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Verlaque and Bonnet #6
The Curse of La Fontaine
Chef Sigisbert "Bear" Valets has just opened his own restaurant, La Fontaine, in Aix-en-Provence. It's an immediate success--glowing reviews and a loyal clientele, including our favorite investigative duo, Verlaque and Bonnet. But when he decides to extend his restaurant's seating into a historic courtyard, some very powerful neighbors are against him. The local historical society wants the courtyard, which witnessed a seventeenth-century hanging and two World War II-era murders, to remain untouched.
Valets charges on, even after a skeleton is found buried next to the courtyard's ancient fountain. But when Valets begins receiving threatening letters, he becomes convinced that his life is in danger. And then the fountain inexplicably stops running. By disturbing the garden, has Bear triggered an age-old curse? And can newlyweds Verlaque and Bonnet solve the mystery before someone else ends up dead?
Set against the blossoming backdrop of the south of France, M. L. Longworth's latest is sure to thrill fans of Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri.
Valets charges on, even after a skeleton is found buried next to the courtyard's ancient fountain. But when Valets begins receiving threatening letters, he becomes convinced that his life is in danger. And then the fountain inexplicably stops running. By disturbing the garden, has Bear triggered an age-old curse? And can newlyweds Verlaque and Bonnet solve the mystery before someone else ends up dead?
Set against the blossoming backdrop of the south of France, M. L. Longworth's latest is sure to thrill fans of Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2017
164 people are currently reading
949 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Longworth
11 books482 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 148 reviews
July 24, 2025
Dla mnie te książki są jak urlop. Pyszne jedzenie, wino, piękne krajobrazy i drama w sąsiedztwie. I jest też miłość.
August 11, 2024
The book starts with the marriage of Antoine and Marine and ends happily in a restaurant, which is the lead motive of these cozy mysteries.
The mystery this book is the finding of a skeleton in the garden of a restaurant near Marine her appartement. The body is that of a missing man 8 years old who is from a line of nobility. Nobility plays a part of the investigations but not the reason of the boys demise.
Food and wine galore as the story meanders towards it conclusion. A story about people with their frailties and strenghts.
Once more an enjoyable cozy that does not outstays its welcome but does invites you for a next novel.
The mystery this book is the finding of a skeleton in the garden of a restaurant near Marine her appartement. The body is that of a missing man 8 years old who is from a line of nobility. Nobility plays a part of the investigations but not the reason of the boys demise.
Food and wine galore as the story meanders towards it conclusion. A story about people with their frailties and strenghts.
Once more an enjoyable cozy that does not outstays its welcome but does invites you for a next novel.
January 24, 2022
Antoine Verlaque and Marine Bonnet have finally married and love is in the air. That is, until a body is found near one of their favorite restaurants and the list of suspects is a mile long.
Verlaque and Commissioner Paulik have their hands full besides drinking espressos or a glass of wine and eating the best cut of beef. Seriously, don't read one of these books on an empty stomach. I enjoy Paulik's common sense and his keen eye. He brings a level of sound judgement in his friendship with Verlaque. They are great work buddies. And Marine balances her husband's personality, especially with those people who do not understand him.
Is the fountain cursed as many of the townspeople think? Will Marine make a discovery that will help her husband determine who the killer is? (Of course!) The twists and turns of this contemporary mystery had me reading into the late hours of night.
Verlaque and Commissioner Paulik have their hands full besides drinking espressos or a glass of wine and eating the best cut of beef. Seriously, don't read one of these books on an empty stomach. I enjoy Paulik's common sense and his keen eye. He brings a level of sound judgement in his friendship with Verlaque. They are great work buddies. And Marine balances her husband's personality, especially with those people who do not understand him.
Is the fountain cursed as many of the townspeople think? Will Marine make a discovery that will help her husband determine who the killer is? (Of course!) The twists and turns of this contemporary mystery had me reading into the late hours of night.
