Complications add to Brooke’s mystery
While the Music Lasts is the seventh novel in the Aliette Nouvelle mystery series.
Set in France, the books feature, Aliette Nouvelle, a female police detective, who is a compelling, complex and intelligent character.
The series is written by local author John Brooke who splits his time between a home in Montreal and a schoolhouse on the Lavender Hill Road.
Brooke is an accomplished writer who has also won a Journey prize and a CBC fiction prize for his short stories.
While the Music Lasts tells the story of Luc Malarme, a famous musician who has served nine years in prison for the killing of his equally famous movie star girlfriend. After his release, all Malarme wants is to return to his country home near the town of Saint-Brin in the south of France, to tend his vineyards and resume his music.
Some of the townspeople do not think he should be allowed to do this.
More than a few of residents resent Malarme for the murder he committed and for his past behaviour.
Malarme had been a major star and having a famous musician in their midst had led some locals to become involved in things that they do not want to be reminded of.
The fact the Mallarme has started a romantic relationship with a local woman adds to the hostility towards him.
Malarme is first the target of an angry message thread in a web-based chat room. This soon escalates into acts of violence. Malarme’s dog is poisoned and there is a physical assault on him as he plays his guitar on a town street.
As the crimes mount, Aliette Nouvelle, who has only recently been transferred to Saint-Brin, is brought into the case. As a newcomer, Aliette is at a disadvantage. In order to investigate, she has to learn about the complex relationships and the past histories of the people related to the case. No one is forthcoming, including Malarme.
At the same time, Aliette is getting to know her new staff and is struggling to turn them into an effective team. As in most offices, there are a variety of personalities and professional rivalries and Aliette’s new squad is no exception. This adds complications to the case and makes the plot even more interesting.
As the case progresses, the violence escalates and a murder is committed. With no shortage of suspects, resentful townspeople, unruly colleagues and plenty of plot twists Aliette is hard pressed to solve the case.
Brooke has a good ear for dialogue and he is adept at explaining the intricacies of the French legal and police systems. He has created a character, Aliette Nouvelle, who has to contend with problems in both her personal and professional life, making her a believable and complex character, who I enjoyed getting to know.
While the Music Lasts (277 pages) by John Brooke is published by Signature Books.
Basil Guinane is a recently retired associate dean of the School of Media Studies at Humber college, a former librarian and an avid reader.
