Montmartre Mysteries

Love it ! Cooker and Virgil are back .

This is the third book that I have read by these author and I really enjoy it, again a wonderful translation from French, so good in fact that one cannot pick the transition. The storyline gets better with each book that I read. I love the location descriptions and the different characters, the plot - each different and good. Anyone that tries a book, will find that they cannot stop at one - very moreish.

I really enjoyed this book, the writing is always evocative not only of France, and especially of Paris this time, but the description of the wines and food always make me thirsty, hungry and jealous!

As always characters are interesting and well written.

Highly recommended.

Benjamin Cooker and his assistant Virgile are off to Paris for a tasting event but, before it starts Benjamin wants to visit a friend in Montmartre who owns a wine shop. Unfortunately, he is just in time to see his friend being attacked by an unknown assailant. Having witnessed this sad event he must now investigate on his own, with Virgile's help of course, in order to find out what happened to his friend and why.
This is an engaging tale into the secret life on an ex-foreign legion soldier. In the course of the investigation the reader is taken on a tour of all the right spots in Paris, where good food and wine are plenty. Although the book seemed a little darker and not as lighthearted as the other books I've read in this series, it doesn't suffer from this fact. It just proves that Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noel Balen are good at what they do, crafting picturesque and interesting stores for lovers of all things French.

Thank you to netgalley for giving me this book to review. The book features our favourite wine expert Benjamin, and he has to help a sick wineyard to cure their ailing grapes. This turns into a murder investigation, and was quite an interesting read. I however missed some of the references to wine apprecation and the French country side, but the book is recommended for anyone that loves a good read.

I've read several books in this series and you always get a lesson in wine making and a travel/history of France. As Benjamin decides to help a small nursing home with their dying grapes, he visits a wine shop run by an old friend. When the shop owner ends up dead a few days later, Benjamin and Virgle must find the killer. Not too long, almost a novella.

The wine inspector is at it again, as a visit to Paris puts him in the center of a mystery. The verbal descriptions are breath-taking, the characters are familiar, and the suspense builds as Cooker builds a solution while plying his trade. I look forward to each of these stories, and I think they get a little better each time a new one comes ou

This series is a delight. As a ongoing fan of the series I would like to thank Net Galley and the publisher for providing me a advance reading copy . This is a wonderful series about a wine detective based primarily in France. The descriptions, the food, the wonderful wine will transport you and engage all your senses. This book is a epicurean delight, a lesson on wine and a personal travelogue to France. You will find yourself unable to put this book down as the mystery weaves in a most intriguing and mysterious manner throughout.. I find this author one of my favorite on Netgalley for his outstanding prose and characters so rich they rival the landscape of France for your attention. Well done! On to the next in the Montmartre Mystery series .

i love this series, and i seek it out and leap on Crooker's stories (he's the genial and tolerant and smart wine expert who dabbles in detection - not as a trade, but it seems crime falls into his path - and his hunky, lusty assistant Virgile - in beautiful parts of France, fully described - this one begins with a wine tasting journey and incident with an old friend being knifed in his shop. Normally I gush - and i worry i am not credible reviewer - and so i would like to gush with one qualifier here - the story takes a long time to start to happen - i mean there are tremendously diverting digressions along the way which is why it does not bother me too much - but if only for credibility's sake, i will simply say that. Now, that out of the way, bring on more of this heavenly series - light entertainment with added dazzle of French countryside even in the blistery winter ...

Monmartre is my favourite district of Paris- so that drew me instantly to this book along with the striking cover. It’s the 8th book in the Winemaker Detective series and although I am new to the series it didn’t affect my enjoyment of this book.
The strands of humour running through the book lighten the mood and the characters are a real delight.
Benjamin Cooker is a wine expert and receives a request to help. I love the style of investigation- it’s a lovely cosy read. There are references to the French Foreign Legion and the world of wine.
I will definitely be keen to look into other books in this series!
With many thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book.

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A new Winemaker Detective Series book!

Good series keep things fresh and interesting with each book. GREAT series leave the reader clamoring for the next installment upon completion of the last. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this is a great series!

