I rate this mystery 4 solid stars. I had previously read books 3,4, and 5 in this series from NetGalley and I am now filling in the gaps. This is book 2 in the series. They can be read as stand alones, but I do now better understand the dynamics between Commissaire Dupin and bis team.
This book is divided into days--3 days, during which time the case is solved. It is 380 pages long, so if you like shorter chapters, it may not be your style. But Dupin does solve the case, which initially appears to be a boating accident. Toxicology reports reveal that the three missing men were given sedatives, causing them to drown.. The author divides his time between his home in Germany and Brittany. Book 1 was a bestseller in Germany and the series is now up to 9 books.
This mystery may be described as a cerebral mystery, since much of the narrative is Dupin sorting through all the clues and directing his team to interview all interested parties and witnesses to find out who knows specific information. He then applies for search warrants for more information and has many people re-interviewed. There are no sex scenes and or scenes of violence. There is an occasional swear word.
This was a library book. I recommend this series to cozy mystery fans and mystery fans in general. The translation was excellent, although the proof reader missed several run on words.
One quote: "That's how it was in Brittany. Beneath the surface of normalcy and naturalness, obscure powers were at work. And every village had its own supernatural stories. Even if the Bretons themselves made fun of them-and Dupin knew no other race of people who could make fun of themselves so confidently and brilliantly-during these stories the laughter suddenly died away and everything was very real."