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Name: Amazon.com: The Curse of La Fontaine (A Provençal Mystery): 9780143110941: Longworth, M. L.: Books
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Rating: 4.4 (1222 reviews)

M. L. Longworth

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The Curse of La Fontaine (A Provençal Mystery) Paperback – April 4, 2017

by M. L. Longworth (Author)

1,222 ratings

Book 6 of 10: Provençal Mysteries

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In this captivating installment of M. L. Longworth’s acclaimed series, our newlywed investigators contend with their most sinister challenge yet: a centuries-old curse

Provençal Mystery Series #6
Watch the series! Murder in Provence is now on Britbox.

Chef Sigisbert “Bear” Valets has just opened his own restaurant, La Fontaine, in Aix-en-Provence. It’s an immediate success—glowing reviews and a loyal clientele, including our favorite investigative duo, Verlaque and Bonnet. But when he decides to extend his restaurant’s seating into a historic courtyard, some very powerful neighbors are against him. The local historical society wants the courtyard, which witnessed a seventeenth-century hanging and two World War II-era murders, to remain untouched.

Valets charges on, even after a skeleton is found buried next to the courtyard’s ancient fountain. But when Valets begins receiving threatening letters, he becomes convinced that his life is in danger. And then the fountain inexplicably stops running. By disturbing the garden, has Bear triggered an age-old curse? And can newlyweds Verlaque and Bonnet solve the mystery before someone else ends up dead? Set against the blossoming backdrop of the south of France, M. L. Longworth’s latest is sure to thrill fans of Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri.

“Beguiling . . . Longworth evokes the pleasures of France in delicious detail—great wine, delicious meals, and fine company.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

Discover M. L. Longworth's Provencal Mystery Series. Full of gourmet meals, silky wines... — Slate

WARNING: California’s Proposition 65

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for M. L. Longworth’s Provençal Mystery series

“The Verlaque and Bonnet mysteries . . . plunge you into a languid world of epicurean pleasures and good living.” —Eleanor Beardsley, NPR

Praise for The Curse of La Fontaine

“Beguiling . . . Longworth evokes the pleasures of France in delicious detail—great wine, delicious meals, and fine company.” —Publishers Weekly

“Longworth confirms her long-standing lovebirds as Aix’s Nick and Nora; their pursuit of miscreants never interferes with their enjoyment of the good life.” —Kirkus Reviews

Praise for The Mystery of the Lost Cezanne

“Art theft is a hot topic on the mystery scene, and no one’s heist is livelier than Longworth’s.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A sure thing for fans of art-themed mysteries.” —Booklist

“Enchanting . . . the charming local citizens of Aix-en-Provence provide the true delights in this colorful story.” —Library Journal

Praise for Murder on the Île Sordoun

“Charming.” —Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review

“Thoroughly delightful . . . Longworth deftly handles what is in effect a locked-room mystery, but the book’s real strength lies in the backstories she creates for each of the distinctive characters. The puzzle’s answer, buried in the past, is well prepared by what has come before.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Longworth once again immerses readers in French culture with this whodunit, which will delight Francophiles and fans of Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri. The setting will also appeal to readers who enjoy trapped-on-the-island mysteries in the tradition of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.” —Library Journal

“Longworth’s novels . . . are mysteries for foodies, with the plot providing a table upon which the enchanting meals and accompanying wines are served.” —Booklist

“[A] charming read with a well-crafted mystery and characters as rich and full bodied as a Bordeaux.” —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“A splendid read.” —Mystery Scene

“Longworth’s maritime version of a country-house cozy offers genuine pleasures.” —Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

M. L. Longworth has lived in Aix-en-Provence since 1997. She has written about the region for the Washington Post, the Times (London), the Independent (London), and Bon Appétit. She is the author of a bilingual collection of essays, Une Américaine en Provence. She is married and has one daughter.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books (April 4, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0143110942
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143110941
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.6 x 5 x 7.6 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #670,457 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,840 in International Mystery & Crime (Books)
- #5,556 in Traditional Detective Mysteries (Books)
- #5,635 in Science Fiction Crime & Mystery

Customer Reviews:
1,222 ratings

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M. L. Longworth

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M. L . Longworth has written for The Washington Post, The Times (London), The Independent, and Bon Appétit magazine. She is the author of a mystery series set in Southern France, the Provençal Mysteries, published by Penguin USA.

