Jean-Luc Bannalec

I Pont Aven står högsäsongen för dörren. En stor attraktion i den idylliska småstaden är den konstnärskoloni som levde och verkade här i slutet av 1800-talet - med Paul Gauguin som främsta namn. Reproduktioner av gruppens målningar pryder varje affär och servering. Så ock restaurangen på hotell Central där ägaren hittas mördad en solig julimorgon: en nittioettårig man som skött hotellet i över sextio år, respekterad och omtyckt av alla. Ett obegripligt våldsdåd, utfört med kniv. Av vem? Och varför? Georges Dupin - koffeinberoende kommissarie i Concarneau - och hans båda inspektörer tar sig an fallet. Nolwenn, Dupins ovärderliga sekreterare, ser till att parisaren Dupin lär känna sin nya bretonska hembygd lite bättre. På så vis blir omplaceringen från huvudstaden till Finistère - ”Världens ände” - mindre kännbar.

International bestselling author Jean-Luc Bannalec's Commissaire Georges Dupin and his team head to Breton paradise in An Island of Suspects.An August heat wave has all of Brittany in its grasp, and the only chance to cool down for Commissaire Georges Dupin is his daily swim in the ocean. Until one morning his routine is interrupted because a body has been found in the harbor with clear signs of foul play. Patric Provost was from one of the long-established families on the island of Belle- le, Breton's biggest and most famous island. Provost owned and operated a company dealing in an island delicacy: the famous Belle- le-sheep. As Bretons say, the sheep season themselves while they're eating, grazing on salty, iodine-rich meadows, full of wild herbs, directly by the ocean. In Dupin's culinary ranking, this lamb comes right behind entrec te. And that's saying something. Dupin has barely stepped foot on the utopia-like island before it comes to light that Provost was not well liked. And someone was blackmailing him for one million euros, the deadline for payment the night before Provost's body was caught on the buoy. Everyone on the island has a motive. Any one of them could be the killer.

An August heat wave has all of Brittany in its grasp, and the only chance to cool down for Commissaire Georges Dupin is his daily swim in the ocean. Until one morning his routine is interrupted because a body has been found in the harbour with clear signs of foul play. Patric Provost was from one of the long-established families on the island of Belle-Île, Breton’s biggest and most famous island. Provost owned and operated a company dealing in an island delicacy: the famous Belle-Île-sheep. As Bretons say, the sheep season themselves while they’re eating, grazing on salty, iodine-rich meadows, full of wild herbs, directly by the ocean. In Dupin’s culinary ranking, this lamb comes right behind entrecôte. And that’s saying something. Dupin has barely stepped foot on the utopia-like island before it comes to light that Provost was not well liked. And someone was blackmailing him for one million euros, the deadline for payment the night before Provost’s body was caught on the buoy. Everyone on the island has a motive. Any one of them could be the killer.

Commissaire Georges Dupin is certain these first beautiful summer days in June would be perfect for a fun trip to Saint-Malo. In a region known as the culinary heart of Brittany, the paradoxical city is known for being a uniquely Breton, yet un-Breton, place. Their cuisine’s moto is voyages et aventures. Travel and adventure. Dupin would love to explore the internationally renowned cuisine one bite at a time. But to his chagrin, Dupin is there instead to attend a police seminar dedicated to closer collaboration between the Breton départements. To prepare himself for what’s to come while in Saint-Malo, Dupin wanders through the halls of a local market - stopping to sample its wares as he goes - while admiring its aromatic orchestra. But Dupin’s morning is derailed when there’s a murder at a nearby stall. He quickly realises this case is unlike any he’s worked on before. The police know the victim: Blanche Trouin, a grand chef of the region. They know the perpetrator: Lucille Trouin, Blanche’s sister and fellow successful chef in the area. The two had a well-known and public feud. After a bit of searching, Lucille is even in custody. The only thing they’re missing is the motive. And Lucille refuses to talk. Saint-Malo doesn’t want any help from the visiting commissaires. Even Dupin’s assistant, Nolwenn, is telling him to stay out of it. But Dupin, along with a few of his Breton colleagues, can’t help but begin an investigation into why a chef killed her sister in the middle of a crowded market.

Commissaire Georges Dupin is certain these first beautiful summer days in June would be perfect for a fun trip to Saint-Malo. In a region known as the culinary heart of Brittany, the paradoxical city is known for being a uniquely Breton, yet un-Breton, place. Their cuisine’s moto is voyages et aventures. Travel and adventure. Dupin would love to explore the internationally renowned cuisine one bite at a time. But to his chagrin, Dupin is there instead to attend a police seminar dedicated to closer collaboration between the Breton départements. To prepare himself for what’s to come while in Saint-Malo, Dupin wanders through the halls of a local market - stopping to sample its wares as he goes - while admiring its aromatic orchestra. But Dupin’s morning is derailed when there’s a murder at a nearby stall. He quickly realises this case is unlike any he’s worked on before. The police know the victim: Blanche Trouin, a grand chef of the region. They know the perpetrator: Lucille Trouin, Blanche’s sister and fellow successful chef in the area. The two had a well-known and public feud. After a bit of searching, Lucille is even in custody. The only thing they’re missing is the motive. And Lucille refuses to talk. Saint-Malo doesn’t want any help from the visiting commissaires. Even Dupin’s assistant, Nolwenn, is telling him to stay out of it. But Dupin, along with a few of his Breton colleagues, can’t help but begin an investigation into why a chef killed her sister in the middle of a crowded market.

or this reason and more, including his favourite restaurant, the Amiral, Commissaire Georges Dupin calls this town home. Most of his colleagues are on vacation for the Pentecost long weekend, but Dupin remains. His future in-laws are coming to visit. But what happens when an enemy attacks from within? Dupin’s plans as host must change when the body of Doctor Chaboseau is discovered. Chaboseau fell to his death, pushed from his home above the Amiral. With only two new colleagues to help - no one else is answering their phone - Dupin is tasked with finding out what happened to the doctor. In all of Commissaire Georges Dupin’s time living in Brittany, there has never been a murder on his home turf - until The Body by the Sea.