Murder in Burgundy

 Murder in Burgundy (1989) by Audrey Peterson (Audrey C. Buckland)

When Michael "Poppa" O'Connor's doctor recommends plenty of rest after a couple of serious heart attacks, his family thinks a pleasant cruise down a French canal will be just what the doctor ordered. The famous American musical agent can just enjoy the scenery as they make a leisurely trip from Dijon to lyon. But Poppa can't stand things to be too quiet, so he surrounds himself with musicians from his "stable" as well as inviting Andrew Quentin and Jane Winfield, two musical academics who have been commissioned to write the great man's biography, to join the party.

Things get really interesting when Poppa's ex-wife contacts him just before the group sets sail and surprises him with the news that he really is a Poppa. Apparently Odette was pregnant when she left him and now she wants him to get to know his child--they make arrangements to meet when the cruise is over. Molly, Poppa's adored second wife, is worried about what this means for her two children--Poppa's step-children. Poppa has always provided for them and took Don into the agent business with him. But he refused to adopt Don and Ellen. Molly asks her husband to make a will--providing for all the children equally, but the musical agent has a phobia about wills. And the entire boat hears about it, because Poppa has a booming voice and no sense of decorum.

When Poppa falls into the canal, claiming that he was pushed, it looks like someone has a grudge against him. And when he winds up dead from an overdose of his heart medicine, it looks even more likely. And then Molly is attacked as well. Could it be possible that Poppa's unknown child is hidden among the guests (or possibly the crew) and saw a chance to get their hands on an inheritance? Poppa also had an argument with his star opera singer over a part she insisted he arrange for her--was that worth killing for? There's also a mysterious man on a motorcycle that has been following the boat down the canal and having secret meetings with the stewardess. Is that just a romantic liaison or something more sinister? Andrew Quentin and Jane Winfield had been mixed up in murder before and helped the police solve the case. This time Andrew's French friend is the policeman in charge of the case, so Andrew and Jane are back on the hunt for a killer.

This is a fairly solid cozy mystery. Plenty of suspects and red herrings. I did suspect the final answer--except I just couldn't see how it could be true given certain circumstances. One drawback is that so much is told us--lots of telling instead of showing. Most of the details come out in the suspect interviews. A bit more action would have gone a long way. Also, since it stars academics as the amateur sleuths I would have enjoyed more of an academic connection, but the French locale was nice. I do like Andrew & Jane and I look forward to reading the others in the series that are waiting on my TBR shelf.  ★★★

First line: "I knew I shouldn't have let you out of my sight, Jane."

Last line: "No, darling, but even without the loaf of bread underneath the bough, I'd say we have paradise enow."

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Deaths = 5 (three natural; one accident; one poisoned)