Murder in the Rue Dumas - M. L. Longworth

Aix-en-Provence is renowned for its lavender, wineNand murders. When Longworth debuted her charming mystery series featuring the crime-solving duo of Judge Antoine Verlaque and his on-again, off-again girlfriend, law professor Marine Bonnet, she won rave reviews. When a shocking murder rocks the theology department at Aix-en-Provence's university, chief magistrate Antoine Verlaque is on the case

Proven al Mystery Series #2 When Dr. Georges Moutte is found mudrered, investigator Antoine Verlaque is stumped. Certainly the director of theology at the Universit d'Aix had his enemies. Moutte was just about to name the recipient of an elite fellowship as well as his own successor--a highly coveted position--when his lips were sealed permanently. But Verlaque isn't convinced that anyone in the tiny community of academics is capable of murder.

Aided by his on-again, off-again girlfriend, law professor Marine Bonnet, Berlaque must turn Provence upside down, uncovering a world far more complicated than university politics, to find the killer before it's too late.

A page-turning mystery that transports you to the south of France with its lush portrait of a charming historic town, this continuation of the Proven al Mystery series captivates.

What really makes Longworth's writing special is her deep knowledge of French history, landscape, cuisine, and even contemporary cafes and restaurants. This is that rare atmospheric mystery that is street-wise and caf -canny. --Booklist (starred review)