02/01/2021
In Bannalec’s charming sixth Brittany mystery (after 2019’s The Killing Tide), Commissaire Georges Dupin is taking a forced two-week vacation, along with his longtime girlfriend, cardiologist Claire Lannoy, at a hotel on Brittany’s Côte de Granit Rose. Workaholic Dupin finds relaxing on the beach to be insufferable, and he soon discovers a conspirator in the hotel’s owner, Rosmin Bellet, who feeds him information on a pair of seemingly unrelated petty crimes—a missing statue from a chapel and a break-in at a nearby house. Bellet also connects Dupin to the local gossip network, including a newsstand proprietor and a hairdresser, who become invaluable resources when a hotel guest goes missing. Dupin is determined to investigate the disappearance, despite Claire’s insistence on leaving work at home. Meanwhile, Claire has secrets that Dupin ends up exploiting once a woman’s body turns up in one of the area’s famed quarries. Series fans will enjoy seeing Dupin’s relationship with Claire deepen. Armchair travelers and gourmands alike will appreciate visiting this region of Brittany. (Apr.)
"Series fans will enjoy seeing Dupin’s relationship with Claire deepen. Armchair travelers and gourmands alike will appreciate visiting this region of Brittany." —Publishers Weekly
Praise for the series:
"Delicious Brittany mysteries... If this isn't heaven, it's close enough." —The New York Times
"Francophiles and art lovers will welcome Bannalec’s good old-fashioned detective story set in Brittany... Bannalec excels at plotting and pacing, as well as vivid descriptions of the Finistère countryside." —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) on Death in Brittany
"Very satisfying…along the lines of Martin Walker’s novels set in Dordogne, or M.L. Longworth’s Aix-en-Provence mysteries." —Booklist on Murder on Brittany Shores
11/01/2020
In Bannalec's The Granite Coast Murders, Commissaire Dupin remains singularly unengaged during his Brittainy coast vacation until a local deputy is attacked, a tourist vanishes, and a corpse disrupts everyone's sun and fun (30,000-copy first printing). In Fredericks's Death of a Showman, lady's maid Jane Prescott learns in summer 1914 that a former beau has written a Broadway musical, but then the producer ends up dead (30,000-copy first printing). In Harris's What the Devil Knows, Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is brought in to investigate when the lead investigator in the gruesome 1811 Ratcliffe Highway murders is himself dispatched. Hillerman's Stargazer brings back Officer Bernadette Manuelito, on the trail of an old roommate who's gone missing, though husband Jim Chee isn't sure Bernie should investigate (100,000-copy first printing). For the next Mystery Writers of America story collection, New York Times best-selling author Koryta gathers works by Michael Connelly, Attica Locke, and others that detail what happens When a Stranger Comes to Town (50,000-copy first printing). In Animal Instinct, second in a series Rosenfelt spun from the Shamus Award-winning "Andy Carpenter" series, the K Team investigate the murder of a woman Corey burningly regrets not having been able to protect from her abusive boyfriend when he was on the force (75,000-copy first printing). Bookseller Delaney Nichols is thrilled to be invited to outrageous socialite Shelaigh O'Connor's treasure hunt, but robbery, murder, and Shelaigh's kidnapping put a damper on things in Shelton's Deadly Editions (30,000-copy first printing). While Tsarevich Nicholas travels to England for royal wedding, look-alike cousin Prince George is attacked, and private enquiry agents Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn are called in to protect the future—and final—tsar in Thomas's Dance with Death (30,000-copy first printing). In Murder on Wall Street, Thompson brings back beloved midwife Sarah Brandt and her PI husband Frank Malloy for their 24th outing..
★ 2021-01-27
Unsolved crimes and a restless policeman turn out to be excellent holiday companions in Brittany.
Commissaire Georges Dupin is on vacation. His doctor has ordered it. His girlfriend, Claire, has arranged it. Most important, his assistant, Nolwenn, is enforcing it. Two weeks of rest on the beach, that’s it. No phone calls about any dastardly deeds back in the gendarmerie in Concarneau. Inspectors Riwal and Kadeg have been instructed to answer his calls by regaling him with tales from Breton folklore. So of course Dupin’s going absolutely crazy. Despite the spectacular scenery of the Rose Coast, with towering cliffs of pink granite cascading down to a turquoise sea, despite its quaint inns with beautiful vistas, despite delicious meals each night on the spacious terrace of his hotel, he’s bored silly. Fortunately, it amuses Rosmin Bellet, proprietor of L’Île Rose, to regale his restless guest with tales of local outrages. The statue of the patron saint has been stolen from Chapelle Sainte-Ann. Someone has broken into the Gustave Eiffel House, once owned by the famous tower’s architect. A stone thrown through her window injures Deputy Viviane Rabier. Soon Dupin is sneaking out like a guilty lover to Tabac-Presse, where owner Élodie Riou fills him in on the latest gossip. Wealthy quarry owner Jérome Chastagner is suspected of financial fiddles. So is Mme. Rabier’s sworn enemy, Hugues Ellec. Then Gilbert Durand’s flighty young wife, Alizée, disappears after dinner. Vacation is soon every bit as exciting as work for Dupin, who attacks this smorgasbord of malfeasance with gusto.
Between the food, the scenery, and the felonies, what’s not to like?