She has lived full-time in France for over twenty-one years and divides her time between Aix-en-Provence, where she writes, and Paris, where she teaches writing at New York University's Paris campus. She loves cooking, market shopping, and travelling wherever wine is grown.

She is married and has one daughter.

Customer reviews

1,222 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this French mystery book, praising its interesting characters, engaging plot, and well-written narrative. They appreciate the cultural elements, with one customer highlighting the detailed information about the Provence region, and another noting the atmosphere of small French towns. Customers love the food descriptions, with one mentioning a pop-up restaurant, and find the book witty, with one review noting it's fun without being macabre.

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Character development Readability Plot Culture Food quality Wit History Writer

12 customers mention "Character development"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer particularly enjoying the French references and another noting the detailed descriptions of the people.

"...through the treacherous environs of the Mekong River, the characters become more real and multi-faceted with each page...." Read more

"...the restaurants and wines, the historical ‘tidbits’, the very detailed characters and plots - all make for a wonderful read...." Read more

"...It is a complex plot with subplots, intrigue and lots of characters, but our author manages to tell the story in a way that lets the reader stay..." Read more

"...There are some interesting characters, and of course both Marine Bonnet and Antoine Verlaque are charming as ever...." Read more

12 customers mention "Readability"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a wonderful read, with several mentioning it's the best in the series, and one noting it keeps readers interested throughout.

"...‘tidbits’, the very detailed characters and plots - all make for a wonderful read. I did like the characters in this title very much...." Read more

"...This is the sixth and they are all equally good...." Read more

"...but our author manages to tell the story in a way that lets the reader stay interested and keep everything straight...." Read more

"Love this series by Longworth...." Read more

10 customers mention "Plot"8 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, finding it a fun mystery in the series, with one customer noting it serves as good background for a murder mystery.

"...The (very accurate) descriptions of Aix-en-Provence are especially stimulating. One wants to be there in person!..." Read more

"...interest us in the story, they are also well described and interesting in their own right as a way to see aspects of France the tourist brochures..." Read more

"...It is a complex plot with subplots, intrigue and lots of characters, but our author manages to tell the story in a way that lets the reader stay..." Read more

"...The story line was very slow in developing. Looking forward to the next book on this series." Read more

5 customers mention "Culture"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the cultural elements in the book, with one review highlighting the detailed information about the Provence region, while another notes the atmosphere of small French towns and the social niceties of the culture.

"...The book is filled with scenic locations both in southern France and Italy...." Read more

"...There is the atmosphere of smallish French towns, the contrast with the grit and elegance of Paris, the food and wine, and the social niceties of..." Read more

"...air, the warm August sunshine, the amazing food and history, the culture . . . and, of course, Cezanne and Mont Sainte Victoire!" Read more

"...weaves a tale of mystery, history, art, and culture around the enigma of a cursed fountain...." Read more

5 customers mention "Food quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the food and wine in the book, with one customer particularly appreciating the pop-up restaurant scene.

"...towns, the contrast with the grit and elegance of Paris, the food and wine, and the social niceties of the culture - gossip included...." Read more

"...the Mediterranean air, the fresh air, the warm August sunshine, the amazing food and history, the culture . . ...." Read more

"...Wonderful food and a bit cynical look at French nobility....who knew they still mattered...." Read more

"...Interesting characters too. Loved the pop-up restaurant as I have been to one in Aix." Read more

5 customers mention "Wit"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the wit of the book, with one mentioning it's a fun whodunit with plenty of French dialogue, while another notes it's charming and not macabre.

