While M.L. Longworth’s The Vanishing Museum on the Rue Mistral is the ninth Provencal mystery, I had no problem starting with this one. You can certainly pick up the series here. It’s an unusual book, set in Aix-en-Provence and other towns in the area, a police procedural, but one with a delightful focus on food. And, the artwork led me down multiple rabbit holes as I searched for artists and their works.
Who would expect the contests of an entire museum to disappear? The Musee Quentin-Savary is a small museum with a small collection of porcelain and a recent acquisition, a painting by Felix Zeim. But, there’s nothing remarkable, which is why museum director Achille Formentin is stunned to enter it on a Tuesday after a long weekend, and find the entire museum empty.
Antoine Verlaque, chief magistrate for the region, finds this mystery a welcome distraction for his worry about his wife Marine Bonnet’s pregnancy and his worry about the baby. He and Commissioner Bruno Paulik investigate, and direct the case. But, neither man misses the opportunity for a good meal or a good bottle of wine.
Longworth creates a beautiful ambiance for The Vanishing Museum on the Rue Mistral. The reader can immerse themself in a world of museums, artwork, delicious food. Oh, did I mention it’s also a mystery and police procedural? At times, the story is so charming with people enjoying themselves that it’s hard to remember that there’s a missing museum and a subsequent murder. Welcome to Antoine Verlaque’s world.
M.L. Longworth’s website is http://mllongworth.com/blog/
The Vanishing Museum on the Rue Mistral by M.L. Longworth. Penguin Books, 2021. ISBN 9780143135296 (paperback), 336p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a .PDF for a journal review.
Interesting. Yet another series (and author) I’d never heard of, despite going on for ten years. I looked at the Amazon reactions for previous books, and they are very mixed. (Incidentally, they are called a “Verlaque and Bonnet Mystery.”) The first one got some terrible reader reviews, but others have done better, though several people compared them unfavorably to Martin Walker’s Bruno series. Bonnet is his “on again, off again girlfriend” in the early books, though I guess they get married somewhere along the way.
I think I will read another Walker book instead, at least for now.
By the way, nice – it says she divides her time between Aix and Paris. Lucky her.
I think you’ll be interested in Jennifer’s comment below, Jeff. I actually thought the author was someone else when I agreed to review it! That’s okay. It’s always interesting to discover an author I didn’t know.
I agree. Lucky her!
I really enjoy this series. They are what I would call quiet mysteries. There is a crime, but the cases revolve around interactions with characters and the rhythm of daily life, not gun fights or gore. I like the Martin Walker books as well.
Thank you, Jennifer! I like your summary of the series and why you enjoy them. Thank you!
Sounds like an old fashioned impossible crime.
The entire book has an old-fashioned feel to it, Glen. Slow-paced, savoring life.
It sounded interesting enough to put it on my library list for later…Thanks all…
It’s a good later book, Gram.
This is interesting, especially with the comments. I will have to give it some thought. I would hate to start later in the series, but then maybe I will see this book or another in the series at a book sale. The previous book, A Noël Killing, is set at Christmas. I always love a Christmas mystery.
Tracy, It didn’t take me long to catch on to personal connections. They’re well-explained in the book. I’m with you. I love a Christmas mystery!