The Fleur de Sel Murders

Brittany Mystery Series, Book 3

By: Jean-Luc Bannalec

Narrated by: Graham Halstead

The old salt farmers have always said that the violet scent of the Fleur de Sel at harvest time on the salt marshes of the Guerande Peninsula has been known to cause hallucinations. Commissaire Dupin also starts to believe this when he's attacked out of the blue in the salt works.

He had actually been looking forward to escaping his endless paperwork and taking a trip to the "white country" between the raging Atlantic Ocean and idyllic rivers. But when he starts snooping around mysterious barrels on behalf of Lilou Breval, a journalist friend, he finds himself unexpectedly under attack. The offender remains a mystery, and a short time later, Breval disappears without a trace. It is thanks to his secretary Nolwenn and the ambition of the prefect that Dupin is assigned to the case. But he won't be working alone, because Sylvaine Rose is the investigator responsible for the department - and she lives up to her name....

What's going on in the salt works? Dupin and Rose search feverishly for clues and stumble upon false alibis, massive conflicts of interest, personal feuds - and ancient Breton legends.

©2012 Verlag Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Cologne/Germany; Translation copyright 2017 by Sorcha McDonagh (P)2019 Tantor

Change of narrator not good

It a shame that they changed the narrator from a native French speaker with a great accent to a narration who makes The protagonist sound like he is from the states.

Memories of Britanny and the Morbihan tegion were written very evocatively

The pronunciation of French words was off. Not by much but OFF in subtle ways. It distracted me every time.

Great Story-Great Narrator

This 3rd book in the Brittany series was better than the 2nd (the 1st has never been available, sadly). I learned much more about Le Commissaire, the protagonist (physical description, personal habits, relationships to people). Some reviewers did not like the change in narrators - I did. To me, the narrator of the previous book sounded too much like the main character. There were also complaints about this narrator mispronouncing French words . . . I am fluent in French and this fellow was just fine.
Aside from the mystery, you will learn A LOT about SALT - history, farming, types of . . . I found it quite fascinating. Read the book and enjoy the mystery and terrific descriptions of, not only salt, but of Breton life.

Interesting and believable characters!

Good story, a nice bit of history along the way. The writer makes it easy to SEE the buildings and beaches and salt

Prepare to fall in love!

With beautiful french landscapes. With delicious french food.
And with the sexy Frenchman, George’s Dupin handsomely narrated by Graham Halstead.
Throw in an intriguing mystery.
Incroyable!❤️🇫🇷🧂. It’s a trip to France you won’t easily forget! I’ve listened to it five times already and am ready for more.