask for information about the family and she becomes involved in the investigation.
There is a lot of fairly aimless wandering around Provence with the main purpose seeming to be the tasting of wine rather than the solving of a mystery. We get copious descriptions of the countryside and the wines but not much description of any investigatory action. That all seems quite haphazard and off the cuff. Somehow I don't think this is representative of French police work. (I did watch The Tunnel on PBS, so obviously I am something of an expert. At least as much an expert as someone who has spent her career writing for posh foodie magazines.)
Anyway, the plot meanders along and then we have a second death - the brother of the first man who died. There's no doubt about how this one happened; he was strangled.
Even so, this doesn't seem to light a fire under Verlaque. He's still more interested in pursuing a resumption of his relationship with Bonnet and in enjoying fine food and superlative wines in 3-star restaurants and savoring his fine cigars (He belongs to a cigar club!) than in finding out what happened to these two men and who is responsible.
I give up! The plot and the characters in this book are just a big, fat mess!
And that reminds me: At one point, Marine is ruminating on the looks and manners of the tourists that flock into Provence and she expresses her disgust at all the fat American and English women who carry around their gallons of water with them. It was an utterly gratuitous insult which contributed nothing to the plot and just made the "heroine" out to be a pompous jerk.
Finally, we do find out what happened in regard to the first death, but the mystery of who killed the second man and why is never solved unless it was in one of those passages where my eyes glazed over as I was speed-reading through the last chapters. Maybe the mystery was carried over to be solved in the second entry in the series, but I'm not curious enough to find out.
July 19, 2013
More like 2.5 stars...almost. The actual mystery was good, but most of the book didn't even have to do with it. There was a lot about the importance of enjoying good French wine and good French food, and there was also a lot about longing for lost relationships and the French countryside. This is all fine and dandy for a different kind of book, but I wanted a mystery.
November 11, 2019
Having recently read four books from this series I finally got my hands on the first book of the series. There were many helpful introductions to continuing characters. I must confess I did not enjoy this book as much as some of the later ones and it may be possible had I read this book first, I may not have followed the series with the enthusiasm I now have. Why? This intro is too complex with too many themes, relationships and characters along with a surfeit of ruminations..
So...I would not recommend reading the first book first!
But...we do get detailed physical descriptions of the main characters, the beginnings of how a law professor (Bonnet) begins to participate in crime investigations at the request of Verlaque, family history of Verlaque, Corsican and Russian mafia action in the Mediterranean and many descriptions of meals and wines.
Library Loan
So...I would not recommend reading the first book first!
But...we do get detailed physical descriptions of the main characters, the beginnings of how a law professor (Bonnet) begins to participate in crime investigations at the request of Verlaque, family history of Verlaque, Corsican and Russian mafia action in the Mediterranean and many descriptions of meals and wines.
Library Loan
December 23, 2021
This was my first brush with Monsieur le Juge Verlaque and his quirky life in France. Besides having had a special relationship with this English grandmother (she recently died), he was 41 years old, a lifelong bachelor, wine connoisseur, cigar aficionado and food snob. He got along with (inspector) Paulik, but the other officers within his district thought him an odd duck and for very good reasons. He was.
When a local nobleman died under suspicious circumstances, he asked for his ex-girlfriend's help. She was a childhood friend of the deceased. Verlaque might have other reasons as well. Professor Marine Bonnet dated Verlaque for roughly six months and though they moved on, neither was completely over their relationship. It gave new meaning to the words food for thought.
The suspense was good with some unexpected twists. I liked Marine and Paulik and I think I could eventually warm up to Verlaque. It will be interesting to learn more about his past and find out how much it affected him.
3.5 stars
When a local nobleman died under suspicious circumstances, he asked for his ex-girlfriend's help. She was a childhood friend of the deceased. Verlaque might have other reasons as well. Professor Marine Bonnet dated Verlaque for roughly six months and though they moved on, neither was completely over their relationship. It gave new meaning to the words food for thought.
The suspense was good with some unexpected twists. I liked Marine and Paulik and I think I could eventually warm up to Verlaque. It will be interesting to learn more about his past and find out how much it affected him.
3.5 stars
December 27, 2011
I always think it's funny when a first book in a series says "A __________ Mystery," on the cover, as it seems so cheeky. It's THE _____________ Mystery at the moment, folks! Death at the Chateau Bremont says "A Verlaque and Bonnet Mystery" on its cover, and that's about it--there's a paragraph about the author and a Booklist review excerpt that compares Longworth's writing to Sayers and Leon--a stretch, I'd say. Penguin Mystery Originals is clearly trying to Launch Longworth with a capital L!
The book, tho no Sayers and Leon in my view, is a pleasant read. It has the slightly halting diction of a book in translation (which I happen to like), tho Longworth is apparently not native French. While the cultural background and detail is interesting, the plot is a tad slow, and the character development strains a bit at the seams--Verlaque and Bonnet's relationship is a bit too portentously developed. All the same, I kept reading despite Christmas and other competing books and the like, so there was a draw there. I'm giving my copy (found on our library's little "on-going booksale" shelf for 50 cents) to my Francophone sister-in-law at New Year's. We'll see what she says! Still: if I find Verlaque and Bonnet #2 on a booksale shelf, even if a dollar, I'd buy it--hence the 3 stars.