"...It's riveting, and without being macabre (no easy task) it reveals the horrors of the Pol Pot regime and the mass genocide that was ignored by the..." Read more

"...and of course both Marine Bonnet and Antoine Verlaque are charming as ever...." Read more

"As always, this series is clever, thoughtful and amusing. Great read." Read more

"Wonderful diversion - well written, witty and sometimes gritty..." Read more

4 customers mention "History"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical elements in the book, with one mentioning how the author incorporates wonderful historical tidbits.

"...Along with the locations, the restaurants and wines, the historical ‘tidbits’, the very detailed characters and plots - all make for a wonderful..." Read more

"...As in the other volumes, La Fontaine is grounded in history, which adds depth and context that makes the stories in it more than just another..." Read more

"...air, the fresh air, the warm August sunshine, the amazing food and history, the culture . . . and, of course, Cezanne and Mont Sainte Victoire!" Read more

"...The author incorporates wonderful historical tidbits and descriptions of the people (e.g. artists), landmarks and the food/wine of the region into a..." Read more

4 customers mention "Writer"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book.

"...Good writer but I loose the plot with all the wine and food asides." Read more

"Best book in the series - good mystery, interesting characters, well written." Read more

"Love,love this writer!!!!" Read more

"Wonderful diversion - well written, witty and sometimes gritty..." Read more

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Kindle Customer
Great characters, great story
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2021
Verified Purchase

Yager is a masterful storyteller. As the reader follows the quest of three unlikely companions navigating their way through the treacherous environs of the Mekong River, the characters become more real and multi-faceted with each page. It's riveting, and without being macabre (no easy task) it reveals the horrors of the Pol Pot regime and the mass genocide that was ignored by the rest of the world. I'm encouraging all my friends and family to read this book.

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Diana H. Maine
Great Series - Great Title
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2022
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The Curse of La Fontaine by M. L. Longworth is a Verlaque & Bonnet Provencal Mystery, Book #6.
Newlyweds, Antoine and Marine delve into a centuries-old curse.
Once again, I have enjoyed this title and continuing series very much.
The book is filled with scenic locations both in southern France and Italy. The (very accurate) descriptions of Aix-en-Provence are especially stimulating. One wants to be there in person! Along with the locations, the restaurants and wines, the historical ‘tidbits’, the very detailed characters and plots - all make for a wonderful read.
I did like the characters in this title very much. I had to reread several chapters to make sure I understood the mystery and the many different characters. The cigar smoking doesn’t interest me and puts me off a bit (truthfully) but it is part of Antoine’s character and is a bit of a subplot, all on its own. So I will adjust my thinking.
A great title and a Great series. ****

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Jane
Wonderful diversion - well written, witty and sometimes gritty
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2017
Verified Purchase
I have really enjoyed all of the books in this series - and what is better than finding a new (to you) series and starting at the beginning with more ready to hand? This is the sixth and they are all equally good. There is the atmosphere of smallish French towns, the contrast with the grit and elegance of Paris, the food and wine, and the social niceties of the culture - gossip included. The author manages to develop the relationship between the primary protagonists in such a way that their growing closeness is believable. Auxiliary characters bring another layer of complexity and interest. While the crimes that Verlaque and his team must endeavor to solve (with Bonnet's help) are the hook to interest us in the story, they are also well described and interesting in their own right as a way to see aspects of France the tourist brochures omit. The legal system in itself (explained in this volume) is interesting, especially in contrast to the US or British systems.

As in the other volumes, La Fontaine is grounded in history, which adds depth and context that makes the stories in it more than just another detectival adventure.

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Jack L. Beatty
great series
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2025
Verified Purchase
Hope they make all into tv series. I have enjoyed the first three and look forward to seeing more. Thanks.

