Another entry in the terrific mystery series set in Brittany. This time Commissaire Dupin and his team have to solve the mystery of the deaths of 3 Arthurian scholars..

Rich with the dual atmospheres of Brittany and King Arthur, Bannalec's latest mystery takes Dupin & his team into an alien territory. While on an office outing to King Arthur country inland in the province, Dupin sets off to do a favor for a friend in the Pari police force -- the interview of an academic. What he finds there leads him into a twisted plot of half-truths, mysterious locations, and professional rivalries.

In a series I really enjoy, it's hard to pick a favorite, but this just may be it.

Jean-Luc Bannalec immerses the reader in a classical Brittany mystery. Commissaire Dupin is called in to solve the murder of an Arthurian scholar. at the very location he and his team were scheduled to take a break from work. Bodies of Arthurian scholars continue dropping and all clues lead to dead ends. Inspector Dupin has caught a mysterious case with clues in the Breton countryside. Great read.

I've long enjoyed Jean-Luc Bannalec's Brittany mystery series (starring Commissaire Georges Dupin), as much for the mouthwatering delicacies described in its meals as for the murder investigations.

This 7th in the series, The King Arthur Case takes us to the forest of Broceliande, reputed to be the origin of legends about the Knights of the Round Table.

There, Dupin and his team investigate a series of murders, along with rumors of discovery of the Holy Grail itself.

This one is honestly disappointing for the series. I love this series so much. I love Bannalec's description of the countryside and the food and the Breton populace. This book seems like a shadow of the previous books in the series. I liked the archaeology/university angle, but the woods were not charming in the way the rocky coast consistently is. Just disappointing honestly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this opportunity to review “The King Arthur Case.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Readers have a lot to contend with in “The King Arthur Case,” as our “hero,” Commissaire Georges Dupin quickly finds out. Will our location muddle your mind, as it seems to be doing to "le Commissaire"? He may come to agree with you.

As this seventh in the series begins, readers are along with Dupin, his colleagues Inspectors Riwal and Kadeg, and his wonderful assistant Nolwenn as they travel through "La forêt de Brocéliande", the “Forest of the Other World,” biggest forest in Brittany, home to fairies, and possibly the source for the King Arthur and his Round Table stories. They’re on an office “road trip,” (unofficially) doing a favor for a former colleague of the Paris police force, checking out leads on a cold case. And of course, to enjoy the food and drink and the wonderful sights of this portion of Brittany.

Soon that is not at all what happens, in “The King Arthur Case.” Because at their first stop, Dupin finds a dead man, and becomes officially involved, reluctantly. But what’s a policeman to do? And then there’s another body! And since the Paris cold case may also be a murder… and all of these men involved in archeology, and Arthurian research. The hunt is on for a killer -- or killers.

And boy, will you learn about this Arthurian research, and the legends, and what these men may have been working on. Maybe a lot more than you ever wanted to know.

Understand that our author, Jean-Luc Bannalec, knows how to weave his setting into the story. The forest, the castle, the archeological sites that are so important to everything. Menacing and mysterious. And the weather keeps changing, the fog seeping in and masking the surroundings. Dupin wonders at one point if he’s losing his mind. Readers must keep sharp to read “The King Arthur Case.”

In the end, the real quest is revealed, the reason why this killing is being done. And Dupin does the special thinking that he does. “All’s well that ends well,” as Nolwenn says to him. He’s just glad it’s over. They have a final get-together, a delicious tartine, some "petits cafes", and set off for home.

He and Clare have another fabulous meal at the Amiral, his favorite restaurant. The case is solved. He might have seen a mythical white ermine, the symbol of Breton from medieval times. Who knows? He’s with Claire, in their home. Life is good. Until he gets a phone call.

In an epilogue, we get a fellow-up about information discussed in the book. But even though it’s “several weeks later,” there’s no mention of “that phone call.” A teaser for the next book for loyal fans, I suppose. I enjoyed “The King Arthur Case,” although I could have done with less info-dumping, which made it seem over-complicated to me. But fans of Dupin and his fellows should enjoy another installment of his adventures in Brittany.