November 5, 2019
Another satisfying book in the Verlaque and Bonnet series from M.L. Longworth, one that brought back memories of my tour of the region in 2009. It has been too long, and reading this book inspires me to plan another spring visit in 2020 perhaps. I do recall the fountain featured in this book (of the four dolphins), but my memory of not finding any public restrooms in Aix is more prominent in my mind.
Things I liked in this book: the civilized affection of main characters, the art of enjoying food and wine and friendships whilst meeting necessary demands of work and family.
We get a lightly detailed vision of Verlaque and Bonnet getting married and enjoying a wedding feast away from Aix. We then proceed to learn about the neighborhood where Bonnet lives with snapshots of her neighbors and what they might be hiding as well as a neighboring restaurant the couple enjoys.
The chef has decided to finally get around to planting some herbs in the surrounding garden area adjacent to his restaurant where a skeleton is found, very close to the fountain. This becomes the murder investigation on the menu for this book.
Themes include royalist movement, stow-away refugees, illegal drugs and more.
Library Loan
Things I liked in this book: the civilized affection of main characters, the art of enjoying food and wine and friendships whilst meeting necessary demands of work and family.
We get a lightly detailed vision of Verlaque and Bonnet getting married and enjoying a wedding feast away from Aix. We then proceed to learn about the neighborhood where Bonnet lives with snapshots of her neighbors and what they might be hiding as well as a neighboring restaurant the couple enjoys.
The chef has decided to finally get around to planting some herbs in the surrounding garden area adjacent to his restaurant where a skeleton is found, very close to the fountain. This becomes the murder investigation on the menu for this book.
Themes include royalist movement, stow-away refugees, illegal drugs and more.
Library Loan
July 13, 2017
I enjoy the Verlac and Bonnet books, but for the life of me I can't tell you why. The policier element is just okay, and Mlle Bonnet (now Mme Verlac) rarely seems to have much to do with whatever case the judge is exploring. Maybe I just like cigar smoking middle-aged guys. In any event, this latest outing had more plot twists than others as Verlac investigates a body found buried near the titular fountain. Is this somehow connected to a nearby restaurant owner's plan to introduce outdoor seating? Zeut alors! Only the French could make a crime story out of that.
April 14, 2024
There were multiple background stories in the book connected with the case. I particularly liked the information about nobles in France and their difficult status nowadays. The case itself had a good dose of mystery and legend, however, I feel the solution didn't come up to this level. The murderer was someone completely different from the people involved in the mystery.
Unfortunately, after getting married, the judge got softer and suffers from some unrest connected with middle-age life. I'm not a fan of this character development.
Unfortunately, after getting married, the judge got softer and suffers from some unrest connected with middle-age life. I'm not a fan of this character development.
March 18, 2017
The best thing about "firsts" is discovering new authors. That is what happened to me in this case. I not only found a new author but a new series of books as well. After having such an enjoyable time reading this book, I want to go back and check out all of the prior novels.
Verlaque and Bonnet were good together. They were the right balance. Verlaque is a bit more serious and Bonnet is free spirited. Although, Verlaque and Bonnet were not the only ones that I had the pleasure of meeting in this book. There is Chef Bear and his staff as well as the other Aixois of the historical society.
It was like I was transported to this quaint city in France. Everyone I met throughout this story was so interesting. The mystery regarding the death played nicely in tying in the story and bring out the relationships involving the characters. A nice cozy mystery. If you are in the mood for a new author to try, then, you have to check this book out.
Verlaque and Bonnet were good together. They were the right balance. Verlaque is a bit more serious and Bonnet is free spirited. Although, Verlaque and Bonnet were not the only ones that I had the pleasure of meeting in this book. There is Chef Bear and his staff as well as the other Aixois of the historical society.
It was like I was transported to this quaint city in France. Everyone I met throughout this story was so interesting. The mystery regarding the death played nicely in tying in the story and bring out the relationships involving the characters. A nice cozy mystery. If you are in the mood for a new author to try, then, you have to check this book out.
April 8, 2020
A further instalment in the story of the Judge and the Professor, Verlaque and Bonnet, Antoine and Marine. If my listings are up to date this is the penultimjate story of the series. I hope that I am wrong because I feel very at home with these books even though I have never been to this part of France.
