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Book Review
Reviewed: 30 December 2023

Death of a Master Chef

by: Jean-Luc Bannalec

Kommissar Dupin - Book 9

  • Rating: full starfull starfull starfull starstar outline (4/5)

Beautiful Brittany, great food and murder. The fantastic trio of detectives have head-scratching mysteries to solve.

I didn’t know what to expect in this book. A new author and new series for me. I did a bit of research and found that this is a translation from a German book/series.

Commissaire Georges Dupin gives nod to Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot and TV’s Columbo.

Because I am coming into the series midway, I don’t know the backstory for Dupin and his team. At times I felt a little like I was missing something, but it quickly passed.

From the summary the reader is told of a murder at a local market, a sister killing a sister, with Dupin nearby enjoying the market’s delights.

Dupin is in the area for a police seminar and while there he is indulging his foodie side explore the exquisite foods, dishes, etc. hence why he happens to be in the market.

Throughout the story there are vivid descriptions of the villages, historical places and food/food venues as Dupin and his colleagues try to solve the tragic death.

This slow-burning and baffling mystery kept me guessing until the very end.

Thank you Minotaur for inviting me to read this story.

Happy Reading!

Release Date: 16-June-2020
NetGalley, Mystery

Plot Summary

Jean-Luc Bannalec's internationally bestselling series starring Commissaire Georges Dupin returns with Death of a Master Chef.

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 realizes 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.