The forest of Broceliande in Brittany has a special connection to the Arthurian legend. It is also where Commissario Dupin must conduct an interview with Monsieur Cadieu as a favor for his friend with the Paris police while he is traveling with his associates on a field trip. When he arrives he discovers that Cadieu has been murdered. He was a member of the Arthurian Society, which is having one of its’ meetings nearby. Dupin is glad that this is not his jurisdiction until he is notified that he has been put in charge of the investigation. When he meets with the group of professors and scientists he receives little co-operation and few are willing to volunteer any information. Cadieu’s murder was the first, but further murders and an attack soon follow.

There are plans to develop the area into an entertainment and educational destination that has caused a division within the group. They are each also vying for a prestigious position and Dupin discovers that Cadieu had possession of materials that may have given an advantage to whoever possessed them. Each of Dupin’s suspects are only concerned with their own advancement. Cadieu’s research may have provided a motive for his murder.

This is Jean-Luc Bannalec’s seventh book in this series. It is steeped in Arthurian lore and the beauty of Brittany. His characters work well together, with Nolwenn keeping the group organized and anticipating their every need. Another of his associates, Riwal, has a fascination with history and explains the importance of the various locations that are involved with their investigation. Bannalec also provides a bit of humor as Dupin scavenges for paper to take notes and settles for the margins in his Citroen’s manual, progressing through each section of operating and maintaining his car as he jots notes. This combination of police procedural and history should appeal to those with an interest in the Arthurian legend or who just want an enjoyable mystery. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for my review.

What was expected to be an office outing to the forest of Broceliande for their boss, Dupin to conduct an interview as a favor to a friend and a nice day off for the others soon turns out to be an investigation of a multiple homicide for the team. Dupin is supported in the case by Kadeg, Riwal and his assistant Nolwenn and together they are a very good team. The victims are Arthurian scholars and this area is the heart of the Arthurian legend. The descriptions are well written and the mystery complex enough to keep the reader engaged to the last page. The setting is amazing. As this is the 7th in the series my advice is to start with the first in the series to get all of the background on the main characters.
My thanks to the publisher Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is a tough one for me to review. I really enjoyed the setting and the historical/mythological aspects surrounding the area of Brittany and King Arthur.

I had trouble with the characters because I hadn’t read any other books in this series. The characters didn’t have as much depth as they would have if I would have been able to take in their development over the series of books.

The book is broken down into just two main chapters covering two days and another chapter covering a few weeks later. I do better with shorter chapters, especially when I am not familiar with the characters and new mystery elements are being introduced.

I recommend this mystery to readers who enjoy books surrounding the King Arthur legend.

Fans of the Arthurian legend will find this mystery, in which experts in the field are murdered, intriguing even if they, like I, have not read the earlier books in this series. Commissaire Dupin and his officers are supposed to be team building but he can't resist a request from Paris that he interview a professor attending a conference in the area. Turns out someone has murdered that man and then another. Bannalec weaves the Arthurian legend through this tale of, among other things, academic competition. I liked the Brittany atmospherics and the banter between Dupin and his assistant Nolwenn. Know that there are only two chapters- one for each of two days. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC. Interesting read.

Jam packed with wit, whimsy, eclectic characters, legend, a superb setting and more murder than you can throw a stick at, The King Arthur Case is the seventh in the marvelous Dupin series. Jean-Luc Bannalec masterfully crafts original writing with that special something which draws me in like a powerful magnet.

Commissaire Dupin and his team including Nolwenn are tasked to investigate murder in the Broceliande Forest, Brittany. But when more than one body appears, the mystery deepens. Not only that but the King Arthur legend inveigles and envelops like a thick mist. Locals don't trust foreigner Dupin at first. Neither do the scientists working on special projects. Archaeological digs, secrets and ruins abound. It this atmosphere doesn't enchant you, what will? Oh, how I adore this series! Dupin is a fascinating multi-dimensional character and fun to follow around. The plot and twists are brilliant and the ending is fabulous as well.

If you enjoy murder mysteries and are seeking a beautifully unique series, do prioritize this. Though it is helpful to read the previous books it is not necessary to enjoy this one. So worth your time.

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this stellar book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a translation. The original version is in German. I have read the french translation. I tried to find out if this book is translated from French or German. It is very unusual not to say. But from my french copy, it seems that it has been translated from the french version. This explains the sometimes awkward phrasing.