The book, tho no Sayers and Leon in my view, is a pleasant read. It has the slightly halting diction of a book in translation (which I happen to like), tho Longworth is apparently not native French. While the cultural background and detail is interesting, the plot is a tad slow, and the character development strains a bit at the seams--Verlaque and Bonnet's relationship is a bit too portentously developed. All the same, I kept reading despite Christmas and other competing books and the like, so there was a draw there. I'm giving my copy (found on our library's little "on-going booksale" shelf for 50 cents) to my Francophone sister-in-law at New Year's. We'll see what she says! Still: if I find Verlaque and Bonnet #2 on a booksale shelf, even if a dollar, I'd buy it--hence the 3 stars.
June 8, 2024
The first novel in a series mysteries placed in Aix-en-Provence starring Antoine Verlaque, investigating judge, and Marine Bonnet, professor of law. This is my second meeting with them the first time was in 2019 when I read book 8 of this series but in a ebook format.
This book has been filmed in the series Murder in Provance as episode 1. The difference is in the details in this book there is no relationship between Verlaque and Bonnet, there used to be one and not now even if both characters still have strong feelings for eachother. The main diferences are the policewoman who is a man in the book and Verlaque is charming as hell in the series which is certainly not the case in the book.
Anyhow a count falls out of the window of his chateau and dies, there is some doubt what has happened. Suicide, accident or murder, that is the question. When the brother also dies clearly murdered then there are certainly more questions. And as the involved parties are clearly not tell the truth or omit some truths it is obvious that there is more at stake.
A nice pedestrian mystery in the Provence, with a lot of food and wine talk to make you feel peckish or in the mood for some French alcoholic beverage.
Nothing special but entertaining, I admit honestly that the 3 television movies left a better impression.
9 more books to read so far by this female writer who hides behind the initials ML , looking forward anyhow.
This book has been filmed in the series Murder in Provance as episode 1. The difference is in the details in this book there is no relationship between Verlaque and Bonnet, there used to be one and not now even if both characters still have strong feelings for eachother. The main diferences are the policewoman who is a man in the book and Verlaque is charming as hell in the series which is certainly not the case in the book.
Anyhow a count falls out of the window of his chateau and dies, there is some doubt what has happened. Suicide, accident or murder, that is the question. When the brother also dies clearly murdered then there are certainly more questions. And as the involved parties are clearly not tell the truth or omit some truths it is obvious that there is more at stake.
A nice pedestrian mystery in the Provence, with a lot of food and wine talk to make you feel peckish or in the mood for some French alcoholic beverage.
Nothing special but entertaining, I admit honestly that the 3 television movies left a better impression.
9 more books to read so far by this female writer who hides behind the initials ML , looking forward anyhow.
September 18, 2012
First Line: The attic light was burnt out.
Antoine Verlaque, chief magistrate of Aix-en-Provence, France, is called upon to check into the death of a local nobleman, who fell to his death from an attic window in his château. Although it looks like a simple case of accidental death, Verlaque suspects foul play and asks Marine Bonnet, professor of law at the local university, to help him with his investigation since she grew up with the dead man and his brother.
They've barely begun their investigation, however, when the nobleman's brother also dies at the château. This second death is most definitely murder, and the magistrate and the professor must work fast before anyone else can come to harm. What makes the investigation a bit uncomfortable for them both is the fact that-- until six months ago-- Verlaque and Bonnet had been lovers.
Author M.L. Longworth moved to Aix-en-Provence in 1997 and began writing articles about the region. After a few years the restrictions of writing non-fiction began to chafe, and she turned to crime fiction. According to her website, her primary aim is to have the reader "experience Aix-en-Provence the way I do, as if they were beside me." Longworth accomplishes that quite well in this book. The countryside, the city of Aix itself, the people and their customs are all extremely well-drawn, and I did feel as though I were there.
Unfortunately the author concentrates so much on the land, people and customs that the mystery often appears to take a backseat. The investigation takes a long time to unfold then rushes to its conclusion in the last quarter of the book. It's a shame because the deaths of the two brothers are intriguing, and I would've appreciated a bit more detail before the race to the end.
Verlaque and Bonnet are an interesting pair. Marine is the likable one of the two. I enjoyed seeing how her mind works, and even a small habit like saying "Merci, les garçons" each time she passes the war memorial let me know what type of person she is. Verlaque is an entirely different story. Raised by parents who would've loved to buy themselves a title, he's close to neither and only feels real love and affection for his recently deceased English grandmother. Verlaque is handsome, educated, well-traveled, and finds it very easy to seduce women. He's also a terrible snob. Yes, Verlaque is very easy to dislike, but there is a real attraction, even love, between the magistrate and Marine.
I enjoyed Death at the Château Bremont for its depiction of life in Aix-en-Provence, and for its mystery. Although I don't care for Antoine Verlaque, a few clues toward the end of the book led me to believe that he may realize that he needs to change a few things about himself to make him worthy of someone like Marine. The second book in the series, Murder in the Rue Dumas, is now available. I may find myself in the south of France again to see what happens next in the relationship of this very interesting pair.