This one explains something of the french legal system and the parts played not only by the Judge but also the other regulars in these tales.
Although I like the series, I found this one difficult to get into. The early chapters seemed like padding and as they concerned the wedding it almost felt as if this was something that the author thought should go in here but it was done without the usual enthusiasm. This meant that my interest levels waned and my reading sessions were consequently shortened. Unfortunately the knock on effect of this was that I didnt get to grips with all of the characters as well as I would have wanted.
This is not to say that I didnt like the story , once it got going. I particularly like the extra foodie information even though the detail about the cigars and wine did go a bit over my head.
The plot has many twists as first one, then another of the locals come into the frame. In the end everything is explained as you would expect.
The very final denouement about 'The Trailblazers' did remind me of the ending of an instalment of the UK TV series Midsommer Murders and made me smile.
May be I might be persuaded to change my score when I have tried the recipe for anchoiada but I didnt enjoy it as much as the others. However,it has not put me off the next which is downloaded already.
This one explains something of the french legal system and the parts played not only by the Judge but also the other regulars in these tales.
Although I like the series, I found this one difficult to get into. The early chapters seemed like padding and as they concerned the wedding it almost felt as if this was something that the author thought should go in here but it was done without the usual enthusiasm. This meant that my interest levels waned and my reading sessions were consequently shortened. Unfortunately the knock on effect of this was that I didnt get to grips with all of the characters as well as I would have wanted.
This is not to say that I didnt like the story , once it got going. I particularly like the extra foodie information even though the detail about the cigars and wine did go a bit over my head.
The plot has many twists as first one, then another of the locals come into the frame. In the end everything is explained as you would expect.
The very final denouement about 'The Trailblazers' did remind me of the ending of an instalment of the UK TV series Midsommer Murders and made me smile.
May be I might be persuaded to change my score when I have tried the recipe for anchoiada but I didnt enjoy it as much as the others. However,it has not put me off the next which is downloaded already.
January 23, 2024
Sometimes I wonder, why do I bother reading these books. The problem is that not only they are all the same (too much talk about wine, food and cigarres, too much unrelated drama, cases that resolve themselves by the end with minimal impact from the investigators and the fact that these just fail to grip me). Maybe I'm reading them because my mother likes them? Maybe because I'm still hoping for a good volume, like the Murder on the Île Sordou? Or maybe because the description of Aix and its surrounding have a certain charm to them? Well, this volume, for good or for ill, is just like the previous ones.
August 1, 2023
Another pleasant trip to Aix with a mystery and some history thrown in. This time family is at the center of the unexpected discovery of a body in the courtyard, but more than family has ties to the victim.
September 21, 2025
Ich liebe die Krimis von Mary L. Longworth. Die Protagonisten führen ein so unterhaltsames Leben und sind mittlerweile so vertraut, dass es nicht nur der Kriminalfall ist, dem man gerne folgt.
November 13, 2021
If you like food and the south of France, this mystery series is for you.
October 26, 2017
This is the second in the series I 've read and it was much better crafted with easier transitions between scenes and the two sleuths were more credible. Wonderful food, French locations and cigar smoking. And interesting attitudes about class and aristocracy.But occasionally the reason for the running around or involvement was a bit contrived. But those who like French food and wine will enjoy the descriptions.
June 12, 2021
If you love France and it's amazing food, you will enjoy this book. If you've been to Aix en Provence and long for its charm, you will like this book. If you're looking for a spellbinding murder mystery, you will probably be disappointed. I love France and enjoyed the ambiance of the setting, but the rest was really just so so.
August 14, 2020
A courtyard with a mysterious past, the scene of several executions, is shared among residents who live in centuries-old buildings surrounding the quiet spot. A controversy simmers when a successful chef wants to extend his restaurant with a few tables outside. His restaurant, La Fontaine, becomes a crime scene investigation when a skeleton is found in a shallow grave. Then the garden fountain stops, and the bad luck and tragedy surrounding the fountain begin anew. Court-magistrate-and-law-professor-turned-foodies, Antoine Verlaque, and his new bride, Marine Bonnet, great fans of the restaurant and its chef/owner, Bear Valets jump into the investigation, which gets more convoluted almost to the end, keeping me guessing.