I loved the concept of the book. I loved the conceit of a bunch of academics all believing their cerebral research to be more important than anything in the world and, as my father, an academic, used to say, there is nothing deadlier than academic politics. That is true in this book. Academics trying to prove unprovable facts like the existence of King Arthur and all the legends surrounding his maybe existence. Unfortunately, the book took on the wordiness and the boredom of academia and didn't get interesting until halfway through when two inspectors disappeared and the search for a murderer or murderers took on a more intense meaning.

Bannalec's description of the Brittany forest where Merlin lived and was finally held captive was fascinating. Anyone who has seen any of the many movies made of Camelot, Arthur, or Excalibur would immediately recognize the 'magical' mysteriousness of the surroundings. But most of the references become very confusing. Bannalec seems to believe that all his readers have an advanced knowledge of Arthur and all the legends. Without that knowledge, the "murder mystery' isn't very interesting.

My Brittany friends (I live part-time in France) love that there is a series of murder mysteries that take place in Brittany. And Bannelec seems to love Brittany (is he German with that french name?) and all the wonderful wise sayings of Bretagne lore. But no one thinks these books are particularly well-written. So the attraction has to be Brittany itself. And this forest is famous for being of Arthurian legend. But of all Bannalec's books, this is the least "touristique". I got lost within a paragraph.

So if you want to visit Brittany and are willing to put up with a lot of wordiness that might put you to sleep, this book may be for you. The murderer is obvious about three-quarters of the way through but that was ok. There were far more difficulties with this book.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this new mystery based in France.

Mystery books not only offer you the intellectual exercise in keeping up with both smart killers and hopefully smarter detectives, but the have the ability to teach and show places that might be unfamiliar. A monastery near the border or Wales, for example, or a brownstone full of orchids and great food. Jean- Luc Bannalec in his seventh book in this series featuring Commissaire Dupin, The King Arthur Case, takes us to a fabled area of Brittany, a place of magic and fairies, and lots of bodies.

Commissaire Dupin and his fellow investigators are on a team building/ spring trip to the forest of Broceliande, with a little work to do on the way. Owing a favor, Dupin has agreed to stop and ask a historian familiar with the Arthurian myths of the area, about the recent death of another Arthurian expert. Dupin arrives to late, the expert has been killed, and soon he is informed another expert his been knifed by a fabled well. Dupin, is soon placed in charge of the case, much to the satisfaction of the locals, and Dupin and his team are soon deep in Arthurian myth and stories of development for the area, that might not have been popular with everyone. And why do the other experts brought together for a conference, not seem that upset about their recently deceased comrades.

The story is good, a mix of both police procedural and historical travelogue for the area, and facts about King Arthur and his possible ties to the area. Dupin is an interesting character, as are his investigators, and though this is the seventh book, reading the others doesn't seem necessary, though some ties and character conflicts might be a little clearer. The mystery is complex with a few genuine surprises. I wish there had been more chapters, or breaks but that is more of a formatting issue, and doesn't take away from the story.

A fun mystery, complete with beautiful scenery and an interesting locale. For Francophiles this is a perfect read, with a lot about the language, culture and the region of Brittany. For fans of the MHz channel, which features television shows from around the world, like the Murder In series, which covers different regions of France this would also be a very good read. Also for fans of Cara Black and Mark Pryor with their series set in France, and for anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

The King Arthur Case case opens with the four members of the Concarneau station going on an office outing on their day off. A team building hike and lunch to relax and enjoy themselves. The forest of Broceliande in Brittany is a famous Arthurian sight. Many of the old tales of Arthurian knights take place in the wood. Riwal as usual is a font of knowledge. He has many tales to tell of the history of the area. Dupin has one stop to make before they begin the hike. While the three other team member, Kadeg, Riwal, and Nolwenn, will grab provisions, Dupin has to meet with a local professor for an interview.

In a previous case, Dupin asked a friend from Paris for help in the investigation. Jean is high up in the Paris police and did the favor with the promise of a return favor from Dupin. Another professor named Laurent dies on an Arthurian archeological dig in the UK and the last person to visit him was Professor Cadiou. Laurent's wife suspects Laurent's death was not a natural one. When Dupin arrives he finds Cadiou dead and with another professor found dead nearby soon after, the team outing is off and Dupin has been handed the case.