Antoine Verlaque, chief magistrate of Aix-en-Provence, France, is called upon to check into the death of a local nobleman, who fell to his death from an attic window in his château. Although it looks like a simple case of accidental death, Verlaque suspects foul play and asks Marine Bonnet, professor of law at the local university, to help him with his investigation since she grew up with the dead man and his brother.
They've barely begun their investigation, however, when the nobleman's brother also dies at the château. This second death is most definitely murder, and the magistrate and the professor must work fast before anyone else can come to harm. What makes the investigation a bit uncomfortable for them both is the fact that-- until six months ago-- Verlaque and Bonnet had been lovers.
Author M.L. Longworth moved to Aix-en-Provence in 1997 and began writing articles about the region. After a few years the restrictions of writing non-fiction began to chafe, and she turned to crime fiction. According to her website, her primary aim is to have the reader "experience Aix-en-Provence the way I do, as if they were beside me." Longworth accomplishes that quite well in this book. The countryside, the city of Aix itself, the people and their customs are all extremely well-drawn, and I did feel as though I were there.
Unfortunately the author concentrates so much on the land, people and customs that the mystery often appears to take a backseat. The investigation takes a long time to unfold then rushes to its conclusion in the last quarter of the book. It's a shame because the deaths of the two brothers are intriguing, and I would've appreciated a bit more detail before the race to the end.
Verlaque and Bonnet are an interesting pair. Marine is the likable one of the two. I enjoyed seeing how her mind works, and even a small habit like saying "Merci, les garçons" each time she passes the war memorial let me know what type of person she is. Verlaque is an entirely different story. Raised by parents who would've loved to buy themselves a title, he's close to neither and only feels real love and affection for his recently deceased English grandmother. Verlaque is handsome, educated, well-traveled, and finds it very easy to seduce women. He's also a terrible snob. Yes, Verlaque is very easy to dislike, but there is a real attraction, even love, between the magistrate and Marine.
I enjoyed Death at the Château Bremont for its depiction of life in Aix-en-Provence, and for its mystery. Although I don't care for Antoine Verlaque, a few clues toward the end of the book led me to believe that he may realize that he needs to change a few things about himself to make him worthy of someone like Marine. The second book in the series, Murder in the Rue Dumas, is now available. I may find myself in the south of France again to see what happens next in the relationship of this very interesting pair.
July 9, 2011
Maybe my expectations were too high; I read one rave review. While the setting in Provence was interesting, the two lead characters -- a female law professor and her former love, the local juge -- are tiresome, the pacing is slow, and the writing is surprisingly clunky considering that the author has written for a number of magazines. A disappointment.
March 3, 2018
More like “Death at the Chataeu MEH-mont”, amiright?
June 8, 2011
"Death at the Chateau Bremont" is technically a mystery, but it read like a travelogue about Aix, France with a mystery going on in the background. There was no urgency to the mystery, so I felt very little suspense. The characters were varied, complex, and flawed. The story was mainly about how Judge Verlaque (who's not the courtroom type of judge) and his ex-girlfriend are still attracted to each other despite how Verlaque is constantly critical of her. While realistic, I was rooting for them to not get back together.
The story was full of details about Aix, France--both the attractions (sight-seeing areas, famous artwork, etc.), and the daily life. There were a lot of details about cigars, fine food, and wine. If you're a fan of those, then you'll probably enjoy this book.
Unfortunately, I don't care about those three things. The high level of uninteresting-to-me detail slowed the pacing down to a crawl. With so much detail, it was hard to tell what would play a critical role later, so I stopped trying to solve the mystery. While eventually we did get clues that pointed to the whodunit, that part didn't really kick in until near the end. My mom (who also read the story) said she thought the book had so many daily-life details because there was so little to the actual mystery.
There were some words in French, and some of it was obvious from context or explained. There were no graphic sex scenes. There was some explicit and some "he cussed" style bad language. Overall, I didn't find this mystery very interesting, but I suspect mystery-lovers who are cigar-wine-and-fine-food fans would enjoy it.
I received this book as an unrequested review copy from the publisher.
The story was full of details about Aix, France--both the attractions (sight-seeing areas, famous artwork, etc.), and the daily life. There were a lot of details about cigars, fine food, and wine. If you're a fan of those, then you'll probably enjoy this book.
Unfortunately, I don't care about those three things. The high level of uninteresting-to-me detail slowed the pacing down to a crawl. With so much detail, it was hard to tell what would play a critical role later, so I stopped trying to solve the mystery. While eventually we did get clues that pointed to the whodunit, that part didn't really kick in until near the end. My mom (who also read the story) said she thought the book had so many daily-life details because there was so little to the actual mystery.
There were some words in French, and some of it was obvious from context or explained. There were no graphic sex scenes. There was some explicit and some "he cussed" style bad language. Overall, I didn't find this mystery very interesting, but I suspect mystery-lovers who are cigar-wine-and-fine-food fans would enjoy it.
I received this book as an unrequested review copy from the publisher.
