DARK VINEYARD

Benoît (Bruno) Courrèges, devoted friend, cuisinier extraordinaire and the town's only municipal policeman, rushes to the scene when a research station for genetically modified crops is burned down outside St Denis. He immediately suspects a group of fervent environmentalists who live nearby, but the fire is only the first in a string of mysteries. Then a bevy of winemakers descends on the village competing for its land and spurring resentment among the villagers. Romances blossom, hearts are broken and some of the sensual pleasures of the town - a dinner of a truffle omelette and grilled bécasses, a community grape-crushing - provide an opportunity for both warm friendship and bitter hostilities to form. A Californian wine producer wants to set up a business in the valley and despite the money and jobs this would bring, many fear it will destroy the town. When a violent death follows the crop burning, it looks as though someone is prepared to do anything to stop the scheme. Then there is another suspicious death and Bruno will have to draw on all his local knowledge to find his way to the truth. 309pp, paperback.