HomeGroupsTalkMoreZeitgeist
Search Site
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.

Results from Google Books

Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.

Loading...

A Well-Timed Murder

by Tracee De Hahn

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: Agnes Lüthi (2)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingConversations
418605,567 (3.83)None
Tracee de Hahn returns following her critically acclaimed debut, Swiss Vendetta. Swiss-American police officer Agnes Lüthi is on leave in Lausanne, Switzerland, recovering from injuries she sustained in her last case, when an old colleague invites her to the world's premier watch and jewelry trade show at the grand Messe Basel Exhibition Hall. Little does Agnes know, another friend of hers, Julien Vallatton, is at the same trade show--and he's looking for Agnes. Julien Vallatton was friends with Guy Chavanon, a master of one of Switzerland's oldest arts: watchmaking. Chavanon died a week ago, and his daughter doesn't believe his death was accidental. Shortly before he died, Chavanon boasted that he'd discovered a new technique that would revolutionize the watchmaking industry, and she believes he may have been killed for it. Reluctantly, Agnes agrees to investigate his death. But the world of Swiss watchmaking is guarded and secretive, and before she realizes it, Agnes may be walking straight into the path of a killer.… (more)
None
Loading...

Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.

No current Talk conversations about this book.

Showing 1-5 of 8 (next | show all)
I have been curious about this series since the first time I set my eyes on the first book. So, when I got this chance, to read the sequel did I go for it. Now, since I haven't read the first book is this my first introduction to Agnes Luthi, but this is definitely a book you can read as a stand-alone.

Swiss police officer Agnes Luthi's friend Julien Vallotton contacts her because a friend of his, Guy Chavanon a watchmaking, has died and the daughter doesn't believe it's an accident. Guy Chavanon had a severe allergy towards nuts and it was what killed him. However, there are no traces of nuts in the milieu where he was, nothing in the food, etc. Also, he seemed to have discovered something that would revolutionize the watchmaking industry before he died.

I found the setting of Switzerland to be a welcome change of scenery. I've been looking for some new crime series set in new environments and this one felt like a nice to the usual the UK or the US setting. Agnes Luthi is an interesting character, and since this is the first book I read about her I have the disadvantage of not knowing much about her. However, I learned a lot of about her in this book, about her family and the tragic circumstances of her husband's death some month's before.

As for the case, I won't lie, I did think it took a while for the story to really get going. Since it's a crime novel one knew that something is amiss, the death of Guy Chavanon is suspicious, but why would anyone kill him, if it is murder, and if it is foul play, how did it happen? Or is there something else going one, it's hard to know since the people in Guy Chavanon life is now acting suspiciously. Thankfully Agnes Luthi is tenacious.

I found the book interesting and I'm looking forward to reading the first book in the series since I want to know more about Agnes Luthi, not to mention her "friend" Julien Vallotton. ( )
  MaraBlaise | Jul 23, 2022 |
A few days before returning to work in the Violent Crimes Unit because of injures sustained in a previous case, Agnes Lüthi meets friend Julien Vallatton at a watch and jewelry trade show. Where he introduces her to Christine Chavanon who believes that the death of her father, Guy, a watchmaker was not an accident and wishes Agnes to investigate.
An interesting and enjoyable mystery, with characters I have come to like. Although it is the second in the series it is a standalone novel.
ANetGalley Book ( )
  Vesper1931 | Jul 29, 2021 |
I love to dive right into a fast paced murder mystery and this was definitely action packed from page one. Agnes Luthi is a very likable character and a brilliant police officer. I enjoyed the setting which was in Switzerland and could picture all the scenes there. This book is the second in the Agnes Luthi series but you do not have to read the first book in order to follow along with this one. I wish that I had read the first and will be reading that soon because Agnes’s backstory sounds intriguing. The author does a great job though with providing just enough background information on Agnes without giving too much away from the first book. I loved reading about the cutthroat and highly secretive watch industry and the title is quite clever given the subject matter of the book! The story was well written with a very interesting plot and I became quite attached to Agnes. I have found a new mystery series in a beautiful setting. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. ( )
  fictionalblonde | Apr 10, 2019 |
This is an enjoyable book with a quadruple mystery and lots of details - second in the Agnes Lüthi Mystery series. Author's architectural background is quite evident in the description of the various classic Swiss chalets, modern villa and various exposition buildings. The characters are many with sufficient description to form one's opinions early on. Several red herrings keep you going right through to the end. I loved this book as much as the first in the series. ( )
  KateBaxter | Jun 19, 2018 |
A Well Timed Murder by Tracee de Hahn is a 2018 Minotaur Books publication.