June 15, 2022
Wanneer edelman en documentairemaker Étienne de Brémont dood wordt aangetroffen na een val uit het zolderraam van kasteel Brémont, wordt onderzoeksrechter Antoine Verlaque belast met het onderzoek. Is hier sprake van een noodlottig ongeval, zelfmoord of moord? Zodra hij ontdekt dat universiteitsdocente Marine Bonnet de familie vroeger goed kende, roept hij haar hulp in, ook al is hun relatie op zijn zachtst gezegd ingewikkeld te noemen.
Niet iedereen die Étienne heeft gekend staat te springen om mee te werken, sommige personages willen alles liever laten rusten, en het onderzoek verloopt in het begin dan ook vrij moeizaam. Terwijl Antoine en Marine steeds dieper in de zaak duiken, lijken er ook steeds meer potentiële verdachten rond te lopen in Aix-de-Provence. Maar terwijl ze bezig zijn met het inkorten van hun verdachtenlijstje, sterft er plotseling nog iemand – en dit keer is het zeker moord. Ze moeten alles op alles zetten om de moordenaar te ontmaskeren en om te ontdekken of er een connectie bestaat tussen deze twee sterfgevallen.
In deze cosy crime waan je je in de Provence, de sfeer wordt sterk neergezet door de beeldende, beschrijvende schrijfstijl van de auteur en je leert de hoofdpersonages uitgebreid kennen. Verlaque komt regelmatig arrogant en bot over, hij is overtuigd van zijn eigen gelijk en kan nogal denigrerend uit de hoek komen, maar hij kan snel verbanden zien en conclusies trekken en heeft ook een zachtere kant, omdat hij toch nog altijd een zwak heeft voor Marine. Marine heeft daarentegen prima mensenkennis, maakt gemakkelijk contact en kan zo andere aanwijzingen volgen, waardoor ze een goed team zijn.
Verwacht geen loeispannende thriller die je op het puntje van je stoel laat zitten, maar laat je meevoeren door dit rustige, kabbelende en mysterieuze verhaal waarin ook veel over het Franse leven gepraat wordt, waarin lekker eten, wijn en sigaren een grote rol spelen. Soms wordt er daardoor iets te ver van de rode draad afgedwaald, niet alle passages voegen evenveel toe aan de oplossing van de zaak, maar vooral in de tweede helft van het boek volgen gebeurtenissen elkaar sneller op en krijg je ineens interessante aanwijzingen, waardoor de spanning ook wat stijgt.
Dit is niet alleen een verhaal over een moordzaak, het gaat (vooral) ook over de levens van de personages en hun onderlinge relaties, over geheimen, mogelijke motieven en dubbele agenda’s. Een enkele verhaallijn had wel iets beter opgebouwd mogen worden, maar het leest prettig, de uiteindelijke dader blijft lang onbekend en alle losse eindjes komen mooi bij elkaar. Ik heb me zeker vermaakt met dit boek en ben benieuwd naar nieuwe onderzoeken van Antoine en Marine!
3-3.5⭐️
Niet iedereen die Étienne heeft gekend staat te springen om mee te werken, sommige personages willen alles liever laten rusten, en het onderzoek verloopt in het begin dan ook vrij moeizaam. Terwijl Antoine en Marine steeds dieper in de zaak duiken, lijken er ook steeds meer potentiële verdachten rond te lopen in Aix-de-Provence. Maar terwijl ze bezig zijn met het inkorten van hun verdachtenlijstje, sterft er plotseling nog iemand – en dit keer is het zeker moord. Ze moeten alles op alles zetten om de moordenaar te ontmaskeren en om te ontdekken of er een connectie bestaat tussen deze twee sterfgevallen.
In deze cosy crime waan je je in de Provence, de sfeer wordt sterk neergezet door de beeldende, beschrijvende schrijfstijl van de auteur en je leert de hoofdpersonages uitgebreid kennen. Verlaque komt regelmatig arrogant en bot over, hij is overtuigd van zijn eigen gelijk en kan nogal denigrerend uit de hoek komen, maar hij kan snel verbanden zien en conclusies trekken en heeft ook een zachtere kant, omdat hij toch nog altijd een zwak heeft voor Marine. Marine heeft daarentegen prima mensenkennis, maakt gemakkelijk contact en kan zo andere aanwijzingen volgen, waardoor ze een goed team zijn.
Verwacht geen loeispannende thriller die je op het puntje van je stoel laat zitten, maar laat je meevoeren door dit rustige, kabbelende en mysterieuze verhaal waarin ook veel over het Franse leven gepraat wordt, waarin lekker eten, wijn en sigaren een grote rol spelen. Soms wordt er daardoor iets te ver van de rode draad afgedwaald, niet alle passages voegen evenveel toe aan de oplossing van de zaak, maar vooral in de tweede helft van het boek volgen gebeurtenissen elkaar sneller op en krijg je ineens interessante aanwijzingen, waardoor de spanning ook wat stijgt.
