Murder on the Île Sordou

Verlaque and Bonnet #4

by M.L. Longworth

The fourth book in the Verlaque and Bonnet Provencal Mystery series finds Verlaque and Bonnet on vacation on a remote island in the glittering Mediterranean.

Like Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri, M. L. Longworth’s 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 everyone’s 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?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, France, Crime, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, International

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2014

About the author

M. 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.

Reviews

[Marloes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Antoine Verlaque en Marine Bonnet zijn toe aan een welverdiende vakantie en ze vertrekken naar het kleine eiland Sordou, voor de kust van Marseille, om de heropening van het luxueuze hotel van het echtpaar Lebon te vieren. Het is een idyllisch eiland dat grotendeels is afgesloten van de buitenwereld, waar haast geen bereik is, de boodschappen per boot worden bezorgd en waar ze kunnen genieten van de zon, heerlijk eten en drinken, het adembenemende uitzicht en elkaar. Dat was tenminste de bedoeling, maar wanneer één van de hotelgasten dood wordt aangetroffen, breekt de paniek uit en neemt Verlaque zijn rol als onderzoeksrechter weer op zich om te onderzoeken wie deze moord op zijn of haar geweten heeft.

Niet alleen Verlaque duikt in deze zaak, want terwijl agent Schoelcher naar Parijs wordt gestuurd voor een researchklus, reist commissaris Paulik af naar Sordou om te helpen met de ondervraging van de hotelgasten en het personeel. Deze eclectische groep mensen heb je gedurende de eerste helft van het verhaal al redelijk goed leren kennen, want het boek gaat behoorlijk traag van start met een zeer uitgebreide introductie van al deze personages. Er wordt samen gedineerd, er wordt geroddeld, enkele relaties verdiepen zich snel en andere lijken flink onder spanning te staan. Het geheel kabbelt en de onderlinge verhoudingen lijken een stuk belangrijker te zijn dan de moordzaak, waardoor de rode draad in het begin lastig te ontdekken is en je voornamelijk speculeert over de vraag wie het slachtoffer zal worden.

De spanningsboog wordt nergens echt strak gespannen en zelfs na de moord blijft de vakantiesfeer met uitgebreide diners en kleine feestjes aanwezig, maar het verhaal wordt interessanter zodra puzzelstukjes in elkaar beginnen te passen, aanwijzingen concreter worden, geheimen worden opgebiecht en er wordt toegewerkt naar de verrassende ontknoping die de titel eer aandoet. Aangezien de moordenaar haast nog wel op het eiland aanwezig móét zijn ga je nadenken over mogelijke motieven en banden met het slachtoffer en de interactie van Verlaque met Marine en Paulik is leuk uitgewerkt, al uit hij zich nog regelmatig onbeholpen. Dit boek is meer ‘cosy’ dan ‘crime’ en hoewel dat zwaartepunt van mij anders had mogen liggen en ik vooral wat vaart miste, is dit een prima vakantieboek als je houdt van een licht mysterie in een sfeervolle setting!

[Kasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dla miłośników Francji i jej pięknych krajobrazów, kuchni. Zagdka w stylu Christie. Ta seria sprawia, że moja głowa jest na wakacjach.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe the blurb needs to be rewritten: this isn't a true locked room (or, more accurately, isolated island) mystery. Yes, there's a storm, but it doesn't keep people from the island for terribly long. And the whodunnit part could have been bumped up while the other stuff, like the number of times we're told that Verlaque has money - a lot, tons, a veritable fortune - could have been lessened. It's also obvious that the author is trying too hard to infuse the series with French flavor; by explaining or translating everything, it just highlights the cultural issues rather than gently inserts them.

ARC provided by publisher.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is #4 in the series, and I liked it much less than the first three. This one felt like the author was trying a bit too hard to do something new—put everyone on an island for the whole book. I didn’t think it worked well. The characters in this location were less interesting, and the murder didn’t happen until 1/3 of the way into the book. I admit to scanning parts in the middle because it was so non-interesting. However, it did pick up again by the last 100 pages, so I was curious to see how the whole thing would end. Hopefully there won’t be more in this series that are stuck on an island!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again a very enjoyable cozy murder mystery on a very leisure like pace where the mood, beauty of the fictive isle is more than important. The book takes his/her time to give all characters their time and thus give the reader its time with each person. The food and drink are brilliant and belong to the style of these books.
A point of critism towards the translators of the Dutch version who did not use the word " murder" in the title but a different word that was a bit of a spoiler as it turned out. Really sloppy in my humble opinion.
As Cozy mysteries go this was a decent book, and I am curious what the tv show will make of this episode.
By now my wife has discovered that there are tv shows she enjoys are based upon books I have read before. That does not make her a reader again but just curieus with what book her reading addicted husband is up to now.
A great series to read even if the couples' dynamic in the tv show is better.