History is embedded within the plot of the cursed fountain such as the oratories built around the city during the plague for divine intercession and the winter that Louis XIV, the Sun King, arrived into town to cool down protests against the monarchy. A peasant's refusal to hail the king resulted in his public hanging (the peasant, not the King, but you already figured that out.) The references to the Nazi presence in Aix-en-Provence and the Resistance fighters were sobering reminders of a not-so-distant past.
The author skillfully offers a tutorial about the French judicial system, so different from that of the US, with Verlaque answering questions around its problems and inefficiencies, emphasis on interrogation and mind games, and explaining the importance of his collaborative style.
The reader comes to know more about Verlaque and Bonnet in this sixth book in the series through their relationships with others: Verlaque works to cultivate bonds among his colleagues and those in his cigar club; Bonnet develops friendships wherever she goes and commits hours to mentoring her law students. Their relationship with food, their appreciation for fresh, simple ingredients, and always, always, slowing down to enjoy any meal is a wonderful lesson to those of us who might eat at our desks, who struggle with taking time for pleasure among long hours at work.
While the investigation and its turns and twists held my attention, several themes such as immigration, social justice, racism and the attitudes surrounding French nobility were unexpected. Descriptions of les pointus sent me to research these intriguing boats that seem to outlive humans.
Quotes from poets and philosophers illuminate the plot and the many characters. I especially liked this from Sophocles, "There is no more beautiful life than that of a carefree man; Lack of care is a truly painless evil."
History is embedded within the plot of the cursed fountain such as the oratories built around the city during the plague for divine intercession and the winter that Louis XIV, the Sun King, arrived into town to cool down protests against the monarchy. A peasant's refusal to hail the king resulted in his public hanging (the peasant, not the King, but you already figured that out.) The references to the Nazi presence in Aix-en-Provence and the Resistance fighters were sobering reminders of a not-so-distant past.
The author skillfully offers a tutorial about the French judicial system, so different from that of the US, with Verlaque answering questions around its problems and inefficiencies, emphasis on interrogation and mind games, and explaining the importance of his collaborative style.
The reader comes to know more about Verlaque and Bonnet in this sixth book in the series through their relationships with others: Verlaque works to cultivate bonds among his colleagues and those in his cigar club; Bonnet develops friendships wherever she goes and commits hours to mentoring her law students. Their relationship with food, their appreciation for fresh, simple ingredients, and always, always, slowing down to enjoy any meal is a wonderful lesson to those of us who might eat at our desks, who struggle with taking time for pleasure among long hours at work.
While the investigation and its turns and twists held my attention, several themes such as immigration, social justice, racism and the attitudes surrounding French nobility were unexpected. Descriptions of les pointus sent me to research these intriguing boats that seem to outlive humans.
Quotes from poets and philosophers illuminate the plot and the many characters. I especially liked this from Sophocles, "There is no more beautiful life than that of a carefree man; Lack of care is a truly painless evil."
October 14, 2017
I am a huge fan of M.L. Longworth's Provence mystery series. They are hardly mysteries - just gentle "who-done-it" stories with a lot of lovely French food, wine, cigars and intriguing characters. The author does a remarkable job of making this Provence region come alive with its beauty and history. This particular book, The Curse of La Fontaine was not my favorite. The story was slow to get started. I found the many characters confusing- there were too many names and I couldn't keep track of who was who. The story had moments of intrigue and mystery when the plot thickened and got interesting. However, there were also many moments when the plot stalled and seemed to wander off task. Longwood does a nice job of tiding things up at the end. I always finish her books and look anxiously for the next publishing date so I can be transported back to Aix-en-Provence.
April 14, 2022
The Curse of La Fontaine by M. L. Longworth is a Verlaque & Bonnet Provencal Mystery, Book #6.