I love books that take me places. In this series I feel like I have been to Brittany and met the people. I can feel their pride and strength. When Commissaire Dupin first arrives in Concarneau the local are suspicious of Le Parisien. They wonder why an officer from Paris would come to Brittany, did he leave in disgrace. By the end of this latest book Dupin as been claimed by the locals at a Breton! This is my favorite mystery series, the scenery and characters will steal your heart.

This is the second book that I have read in this series, and I found it is not necessary to read the books in order. Set in Brittany, this well-done police procedural follows Commissaire Gorges Dupin and his team as they get swept up in murders that occur while they are taking a team trip to Brocéliande Forest. The location is associated with Arthurian legend and the Round Table. The story is divided into two chapters, the first day and the second day, which seems to be the writer's preferred style. The book is filled with very detailed conversations, and descriptions related to the case. Brittany is also described in lovely detail. Dupin is an excellent leader and investigator and leaves no stone unturned. I recommend this book to those who enjoy an in-depth police procedural. I took my time reading this because it is a dense story with many characters and details to sort through. Overall, It is another enjoyable book in the series.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for the review copy. I have given my honest review.

Brittany, cultural-exploration, historical-research, law-enforcement, procedural, small-town, superstitions, suspense, translated, thriller, Celtic heritage, teamwork, theft, murder, murder investigation, interagency cooperation*****

Regardless of whether you are familiar with the ongoing characters (I am) or not, this is a fascinating book! The regulars (C Dupin and his investigators) were supposed to be off for a relaxing field trip for a day or two. That suddenly turns into a real race against the clock and then some! The murders begin, a rather cohesive bunch of lying professors/archaeologists drive the law enforcers nutz, legends of King Arthur are at the center of everything. Don't want to give anything away, but although it starts out a little murky, the lies and deceptions are worth trying to follow! Thanks to Peter Millar for translating!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

I’m a big fan of the King Arthur legend. That’s mainly why I wanted to read this book. I didn’t realize it’s part of a series either. The story did seem to drag a little in the middle of the book. I guess I was a little surprised about who the killer was. I did think it was a good British detective book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This was a hard book for me. I have read this author and the series previously and was looking forward to this book and it just let me down. A pretty long book with only 2 chapters. This was a chore for me to read and nothing came easily. I am not a fan of the King Arthur legend but again had hopes for this book. It just left me flat. We have little character development, and most are academics who are identified by their academic interest in King Arthur.
Sorry I can do no better with this book. I was just let down and it may be me because I am not an Arthurian fan. But beyond that I just found the book very difficult to follow and why are there only 2 chapters in this book??

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.

In the seventh installment in the Brittany series Dupin and staff are on their way to the forest of Broeliande for an office outing
A call from Paris quickly puts an end to plans as Dupin finds himself heading up the murder inquiry of an Arthurian scholar.
Soon the investigation morphs into solving multiple deaths among the academics in town for a meeting.
The multiple suspects and motives lead Dupin on an intense investigation into Arthurian legends, academic jealousies and threats to his own team.
The atmosphere of the forest and environs wonderfully conveys the dark mystery.
A fine entry into the series that sets the scene for a big decision.

Commissaire Georges Dupin along with his assistant secretary Nolwenn, and Inspectors Riwal and Kadeg. are on an office outing from Concarneau to the forest of Broceliande. Dupin is asked by an old Paris friend, Inspector General Jean Odinet, to interview a scholar there at a King Arthur conference. Unfortunately, when Dupin goes to see him, the scholar has been shot dead. There are several other experts attending the conference, so there are plenty of suspects. Odinet and his Paris superiors assign Dupin to the case and give it special status so Dupin is soon working with the local police as well, who are very helpful. The experts are an unlikeable group, and the townspeople are debating about having a theme park built, which might have something to do with the murder as well, but the forest is a beautiful, dark place and the team feel the enchantment. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange of an honest review. However, I confess, this is one of my favorite mystery series and I would definitely recommend starting at the beginning.