Monmartre Mysteries is a step away from what readers have experienced in previous works, as Benjamin and Virgile solve the mystery, but they are not the main sleuths on the case. They come upon the crime by happenstance, as they were only in the area in answer to a call for the expert winemaker’s consultation. In fact, the initial crime isn’t even really the central theme of the book – it is more about understanding Benjamin’s friend Arthur, Arthur’s turbulent past, and why he was attacked.

As the plot focuses on Arthur’s past, we get a lot of musing from the characters on their own histories, so the book has a very reflective tone. There is a greater focus on the individual people in this work than previously in the series. I found all of this to be an interesting way to tell the tale, and thought the way the authors wrapped up the story, with an epilogue that briefly covered what became of each character, to be a very cool ending.

I’ve read my fair share of “small-town kid in the big city” works written here in the U.S. While they may be set in different locale across the world, they all had similar flavor to them. In another broadening of my world-view, until now I had never thought about that trope showing up in works written by authors in other countries, as we often tend to think of other cultures as one homogeneous label of “French” or “German”, etc. It was a highlight to me to see firsthand how, even across distance and culture, we still share the same stories, ideas, and nuances, with our own unique cultural twists.

I really enjoyed this book, and I know you will as well!

I received a review copy of this work from the publisher through NetGalley.

Another fun and interesting adventure of wine expert and detective Benjamin Cooker and his reliable assistant Virgil. This time they visit the beautiful French capital. The Bretonneau Hospital enlists the help of Benjamin to control a sick vine sick do not have the money to pay his advice. The wine maker is too curious and agrees to free her diagnosis. Return to Paris he awakens old memories including one of his first loves Sheila. He also visits an old friend and finds him just been attacked. Who will be the aggressor? We follow Benjamin and Virgil in their investigations to the beautiful streets of Paris.
It's the eighth book of The Winemaker Detective Series, you can read without difficulty as stand alone but also recommended to read the others, are short and pleasant readings.
If you love wine, its history and Paris, this is a book not to be missed.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.

I have recently become slightly addicted to this series of books, full of light hearted amateur sleuthing and showing a gourmets love of France and her wines. Benjamin Cooker, an expert wine maker, taster and critic and his assistant become involved in a murder mystery set amongst the world of wines in Montmartre. I was transported back to happy holidays visiting vineyards and caves and buying and enjoying many bottles of that magical liquid!!! These books are a delicious way to experience the vines of France.

Another in the wine series from Alaux and Balen. This one is mostly set in Paris. It has good descriptions and is as much about the characters and wine culture as about the mystery. I enjoyed reading it very much,

I had not realized that they grow grapes in Montmartre.. Apparently so, and Cooker and Virgile go to Paris for a wine tasting, which they combine with Cooker helping to save the grapes being grown at a hospital for the elderly. During the visit, Cooker goes to see an old friend that he helped put on the map as the owner of a wine store he recommended in the Cooker Guide many years before. As he arrives, his friend is attacked, and the intrigue begins. The story plays out to a natural conclusion.

The wine inspector is at it again, as a visit to Paris puts him in the center of a mystery. The verbal descriptions are breath-taking, the characters are familiar, and the suspense builds as Cooker builds a solution while plying his trade. I look forward to each of these stories, and I think they get a little better each time a new one comes out.

This series is ADDICTIVE. Our French Winemaker Mystery Solving team is on the scene to help an old friend with his wine grape crop-- and then there are mysterious happenings, a killing, and our detectives find themselves on the job.

As they cross segments of France, we view it through the eyes of the Winemaker. We learn about the different regional grapes, the struggles in keeping them healthy, and the complex world of personalities in the mix.

It's no mean feat to read the tea leaves of what is going on behind the scene of the crime!

What I like about this series is that it 's always something a little different, you never know what kind of case you'll have. While at the same time every book places you in familiar territory with beloved characters who wine and dine while amateur detecting. I loved this entry in the series! It was a much darker story than the others, even though no murder was committed, per se. It is a tale of human imperfection, seeking atonement and redemption, with a bittersweet ending. This one actually reminded me of a Father Brown story. Well done!