Dit is niet alleen een verhaal over een moordzaak, het gaat (vooral) ook over de levens van de personages en hun onderlinge relaties, over geheimen, mogelijke motieven en dubbele agenda’s. Een enkele verhaallijn had wel iets beter opgebouwd mogen worden, maar het leest prettig, de uiteindelijke dader blijft lang onbekend en alle losse eindjes komen mooi bij elkaar. Ik heb me zeker vermaakt met dit boek en ben benieuwd naar nieuwe onderzoeken van Antoine en Marine!
3-3.5⭐️
August 19, 2014
Such a very, very French mystery! Not surprising, since it took place in the south of France. It had the flavor of a novel written originally in French, but I don't think it was. By this I mean that there was not the sometimes overly studied explanation of the French law enforcement and judicial systems which seems to come up in most novels written for and by English speakers. In fact, although this is the first in the series,one feels a bit like one is somewhere in the middle. The two main characters have a not entirely happy romantic history which keeps coming to the fore. No great pains are taken to delve into their past together, but really this just makes the book better, I think--in some ways more novel than mystery with characters more fleshed out.
May 19, 2022
Och, jakie to mi było potrzebne! Idealna lektura na łożu śmierci, żeby człowiek miał poczucie, że zaznał przed odejściem w niebyt odrobiny luksusu 😉
W końcu bohaterami tego kryminału jest francuska arystokracja: z zameczkami, wypasionymi furami, designerskimi ciuchami, wyszukanymi potrawami. Chociaż trochę mnie to bawiło, bo obrazki z życia wyższych sfer to dla mnie mniej więcej jak opowieść o mieszkańcach Marsa, przyjemnie było zanurzyć się w zupełnie innym świecie.
Za to za osobami dystyngowanymi idą też inne rzeczy, np. kultura osobista przekładająca się na język bohaterów. Naprawdę z przyjemnością czyta się dialogi bez wulgaryzmów i próby naśladowania gangsterskich filmów (miła odmiana po Kuźmińskich, nie powiem). Wszystko jest tu bardzo eleganckie, nawet opisy morderstw, bez żadnych krwawych szczegółów.
Co oczywiście nie oznacza, że ci eleganccy ludzie są bez skazy i nie mają warstwy brudu pod pudrem i perfumami.
Tytułowa parka to sędzia śledczy Antoine Verlaque - palący kubańskie cygara, bardzo wymagający pod względem jedzenia i picia, a także przestrzegania zasad etykiety, nie umiejący się przed nikim otworzyć snob, który jednocześnie jest bardzo inteligentny i super czarujący, błyskawicznie uwodzi nie tylko kobiety, ale i mężczyzn; i Marine Bonnet - profesorka prawa na uniwersytecie, mądra, lubiana, aktywna, miła, dobra i atrakcyjna, beznadziejnie zakochana w Verlaque’u. Byli kiedyś parą i to bardzo szczęśliwą, kiedy jednak Marine próbowała za bardzo zbliżyć się do sędziego, ten wystraszył się i uciekł bez wyjaśnień. Teraz ich drogi splatają się w śledztwie, które on prowadzi, a ona jest z nim związana przeszłością. Oczywiście jest to okazja do tego aby uczucie odżyło i chodź nie jest lekko, to chyba coś z tego wychodzi, skoro seria ma kolejne 7 tomów.
Chociaż warstwa obyczajowa zajmuje w tym kryminale więcej miejsca niż lubię, nie przeszkadzało mi to tak bardzo, bo zagadka jest fajnie skonstruowana, i płaszczyzna kryminalna płynnie się z nią przeplata. Intryga zaczyna się od jednego pokoju, ale potem zaskakująco rozszerza, jest sporo sekretów i mylenia tropów. Bardzo długo nie domyślałam się rozwiązania.
Na koniec jeszcze tło powieści, które dla mnie jest prawdziwą wisienką na torcie. Autorka to amerykanka, która w 1996 roku wyemigrowała do Aix-en-Provence i zakochała się w tym miejscu, a także francuskim stylu bycia. I to czuć na kartach książki. Mamy tu przepiękne opisy Prowansji, krajobrazów, roślin, promienie słońca, można poczuć wakacje. Mnóstwo smaków - kuchnia odgrywa tu ważną rolę, chociaż nie jest to kuchnia wegetariańska, nie czułam żadnego niesmaku. I wino. Opisy winnic, szczepów, roczników, aromatów… Chociaż nie piję od lat, a wino nie było moim ulubionym trunkiem, rozbudziły moją wyobraźnię. Trochę nie mieści mi się w głowie, że po jednym łyku napoju ludzkie kubki smakowe są w stanie wychwycić i zidentyfikować tak zróżnicowany bukiet wrażeń.
To jest dobry kryminał w starym stylu. Podczas lektury cały czas myślałam o moim ulubionym serialu sprzed lat „Morderstwa w Midsomer”, jest tu bardzo podobny nastrój. Niech świadectwem jak mi w tej Prowansji dobrze będzie fakt, że po skończeniu „Śmierci w…” musiałam sięgnąć po kolejny tom z serii.
W końcu bohaterami tego kryminału jest francuska arystokracja: z zameczkami, wypasionymi furami, designerskimi ciuchami, wyszukanymi potrawami. Chociaż trochę mnie to bawiło, bo obrazki z życia wyższych sfer to dla mnie mniej więcej jak opowieść o mieszkańcach Marsa, przyjemnie było zanurzyć się w zupełnie innym świecie.
