Murder on Brittany Shores

By: Jean-Luc Bannalec

Narrated by: Jean Brassard

Ten miles off the coast of Brittany lie the fabled Glénan Islands. Boasting sparkling white sands and crystal-clear waters, they seem perfectly idyllic, until one day in May three bodies wash up on the shore. At first glance the deaths appear accidental, but as the identities of the victims come to light, cantankerous Commissaire Dupin is pulled back into action for a case of what seems to be cold-blooded murder.

Ever viewed as an outsider in a region full of myths and traditions, Dupin finds himself drawn once more deep into the history of the land. To get to the bottom of the case, Dupin must tangle with treasure hunters, militant marine biologists, and dangerous divers. The investigation leads him deep into the perilous, beautiful world of Brittany, as he discovers that there's more to the picturesque islands than meets the eye.

Steeped in the enchanting atmosphere of Brittany, peppered with wry humor, and full of delicious local food, this superbly plotted mystery is perfect for fans of Martin Walker and G. M. Malliet.

©2016 Jean-Luc Bannalec (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

I had fight to stay interested

The only good thing about the book was the setting. The narrator was good as well. I could see why it was on the 2-for-1 list.

I just couldn’t finish it

I don’t like to leave bad reviews BUT — This was a Bookclub choice and honestly, I ended up quitting after 2/3 of it. It was really hard for me to get through it because the story seemed to just drag on and not get anywhere! I enjoyed the narration, but the book had very little suspense and I really didn’t even care ‘who done it’!

Pleasant enough

I was looking for a light diversion and the story and performance filled the bill nicely.

I agree wholeheartedly with the other commenters about the change in narrator for the subsequent books. For stories sent in France with French characters there is an overriding need to have a narrator who speaks with a French accent with fully believable French pronunciation. I didn't always like the style chosen at points in this performance but I was never forced out of the setting of the story because the characters did not sound French.

Great!

thriller, suspense, international-crime-and-mystery, procedural, law-enforcement, maritime, Brittany France

Let's start with: I really enjoyed the book, I have no idea whether the translation was good or bad, and this is the audio (which saved me from feeble pronunciations) so I have been spared any typos.
The due diligence in this case is both well done and beyond the call. Out in the archipelago of Brittany the weather is surprising at the best of times, but when major storms roll in it is impossible (just like mobile or marine radio reception). The case begins with three corpses that have been in the water and progressed on to greed, fraud, and more. I loved it!
Jean Brassard is the narrator who not only sounds like he is Commissaire Dupin but does a great job with all of the characters.

visit Glenan Islands, Brittany and good story too

I loved every bit of this -- the character of M. le Commissaire, all the residents of Concarneau and the Glenan Islands, the food, the coffee, the setting in detail, the excellent narrator, and yes, the intriguing story. perfect to listen to while walking. it took me there.

Immersed in the Breton world

Great to have the English narration voiced by a French actor. I appreciated hearing all the character and place names pronounced in French. The prose and descriptions of the Breton world were lovely. The pace of storytelling is leisurely, and it was nice to spend time in that setting.

Most enjoyable. Great narrator.

This book is the second in the series set in Brittany. What a nice trip! I have never been to Brittany nor to the Glennan, the archipelago off Brittany's shores. The author successfully described the setting as another character in the plot. Life there was engagingly pictured, and I would like to go there sometime.

The narrator Jean Brassard really made the book come alive. He was able to communicate the personality of each character, something only the best narrators can do well. Brassard has that talent. (Sad to read that he will not be narrating the rest of the books in this series. I think I will just read them instead of listening.)

The story line centered around the interesting main character le Commisario Georges Dupin, newly moved to Brittany from Paris. A large part of his personality is communicated by the narrator.

Hooked on this series, but stopping here.

The narrator makes these books a fun listen and a more authentic telling. I’m very disappointed with the new narrator and wish they were all read by Jean Brassard! I can’t even finish the series on audible as a result :( I’ll have to actually pick up the books at the library… narrators make or break these recordings, Audible!

Good plot and ambience but . . .

Bannalec made his detective's humorous erratic fussiness of the first book slip into decided peremptoriness and arrogance in this second book. I still like that he makes you really feel like you are on location - in this case - on the beach, the sea with the changing colors and sun and the plot was GOOD but . . . I didn't enjoy it this time because Detective Dupin was insufferable.