Newlyweds, Antoine and Marine delve into a centuries-old curse.
Once again, I have enjoyed this title and continuing series very much.
The book is filled with scenic locations both in southern France and Italy. The (very accurate) descriptions of Aix-en-Provence are especially stimulating. One wants to be there in person! Along with the locations, the restaurants and wines, the historical ‘tidbits’, the very detailed characters and plots - all make for a wonderful read.
I did like the characters in this title very much. I had to reread several chapters to make sure I understood the mystery and the many different characters. The cigar smoking doesn’t interest me and puts me off a bit (truthfully) but it is part of Antoine’s character and is a bit of a subplot, all on its own. So I will adjust my thinking.
A great title and a Great series. ****
Newlyweds, Antoine and Marine delve into a centuries-old curse.
Once again, I have enjoyed this title and continuing series very much.
The book is filled with scenic locations both in southern France and Italy. The (very accurate) descriptions of Aix-en-Provence are especially stimulating. One wants to be there in person! Along with the locations, the restaurants and wines, the historical ‘tidbits’, the very detailed characters and plots - all make for a wonderful read.
I did like the characters in this title very much. I had to reread several chapters to make sure I understood the mystery and the many different characters. The cigar smoking doesn’t interest me and puts me off a bit (truthfully) but it is part of Antoine’s character and is a bit of a subplot, all on its own. So I will adjust my thinking.
A great title and a Great series. ****
July 3, 2017
Like all the books in the series, it is more a travelogue with a bit of crime than it is serious crime fiction. The portrait of Aix, its history and attractions, its food and its residents is enough reason to read and enjoy these books - the crime is dessert to the meal. Verlaque and Bonnet are appealing characters, their relationship has evolved believably over the series. The picture of the ultra conservative royalists and their social sphere was a particularly interesting anachronism, and the descriptions of the restaurant at the center of the story made me hungry.
May 20, 2017
Seriously, the French village setting. the food and wine references and a compelling mystery- all wrapped up with a continuing love story for Verlaque and Bonnet! What's not to like? Another great foodie/mystery novel - I love this series!
August 9, 2019
Another enjoyable chapter in the series -- filled with food and wine and interesting protagonists. This series has taken me through the summer months so far -- and there is only one more to read before I have to wait. Drat! I have enjoyed the ride.
November 21, 2021
Done
Okay…I bought all of them, but I am now tired of the food and wine historical travelogues! I could not even finish this one. Maybe I will be back later,To finish and read the rest now in my library. Good writer but I loose the plot with all the wine and food asides.
Okay…I bought all of them, but I am now tired of the food and wine historical travelogues! I could not even finish this one. Maybe I will be back later,To finish and read the rest now in my library. Good writer but I loose the plot with all the wine and food asides.
May 27, 2017
I gained about 10 pounds reading this mystery. Bonnet and Verlaque are a lovely team. The lawyer and the judge. And food. And wine. And Provence. I mean. Come on.
May 29, 2017
When I think of how to describe this novel to you, the main thought that crosses my mind is that it's very French, very European. What do I mean by that? The writing style is very laid back and takes its time telling the story. It doesn't feel hurried at all; almost like a Parisian taking a stroll through the city streets while smoking a cigarette on their way to getting a coffee and croissant. I realize that's a little stereotypical but it's the vibe I got while I read this novel.
The skeleton that's found was that of a young man whose family used to live in Aix-en-Provence. The neighbors all remembered the young man and that he was troubled, but not a bad man. It takes the officials a while to connect any dots concerning his death. Valets detective skills also seem very non-confrontational and easy-going. There were several times he could've gotten angry and threatening to get the information he needed but he didn't. I'm sure it's how Europeans are but, to me (probably because I'm an American), it just seems ... not very effective.
Okay, I'm sure this reads as a negative review but it's really not. It's more of a middle-of-the-road review with 3 out of 5 stars. It didn't excite me but it didn't turn me off either. It was an enjoyable read but not one that I couldn't put down. I enjoyed reading about Bear and his restaurant but was a tad frustrated by how long it took to really get into the story. I would only recommend this novel to a very specific reader - one who enjoys taking time to sink into a story that takes its time revealing its secrets.
