A charming cozy mystery set in France. It is part of a series so I had a hard time catching on at first, having not read the other books, but eventually I got the hang of what was going on. The mystery held my attention and interest - and I loved the setting of the book and the way the author wove France in, almost like another character.

I recieved an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

Good, solid book. Easy to follow. Would recommend to anyone who likes a thriller or mystery book. Liked the characters and it was difficult to put down!

I really enjoyed this month and definitely something I recommend. It reminded mentor of a cozy mystery. I don’t read cozy mysteries often, but this one was quite well written!

M. L. Longworth's A Noël Killing is the eighth in her Provençal mystery series starring examining magistrate Antoine Verlaque and his wife, Marine Bonnet, in Aix-en-Provence, France. Having missed the previous episodes, I found it a little hard to figure out what was going on in this one, so would definitely recommend reading the series in order.

It's Christmastime in Aix-en-Provence, and Verlaque is kept busy investigating a poisoning and a shooting. There are quite a few surprises in store for him, including one from his wife Marine. If you enjoy a police procedural in an exotic setting (with mouthwatering descriptions of edibles) then dive into this engaging series.

Judge Antoine Verlaque does not like Christmas – it brings too many visitors and shoppers to the town of Aix in the south of France. His wife Marine convinces him to attend the Christmas carol concert at the local church. To his surprise, Antoine enjoys the service and the dinner afterwards, until a local businessman collapses in the middle of the party. The congregation is shocked and saddened by the man’s death from a suspected heart attack, until the coroner returns a verdict of death by poisoning.

An enjoyable holiday mystery. This is the 8th title in the cozy Provencal Mystery series featuring magistrate Antoine Verlaque and his wife Marine Bonnet, but it can be read as a stand-alone. Longworth does a good job of filling in any necessary background details from previous titles. Lots of conversations and settings that involve food and wine, gossip, local color. Fans of Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series will enjoy the Provencal Mystery series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in return for a review.

3.5 stars

Another pleasant addition to this series set in Provence and featuring magistrate Antoine Verlaque, and his wife, writer and professor Marine Bonnet.

Verlaque is not a fan of Christmas, and he is grumbling about the early onset of the retail season and the rush of tourists. While at a musical community event, an American operating a tour business is poisoned and dies. The investigation leads in a lot of different directions: the victim had recently borrowed money from some organized crime types, his wife was having an affair with her boss, among other things.

These are enjoyable reads with lots of Provencal culinary details. The relationship between the newly married Verlaque and Bonnet is interesting to watch develop. There is a domestic secret in this one which any reader will pick up way earlier than the characters but overall a fun read. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another excellent story in M.L. Longworth's <i>Verlaque and Bonnet</i> series. Fans will certainly enjoy another tale of life and crime in lovely Aix-en-Provence. An investigation into a crime at an annual Christmas carol service at the local Cathedral Saint Sauveur brings an especially interesting perspective for this season in Provence. It is a family affair to figure this out for the team.
The author has created two wonderfully complicated, pleasing characters in M. Verlaque and Marine Bonnet. In this story, Longworth skillfully describes how Verlaque and Bonnet, a married couple, have to figure out to how to coalesce their markedly different backgrounds and experiences at Christmas time. Also overshadowing their life are their opposing views on parenthood, brought into the spotlight at this particular time. All of this sensitive exploration into married life plays out against the ever-present delicious French food experiences, lovingly described, and, of course, the puzzling murder of an ex-pat American. Well done series and a richly rewarding addition!