The Verlaque and Bonnet mystery novels are, now that I think about it, more about Provence and its culture, history and wines than it is about the mystery. We know their background--well, for most of them--their lives, their relationships and personal passions; Bruno's love of opera and Verlaque's cigars.

Although not directly concerning the case, I thought that the Epilogue did wind everything up rather nicely. However, what I won't overlook and this annoyed me big time, is that the (laughably tiny) faculty doesn't include a single member of the clergy.

She is the author of a mystery series set in Southern France, the Provençal Mysteries, published by Penguin USA. I think this is the first murder mystery I have read with references to Persian Letters by Montesquieu - a discussion I enjoyed so much I plan to read it again very soon. Initially two students who had broken into Moutte’s office to find out who had won a prestigious fellowship are prime suspects but quickly fall to the bottom of the list as Moutte’s other involvements are discovered. There are interesting road trips, discussions about books,art and antiquities, enjoyment of foods and wines of the country and some heroic acts now and then by several players. My new book takes you on a journey visiting museums and galleries as well as artists’ studios and their favourite painting spots.

This is the second novel in Longworth's detective series, but it is not necessary to have read the first to slip easily into the action of this one. Enchanted by the deep blue of the Mediterranean, the olive trees, poppies, irises and that dazzling light, artists found their creativity flourished under the hot sun.To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. The main character is supposed to be a cultured upper class Frenchman, but all his references are English. Longworth has written for The Washington Post, The Times (London), The Independent, and Bon Appétit magazine. The Verlaque and Bonnet Provencal mystery series is fast becoming one of my favorites for fun, escapist reads.