This second book in the Agnes Lüthi series, finds Agnes in Lausanne, Switzerland tailing an old adversary, although she is still technically on leave, after sustaining injuries in the line of duty. Surprisingly, she discovers that her friend Julien is also in Lausanne, and that a friend of his recently passed away quite suddenly. Before she knows it, Agnes has found herself embroiled in the case, which by all accounts appeared to be a tragic, accidental death. But, not everyone is convinced of that, which give Agnes a side case to work, before she officially returns to work.

I was very impressed with the first installment of this series and have been eagerly anticipating this follow up. I enjoyed the location, which is a nice change of pace, and I really like Agnes. This story is centered around the Swiss tradition, pride, and reputation of precision watch making. With the possibility of a new breakthrough technology that would revolutionize the industry, it just might be possible Julien’s friend was murdered in order to steal his secrets.

The world of watch making is a fascinating one, and again, this is not a topic that comes up often in mysteries, which is a refreshing change of pace. The mystery has many complexities, and more than one thread that could give an ample motive for murder. As with the first book, this one does not move at a super -fast clip, but builds slowly, which could require a bit of patience for some, but it adds so much depth, deep characterizations, and creates a tantalizing atmosphere the further the mystery deepens.

I didn’t quite connect with Agnes in the same way as I did in the first book, maybe because she doesn’t need my sympathy in quite the same way as before. However, her personal life is still tethered to former husband, via her mother-in-law, with whom she has a complicated relationship. But, the case Agnes catches is so very puzzling, it more than made up for the reduced time spent with Agnes’ profound inner musings.

While the cover of the book might suggest a cozy mystery format, this is pretty much a police procedural and while there is a lack of explicit content, and the language is mostly mild, the mystery almost reminds me of the noir style.

While it is not necessary to read the first book in order to enjoy this one, I do recommend adding to at some point, as it does explain details about Agnes' personal life that will deepen your understanding of her character and enhance your enjoyment of this book. But, all in all, this is an excellent follow up book, very solid, interesting and detailed. I am very much looking forward to Agnes’ next big case! ( )
  gpangel | Apr 9, 2018 |
Showing 1-5 of 8 (next | show all)
no reviews | add a review

» Add other authors (1 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Tracee De Hahnprimary authorall editionscalculated
Rotstein, David BaldeosinghCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

Belongs to Series

You must log in to edit Common Knowledge data.
For more help see the Common Knowledge help page.
Canonical title
Original title
Alternative titles
Original publication date
People/Characters
Important places
Important events
Related movies
Epigraph
Dedication
For my parents
First words
There was a crowd but none of them mattered.
Quotations
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
Disambiguation notice
Publisher's editors
Blurbers
Original language
Canonical DDC/MDS
Canonical LCC

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English

None

Tracee de Hahn returns following her critically acclaimed debut, Swiss Vendetta. Swiss-American police officer Agnes Lüthi is on leave in Lausanne, Switzerland, recovering from injuries she sustained in her last case, when an old colleague invites her to the world's premier watch and jewelry trade show at the grand Messe Basel Exhibition Hall. Little does Agnes know, another friend of hers, Julien Vallatton, is at the same trade show--and he's looking for Agnes. Julien Vallatton was friends with Guy Chavanon, a master of one of Switzerland's oldest arts: watchmaking. Chavanon died a week ago, and his daughter doesn't believe his death was accidental. Shortly before he died, Chavanon boasted that he'd discovered a new technique that would revolutionize the watchmaking industry, and she believes he may have been killed for it. Reluctantly, Agnes agrees to investigate his death. But the world of Swiss watchmaking is guarded and secretive, and before she realizes it, Agnes may be walking straight into the path of a killer.

No library descriptions found.

Book description
Swiss-American police officer Agnes Lüthi is on leave in Lausanne, Switzerland, recovering from injuries she sustained in her last case, when an old colleague invites her to the world’s premier watch and jewelry trade show at the grand Messe Basel Exhibition Hall. Little does Agnes know, another friend of hers, Julien Vallotton, is at the same trade show—and he’s looking for Agnes. Julien Vallotton was friends with Guy Chavanon, a master of one of Switzerland’s oldest arts: watchmaking. Chavanon died a week ago, and his daughter doesn’t believe his death was accidental. Shortly before he died, Chavanon boasted that he’d discovered a new technique that would revolutionize the watchmaking industry, and she believes he may have been killed for it. Reluctantly, Agnes agrees to investigate his death. But the world of Swiss watchmaking is guarded and secretive, and before she realizes it, Agnes may be walking straight into the path of a killer. [retrieved 7/30/18 from Amazon.com]
Haiku summary

Current Discussions

None

Popular covers

Quick Links

Rating

Average: (3.83)
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3 5
3.5 1
4 6
4.5
5 3

Is this you?

Become a LibraryThing Author.

 

About | Contact | Privacy/Terms | Help/FAQs | Blog | Store | APIs | TinyCat | Legacy Libraries | Early Reviewers | Common Knowledge | 203,251,554 books! | Top bar: Always visible