Verlaque and Bonnet Mystery Books In Order

Publication Order of Verlaque and Bonnet Books

Hailing from Toronto in Canada, M.L. Longworth is a well known and equally well regarded author of mystery and thriller fiction, as she manages to draw the reader in slowly and gradually, keeping them hooked throughout. Combining both story and character, she deftly allows them to play off of each other with skill and talent, as she clearly understands it as an art-form. Not only that, but she has an extremely down-to-earth style and manner, as her stories are accessible to everyone on a universal level, with both their themes and ideas being engaging to all with a timeless quality to them. One series that she’s extremely well known for is that of her ongoing ‘Verlaque and Bonnet Mystery’ collection of novels, which have come to be loved by many. Following the chief magistrate of Aix in France Antoine Verlaque, along with Marine Bonnet the law professor and his love interest, the both of them work together on a series of cases. Following the conventions of the mystery novel, each title provides another case file for the ever intrepid duo, as they combine their wits and their know-how to crack the case and provide justice.

Taking place over the course of seven books so far and counting, this series started out back in 2011 with the novel ‘Death and the Chateau Bremont’ and has come a long way since. With each title providing a different case file to solve, they all manage to engage the reader in their own way, providing numerous twists and turns throughout their entire run. As more and more discover the series every day, this is a series that will definitely stand the test of time, as it has a lot of potential to continue for many years to come yet.

Death at the Chateau Bremont

Initially brought out in 2011 on the 28th of June, this was first released through the prestigious ‘Penguin Books’ publishing label to much acclaim. Introducing the characters of Antoine Verlaque and Marine Bonnet for the first time, it manages to provide them with their first murder case to solve too. Not only that, but it also gives the reader a very real sense of its French location, something which Longworth obviously knows much about having lived there for quite some time, making it much more immediate and grounded.

This being the first novel in the series it takes its time making sure the reader is fully accustomed to the world that it’s going to be set within, along with the characters as well. Introducing Verlaque and Bonnet, it also sets up their relationship, a relationship which has a number of different difficulties throughout, something which adds an extra layer of drama to the story. Then there’s the French location and the town of Aix-en-Provence; a character in of its own right, as it manages to come to life for the reader, leaping off the page almost, with its vivid descriptions and evocative style, allowing the readers to feel as if they’re really there.

The small and historic town of Aix-en-Provence has suddenly come alive with rumors of murder and foul play in the air following the death of nobleman Etienne de Bremont. Falling from his chateau people are gossiping about what may or may not have happened, as chief magistrate Antoine Verlaque must find out the truth behind the lies. Enlisting the help of one Marine Bonnet who is both a friend and on off girlfriend, he must then find out the truth behind the many people who appear to have benefited from the death of Bremont. Will he be able to find out who did it? Can he sort the fact from the fiction? Who caused the death at the Chateau Bremont?

Murder in the Rue Dumas

Published through the ‘Penguin Books’ publishing label once more, this was first released on the 25th of September in 2012, just a little over a year after the first. With a loyal following already eagerly awaiting it, it was met with a great deal of success, arriving to a large number of highly appreciative fans worldwide. Providing another mystery for Bonnet and Verlaque to solve, it allows them to get the bottom of it, as they bring the readers along for the journey, keeping them guessing right until the very end, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.

With many of the themes and ideas from before, this adds to them, bringing in more elements, whilst also remaining true to the original at the same time. The characters of Judge Antoine Verlaque and Marine Bonnet are also extremely well developed here too, as their identities are built upon, along with that of their ongoing on and off relationship. With the French town of Aix-en-Provence being revisited once more too, it provides a sense of familiarity to long-term readers, as it essentially becomes a living breathing town within the novel itself, whilst also giving the reader a wider sense of scope to the world around the town too.

Following the death of the director of the theology department at the Aix University, it would seem the now Judge Verlaque is somewhat stumped by it all. Set to announce a new Director at the university Professor Mouette was all set to pass on his 17th century apartment, as he was also going to announce this with a fellowship at the university. This would mean that there’s a long list of suspects, as the many recipients are put under suspicion, with the role being so coveted by many, something which Verlaque and Bonnet must solve. Will they find the killer? Can they solve the case? Who is guilty of murder in the Rue Dumas?

The Verlaque and Bonnet Mystery Series

A creative and intelligent collection of novels, this is a series that really understands the framework of the genre that it is working within. Keeping the mystery engaging throughout at all times, it is able to provide a number of questions, whilst also keeping the reader guessing constantly throughout. As a writer Longworth really has fun with the format, constantly pulling out new surprises at every chance she gets, ensuring that its reputation will endure for many years to follow.