I’m conflicted about this title. On one hand I loved the art. Specifically the colors, the light, and the backgrounds. The way the illustrator captured body expressions and movement, specifically hands was beautiful. But I wasn’t a fan of how they drew male faces. It’s a very specific style and I just didn’t enjoy it. Beyond that the story was very convoluted. No spoilers but the way it ended should have been masterful and instead I was annoyed. The way names changed and things were repeated seemed really arbitrary and I felt lied to rather than impressed. I’d recommend this to someone looking to study the art style that was used and the scene composition. But as a story I’m not impressed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Diamon Book Distributors and Magnetic Press for this eARC!

Three woman and a murdered man, sign me up! BLACK WATER LILIES by Frederic Duval, Michel Bussi, and Didier Cassegrain is a graphic novel based on a mystery novel. The story revolves around three women living their lives in Giverny when a man from their community is found dead. As the story moves forward all three of them are connected to the victim in mysterious ways and more heartbreak (and murder) follows.

The story is beautifully illustrated in a style that fits fantastically with the setting of Monet's hometown of Giverny. Emotional, mysterious and heartbreaking, this graphic novel is worth your read.

They told me I’d be reading about three slightly unbalanced women and a man murdered in three ways, 😌 naturally, I requested the book.

It is one of the most touching, most beautiful stories I have read in a long time.

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Lilies
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿: The pond
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Easy
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Graphic Novel
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Murder investigation
5/𝟱

🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ ‘The 1st was over 80 & a widow. Almost’. (🫢)
~ ‘Determination will trump cunning and intelligence’ 👏
~ Delicate, almost impressionistic, artwork (apt given location)
~ An actual mystery with fun detective banter & calculation
~ Revelations upon revelations

Three women, living their lives in Giverny are caught up in the murder of a prominent member of the town and the shadows, lights and lilies of Monet. As we grow to learn about these women, their suspicions and their connections to the murdered man, we learn more about the town caged by tourists expectations of Monet obsession and another passion/obsession which result in the deaths of more than one town member.

And yes, I got the murderer right. 😏

✨𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.

🌱THE MEH
~ Had the murderer been another or of another - the story would have also been interesting

♡🌱 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 ;)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

BLACK WATER LILIES by Frederic Duval, Michel Bussi, and Didier Cassegrain is a graphic novel based on a mystery novel. The story revolves around a man who has been murdered, which can be seen on the cover. The story also revolves Laurenc, an Inspector who has come to the village of Giverny to investigate. According to the description, "Laurenç soon finds himself head over heels for a pretty schoolteacher—and in over his head."

Overall, BLACK WATER LILIES is a graphic novel with absolutely amazing art. One highlight of this book is the artwork. The colors and the details are beautiful beyond words. It really did remind me of the watercolor art that the village is famous for. I did take off 1 star, because it was confusing what was going on at times. The story didn't progress like a normal mystery would. If you're intrigued by the description, I recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in October.

This book featured two of my interests: Murder mysteries and Impressionism. The artwork was gorgeous and was probably my favorite thing about the book. The shifting timelines made the ending a little confusing, but I think I understood most of what happened.