The Curse of La Fontaine

In the latest captivating installment of M. L. Longworth's acclaimed Verlaque & Bonnet Provencal Mystery series, the newlywed investigators contend with their most sinister challenge yet: a centuries-old curse

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.



My Review

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.

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