The Secrets of the Bastide Blanche
Ratings1
Average rating4
In the 7th installment of M.L. Longworth's Verlaque and Bennet mystery series, we find our hero and heroine considering the purchase of a home while a new Aixois finds a less-than-welcoming situation in his new home.
This book weaves together two points of view: an interview between a young editor and Valere (new resident and famous author whose fictional early works I'd love to read) and Judge Verlaque and Marine Bonnet.
If I remember correctly, Ms. Longworth has not used this technique before and it's very effective in this novel; my favorite sections were from Valere's point of view and really captured the voice of an author caught up in weaving a suspenseful tale. The descriptions of the Bastide Blanche were very well done, as were depictions of the countryside. I certainly felt like I was in France, despite actually actually being in the flatlands of Illinois.
Verlaque and Bonnet were nearly after-thoughts in this go-round, although their culinary choices are always a joy to read and inspire me to do a little more cooking.
The plot started off well, but then got rather silly about 2/3 of the way through and had a ridiculous ending, whereas prior installments in the series were more consistent.
As a side note, the publisher has decided to use a different cover style than the first 6 books, which is s not disappointing as that is what first caught my eye!