*A physical copy of this novel was provided by the publisher, Penguin Random House, in exchange for an honest review.
The skeleton that's found was that of a young man whose family used to live in Aix-en-Provence. The neighbors all remembered the young man and that he was troubled, but not a bad man. It takes the officials a while to connect any dots concerning his death. Valets detective skills also seem very non-confrontational and easy-going. There were several times he could've gotten angry and threatening to get the information he needed but he didn't. I'm sure it's how Europeans are but, to me (probably because I'm an American), it just seems ... not very effective.
Okay, I'm sure this reads as a negative review but it's really not. It's more of a middle-of-the-road review with 3 out of 5 stars. It didn't excite me but it didn't turn me off either. It was an enjoyable read but not one that I couldn't put down. I enjoyed reading about Bear and his restaurant but was a tad frustrated by how long it took to really get into the story. I would only recommend this novel to a very specific reader - one who enjoys taking time to sink into a story that takes its time revealing its secrets.
*A physical copy of this novel was provided by the publisher, Penguin Random House, in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2018
Actually 3.5 Stars
Judge Antoine Verlaque & Marine Bonnet have just gotten married. He is a Magistrate of Aix (France) and she is a Professor of Law who has just finished writing a book on the relationship between Beauvoir & Sartre. They share two apartments, but it is Marine's that overlooks the garden & "La Fontaine".
La Fontaine is the source of water for those living around its garden and is said to be cursed due to the hanging of a French peasant who refused to hail Louis XIV and the murder of two WW II partisans by the Nazis. Whenever murders have taken place, La Fontaine has stopped flowing until justice has prevailed.
When the new tenant, Chef Sigisbert "Bear" moves in & opens a small restaurant, the past is stirred. While working in the restaurant's herb garden the skeleton of a young man is dug up, and La Fontaine immediately stops flowing. To further add to the mystery, Bear begins to receive threatening letters, the local racists & pro-nobility group gets riled up and begin making threats as well...
There are other quasi-interesting sub-plots, but for those you must read the book.
At first I really didn't know what to think about the book... It was odd in the fact that I really couldn't be sure that this was a mystery; Antoine's & Marine's life was just going along just fine (I was like: "where the heck is the murder?") and then in the 8th-9th chapter the bones were dug up in the garden. From that point, the book picked-up and became much more interesting, which gave it the extra 1/2 star.
The writing has a nice comfortable flow and it held my interest. Although I enjoyed the characters, I held no pronounced feeling for them one way or another.
Judge Antoine Verlaque & Marine Bonnet have just gotten married. He is a Magistrate of Aix (France) and she is a Professor of Law who has just finished writing a book on the relationship between Beauvoir & Sartre. They share two apartments, but it is Marine's that overlooks the garden & "La Fontaine".
La Fontaine is the source of water for those living around its garden and is said to be cursed due to the hanging of a French peasant who refused to hail Louis XIV and the murder of two WW II partisans by the Nazis. Whenever murders have taken place, La Fontaine has stopped flowing until justice has prevailed.
When the new tenant, Chef Sigisbert "Bear" moves in & opens a small restaurant, the past is stirred. While working in the restaurant's herb garden the skeleton of a young man is dug up, and La Fontaine immediately stops flowing. To further add to the mystery, Bear begins to receive threatening letters, the local racists & pro-nobility group gets riled up and begin making threats as well...
There are other quasi-interesting sub-plots, but for those you must read the book.
At first I really didn't know what to think about the book... It was odd in the fact that I really couldn't be sure that this was a mystery; Antoine's & Marine's life was just going along just fine (I was like: "where the heck is the murder?") and then in the 8th-9th chapter the bones were dug up in the garden. From that point, the book picked-up and became much more interesting, which gave it the extra 1/2 star.
