Death in the Vines - M. L. Longworth

A crime wave jolts Aix-en-Provence in the third delightful Verlaque and Bonnet mystery. Readers are sure to adore this who-done-it, in which Longworth evokes the sights and sounds of late-summer Provence, where the mistral blows and death comes in the most unexpected places. nWhen theft escalates to murder at a French vineyard, a crime wave sweeps over the tranquil town of Aix-en-Provence nProven al Mystery Series #3 n nWinery owner Olivier Bonnard is devastated when he discovers that a priceless cache of rare vintages has been stolen from his private cellar.

Soon after, Monsieur Gilles d'Arras arrives at Aix-en-Provence's Palais de Justice to report another mysterious disappearance: his wife, Pauline, has vanished from their lavish apartment. Madame has always been as tough as nails, but in recent weeks she's been wandering around town in her slippers, crying for no reason. n nAs the mistral arrives to temper the region's late-summer heat, Commissioner Paulik receives an urgent call from Bonnard: he's just found Pauline d'Arras--dead in his vineyard.

Verlaque and Bonnet are once again investigating, in what will prove to be their most complicated case yet. n nFans of Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri, Francophiles, and foodies alike will adore this captivating whodunit. In her riveting follow-up to Death at the Chateau Bremont and Murder in the Rue Dumas, M.

L. Longworth masterfully evokes the sights, sounds, and tastes of late-summer Provence, where the mistral blows and death springs up in the most unexpected places. n nJudge Antoine Verlaque, the sleuth in this civilized series, discharges his professional duties with discretion.

But we're here to taste the wines. So many bottles, so many lovely views. A reader might be forgiven for feeling woozy.

--The New York Times Book Reviewn