The third book in the Verlaque and Bonnet series sits somewhere between book 2 and book 1 for me; I liked it a bit more than book 2, but book 1 is still my favourite, because it was the first. The plot of Death in the Vines differs somewhat from the TV adaptation; for example, Mme d’Arras is more fleshed out as a character than she is in the TV adaptation, and Verlaque’s and Bonnet’s personal lives aren’t quite as dramatic in the show. The book gets into some pretty gloomy territory for both of them, actually, but I think it works well. I continue to appreciate how easily the pages turn in this series, and I wasn’t too annoyed by excessive exclamation marks this time! ( )

I love this series. I love the characters and the place ( south of France). And I really like the mysteries set around wine and food. In this one three somewhat related murders occur just outside of Aix. Verlaque and his girlfriend Bonnet, as well as Commissioner Pulik are trying to determine the link that connects all three deaths. With lots of wine and food sidesteps, they are on the trail of a killer. In typical M L Longworth fashion, even the victims are suspect, The mystery is finally uncovered, but the search for the killer is exciting and edge-of-your-seat. I love this series, It tickles me down to my toes. It's delicious and entrancing. I listened to this on audiobook, and I think it enhanced the tension. Highly recommend--this whole series, ( )

DEATH IN THE VINES by M. L. Longworth is a Verlaque and Bonnet Provencal Mystery, Book #3.
“When theft escalates to murder at a French vineyard, a crime wave sweeps over the tranquil town of Aix-en-Provence.”
I like this title and this series very much. The characters are very detailed and likable. The location is extremely picturesque. The reader is endlessly wined and dined. The food, the wines, the cooking, the traveling throughout the south of France leave me in a very restful, thoughtful holiday-like mood. The mysteries are also very interesting and well-structured.
I am very ready to begin Book #4. **** ( )

Better than the last book; the multiple POVs here work better and Death in the Vines didn't feel as slow to start as book 2.

Three brutal murders just 1 week apart, all women. Two of them identical attacks of young women, but the third is an old woman showing signs of dementia. Proximity and timing make all three related but no one can find the connection. This series is, at its heart, a police procedural so the story moves along in stops and starts as new evidence is collected and more information is run-down. The unmasking was a little bit abrupt, but perhaps that's how some cases end up, who knows?

In the midst of this we have little vignettes of the supporting characters that are mostly charming; an odd twist with Marine Bonnet didn't quite work for me, but I suppose it worked to move their relationship a bit. But the biggest non-plot news is Verleque's mysterious secret in his past is revealed - and it's a doozy; in a completely unexpected way. Very interesting ground the author is treading here; the big reveal doesn't really happen until almost the end, and it's not followed up on, so I don't know where she's going to go from here, if anywhere.

But I have book 4 ready to go, so I won't have to wait long to find out. ( )

Death in the Vines, the third book in the Verlague and Bonnet mysteries, provides a wonderful visit to Aix-en-Provence (the ancient Roman capital of Provence) and its environs: vineyards and olive groves. Wine bottles are disappearing from a well-known vineyard, and then a series of murders disturbs the region's tranquility. I thought there were too many characters and had difficulty remembering who were policemen, investigators, judges, etc. and question why Magistrate Verlaque's girlfriend was involved at all -- a bit reminiscent of McMillan and wife. I prefer Andrea Camellieri's series. ( )