The King Arthur Case

Number 7 in the Commissaire Dupin series. As with all the other books in this series, we get a thorough look at Breton history and scenery. In this book Dupin and his team are going on a work retreat in the Forest of Broceliande. Brittany has long claimed itself as being the home of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. But then a body of an historian is found when they arrive and Dupin and his team are on a two day rollercoaster ride where more bodies keep turning up and Dupin is dealing with a group of bloodthirsty King Arthur scholars. This is a wonderful series and one where Dupin is taxed to the limit while trying to cut through the lies and subterfuge to solve the case. And he does it because he has been placed in charge show more of thuscseries investigation by his previous employers, the Paris gendarmes. Following the antics of this fussy, autistic, coffee drinking investigator has been a lot of fun. I look forward to more. show less

Commissaire Dupin is having a summer field with his team in Brocéliande for a few days, but the holiday turns rapidly into a murder investigation as the body of a renowned historian is discovered. Before long, there are more victims and the mystery grows as to why all the Arthurian specialists are being killed.

Commissaire Dupin is a very interesting character, as well as his team members, especially Nolwenn, a talented woman.

The King Arthur Case is a classical mystery and detective story. It is the seventh adventure of Commissaire Dupin in Brittany. Do not be concerned if you did not read the other books. I didn’t either and it did not stop me from plainly enjoying this book. This novel takes place in the forest of Paimpont, better show more known as Brocéliande. If you are an Arthurian legend lover like me, you will totally enjoy this book. Jean-Luc Bannalec explores in his story every important site linked to the Legend and the Briton lore : Val Sans Retour, Chapelle du Graal, Fontaine de Barenton, Tombeau de Merlin, Château de Comper, where the Centre Arthurien is situated. From having been over there several times myself I found all the descriptions quite accurate and it was pure joy to visit them again in the story. show less

Very enjoyable mystery novel manages to weave the Arthurian legend into the main narrative very well. A good mystery for those rainy summer nights or cold winter days.

Brittany, cultural-exploration, historical-research, law-enforcement, procedural, small-town, superstitions, suspense, translated, thriller, Celtic heritage, teamwork, theft, murder, murder investigation, interagency cooperation*****

Regardless of whether you are familiar with the ongoing characters (I am) or not, this is a fascinating book! The regulars (C Dupin and his investigators) were supposed to be off for a relaxing field trip for a day or two. That suddenly turns into a real race against the clock and then some! The murders begin, a rather cohesive bunch of lying professors/archaeologists drive the law enforcers nutz, legends of King Arthur are at the center of everything. Don't want to give anything away, but although it starts show more out a little murky, the lies and deceptions are worth trying to follow! Thanks to Peter Millar for translating!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you! show less

Police on holiday encounter crime--deaths in party of Arthurian scholars difficult to solve since all lie to the police. Descriptions of landscape and legends of Breton important to story

There were many interesting references to Breton traditional stories and places which would have been easier to follow, if there had been a map and a glossary.

Bretonischer Spätsommer im sagenumwobenen Artus-Wald und verschrobene Wissenschaftler auf der Jagd nach ewigem Ruhm.
Der Wald von Brocéliande mit seinen malerischen Seen und Schlössern ist das letzte verbliebene Feenreich – glaubt man den Bretonen. Unzählige Legenden aus mehreren Jahrtausenden sind hier verortet. Auch die von König Artus und seiner Tafelrunde. Welche Gegend wäre geeigneter für den längst überfälligen Betriebsausflug von Kommissar Dupin und seinem Team in diesen bretonischen Spätsommertagen? Doch ein ermordeter Artus-Forscher macht dem Kommissar einen Strich durch die Rechnung. Gegen seinen Willen wird Dupin kurzerhand zum Sonderermittler ernannt in einem brutalen Fall, der schon bald weitere Opfer fordert. show more Was wissen die versammelten Wissenschaftler über die jüngsten Ausgrabungen in der Gegend? Wie stehen sie zu dem Vorhaben, Teile des Waldes in einen Vergnügungspark umzuwandeln? Und warum rückt keiner von ihnen mit der Sprache raus? Schon bald ist selbst Nolwenn, Dupins sonst so unerschütterliche Assistentin, in Sorge – und das will wirklich etwas heißen.
Geheimnisvoll, raffiniert und spannend – im siebten Fall der Erfolgsserie von Jean-Luc Bannalec ermitteln Commissaire Dupin und seine Inspektoren im Herzen der Bretagne. show less