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Constant Reader
Cold Case, Current Issues, Food and Wine in Provence
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2018
Verified Purchase
The sixth book in this series set in Aix en Provence begins right after the wedding of Examining magistrate Antoine Verlaque and Professor Marine Bonnet. If you are thinking, who the heck are they, this is not the book for you. Begin the series at the beginning, so that you will know the continuing characters and the setting. The setting in Provence is a major part of the charm of this series. Aix was not our favorite part of Provence, but it provides a good background for a murder mystery. This story begins with a cold case when a skeleton is discovered in a shallow grave near a fountain in a small private garden. Murder has a way of uncovering secrets and Verlaque and his investigators, including Paulik, his friend and Police Commissioner, are diligent. It is a complex plot with subplots, intrigue and lots of characters, but our author manages to tell the story in a way that lets the reader stay interested and keep everything straight. All of the books in the series have a definite focus on food and wine and this one is no exception. Food and wine may be even more prominent in this book since a restaurant, the chef, and his staff are a big part of the story. Current issues are a big part of this cold case which adds to the interest. This series is a police procedural but on the cozy side. There is no graphic violence, no detailed sex, and the swearing is predominantly in French. If you know the French, it is unlikely to offend you. It is a reasonably entertaining mystery that lets you vicariously return to Provence and that has its charms. We do not pre-order these mysteries or eagerly anticipate them, but do enjoy them and we have read them all.

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GranmaLene
Love this series by Longworth
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
Love this series by Longworth. Having spent three weeks in Aix-en-Provence in 2016, these books have managed to keep the memory alive: the smells from the bakeries and restaurants mixed with the Mediterranean air, the fresh air, the warm August sunshine, the amazing food and history, the culture . . . and, of course, Cezanne and Mont Sainte Victoire!

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Ms. M from NYC
Mystery features two beloved characters but writing disappoints
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2018
Verified Purchase
I had really looked forward to this latest Verlaque mystery, as I'd loved the others. I was sad to find I was disappointed this time. The writing felt more formulaic, not as original and strong as usual. There are some interesting characters, and of course both Marine Bonnet and Antoine Verlaque are charming as ever. But I have liked the others in this series quite a lot more than this one. Still worth a read, but not earning my usual enthusiasm for this series.

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bae
Detailed information about the Provence region blanketed around a murder mystery.
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
I loved reading about the legal system in France in a story that takes place in the famed Provence region. The author incorporates wonderful historical tidbits and descriptions of the people (e.g. artists), landmarks and the food/wine of the region into a murder investigation that has no obvious culprit.

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J.M.S.
Nette Urlaubslektüre
Reviewed in Germany on June 30, 2024
Verified Purchase

Unterhaltsame Ferienlektüre. Macht Lust auf einen Urlaub in der Provence.
Saw the British TV series “Murder in Provence” and thought I’d give it a go. Marine Bonnet and Anthony Verlaque are considerably younger in the books, which is a shame. I still imagine Nancy Caroll and Roger Allam as the protagonists. Still a nice read.

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Wim De Ceuster
Lekker eten en bijgeloof
Reviewed in Belgium on August 15, 2024
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Prettige literatuur om op een terras in het zonnetje te lezen

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Anna
Excellent read
Reviewed in Canada on October 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was engaging and kept me guessing until the end, teasing the audience with one potential suspect after the next. Would highly recommend this series!

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Lynn Mainland
One for lovers of Martin Walker...
Reviewed in Canada on July 19, 2017
Verified Purchase
Great mystery, great food, transport yourself to the south of France for a semi-cozy read.

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The Curse of La Fontaine (A Provençal Mystery) Paperback – April 4, 2017

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5.0 out of 5 stars Nette Urlaubslektüre

4.0 out of 5 stars Lekker eten en bijgeloof

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read

5.0 out of 5 stars One for lovers of Martin Walker...

Nette Urlaubslektüre

Lekker eten en bijgeloof

Excellent read

One for lovers of Martin Walker...