Well worth your time if you enjoy a wee bit of joie de vivre.

[Filip · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the previous book I admit I didn't have high hopes for the series and, as such, was very pleasantly surprised. I think this might be my favourite volume, by far. First of all, I didn't mind the long start-to-corpse. It made this book much more Christie-like and that is always good. The very composition also reminded me of more classic whodunnits. The secondary characters could have used more fleshing up and maybe they could have all had some beef with the victim? The ending also fell a bit flat for me, but all in all I really enjoyed this one.

[Ver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this volume. Partly because I like holidays by the sea, a small, warm and peaceful island would be great. The mystery didn't start with a murder but there were other things building up tension and for this reason there was no obvious solution. The police had to dig through the island's history to get to the bottom which was quite interesting. It's a pity it wasn't a real island as after this book it would definitely gain popularity.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verlaque and Bonnet take a vacation on island off the coast of Marseilles (fictional Sordou) where they will meet up with a very interesting group of guests to enjoy the opening of a newly refurbished resort. One of the more unpleasant gents is an old school acquaintance of Verlaque's, but the focus of the varied guests becomes the unwelcome presence of a former movie star who has lost his luster. He seems incapable of exchanging any pleasantries with the staff, his own family or other guests. That particular character will end up shot on the beach, dramatically changing the nature of this vacation.

The wines of Burgundy continue to be a featured theme of this series along with tempting food preparation and menus. The chef at this vacation spot naturally features seafood with foraged herbs from the island. Verlaque misses his meat and potatoes.

The mystery rooted in history is hinted at early on in the book, but just one piece of the puzzle and not quite enough to untangle it all until more is revealed. The characters are quite interesting, varied and drawn so sympathetically one feels quite melancholy at the conclusion of the book.

Of course one wants more Verlaque and Bonnet. On to the next.

Library Loan

[Larraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe I've missed this author. This is the fourth in the series, so I do have some catching up to do. Judge Antoine Verlaque and his girlfriend, Maxine Bonnet, a law professor, are off for a holiday week at a luxury hotel on one of the many islands near Marseille. They are in a small party that includes two Americans, a retired teacher and poet, a washed up actor who does dog food commercials plus his wife and stepson who hates him, Martine's best friend, Sylvie, and a banker (who is an old school mate of Antoine's) and his wife who are going through a bad period in their marriage. They are also investors in the hotel. The hotel had been a playground for famous French stars in the 50's and 60's, but had fallen into disrepair. The owners have put a lot of effort and money into the hotel. It's been a huge undertaking. Not all of the rooms are full, but they are hopeful. They have small but enthusiastic staff including a young chef who prides himself on using locally sourced foods. When the actor is found dead, the suspect pool is narrow. Someone at the hotel did it. Antoine doesn't want any of them to be the murderer, something I found rather endearing. I loved this for a lot of reasons. It's not a long book, yet it packs all of the salient facts. There's also more than a little humor. The only negative (!) I could find was the description of the cook's meals. This is NOT a book to read when you're hungry! Now I'm going to have to backtrack and read the ones I missed, PLUS look out for Ms. Longworth's next book. In the meantime, I'll be checking out her blog that includes some lovely pictures of Southern France as well as an article about a town that makes aioli for the entire town once a year.



http://mllongworth.com/blog/

[The Lit Bitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This novel totally reminded me of Clue, set in France. It was full of a number of eccentric characters each seemingly with no motive.

I really loved this mystery. It was simple and yet entertaining. Again it totally reminded me of Clue. There were wonderful descriptions of the island, Sordou, and the charming coastal town of Marseille. I literally felt like I was right there on the rocky coast swimming in the clear water….Longworth’s descriptions of the south of France and the region as a whole were glorious!

I love the cover designs for this series! They are quirky, colorful, interesting, and whimsical. They totally made me want to read the series even more! I love love love the design!

This book made me want to visit the French country and seaside in a bad way….I totally want to read the other books in the series now. If you are looking for a charming detective novel that was easy to read with lots to enjoy, then this is a great series to satisfy your desire. The best part, I didn’t feel like I needed to read the other books in the series first….it read easily as a stand alone book.