Za to za osobami dystyngowanymi idą też inne rzeczy, np. kultura osobista przekładająca się na język bohaterów. Naprawdę z przyjemnością czyta się dialogi bez wulgaryzmów i próby naśladowania gangsterskich filmów (miła odmiana po Kuźmińskich, nie powiem). Wszystko jest tu bardzo eleganckie, nawet opisy morderstw, bez żadnych krwawych szczegółów.
Co oczywiście nie oznacza, że ci eleganccy ludzie są bez skazy i nie mają warstwy brudu pod pudrem i perfumami.
Tytułowa parka to sędzia śledczy Antoine Verlaque - palący kubańskie cygara, bardzo wymagający pod względem jedzenia i picia, a także przestrzegania zasad etykiety, nie umiejący się przed nikim otworzyć snob, który jednocześnie jest bardzo inteligentny i super czarujący, błyskawicznie uwodzi nie tylko kobiety, ale i mężczyzn; i Marine Bonnet - profesorka prawa na uniwersytecie, mądra, lubiana, aktywna, miła, dobra i atrakcyjna, beznadziejnie zakochana w Verlaque’u. Byli kiedyś parą i to bardzo szczęśliwą, kiedy jednak Marine próbowała za bardzo zbliżyć się do sędziego, ten wystraszył się i uciekł bez wyjaśnień. Teraz ich drogi splatają się w śledztwie, które on prowadzi, a ona jest z nim związana przeszłością. Oczywiście jest to okazja do tego aby uczucie odżyło i chodź nie jest lekko, to chyba coś z tego wychodzi, skoro seria ma kolejne 7 tomów.
Chociaż warstwa obyczajowa zajmuje w tym kryminale więcej miejsca niż lubię, nie przeszkadzało mi to tak bardzo, bo zagadka jest fajnie skonstruowana, i płaszczyzna kryminalna płynnie się z nią przeplata. Intryga zaczyna się od jednego pokoju, ale potem zaskakująco rozszerza, jest sporo sekretów i mylenia tropów. Bardzo długo nie domyślałam się rozwiązania.
Na koniec jeszcze tło powieści, które dla mnie jest prawdziwą wisienką na torcie. Autorka to amerykanka, która w 1996 roku wyemigrowała do Aix-en-Provence i zakochała się w tym miejscu, a także francuskim stylu bycia. I to czuć na kartach książki. Mamy tu przepiękne opisy Prowansji, krajobrazów, roślin, promienie słońca, można poczuć wakacje. Mnóstwo smaków - kuchnia odgrywa tu ważną rolę, chociaż nie jest to kuchnia wegetariańska, nie czułam żadnego niesmaku. I wino. Opisy winnic, szczepów, roczników, aromatów… Chociaż nie piję od lat, a wino nie było moim ulubionym trunkiem, rozbudziły moją wyobraźnię. Trochę nie mieści mi się w głowie, że po jednym łyku napoju ludzkie kubki smakowe są w stanie wychwycić i zidentyfikować tak zróżnicowany bukiet wrażeń.
To jest dobry kryminał w starym stylu. Podczas lektury cały czas myślałam o moim ulubionym serialu sprzed lat „Morderstwa w Midsomer”, jest tu bardzo podobny nastrój. Niech świadectwem jak mi w tej Prowansji dobrze będzie fakt, że po skończeniu „Śmierci w…” musiałam sięgnąć po kolejny tom z serii.
September 7, 2011
First Sentence: The attic light was burnt out.
When Étienne de Bremont is found dead having fallen from an attic window in his family’s chateau, it is thought to be a suicide. Or was it an accident? Or was it murder as even the broom in the attic contains no finger prints and a once-heavy suitcase is now empty. When the decidedly murdered body of Etienne’s brother, Franҫois, is found in the château’s fountain, the case becomes much more complex for Magistrate Verlaque as he also needs the help of his former lover and the brother’s friend, law professor Marine Bonnet
Ms. Longworth does a very good job of setting the opening scene with both wonderful and horrific descriptions. But it is the characters who drive this story.
We are quickly intrigued by Magistrate Antoine Verlaque. The author provides bits of his background and his character. However, just as one of the characters comments, we never really get to know him. He works well with his teams, realizes some of his own shortcomings and has a complex relationship with Marine. You feel the attraction between the two characters even in the classic scene of couples who are not together but take a small satisfaction in each other’s imperfections. There is also an interesting passage where we see Verlaque through Marine’s eyes, and a delightful observation about Americans. Although it is stated, a bit too many times, that Verlaque has the ability to seduce all those he meets, he is also smart; he knows it is more effective to interview people in their own environment.
Foodies beware – Ms. Longworth’s wonderful descriptions of food and wine make you salivate and want to pack your bags so that you may experience these delights personally.
The mystery does often become overshadowed by the characters but is still present and interesting enough to hold its own, including a couple very nice twists.
DEATH AT THE CHÂTEAU BREMONT is an enjoyable read with characters intriguing enough to make one want to return for, hopefully, the next book.
