A Murder in Springtime

I distinctly remember complaining in my last review of a Bruno Chief of Police mystery that the books had been focusing on the investigations and had very little to do with the food and camaraderie that are two of the reasons why I enjoy this series so much. Well, A Murder in Springtime fixes that.

Although the mystery concerning the woman who was killed is an interesting one, for the most part, it remains in the background so the focus can shift to the preparation of delicious food and sharing it with friends. This made me happy because, since the very first book, the characters have become part of my literary family.

Another focal point that I liked was Bruno's attempt to revitalize his small village of St. Denis. Neighboring towns show more have stolen away many shoppers and tourists, and St. Denis' markets, shops, and business owners are suffering. Bruno comes up with some very good ideas, but human nature tells us that not everyone is going to be on Bruno's side.

Speaking of characters, I hope this is the first of many appearances for Fabien Panton, the man sent to St. Denis to investigate the murder. He's quite the personality and fits in well with the others.

Here I am, all caught up again and waiting for Bruno's next case. If you want to be transported to southwestern France, pick up these books. They are so filled with Gallic charm that I read them with a French accent.

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley) show less