See my full review here

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book months ago, but lost interest. I decided to give it another try recently. I really wanted to like this book more, but it just didn't do it for me. Too many characters, too much jumping around. One thing I can say is that the descriptions of the setting and the food were sublime. I found myself hungry at midnight reading this one, which isn't something that happens to me usually. Even though it is the fourth in a series of books featuring the two main characters, it was no problem to stand on its own if you'd not read the previous three novels. Unfortunately, I won't be reading more from this author.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but not quite as good as the first three, in my opinion. Took about half the book before there was a mystery to be solved, which was a bit frustrating when one of my primary reasons for liking this series is tied to the mystery/police procedural aspect. Also, this paperback had a surprising number of typos, including two misspellings of Verlaque (as Velaque)....ack!

I do still love the descriptions of the French landscape, the food, and the wonderful characters. Looking forward to book #5.

[John Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My speedy return to the Verlaque and Bonnet Provencal mysteries.

I havent much to add to my notes on the previous books of the series.
The interaction among the series ' regulars is changed her as the Judge and Professor are on holiday on the eponymous island.
I experienced that almost warm feeling when reading about the main characters now that I feel that I have got to know them.
It took the first half of the story to set the scene and , in almost a Christie fashion, to get the reader familiar with all of the players before one is found dead.
Most enjoyable again

[Nancy Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good descriptions but enough of the jarring gendered terms - policeman/men (are there no women?), waitress, businessman, barman… these are supposed to be well- educated sophisticated people (including the author). Also, stop referring to women as girls - The librarian who is over 30 with 2 kids, the desk clerk at the Ministry, and Marie-Thérèse. It’s degrading to your characters and young women in general.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long been a follower of this series and somehow missed this one, the fourth mystery involving Judge Antoine Verlaque and Marine Bonnet. On a long overdue vacation, they are among the first guests staying at a small, renovated hotel on an island off the coast of Marseille. The guests represent a range of personalities with a few mysterious pasts thrown in; when one is murdered, the least favorite guest, the case seems impossible to solve. I have learned no one can escape Verlaque’s investigative skills even if years and hidden identities are involved. His girlfriend, Marine, a law professor, is equally skilled. Among great food prepared by a talented chef, wine and linens, surrounded by the sea, Verlaque’s team figures it out and heals a few souls along the way. I’m off to the library to pick up the latest novel in the series…sigh.

[Jos Clee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series begins to feel like a well fitting glove.

Although each of the lead persons stays within a well-defined, almost flat, character description, they are very likeable.

Recommended reading as a super cosy crime book (i.e. series).

[Charlotte Paerewyck · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ця частина мені видалася менш захоплюючою ніж дві попередні, або ж, можливо, для кінця серпня-початку вересня рослідування Верлака і Бонне під час відпустки на вигаданому острові, мені було занадто літнім.

[Josh Krysak · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 stars - full review to come…

[Bill Peschel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Lou Longworth has been living in the south of France for 17 years. That is apparently long enough to populate her mystery series with enough French attitude to satisfy this wannabe tourist.

The fourth Antoine Verlaque novel, “Murder on the Ile Sordou” the examining magistrate and his law professor girlfriend Marine Bonnet are spending the week on a newly reopened hotel on an island off Marseilles. The guests on this isolated Mediterranean rock include Marine’s friend the free-spirited artist, a newly retired teacher and poet, a couple from America, and an arrogant, skirt-chasing French actor, his wife and her stepson. Throw in the couple who have mortgaged their future on the hotel, the manager with a shady past, the rising chef, the history-minded bartender and the inexperienced maid, and you have a long medley of French names to keep track of.

It’s a set-up for murder a la Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None,” but not for long. There’s only one murder, and the guests do not feel particularly threatened by the possibility of another. Verlaque calls in the police to cordon off the island and launches the investigation.

But before the murder, which takes place about a third of the way in, we’re treated to a slow build-up. Like P.D. James, whom she admires, Longworth takes her time, letting us get to know the guests and staff and enjoy relaxing on a sunny island resort where the hardest question is which wine to enjoy with the coming meal. She also takes us into the history of each character. Their stories have the flavor of real life, with its struggles and small victories, and although one is a murderer, no one is a serial killer, or manic-depressive, or suicidal.

