Where to Start Reading the Verlaque and Bonnet Mysteries
If you want to experience the full charm of Aix-en-Provence, the absolute best place to start is with the first book in the series, Death at the Château Bremont (2011). While each mystery functions perfectly as a self-contained whodunit, the personal life, evolving relationship, and community ties of our protagonists Antoine Verlaque and Marine Bonnet develop continuously from book to book. Starting from the beginning allows you to watch their relationship blossom from an on-again, off-again romance into a deep partnership, all while getting introduced to the local colorful characters who populate M.L. Longworth's version of southern France.
The Complete Verlaque and Bonnet Reading Order
The series is straightforward to follow, as the chronological order of the stories aligns perfectly with their publication order. Here is the complete list of the books in order:
- Death at the Château Bremont (2011)
- Murder in the Rue Dumas (2012)
- Death in the Vines (2013)
- Murder on the Île Sordou (2014)
- The Mystery of the Lost Cézanne (2015)
- The Curse of La Fontaine (2017)
- The Secrets of the Bastide Blanche (2018)
- A Noël Killing (2019)
- The Vanishing Museum on the Rue Mistral (2021)
- Disaster at the Vendôme Theater (2022)
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order: What to Know
Because M.L. Longworth writes her novels in linear chronological order, there are no confusing prequels or timeline jumps to worry about. However, readers should pay close attention to the passage of time across the series. The seasons change, the characters age, and major milestones occur—including marriages and professional changes. Reading them out of order won't spoil the whodunit puzzles themselves, but it will certainly spoil the romantic and personal trajectories of Antoine, Marine, and police commissioner Bruno Paulik.
Book-by-Book Guide to the Provençal Mysteries
1. Death at the Château Bremont (2011)
The series begins with the sudden death of nobleman Étienne de Bremont, who falls from a high window of his family's historic château. Chief Magistrate Antoine Verlaque is called to investigate, but things get complicated when he realizes the victim was a close childhood friend of law professor Marine Bonnet. As Antoine and Marine reluctantly team up, they must untangle local secrets and face their own complicated romantic history.
2. Murder in the Rue Dumas (2012)
When a popular theology professor is found murdered in his university office, Antoine Verlaque is thrust into the competitive and insular world of academic rivalries in Aix-en-Provence. The case centers around a prestigious fellowship, forged historical documents, and faculty members with plenty of motives. Marine is pulled back into the investigation as her knowledge of the university's inner workings proves crucial.
3. Death in the Vines (2013)
Set against the backdrop of the local harvest, this mystery begins when a cache of extremely rare and expensive wine is stolen from a boutique winery in Rognes. The investigation takes a dark turn when a young woman is attacked and an elderly resident is found dead in the vineyards. Antoine and Marine must navigate the local winemaking community, where secrets are guarded as closely as vintage bottles.
4. Murder on the Île Sordou (2014)
Hoping for a quiet vacation, Antoine and Marine travel to the Île Sordou, a remote, rugged island off the coast of Marseille, to stay at a newly restored luxury hotel. However, their peaceful escape is ruined when a guest is found dead at the bottom of a cliff. A sudden and fierce mistral storm cuts the island off from the mainland, trapping the suspects and leaving Antoine and Marine to solve the crime with no outside help.
5. The Mystery of the Lost Cézanne (2015)
Art and murder collide when Antoine is asked to visit a retired postal worker who claims to have found a previously unknown painting by the legendary Paul Cézanne in his apartment. When Antoine arrives, he finds the old man murdered and the priceless artwork missing. The story weaves together a modern investigation with historical glimpses into Cézanne's life in Aix-en-Provence.
6. The Curse of La Fontaine (2017)
A new restaurant owner faces major backlash from hostile neighbors and a strict historical society when he opens an outdoor dining spot in a historic courtyard. When a skeleton is uncovered near a centuries-old fountain and mysterious accidents begin to plague the establishment, Antoine and Marine must separate local superstition from a very real, modern-day killer.
7. The Secrets of the Bastide Blanche (2018)
A notorious, controversial author buys and moves into La Bastide Blanche, a beautiful but long-neglected estate. Soon, the author is terrorized by unexplained noises, eerie nighttime cries, and uninvited intruders. Verlaque and Bonnet step in to investigate whether the disturbances are fueled by local grudges or something far more sinister.
8. A Noël Killing (2019)
Christmas in Provence is usually a time for festive markets and delicious food, but the holiday spirit is interrupted when a disliked local businessman is found murdered. As Antoine and Marine attempt to plan their holiday celebrations, they must sift through a long list of suspects who all had reason to want the victim gone before the new year.
9. The Vanishing Museum on the Rue Mistral (2021)
When a quiet museum dedicated to local history becomes the target of a bizarre heist, Antoine and Marine are called to investigate. The case takes a darker turn when a body is discovered, leading the sleuthing duo through the history of Aix-en-Provence's oldest families and the secrets they've kept hidden for generations.
10. Disaster at the Vendôme Theater (2022)
During a local theater production involving one of Antoine's close lawyer friends, an actor disappears under highly suspicious circumstances. Antoine and Police Commissioner Bruno Paulik dive into the dramatic, ego-driven world of the theater, uncovering hidden rivalries, romantic triangles, and long-held resentments among the cast and crew.
From Page to Screen: The BritBox Adaptation
In 2022, the series was adapted into a television series titled Murder in Provence, starring Roger Allam as Antoine Verlaque and Nancy Carroll as Marine Bonnet. The three-episode first season adapted M.L. Longworth's novels, starting with Murder in the Rue Dumas (Episode 1), followed by Death at the Château Bremont (Episode 2), and a loose adaptation of Death in the Vines (Episode 3). While the show captures the scenic beauty of the region, book fans appreciate that the original novels offer much greater depth, richer culinary descriptions, and a slower, more satisfying build to the main romance.
What to Know Before You Start: Tone and Setting
M.L. Longworth's mysteries are often described as cozy, but they carry a sophisticated, elegant edge. Rather than focusing on gritty details or graphic violence, the books prioritize atmosphere, architecture, and lifestyle. Aix-en-Provence acts as a central character, with its plane-tree-shaded avenues, bubbling fountains, and bustling markets. Be prepared to read about delicious multi-course meals, local cheeses, and fine regional wines; many readers recommend keeping a glass of wine or a French pastry nearby while reading!