In Sept. 2011, I first discovered Mary Lou Longworth and her first mystery (Murder at the Chateau Bremont) set in Aix-en-Provence. I waited, impatiently at times, for her follow up books. It is worth the wait.
[The second in the series is Murder in the Rue Dumas. The ninth book was published in 2021.]
Professor Moutte, the Doyen of the School of Theology at the University of Aix, is found murdered in his office. The murder occurred just after he announced that he would not be retiring. His announcement affected three of his colleagues who thought they in the mix for his prestigious position. Also affected were 4 post-graduate students in the competition for the lucrative Dumas Fellowship. Two days later, the professor’s secretary was killed in a hit and run accident. Coincidence or related to the murder? Into this turmoil, another crime is added – art glass forgery.
Who is responsible for the murders? Are they related to the art forgeries? Will Judge Antoine Verlaque, his on again/off again lady friend law professor Marine Bonnet and Commissioner Bruno Paulik of the Aix police unravel these mysteries?
If you have never been to France (or Italy), Longworth’s descriptions of the places visited by the cast of characters will make you want to visit them yourself. If you have visited Europe, the book will make you want to book the next flight to Aix-en-Provence. Personally, I could smell and taste the croissants and coffee that appear in the story.
GO! BUY! READ!
–Jim Harris, retired book sales rep
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