Rather mesmerising!

An Island of Suspects (Brittany Mystery #10) by Jean-Luc Bannalec           

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A body has been found on Belle-Île, one of the islands off the coast of Brittany. 

Commissaire Georges Dupin (who hates travelling by boat) is called to investigate.

A slow start that builds in tension and with many questions. Dupin assures the reader that, “It was always like that during a case: time lost all measure and structure.”
Dupin‘s reflections on the islands are superb. They assault and assuage the senses—color, foods, aromas, sparkling waters, the geographic formations, the perfect coffee, all enclosing the question of not one, but two murders.

Set in Breton, the book admits the haunts of Monet and the others.

The islands sound absolutely wonderful. In a heartbeat I’d be there if possible.

The denouement comes in the last chapters, all hanging on the slightest of clues.

I’m transfixed by the plot, and beneath it all the philosophical discussions of what makes a true Breton. Dupin’s assistant Inspector Nolwenn sums it up “you don’t become a true Breton by birth, faith, or heritage, for us it’s not about blood and all that nonsense. No, it’s much simpler than that, and simultaneously much more difficult: being Breton is a question of outlook, attitude, philosophy—toward life, the world, people, and all our fellow creatures.” These people, so different from the Parisian Commissaire who came to Brittany some ten years ago, approve of Dupin it seems from the celebration dinner held in his honor.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.

Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change