Pierre Magnan was a celebrated French author of detective novels deeply rooted in his beloved Provence. His sleuth, Commissaire Laviolette, became indelibly linked to the land of lavender for readers. Magnan's later creative years were exceptionally prolific, with over 30 books written and adaptations for French television and cinema. He was unafraid to experiment, shifting easily to non-fiction, including a gentle portrait of Giono and a study of Provençal novels.
The mysterious, enigmatic Seraphin Monge, having avenged the horrific murder of his family, has vanished as abruptly as he appeared. His brief sojourn in the village of his birth has touched the lives of the villagers, and he is much mourned by the women who claim to have been in love with him. But is Seraphin dead or alive?
The remarkable rags-to-riches tale of Olivier Baussan and the road-side soap stand that became L'Occitane.
Set in the picturesque backdrop of Provence, this mystery continues the captivating story from the previous installment. It features the beloved characters and intricate plots that fans have come to adore. The narrative weaves together local lore, culinary delights, and suspense, creating a rich tapestry that keeps readers engaged. With its blend of humor and intrigue, this sequel promises to deliver more of the atmospheric charm and clever twists that defined its predecessor.
In Banon, a small, peaceful village in upper Provence, the local community's principal source of income is the cultivation of truffles. Outsiders rarely venture to this remote region, but a small group of society's drop-outs have chosen to set up home on the outskirts of the village, and trouble ensues.
It is June 1945. The war is over. Early one morning as dawn breaks over the hills of Provence, Pierrot, a 15-year-old by hunting for snails, stumbles across the body of Capitaine Patrocle, a hero of the local Resistance. He has been murdered.In the dead man's wallet Pierrot finds a letter, written on blue paper, which he conceals beneath his beret. It provides the key to the dramatic events that lie at the heart of this haunting and unforgettable story of illicit passions and pitiless revenge, and leads, ultimately, to the boy's association with the beautiful Madame Henry and to his introduction to the mysteries of love.
At the turn of the century, in a remote inn in Upper Provence, a family is violently massacred on a night of deafening storms. Alone, a three-week old baby miraculously escapes the fatal blows and is handed over to the Sisters of Charity. In 1920, the orphaned survivor searches for the truth.