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Black Water Lilies

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Black Water Lilies

By: Michel Bussi
Narrated by: Joan Walker
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Giverny. During the day, the home of the famous artist Claude Monet and the gardens where he painted his water lilies. But once the tourists have gone, there is a darker side to the peaceful French village. This is the story of 13 days that begin with one murder and end with another.

Jérôme Morval, a man whose passion for art was matched only by his passion for women, has been found dead in the stream that runs through the gardens. In his pocket is a postcard of Monet's Water Lilies with the words 'Eleven years old. Happy Birthday.' Entangled in the mystery are three women: a young painting prodigy, the seductive village schoolteacher and an old widow who watches over the village from a mill by the stream.

All three of them share a secret. But what do they know about the discovery of Jérôme Morval's corpse? And what is the connection to the mysterious rumoured painting of black water lilies?

©2016 Presses de la Cite (P)2016 Orion Publishing Group Crime Thrillers Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Thriller Thriller & Suspense Crime Mystery Suspense Village
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I had read The Crash by the same author and loved it, this second book certainly did not disappoint. Black Water Lillies is fabulous, I learnt a little about Monet and the area he is from. It’s nice to learn a little history whilst enjoying the storyline of this book.
It kept me engaged until the end and I loved the characters.
I will certainly be getting more of Michel Bussi books.

Learn as you read

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I really enjoyed this novel – the setting and the characters were very clearly drawn and I disagree with some other reviewers who suggest that the novel is lost in translation. I’ve not given it a 5 star rating as the reader for me didn’t tell the story as eloquently as I might have liked, but to be fair this is a personal preference on reading style rather than anything else. Pronunciations were top-notch however

Great story keeps you guessing until the end

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One of the few titles I’ve returned, but I enjoyed reading it instead. The novel took a while to grow on me, but it has some amazing twists and turns that will take your breath away. The narrator has a clear voice but characterisation that doesn’t match the book, and everything is said with a wry tone that becomes grating very quickly.

Better read than listened to

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This is a story that surprises you in the richness of the characters and description of life in the French town of Giverny. Beautifully written, intriguing and mysterious; the story is told mainly through the eyes of an 86 year old widow. I was blown away by the ending of this story. You know it's been an amazing read when you literally gasp out loud and then question everything you've read. Brilliant. I loved the narration of the story too. Definitely one of my favourite reads. If you enjoy Joanne Harris or Carlos Ruiz Zafron, then you'll love this.

Wow! A captivating, emotional and dark story.

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I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook and highly recommend it if you like twisty mysteries! Even the French names were not too off putting 🙄

What a clever story set over 73 years in Monet’s waterlily gardens

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