Praise for The Curse of La Fontaine
“Beguiling . . . Longworth evokes the pleasures of France in delicious detail—great wine, delicious meals, and fine company.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Longworth confirms her long-standing lovebirds as Aix’s Nick and Nora; their pursuit of miscreants never interferes with their enjoyment of the good life.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Praise for The Mystery of the Lost Cézanne
“Art theft is a hot topic on the mystery scene, and no one’s heist is livelier than Longworth’s.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A sure thing for fans of art-themed mysteries.”
—Booklist
“Enchanting . . . the charming local citizens of Aix-en-Provence provide the true delights in this colorful story.”
—Library Journal
Praise for Murder on the Île Sordou
“Charming.”
—Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review
“[T]horoughly delightful . . . Longworth deftly handles what is in effect a locked-room mystery, but the book’s real strength lies in the backstories she creates for each of the distinctive characters. The puzzle’s answer, buried in the past, is well prepared by what has come before.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Longworth once again immerses readers in French culture with this whodunit, which will delight Francophiles and fans of Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri. The setting will also appeal to readers who enjoy trapped-on-the-island mysteries in the tradition of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.”
—Library Journal
“Longworth’s novels, set in the south of France, are mysteries for foodies, with the plot providing a table upon which the enchanting meals and accompanying wines are served.”
—Booklist
“[A] charming read with a well-crafted mystery and characters as rich and full-bodied as a Bordeaux.”
—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“A splendid read.”
—Mystery Scene
“The best thing about each novel in this series is that they are as much about lifestyle in the south of France as they are about a legal tangle, a disappearance or a murder. . . . By this third [novel] in the series, Longworth shows the reader why those who love Donna Leon’s Brunetti and Martin Walker’s Bruno take up her novels with enthusiasm.”
—Kings River Life Magazine
“Longworth’s maritime version of a country-house cozy offers genuine pleasures.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Death in the Vines
“Judge Antoine Verlaque, the sleuth in this civilized series, discharges his professional duties with discretion. But we’re here to taste the wines, which are discussed by experts like Hippolyte Thebaud, a former wine thief, and served in beautiful settings like a 300-year-old stone farmhouse. So many bottles, so many lovely views. A reader might be forgiven for feeling woozy.”
—Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review
“Though the plot is hair-raising, what keeps you glued to this mystery is its vivid portrait of everyday life in Aix, which deftly juxtaposes the elegance of the city . . . with quotidian woes and pleasures.”
—Oprah.com
“As much as the mystery intrigues—in this case some intertwined crimes involving a local winery, a missing elderly woman, and a rich man’s suspicious construction project—what really makes Longworth’s books enjoyable are the atmosphere and details that she includes of the south of France.”
—Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“What follows is a lovely, almost cozy police procedural that deserves to be read with a glass of wine in hand. Longworth paints such a loving picture of Provence that it’s likely you’ll start planning a vacation trip to France the moment you set the book down.”
—The Denver Post
“This is an intelligently written police procedural with the warm comfort of a baguette with banon cheese.”
—Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
“Enjoyable . . . the book’s real strength is its evocation of place.”
—Publishers Weekly
Praise for Murder in the Rue Dumas
“Fans of European sleuths with a taste for good food . . . will have fun.”
—Publishers Weekly
“What really makes Longworth’s writing special is her deep knowledge of French history, landscape, cuisine, and even contemporary cafés and restaurants. This is that rare atmospheric mystery that is street-wise and café-canny.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“Longworth’s gentle procedural succeeds on several levels, whether it’s for academic and literary allusions, police work, or armchair travel. With deftly shifting points of view, Longworth creates a beguiling read that will appeal to Louise Penny and Donna Leon fans.”
—Library Journal
“French-set mysteries have never been more popular [and] among the very best is a series set in Provence featuring Monsieur Verlaque, an examining magistrate, and his sometime girlfriend, law professor Marine Bonnet.”
—The Denver Post
Praise for Death at the Château Bremont
“This first novel in a projected series has charm, wit, and Aix-en-Provence all going for it. Longworth’s voice is like a rich vintage of sparkling Dorothy Sayers and grounded Donna Leon . . . Longworth has lived in Aix since 1997, and her knowledge of the region is apparent on every page. Bon appétit.”
—Booklist
“A promising debut for Longworth, who shows there’s more to France than Paris and more to mystery than Maigret.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Mystery and romance served up with a hearty dose of French cuisine. I relished every word. Longworth does for Aix-en-Provence what Frances Mayes does for Tuscany: You want to be there—NOW!”
—Barbara Fairchild, former editor in chief, Bon Appétit
“Death at the Château Bremont is replete with romance, mystery, and a rich atmosphere that makes the south of France spring off the page in a manner reminiscent of Donna Leon’s Venice. A wonderful start to a series sure to gain a legion of fans.”
—Tasha Alexander, author of the Lady Emily mysteries
“Longworth has a good eye and a sharp wit, and this introduction to Verlaque and Bonnet holds promise for a terrific series.”
—The Globe and Mail
“Death at the Château Bremont offers charming French locales, vivid characters, and an intriguing who-done-it.”
—Kevin R. Kosar, author of Whiskey: A Global History
“Here’s hoping the series lasts for years.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Your readers will eat this one up.”
—Library Journal
M. L. Longworth’s Provençal Mysteries
Death at the Château Bremont
Murder in the Rue Dumas
Death in the Vines
Murder on the Île Sordou
The Mystery of the Lost Cézanne
The Curse of La Fontaine
The Secrets of the Bastide Blanche
A PENGUIN MYSTERY
The Secrets of the Bastide Blanche
M. L. LONGWORTH has lived in Aix-en-Provence since 1997. She has written about the region for The Washington Post, The Times (UK), The Independent (UK), and Bon
