Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

WOW!!! What a great book!! This one had me hooked from page 1! This was a first for me from this author and I will not be my last! This one was a win for me!

Jean-Luc Bannelec is one of those authors whi can draw you in from the first words. His books are always well written, complex, and intricate. This one, An Island of Suspects, is the tenth in the Commissaire Dupin series, and another caffeine-fueled winner, for the most part.

When the most hated and wealthiest inhabitant of Belle-Île, Patric Provost, is murdered, found entangled in buoy nets, there is a little sorrow from the islands’s residents who have been pretty much owned by him their entire lives. Commissaire Dupin is called to solve the mystery, battling the heat and mal de mer in the process.

For the most part, I liked this book. As with all of Bannelec books, it is atmospheric, entertaining, and informative — I always learn something new about some of the most obscure areas of France — and it was good to be back with the Concarneau gang, all of whom have become very familiar to me, each character unique in his or her own way. But while the book starts off strong, it waivers a little bit midway, and I found myself setting it aside, something I would never have considered with Bannalec’s previous books that are so engaging I end up reading in one sitting because I cannot not put them down.

Happily the ending is satisfying, and it’s a nice addition to this series, although certainly not the best. It does work as a standalone, but I would suggest a reader unfamiliar with this author would be better served starting with a book other than this one.

Today's entry into the WE LOVE BRITTANY campaign is the island of Belle-Île where Inspector Dupin is called to solve the murder of a most unpleasant man. It's an especially good one because we are actually given a clue, that, if we are clever enough (I wasn't) would have given an idea of the murder's identity, sort-of.

As always the descriptions of the scenery and food will make you want to go there immediately, and the description of the August heat wave that Inspector Dupin is suffering through will cloud your mind from the generally wretched Brittany weather. I loved it.

In the midst of an August heat wave, Commissaire Georges Dupin is called to the scene when a body is found tangled in buoy nets. Someone strangled Patric Provost, and hoped the tide would take the body to sea. Dupin and his team follow Provost's life to Belle-Ile, the largest Breton island. In the little village there, Provost was the largest land owner, disliked by everyone. It's a very insular community, and no one is willing to reveal much unless the team pushes for answers. While Agnes Griffon, the island's electrical technician, lives on the island, no one tells Dupin that she's Provost's ex-wife. In fact, it turns out she's still married to the victim, just separated. Notes show up indicating Provost was blackmailed, and his dog is missing. Then, another islander is kidnapped with a ransom demand left behind. All of the small group of suspects seem to have alibis. Is it the August heat, or the mysticism and legends of the island that leave Dupin dizzy and confused in this bewildering investigation?

A few too many characters, and Dupin drifts off into dizziness too many times making this mystery hard to follow at times.

Interesting and strong start, the most detested person of the island appeared murdered (won't be the only one) and everyone on the island is very open to say they hated him, but everything the clues point towards one suspect sometimes they become the next victim. It's a mild one, good for when I am tired and want to read a mystery but not have to be overwhelmed by it. Good for Poirot fans.

What a cute mystery! Definitely want to read more from this author. Was a quick and easy read and definitely gave me Nancy Drew and Sherlock vibes!