The writing has a nice comfortable flow and it held my interest. Although I enjoyed the characters, I held no pronounced feeling for them one way or another.
January 5, 2025
This is a classic case of a Goodreads indirectly promoting substandard, rubbish piece of work, by showing a 4 star ratings on their website, reviews dominated more by narratives than honest appraisal of writing skills.
This is a highly ordinary piece of work from apparently an author previously contributing to ordinary publications like WSG and NYTimes - NO WONDER the poor writing is being celebrated.
Snails have been known to be faster than the pace of this storyline. Throwing 200 names and characters in first 20 pages to setup a "mystery" doesn't make any sense unless characters are relateable. Scenes jumping from one character to another without establishing any corelation between two scenes is just jarring. This might be creative back in 60's, but in 2025, it is LAZY. And please, I get it, you know some French - but there's no need for such desparate display of intellectual superiority.
However if you want to know which knife to use to cut which vegetable, and if green is better or white, you cannot find even a cookbook which is better than this book.
This book hammers upon the detoriation of editioral standards, and in an age where countries are pushing for Green initiatives, such books should be strictly restricted to ebook formats. I personally won't want a tree to be cut down, so that such dribble can be printed in the garb of art & literature; but I'm afraid such cannot be said about the "Yaasss Queens" who can't stop gushing about this travesty of a book.
This is a highly ordinary piece of work from apparently an author previously contributing to ordinary publications like WSG and NYTimes - NO WONDER the poor writing is being celebrated.
Snails have been known to be faster than the pace of this storyline. Throwing 200 names and characters in first 20 pages to setup a "mystery" doesn't make any sense unless characters are relateable. Scenes jumping from one character to another without establishing any corelation between two scenes is just jarring. This might be creative back in 60's, but in 2025, it is LAZY. And please, I get it, you know some French - but there's no need for such desparate display of intellectual superiority.
However if you want to know which knife to use to cut which vegetable, and if green is better or white, you cannot find even a cookbook which is better than this book.
This book hammers upon the detoriation of editioral standards, and in an age where countries are pushing for Green initiatives, such books should be strictly restricted to ebook formats. I personally won't want a tree to be cut down, so that such dribble can be printed in the garb of art & literature; but I'm afraid such cannot be said about the "Yaasss Queens" who can't stop gushing about this travesty of a book.
May 9, 2022
Przeczytałam ostatni dostępny tom zagadek mojej ulubionej parki z Aix i czuję wewnętrzną pustkę. Na szczęście następny tom już w czerwcu, ale sprawdziłam, że oryginalnych części jest już 10, więc nie wiem ile jeszcze będę musiała na nie czekać. Bo będę na pewno!
Te książki są takie miłe, lekkie, przyjemne, wakacyjne, sympatyczne, poprawiające nastrój, idealne do niezobowiązujących czytelniczych sesji antystresowych.
Tym razem znów mamy zupełnie inny pomysł na intrygę niż w poprzednich tomach, bo zbrodnia wydarzyła się w przeszłości i poszukujemy sprawcy, który przez lata się ukrywał. Kryminału jest tu jeszcze mniej, za to jest doskonały przewodnik turystyczny po Aix i chyba to urocze miasteczko znajduje się w tej chwili na pierwszym miejscu europejskich destynacji, które pragnę odwiedzić. Poza tym znów jest tu wszystko do czego Longworth czytelnika przyzwyczaiła - piękni ludzie, pachnące kuchnie, sporo o literaturze - tym razem francuscy myśliciele, nie poeci i rozważania nad sprawiedliwością oparte na dziełach Montaigne’a. Poza tym pojawiają się aktualne tematy społeczne jak ekologia, afrykańscy uchodźcy na łodziach, zaskakujący wątek narkotykowy i ruch monarchistyczny. Jest też wspaniały włoski ślub, a Verlaque już naprawdę da się lubić. Jak i cała reszta postaci.