There are other byways to follow. There’s the island’s lighthouse keeper, the eccentric old man with a name reminiscent of “The Tempest”: Prosper Buffa. The young maid, Marie-Therese, learns to cope with the routines and rules of her new job, and Hugo Sammut, the boatman and gardener, finds himself in trouble while carrying on an affair with one of the guests.

I don’t know how accurate the French character is represented, but I felt nothing that contradicted what I’ve experienced before. These are lives being lived, and a murder just happens to be one of the events to live through, like a bathe in the sea or a dinner of sea bream braised in olive oil with lavender cookies and apricot tart for dessert. The mystery was like a moderate mid-priced wine: competent but with an unexpected finish. I knew early on who did it, but a twist in the story that I missed.

“Murder on the Ile Sordou” is for readers who want to savor a book that’s more interested in being there than in describing a puzzle that needs a solution.

[Viviane Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maxime and Catherine Le Bon have invested everything they had and borrowed everywhere they can to create a lovely hotel resort on the Ile Sordou, a lovely island off the coast of Marseilles, France, on the Mediterranean Sea. Interestingly, the author reminds the reader that the Ile is the place where author Alexandre Dumas placed his novel, The Count of Monte Cristo. Business, however, for the owners of our present luxury resort isn’t great at all, a fact which troubles them immensely; but for now they are occupied with providing a wonderful experience for their present guests. Some of the owner’s employees are here because they have found a perfect job in a gorgeously beautiful place and others see it as a stepping stone to greater service in a more well-known hotel in one of the major French cities. Some of the Ile’s inhabitants are strange folk who provide food to the hotel and provide an aura of mystery to the area. And then there is the motley crew of guests who have arrived to relax and enjoy the Ile’s beaches, boats and unique meals presented by a creative and talented chef!
We meet Judge Antoine Verlaque (Aix-en-Provence’s examining magistrate) and his sexy girlfriend, law professor Marine Bonnet. Their only desire is to enjoy each other without any reference to their legal work. They meet Eric Mannier, former teacher and poet, on the boat traveling to the Isle. Mannier normally is rather reserved and while on the Ile seems totally focused on writing his poetry as the days progress, much to the wonder of his fellow guests. Shirley and Bill Hobbs are Americans visitors who are obsessed with luxury and design but are friendly and unassuming to all. Alain Denis is a former famous film star now reduced to making dog food commercials appears with his “Botox” wife, Emmanuelle, and his son Brice who seems like a very angry young man.
The remainder of the story moves from the characters getting to know each other, gossiping as they get to know each other better, and then being minutely examined after one of them is found dead on a nearby beach, shot up close in the forehead. It reads like an Agatha Christie mystery novel, for sure, and is creatively and carefully plotted, drawing the reader deeper and deeper into the attempt to solve the murder mystery before the police do so. And no, you probably won’t be able to do so either, but that won’t stop you from trying as the author elicits your obsession with the solution to this unforeseen crime!
Very nicely plotted with a perfect medley of characters and intrigue added to the mix! Well done fourth mystery in this Verlaque and Bonnet series!

[Michel · Rating 3 out of 5]

So well observed (both juges d'instruction taking their vacations at the same time, the old Prosper who won't say a thing, Jules' adventures in Paris administration, the Mediterranean food, the couples interactions, etc)! The characters are well developed too, with tenderness and care (I really like it when an author loves the people she describes!). That's worth 4-stars.
But the mystery, such as it is, is only worth 2-stars: for one thing, it starts on page 130, half-way into the book; then it is so predictable that the clues have to be hidden till the very end, but you'll guess most of it anyway.
And the style: I don't like to nitpick, but there is a peccadillo nearly every page. "The woman whom he was to marry" ("the woman he was to marry" is too 21st century?), the one-way mirror labeled "two-way mirror", the swiss chard "fried in lemon and garlic" (how about "with"?), the split infinitives ("the supply of vodka was sure to never run out"), and on and on, nearly every page, I'm telling you. The word "make" is used more often than any other word, except "the" and "is". They have no editors at Penguin?
On the plus side, it doesn't start with "It was a dark and stormy night";-)
Ok, not really a mystery, and not very well written, but I liked it quite a bit anyway, so sue me.

[Kidlitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are so comforting if you are happy to be wrapped in a world of sensation - tasting all of the delicious food and wines, smelling all of the salt air and rich plant life of the island setting (in this case,) touching pre-covid (beaucoup des bises and amour, though most of it is off-page), listening to all of the sophisticated French chatter, and seeing all of the beautiful locales so lovingly described by Longworth. The mysteries are not so engrossing, or logical, but they do serve to push our emotionally constipated Verlaque ever closer to his endlessly patient lover Marine, because they really do love food, drink and sex together and La Belle Provence provides beaucoup de joie pour eux. I cannot wait to see Roger Allam savour all the physical pleasures that await him playing Verlaque in the upcoming telly series, and his paunch will be parfait.

[Ariadne Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great setting, lovely characters, so-so resolution.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judge Antoine Verlaque, law professor Marine Bonnet, & her friend Sylvie (whom I dislike) are vacationing at a once popular revitalized seaside hotel, Locanda Sordou, off the coast of Marseilles.

As the book begins we are introduced the guests & the small hotel staff. The guests include; Bill & Shirley Hobbes, an American couple; Eric Monnier, a retired professor & poet; Clement Viale & his wife, a school friend of Verlaque & hotel investor; Alain Denis, an egotistical-over-the-hill actor; his long suffering wife, Emmanuelle; and her son Brice.

The hard-working staff include: Maxime & Cat-Cat Le Bon, owners of the renovated hotel; Nikki, office, desk, concierge; Marie-Therese, shy waitress, hostess, & kitchen girl; Emile, the nouveau chef who uses fresh ingredients found & grown on the island; Hugo, handyman; Mme Poux, the housekeeper; Serge, the bartender; and Prosper, the light-keeper & purveyor of fresh game,whose family have lived on the island for generations.

The tension between the Denis family is palpable, making for discomfort among the guests. After arguing w/ Alain, Brice runs out of the hotel and disappears. When a single shot is heard all are assured it is Prosper who is out hunting rabbits... but the next morning Alain is found dead on the beach from a single gunshot to the head.

Verlaque immediately calls for Inspector Bruno Paulik who joins the investigation & questioning of the guests all of whom, as eventually revealed, have something in common w/ the murdered man.

The bostory was very interesting and engaging, I could see myself among the guests, drinking in the bar, eating the lushly described meals, sunning myself on the beach... I was entranced by the richness of description, which is what I love about this series. Odd thing is, the romance of this series reminds me of the 1920's not the current modern era in which it takes place.

[Senga krew_w_piach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Czwarty tom śledztw mojej ulubionej pary prowansalskich prawników jest zupełnie inny niż poprzednie. Autorka opowiada na nowo „I nie było już nikogo” Agaty Christie, zamykając w świeżo otwartym przez nowych właścicieli hotelu, na bezludnej wyspie w pobliżu Marsylii, grupę pozornie przypadkowych gości, wśród nich sędziego i profesorkę z Aix. Sielski wypoczynek przerywa niespodziewana śmierć jednego z wczasowiczów. Ponieważ w momencie popełnienia zbrodni w zasadzie wykluczone jest aby na Sordou mógł dotrzeć ktoś z zewnątrz, morderca musi być kimś z aktualnych rezydentów wyspy.
Ten tom jest najmniej kryminałem ze wszystkich dotychczasowych, wystarczy powiedzieć, że do zbrodni dochodzi dopiero w połowie książki. Za to dostajemy wiele ciekawych portretów bohaterów, tak że kiedy zagadka jest zawiązana możemy już próbować typować winną lub winnego. Jest to też najbardziej wakacyjna ze wszystkich części, mnóstwo w niej morza, słońca, pływania, relaksu. Czytałam na leżaku w ogrodzie, słońce grzało jak trzeba, jadłam truskawki, jeszcze ze szklarni, ale pachnące i smakujące jak niebo, obok dzieci piekły pianki na ognisku i totalnie poczułam, że jeszcze chwila i będzie lato ❤️
Jeszcze jeden nie spotykany dotąd szczegół - mamy tu scenę seksu i to napisaną bez specjalnej żenady. Oczywiście nie między Antoine i Marine, oni są zbyt dostojni i eleganccy żeby wprost pisać o ich spółkowaniu. Na szczęście wakacje spędza z nimi Sylvie - samodzielna mama, która odstawiła córkę do dziadków, a że jest zgrabną i swawolną artystką, śmiało może pozwolić sobie na wakacyjny romans, nawet jeśli pan sędzia coś tam będzie sapał.
Poza tym mamy dużo oryginalnej kuchni, tym razem głównie ryby, hektolitry wina i trochę poezji, czyli wszystko czego powinniśmy się po książkach Longworth spodziewać.
Moje pozytywne odczucia i sympatia do tej serii niezmiennie kwitną.

