Homicide Herault by Bluette Matthey Book Review

 

Homicide Hérault

by Bluette Matthey

February 6 - March 3, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Veteran trekker Hardy Durkin takes his first bike tour group to Béziers, in the South of France, for what is expected to be relaxing, uneventful bicycling in the Hérault region. This notion is kicked to the curb when a double cold-case with present-day repercussions is discovered on one of the group’s outings. Hardy becomes embroiled in another homicide when he is present at a murder that takes place during an innocent flamenco performance that is anything but.

The bottom line: murder and intrigue follow Hardy Durkin like a shadow, even in the sunny, laid-back South of France, but this time his wheel of fortune veers uncomfortably off the rails in Homicide Hérault.

My Review:

What an interesting mystery that is firmly enveloped in the culture and food of this area of France. There is a great deal of historical information and descriptions of places included. I learned about saints and Cathars and Knights Templar. And the food descriptions. I got hungry just reading about the meals.

The historical emphasis of this mystery was compelling reading. I appreciated the context of the Algerian war for independence and acts then with possible ramifications for current political parties. It is yet another indication that government secrets from the past can have devastating consequences for contemporary leaders. An added subplot is human trafficking, providing more excitement and some suspense near the end. The resolution at the very end was a little too convenient but other than that, a well done novel.

Hardy is a good hero and I like his character. While this is a novel well into the series, I felt it read well on its own. This is a good novel for readers who like plots deeply immersed in the setting.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery
Published by: Blue Shutter Publishing
Publication Date: December 2022
Number of Pages: 199
ISBN13: 978-1-941611-20-3
Series: Hardy Durkin Travel Mystery Series Book 6 | Each is a Stand Alone Mystery
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Smashwords

Read an excerpt:

There was a brief lull in the questions, then Delia asked what everyone else was thinking. “Who are you, Hardy Durkin? You’ve got this Clotiers guy on speed dial. You’re not in the least bit flustered about finding two dead soldiers on a god-forsaken riverbank in the South of France, you seem to be evading the police about it… Just who the hell are you?”

A shocked silence was interrupted by Clive. “I can answer that,” he said. He turned to Hardy almost apologetically. “My cousin was on your trek in the Black Forest.” To his fellow cyclists he explained, “Hardy is exactly who he seems to be. He has a trek business for points in Europe.” He paused, then added, “He also has an unusual skill set from his military training and for reasons unknown to anyone has a knack for wading into mysteries, stumbling upon dead bodies, and bringing criminals to justice.”

***

Excerpt from Homicide Hérault by Bluette Matthey. Copyright 2022 by Lucinda Guthrie. Reproduced with permission from Bluette Matthey. All rights reserved.

 

Author Bio:

Bluette Matthey is a 3rd generation Swiss American and an avid lover of European cultures. She has decades of travel and writing experience. She is a keen reader of mysteries, especially those that immerse the reader in the history, inhabitants, culture, and cuisine of new places. Her passion for travel, except airports (where she keeps a mystery to pass the time), is shared by her husband, who owned a tour outfitter business in Europe. Bluette particularly loves to explore regions that are not on the "15 days in Europe" itineraries. She also enjoys little-known discoveries, such as the London Walks, in well-known areas. She firmly believes that walking and hiking bring her closer to the real life of any locale. Bluette maintains a list of hikes and pilgrimages throughout Europe for future exploration.

Bluette is the author of the Hardy Durkin Travel Mystery series, author and developer of the South-of-France travel app, Potty Poche, and her latest mystery, Two Murders Too Many. She lives in Béziers in the South of France, with her husband and trio of loving cats.

Catch Up With Bluette Matthey:
www.BluetteMatthey.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @notyourusualtrek
Instagram - @notyourusualtrek
Twitter - @HardyDurkin
Facebook

 

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I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Partners in Crime Book Tours.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)