The Mystery of the Lost Cézanne

I liked this a lot (as my reading the book in one day can attest), but I would have really appreciated an author’s note with an explanation of how the idea for this book came about, how the painting was slotted into the historical record, and recommendations for further reading about the artist and his work.

The Mystery of the Lost Cezanne by M. L. Longworth is a Verlaque & Bonnet Provencal Mystery, Book #5.
“a beguiling mystery that finds Verlaque & Bonnet searching for a murderer in a crime tied to Provence’s greatest artist, Paul Cezanne”
This is a wonderful read, full of interesting, well-detailed characters, picturesque locations, food, wines, culture, historical ‘tidbits’ and, of course, a well-plotted mystery.
My favorite reads are books with interesting, detailed locations, sprinkled with historical events, people and things. The Mystery of the Lost Cezanne has all of the above.
This title gave me so much interesting information regarding the post-impressionist painter, Paul Cezanne and art, in general.
The author’s note show more (which I have come to look forward to) says “Paul Cezanne did have an affair with a mysterious Aixoise in 1885, a curiosity I first read in a New Yorker article, later confirmed when rereading Paul Cezanne: Letters, edited by John Rewald in 1976.”
Ahhh… fact and fiction intertwined. I love it. ***** show less

I usually really enjoy this series, and was excited to read this one, but this one just didn't do it for me. The mystery was a little convoluted, and there was no clear trail to discover the murderer. And we don't really find out until well into the book whether or not it was even a murder that happened in a little Aix apartment that apparently was previously the home of the great Cezanne. There is art theft involved, but we don't find out whether or not the missing painting was an actual Cezanne.Too many loose ends in this one, although I did enjoy Verlaque and Bonnet and the way they work together to solve cases. I'm not discouraged, and will certainly read the next book.

Something went wrong somewhere in this book, and I don't know what it was or where it happened. Ok, yes, I know where part of it went wrong; I knew who the murderer was reaching page 80, but that shouldn't have mattered much to my overall enjoyment.

The book is about the discovery of a lost painting of Cézanne's, which right away I love; I even enjoy the flashback POV chapters, a device that I'm at best ambivalent about. The setting is Aix en Provence and it sounds as wonderful as it always has in Longworth's books, and Verlaque and Bonnet get more and more likeable with each book.

But at some point after about 2/3 of the way through, it fizzled. I don't like to say it's because there was no perilous climax, but it might be. show more Everything was tied up neatly at the end, but it still felt unfinished, or more accurately, un-satisfying.

Still an enjoyable read I always wanted to get back to, but not nearly as well constructed as the previous 4. show less

Not really a mystery. A supposed mystery is the framework of the story, but that part of the book just chugs along with too many names to keep straight and then in the last twenty pages dumps a rather implausible solution out of a bag.
It also tried to be a gourmand's tour, and an art history story, and I would have completely forgiven the rather weak mystery dimension of the book if those two other areas have been more richly developed. I never mind when a supposed mystery novel is actually just a vehicle to introduce the reader to other interesting aspects of life. I quite enjoy such books and wished this one had been like that. More food and geography better described.

Rene Roquet, a retired postal worker, lived in Paul Cezanne's former apartment. He was a disagreeable & miserly man with a secret. Pierre, a former neighbor of Rene & friend of le juge Antoine Verlaque, calls Verlaque when he is unable contact Rene.

Entering Rene's apartment, Verlaque finds Rene dead and a young American woman, Rebecca Schultz, (well known Yale Art Historian, who happens to specialize in the work of Cezanne) searching the apartment, which is in disarray. Rebecca claims that she did not kill Rene, that she found him dead after entering the apartment via the open door.

After questioning Rebecca, Verlaque allows her to leave, but to remain in Aix-Provence... of course Rebecca disappears. Soon thereafter Verlaque finds the show more missing portrait in the possession of Momo, the young street vendor & friend of Rene, whom Rene gave it to for safe keeping.

While Verlaque searches for the murderer & providence of the painting, his girlfriend, law professor marine Bonnet, her father, & her friend Sylvie research the life of Cezanne, the possibility of an affair w/ the woman in the portrait, & the history of Michaud's Bakery where Cezanne purchased his baked goods.

In alternating chapters, the story goes back in time to 1885, to tell the story of Paul Cezanne & (for the purposes of this book) the affair he had w/ Michaud's counter girl, Manon Solari, the fictional sister of Cezanne's real life friend Philippe Solari and the enigmatic portrait. [I hope that made sense]

At one point the, while Verlaque is traveling w/ the painting to have it authenticated by a well known art professional, the painting is stolen from the train by Rebecca, who later returns it...

While the story has an excellent premise and the portion about Cezanne & Manon being well written, the book held my interest; however, I found the introduction of Rebecca (whom I never did warm to) & her actions very convoluted. Therefore - 1 Star show less