[Petra De Rechter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Antoine Verlaque en Marine Bonnet groeien meer en meer naar elkaar toe. Ze vinden dat ze hard genoeg gewerkt hebben en zijn toe aan vakantie. Ze trekken naar het kleine eiland Sordou, voor de kust van Marseille.
Ze gaan daar de heropening van een luxueus oud hotel vieren samen met nog enkele bevoorrechte gasten, de jonge topkok Emile en de sexy hotelmanager Niki.
Het kleine eiland is zo goed als van de wereld afgesloten, bijna geen bereik en de boodschappen worden per boot aangevoerd. Antoine en Marine hopen dat ze daar van de rust, de zon en elkaar kunnen genieten. Dit lukt tot op een bepaald moment dat er één van de hotelgasten dood wordt angetroffen. Paniek breekt uit in het hotel en Verlaque duikt in zijn rol als onderszoeksrechter en gaat op onderzoek uit.

Velaque krijgt in het onderzoek hulp van agent Schoelcher die voor een researchklus naar Parijs wordt gestuurd. Commisaris Paulik reist af naar Sordou om Verlaque te helpen met de ondervraging van de hotelgasten en het personeel.
In het eerste deel van het boek wordt zowel het personeel als de hotelgasten zeer goed omschreven. Je ka je hier al een duidelijk beeld vormen hoe ze in elkaar zitten en hoe hun relaties zijn. Door deze lange beschrijvingen komt het boek wel traag van start. Je bent reeds in de helft als er sprake is van een moord.
De spanning rijst nooit naar de top. We blijven continue hangen in een vakantiesfeer, de etentjes, de gesprekken tussen de hotelgasten. Het verhaal komt eigenlijk maar goed op gang als de verschillende puzzelstukjes van de relaties, heden en verleden, in elkaar beginnen vallen. Je beseft wel al vrij snel dat de moordenaar op het eiland moet zitten, dus je begint ook wel na te denken, wie zal het geweest zijn en wat is zijn/haar motief.
Dit boek mist wel een beetje vaart maar heeft wel een spannende ontknoping.

[Shirley Schwartz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Verlaque and Bonnet series. I love this series set in France so much! As usual, the food and wine are exquisite and the location can't be beat (an isolated island off the Coast of Marseilles). Friends of Marine's have opened up a boutique hotel on the island, and Antoine and Marine have been invited to the inaugural grand opening of this hotel. Things are going well, and then the body of one of the guests is found on the beach and the man had been shot through the head. There is no question it is murder. Who on this island had a reason to see the man dead? As Verlaque investigates, he uncovers 50 year old secrets among the guests, and it looks like more than one person had a good reason to kill. I found the pace terribly slow in this one. It had an unusually long start and the murder doesn't occur until almost halfway through the book. That is why I gave the book 3 stars, but I still really enjoyed Verlaque and Bonnet, and the mystery, when it finally occurred, was a tricky one. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I did listen to this one on audiobook.

[Kwoomac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly a locked room mystery, but close. A group of vacationers go to the grand re-opening of a hotel on a small island off the coast of Marseille. One of them gets murdered. Aside from the recusive lighthouse keeper, no one else lives on the island. It’s difficult to dock at, or swim out to, so the murderer is most likely one of the guests or one of the staff. Fortunately, one of the guests is a judge, somehow connected to the police.

During his investigation, I came to know and like everyone. The inspectir also came to like all the suspects. The deceased was the only unlikeable character and he managed to get everyone to hate him, during the short time he was alive. So, lots of possible suspects, but would anyone be pushed to murder because the guy was a jerk?

Great little mystery. Fun characters. Great location. This was the second book in a series. Hope to track down more of these.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the series. Antoine and Marine are vacationing at a newly reopened hotel on the island of Sordou which is essentially uninhabited except for the hotel staff and a man whose family has maintained the lighthouse for generations. They are joined by Marine’s friend Sophie. There are a small number of guests including a retired teacher, an American couple, a Parisian couple (the man was a former classmate of Antoine), and a former movie star, his wife, and teenage stepson. They enjoy the hotel’s amenities and staff and begin to get to know the other guests. But when a guest is found murdered, Antoine calls in his team to solve the crime. There are a number of obvious suspects, but there is a small possibility of an outsider as well. This mystery has an Agatha Christie feel to it and there are many clues to sort out. A storm and a party hosted by Antoine bring the story to an interesting conclusion.