Commissaire Dupin is back in The Fleur de Sel Murders, this Brittany mystery from international bestselling author Jean-Luc Bannalec. The old salt farmers have always said that the violet scent of the Fleur de Sel at harvest time on the salt marshes of the Guérande Peninsula has been known to cause hallucinations. Commissaire Dupin also starts to believe this when he’s attacked out of the blue … this when he’s attacked out of the blue in the salt works.
He had actually been looking forward to escaping his endless paperwork and taking a trip to the “white country” between the raging Atlantic Ocean and idyllic rivers. But when he starts snooping around mysterious barrels on behalf of Lilou Breval, a journalist friend, he finds himself unexpectedly under attack. The offender remains a mystery, and a short time later, Breval disappears without a trace. It is thanks to his secretary Nolwenn and the ambition of the prefect that Dupin is assigned to the case. But he won’t be working alone because Sylvaine Rose is the investigator responsible for the department–and she lives up to her name…
What’s going on in the salt works? Dupin and Rose search feverishly for clues and stumble upon false alibis, massive conflicts of interest, personal feuds–and ancient Breton legends.
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4 solid stars
If you have ever eaten anything labeled “with sea salt” and wanted to know how it is harvested, then this murder mystery is for you. Georges Dupin, Commissaire from the Commissariat de Police Concarneau, Brittany, France, has gone to the salt marshes on Brittany’s Atlantic coast to check out a rumor about mysterious blue barrels. Lilou Breval, a reporter friend who has done him some favors in the past, believes “something very fishy” is going on. He is walking on a very narrow path between salt ponds when someone starts shooting at him. He manages to get inside a wooden hut used by the paludiers(salt gatherers). He has been shot once and the shooter traps him inside the hut by wedging the door shut. He is rescued by the local police, who are very annoyed by his investigating out of his jurisdiction without telling them. This location is part of the Departement Loire-Atlantique and Commissaire Sylvaine Rose demands to know what he is doing there.
This is the beginning of a joint investigation by the 2 Commissaires, who work well together, despite some initial mistrust from both sides. A Police Commissaire in France appears to be the US equivalent of a detective lieutenant, with several detectives under his/her supervision. They do solve the case, but not before 2 people die. I liked the plot and the characters. The killer was not revealed until the end along with the motive.
I learned a great deal about harvesting salt. “Fleur de Sel” flower of salt, is a protected designation in France and only a handful of salt marshes can claim this name, said to be among the finest in the world.
According to the Goodreads author bio, the author was born in Brest, Brittany, of a Breton father and a Rhineland,Germany mother. This book was translated from German and the translation was excellent.
Some quotes: Dupin, describing Rose “In these kinds of conclusions, Rose’s mind was razor sharp, always moving forward, pushing for specific scenarios.”
Dupin on coffee “It had been researched and proven countless times: coffee stimulated the metabolism in the brain, the brain’s concentration, attention span and memory capacity were significantly improved, the signs of fatigue eliminated. The scientific truth was this: caffeine was simply a miracle substance.”
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me this e ARC.
Another wonderfully complicated mystery with wonderfully complex characters. I especially enjoy the details of Brittany with which M. Bannalec entertains us in each of his mysteries.
THE FLEUR DE SEL MURDERS by Jean-Luc Bannalec
The Third Brittany Mystery
On a vague tip from trusted journalist Lilou Breval, Commissaire Georges Dupin decides to break a few rules and take a peek at the salt marshes, not believing he’ll find anything. Enjoying the beautiful place he sees nothing amiss, until someone starts shooting at him! Wounded and unable to make contact with Lilou, Commissaire Dupin is determined to work the case, even though it’s out of his jurisdiction. Now he, along with Commissaire Sylvaine Rose and her local team will sift through the salt marshes to discover the truth behind the blue barrels.
Jean-Luc Bannalec captures the essence of Brittany with his vivid descriptions, from the succulent food (My mouth is watering for a tartine with brie, walnuts, and grape mustard!), the myths and fables, the gorgeous landscape, even the scents. I want to visit the salt marshes to smell the violet fragrance of the salt!
THE FLEUR DE SEL MURDERS has a slow, steady, and methodical pace. It’s not a light, easy read. The narrative needs to be savored and readers need to pay attention to appreciate the complex story and exquisite details given. I liked the characters, and wish I had my own Nolwenn! I enjoyed the different approaches of both Commissaire Dupin and Commissaire Rose as they begrudgingly work as a team, each with an honest respect for the other, but each used to doing things his/her own way! But it’s the charming details that really heighten the appeal of the mystery, the gifts that Georges chooses for Claire, Riwal’s stories, and the kangaroo!
THE FLEUR DE SEL MURDERS is a police procedural that traditional mystery fans will embrace.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.