Wszystko jest super, nawet tłumaczenie wróciło na stare dobre tory, nie opuszczam fanklubu 😃
December 22, 2025
This is the 6th in the Verlaque and Bonnet series - he's a judge (though it has a different job spec in France) and she's a University professor and they live in Aix-en-Provence - and starts with the couple marrying, then back to work in Aix and soon they are confronted with a local mystery, when a skeleton is unearthed in the grounds of a local restaurant, whose owner had been planning to put some outside seating in the garden of the restaurant, much to the horror of neighbours, for apart from the inevitable noise from al fresco diners, they are convinced it would stop the fountain (hence the title) flowing - and indeed the fountain does stop when the body is discovered. It's soon identified as a local resident, the son of a wealthy family who have since moved, but the parents and brothers are all still alive, and Verlaque is soon questioning them, and opening the usual can of worms. This took a while to get going, but at least in this one there weren't endless pages about Verlaque's cigar club, and there are some lovely descriptions of food too, though sometimes these also slowed down the plot. But once the back story of various residents started to unfold it became more interesting, I wouldn't exactly say gripping but it was an easy read and quite enjoyable. 7/10
May 26, 2017
At first, I could not quite get into this mystery, but then I reminded myself that "The Curse of La Fontaine" is 6th in the series. Also, I was on an airplane and overtired from overscheduling myself.
For an OCD person like myself, *starting* a series 6 books in and not at the beginning (!!!!) is practically a crime. Yet, after a few chapters spent warming up with a few glasses of French wine and delicious meals, I found myself enjoying not only Aix, but also Jusge Verlaque and his new wife, Professor Bonnet.
The murder at the centerpiece takes several chapters to be unearthed, but I suspect many readers will enjoy the story's progression. I shan't say more, but, should you enjoy a bottle (mini, mind you) of French wine on your way back home and have this book in hand, I think you'll be able to imagine a bise and dinner on a patio. In earshot of an old fountain.
For an OCD person like myself, *starting* a series 6 books in and not at the beginning (!!!!) is practically a crime. Yet, after a few chapters spent warming up with a few glasses of French wine and delicious meals, I found myself enjoying not only Aix, but also Jusge Verlaque and his new wife, Professor Bonnet.
The murder at the centerpiece takes several chapters to be unearthed, but I suspect many readers will enjoy the story's progression. I shan't say more, but, should you enjoy a bottle (mini, mind you) of French wine on your way back home and have this book in hand, I think you'll be able to imagine a bise and dinner on a patio. In earshot of an old fountain.
July 18, 2017
Another worthy entry
This series is seriously good. The stories are congenial, introspective, and grounded with a gorgeously described environment. French sensibilities are on order in this series, and it takes a little time to adjust to the very different legal system and investigative procedures. This series shows the literate side of France - no gangs, no excessive violence or rough stuff. The main characters are educated and thoughtful, with a love for food and wine and French history that will delight the reader. If you love French culture, history, food, and the Provence area, you will thoroughly enjoy this series. I recommend starting with the first one, though each one is so well written, the reader can pick up a random book and be perfectly satisfied.
This series is seriously good. The stories are congenial, introspective, and grounded with a gorgeously described environment. French sensibilities are on order in this series, and it takes a little time to adjust to the very different legal system and investigative procedures. This series shows the literate side of France - no gangs, no excessive violence or rough stuff. The main characters are educated and thoughtful, with a love for food and wine and French history that will delight the reader. If you love French culture, history, food, and the Provence area, you will thoroughly enjoy this series. I recommend starting with the first one, though each one is so well written, the reader can pick up a random book and be perfectly satisfied.
October 2, 2017
I continue to enjoy this series, though this one is probably not the best one. The development of the relationship between the mystery solving duo, Verlaque and Bonnet, has been believable and a highlight of the series for me. In this book, the mystery seemed almost secondary to the shifts going on in their personal lives. The whodunit was just ok. Too many characters in this one; too many red-herrings; too convoluted; Verlaque's detective work and interviewing skills just not realistic...but somehow I didn't mind that much. The stories are more about Aix, its history, cuisine, architecture, and this installment included some interesting social commentary about racism, prejudice, migrant workers and the noble classes.
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