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!
