This was a great mystery and the setting was wonderful. ( )

This second book in the Verlaque and Bonnet series contains many of the elements that made the first book enjoyable: delicious descriptions of food, an ensemble cast, and an easy pace that keeps the pages turning. It also contains more than the usual amounts of exclamation marks in dialogue! This is less enjoyable for me because it seems a bit forced sometimes! So the lesson is probably to pace myself with these books and save them for when I need a fun pick-me-up. ( )

MURDER IN THE RUE DUMAS is written by M. L. Longworth. The title is a Verlaque and Bonnet Provencal Mystery. It is Book #2 in the series.
“When a shocking murder rocks the theology department at Aix-en-Provence’s University, Chief Magistrate Antoine Verlaque is on the case.”
The main characters, Antoine and Marine, are mature, very detailed, very distinctive, very likable. The title (and series) is a Pandora’s Box of food, cooking, wines, coffees, restaurants, outdoor markets and fresh produce, home and apartment interiors, art, travel and French culture. Aix is a great location, as is the entire southern area of France. The conversations, everyday routines and of course, the mystery plot lines, all make for excellent reading.
**** ( )

The second in a (so far) 6 book series, this one started off much more slowly for me, as the author takes the time to set the murder scene, introduce the suspects, and hint at motivations before we ever hear from our two MCs. I recognise the value of this, but I mostly find it tedious.

Once the body drops, the pace starts to pick up, albeit slowly, and Bonnet makes very few appearances until the last half of the book. From this point on, I once again fell into Aix-en-Provence - and Umbria Italy! - and lost myself in the mystery, the setting and the characters.

The mystery plotting was very good, although I think Longworth could be accused of over-complicating it. But I totally didn't see that ending coming and when it came it was tense.

Murder in the Rue Dumas wasn't quite as good as the first one, but it was still better than most cozies available now - it's got a much more 'traditional mystery' feel and I can't wait for book three to arrive in the post.

This was my Free Friday Read #5 and was 296 pages long. ( )

3.75 a fairly cheerful chapter at the Universite d'Aix considering the back stabbing and murders oh plus a predatory pedophile as bkgrd color. The investigators and the students all seem dim. But I enjoyed the descriptions, the French and the melancholy romance. ( )