This is the fourth book that I have read in the Winemaker Detective Mystery series. The main character in the series is renowned wine expert Benjamin Cooker and he is supported by his Assistant, Virgile, who himself is a great character. The book is well paced and a very easy page turner and it does leave you guessing until very near the end – just what I like in these kind of books! I have enjoyed all of the books in the series and they are all really well written. Cooker and Virgile are a lovely double-act and support each other as the books progress. I am already looking forward to the next in the series – 4 stars from me.

I enjoy these gentle mysteries. Once again, Benjamin Cooker is solving a murder with a heavy background of wine! I love what I am learning and the crime is always solved with fine food and fine wine. I love this series. It is an easy enjoyable journey. I am looking forward to the next trip!

This is a gem of a novella and my first read of the winemakers series. Benjamin and Virgile are in Paris. On visiting an old friend, Benjamin prevents his murder and sets out to investigate what happened by delving into his past.

So the Foreign Legion comes under scrutiny as Arthur, Benjamin's friend, was a former member. The mystery is solved as normal life continues. We encounter French history, culture and education on wine. The relationships between the colourful characters are exquisite. The are many twists and the story is gripping. To top it off, there is a surprising ending as we discover that Arthur's past has caught up with him.

I really loved reading this book. It has wonderful descriptions and is beautifully written. If I have one criticism, it is that it is much too short! I plan on reading others in the series. I would like to thank Le French for an ebook copy via Netgalley for an honest review.

A short story that flowed well. Good translation

A good story with very well-captured imagery of Paris and its little vineyard. As with others in the series, I enjoyed it but found it very light reading (good for on a plane when you do not want to read anything too demanding).

a fun read.

Another mystery told elegantly from the point of view of our favorite wine expert Benjamin Cooker and his assistant Virgile. Like fine way, the books get better in every new edition and our characters become more alive.

As pleasant as usual, a new adventure of Benjamin Cooker and Virgile, in Paris this time, to try to give a new youth to the only vineyard in Paris, close to Montmartre.
While the two men check Pars and its cafes, they learn a friend of Cooker has been attacked, and may or not die from his injuries. Of course, Cooker asks some questions, meets the assaulted guy's girlfriend and visits the victim himself.
After a few days, back to Bordeaux, and a new trip is scheduled. This one will take the winemaker close to the Mont Ventoux, to the chateau de Rochegude. Cooper will taste a very interesting local wine and find the solution for the victim they left in the hospital in Paris.
There is a hint of sadness around this one, and the usual life enjoyment is not the same.

I liked this story. It reminded me of the style of writing from the 70s and 80s. That is a good thing. The addition of the wine interest was a nice plus. The ending had a nice twist.

Book Review Montmartre Mysteries by Jean Pierre Alaux, Noël Balen Review by Dawn Thomas

146 Pages Publisher: Le French Book

Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, French Detective, Wines, Vineyards

Arthur Solacroup is a wine merchant with a history in the French Foreign Legion. He is attacked in his wine shop. Benjamin Cooker arrived shortly after and saw the attacker as he was running away. One of Arthur’s friends, Karim, also saw the attacker. Since he was wearing a ski mask, neither man can identify him.

Benjamin receives a letter in the mail asking him to visit a hospital in Paris that needs help with their vineyard. He visits the hospital and arranges for vines and training. He takes the time to show the maintenance workers how to prune the vines.

Benjamin troubled by Arthur’s attack, begins investigating. He waits for his assistant Virgile and is annoyed when he is late. Virgile arrives with a story. Virgile was stuck on the train because a man jumped in front of a train. This caused a shutdown of the trains for several hours. Because of his injuries, no one can identify him.

This is the eighth book in the Winemaker Detective book series. I learn something new in each installment in the book series. The characters are believable and have their quirks. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Another great Benjamin Cooker and Virgile mystery. He investigates the attempted murder of a Paris wine merchant, of course,he continues his wine tastings. Well written and great characters. Bring on the next one.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.