DEATH AT THE CHÂTEAU BREMONT (Lic Inv-Magistrate Antoine Verlaque-Aix-en-Provence, France-Cont) – G+
Longworth, M.L. – 1st book
Penguin Books, 2011, US Paperback – ISBN: 978-0143119524
When Étienne de Bremont is found dead having fallen from an attic window in his family’s chateau, it is thought to be a suicide. Or was it an accident? Or was it murder as even the broom in the attic contains no finger prints and a once-heavy suitcase is now empty. When the decidedly murdered body of Etienne’s brother, Franҫois, is found in the château’s fountain, the case becomes much more complex for Magistrate Verlaque as he also needs the help of his former lover and the brother’s friend, law professor Marine Bonnet
Ms. Longworth does a very good job of setting the opening scene with both wonderful and horrific descriptions. But it is the characters who drive this story.
We are quickly intrigued by Magistrate Antoine Verlaque. The author provides bits of his background and his character. However, just as one of the characters comments, we never really get to know him. He works well with his teams, realizes some of his own shortcomings and has a complex relationship with Marine. You feel the attraction between the two characters even in the classic scene of couples who are not together but take a small satisfaction in each other’s imperfections. There is also an interesting passage where we see Verlaque through Marine’s eyes, and a delightful observation about Americans. Although it is stated, a bit too many times, that Verlaque has the ability to seduce all those he meets, he is also smart; he knows it is more effective to interview people in their own environment.
Foodies beware – Ms. Longworth’s wonderful descriptions of food and wine make you salivate and want to pack your bags so that you may experience these delights personally.
The mystery does often become overshadowed by the characters but is still present and interesting enough to hold its own, including a couple very nice twists.
DEATH AT THE CHÂTEAU BREMONT is an enjoyable read with characters intriguing enough to make one want to return for, hopefully, the next book.
DEATH AT THE CHÂTEAU BREMONT (Lic Inv-Magistrate Antoine Verlaque-Aix-en-Provence, France-Cont) – G+
Longworth, M.L. – 1st book
Penguin Books, 2011, US Paperback – ISBN: 978-0143119524
July 13, 2013
This mystery hit my sweet spot: set in France, lots of local color and food, and good mystery with realistic characters none of whom are alcoholic. I'd definitely read another. Plus I learned about gougeres and am inspired to try to make them.
July 3, 2016
I read this for mystery book group and quite enjoyed it. Must pick up the series again.
July 25, 2021
I picked this book up on a whim at a local bookstore and I’m so glad I did! It’s well written and an engaging story. I would like to read more by this author in the future.
October 1, 2025
niet doorheen te komen.
May 8, 2023
Een moeizame start van wat mogelijk later best een leuke cosy crime-reeks kan blijken te zijn. Absoluut positief zijn de sfeervolle omschrijvingen van het Provençaalse landschap in het voorjaar (het eerste deel speelt zich af in april), maar de schrijfster introduceert veel te veel (dorps)personages - inclusief hun hele doopceel - die in de rest van het verhaal niet of nauwelijks ter zake doen en deze detailuitwerking maakt het lastig om echt in het verhaal te komen. Nadat de tweede dode is gevallen (en ditmaal betreft het zeker een moord) komt het verhaal langzaam maar zeker beter uit de verf.
June 4, 2021
I wanted to like this book. I actually read quite a bit of it, but in the end, the fact that I liked none of the main characters was too much. The setting in Aix is both omnipresent and doesn't add much of anything to the book, or the plot. Descriptions of excellent meals never really made me long to be back in France. A disappointment.
Addenda: Subsequent entries in the series have been much more to my taste, and it has become the kind of series where I look forward to reading the next one!
Addenda: Subsequent entries in the series have been much more to my taste, and it has become the kind of series where I look forward to reading the next one!
May 8, 2022
Hebbanbuzz - recensie op 15 mei
Read
June 14, 2022Deze recensie verscheen eerder op Koukleum.nl.
Zelf kan ik altijd genieten van een leuke en goede cosy crime. Dit genre is de laatste tijd opgekomen in de boekenwereld en valt een beetje tussen feelgood en thriller in. Dus een genre om lekker achterover te gaan zitten en te lezen. Maar toch had ik hier en daar mijn twijfels tijdens het lezen…
In de proloog lezen wij dat Étienne de Brémont, even na middernacht, op de zolder van het oude chateau is. Plotseling hoort hij gestommel op de trap en komt er iemand de zolder op die hij niet verwacht… Deze proloog is veelbelovend. Ik sla snel de bladzijde om, zodat ik aan het eerste hoofdstuk kan beginnen.
Wat mij tijdens het lezen al snel opviel waren de Franse invloeden in het schrijven. Bij sommige woorden had ik het gevoel van ‘huh, wat betekent dat?’, dit haalde voor mij de snelheid uit het verhaal. Hierdoor merkte ik dat ik het verhaal ook sneller aan de kant legde om even wat anders te gaan doen. Dit vind ik altijd erg jammer als een verhaal mij niet weet te pakken.
Wel heeft de auteur ervoor gekozen om de hoofdstukken lekker kort te houden. Normaal vind ik dit een pluspunt, maar door de vaak moeilijke woorden, en toch vaker minder prettige zinsopbouw, maakte dit het helaas niet goed voor mij.
In een cosy crime weet je dat de spanning niet enorm hoog is, echter bij dit verhaal miste ik deze eigenlijk in het hele verhaal. Het verhaal kabbelde maar een beetje verder en de piek(jes) spanning miste ik toch tijdens het verhaal.
M.L. Longworth is wel een kei in het omschrijven van situaties en omgevingen. Dit is voor mij altijd een pluspunt. Vooral als het verhaal zich in het mooie Frankrijk afspeelt. Daar kan ik dan ook weer echt van genieten.
Al met al is ‘Dood op kasteel Brémont’ niet mijn thriller. Het heeft voor mij helaas meer min dan pluspunten. Het vervolg ‘Moord in Rue Dumas’ is al verschenen, en ik ga dit tweede deel aankomende tijd toch een kans geven. Ik ben erg nieuwsgierig of dit toch een beetje spannender is dan dit eerste deel.
Zelf kan ik altijd genieten van een leuke en goede cosy crime. Dit genre is de laatste tijd opgekomen in de boekenwereld en valt een beetje tussen feelgood en thriller in. Dus een genre om lekker achterover te gaan zitten en te lezen. Maar toch had ik hier en daar mijn twijfels tijdens het lezen…
In de proloog lezen wij dat Étienne de Brémont, even na middernacht, op de zolder van het oude chateau is. Plotseling hoort hij gestommel op de trap en komt er iemand de zolder op die hij niet verwacht… Deze proloog is veelbelovend. Ik sla snel de bladzijde om, zodat ik aan het eerste hoofdstuk kan beginnen.
Wat mij tijdens het lezen al snel opviel waren de Franse invloeden in het schrijven. Bij sommige woorden had ik het gevoel van ‘huh, wat betekent dat?’, dit haalde voor mij de snelheid uit het verhaal. Hierdoor merkte ik dat ik het verhaal ook sneller aan de kant legde om even wat anders te gaan doen. Dit vind ik altijd erg jammer als een verhaal mij niet weet te pakken.
Wel heeft de auteur ervoor gekozen om de hoofdstukken lekker kort te houden. Normaal vind ik dit een pluspunt, maar door de vaak moeilijke woorden, en toch vaker minder prettige zinsopbouw, maakte dit het helaas niet goed voor mij.
In een cosy crime weet je dat de spanning niet enorm hoog is, echter bij dit verhaal miste ik deze eigenlijk in het hele verhaal. Het verhaal kabbelde maar een beetje verder en de piek(jes) spanning miste ik toch tijdens het verhaal.
M.L. Longworth is wel een kei in het omschrijven van situaties en omgevingen. Dit is voor mij altijd een pluspunt. Vooral als het verhaal zich in het mooie Frankrijk afspeelt. Daar kan ik dan ook weer echt van genieten.
Al met al is ‘Dood op kasteel Brémont’ niet mijn thriller. Het heeft voor mij helaas meer min dan pluspunten. Het vervolg ‘Moord in Rue Dumas’ is al verschenen, en ik ga dit tweede deel aankomende tijd toch een kans geven. Ik ben erg nieuwsgierig of dit toch een beetje spannender is dan dit eerste deel.
November 4, 2021
This book is all about drinking wine, dining in restaurants, wearing fashionable clothes and moaning about lost love. If these parts were cut out, the murder investigation probably would take a third of the book. Everything is revealed at the end so most of the book is just beating round the bush, sometimes it was hard to concentrate on reading as there wasn't much going on. But I quite liked the intrigue so I'll give another book a try.
August 13, 2018
I liked the book and the mystery, but I was not overly crazy about the narration. She was just a bit too over the top in voicing many of the characters. Never could really figure of if the Verlaque & Bonnet series is a serious or a dramedy type of book.
September 17, 2024
3,5 ⭐️
Leuk en vermakelijk boek. Mysterie ontrafelen zonder gruwelijke details. Ideale boek om te lezen in de Provence!
Leuk en vermakelijk boek. Mysterie ontrafelen zonder gruwelijke details. Ideale boek om te lezen in de Provence!
June 17, 2023
Dit is een goed detectiveverhaal, waar je alles in kan terugvinden wat je bij ‘Bbc first’ ook in elke aflevering tegenkomt.
Het valt wel enorm op dat er heel veel personages worden beschreven, waardoor het bos soms niet meer door de bomen te zien is. Het is vaak vervelend dat een personage soms met voornaam, dan weer met de achternaam wordt beschreven.
Het achterliggende liefdesverhaal maakt natuurlijk dat de volgende verhalen alvast verzekerd zijn. Toch een tweede verhaal waardig
Het valt wel enorm op dat er heel veel personages worden beschreven, waardoor het bos soms niet meer door de bomen te zien is. Het is vaak vervelend dat een personage soms met voornaam, dan weer met de achternaam wordt beschreven.
Het achterliggende liefdesverhaal maakt natuurlijk dat de volgende verhalen alvast verzekerd zijn. Toch een tweede verhaal waardig
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