Michel Bussi strikes again with an atmospheric read which keeps you on edge and leaves a lingering sense of unease long after the last page!

I love this book so much! A brilliant twist that had me reeling and reviewing everything I thought I'd read in the last 200 pages. One I'll be going back to re-read again to pick up on all the nuances

Having loved After The Crash, I was excited to read this. I didn't enjoy it as much, although I enjoyed the sense of place of Giverny. I found it confusing and didn't really like the ending.

The twist at the end is completely gobsmacking but does lead to a bit of confusion throughout the book. Very very French. A perfect holiday read

I loved the previous Bussi and this did not disappoint! Great writing and a great example of modern thriller.

This is an outstanding read, set in Giverny, the beloved home of Claude Monet, a place now preserved in memory of the impressionist artist and his obsession with water lilies that inspired his innovative paintings. We linger in the place for thirteen days in May 2010, which begins with the murder of Jerome Morval, a rich opthalmologist with a love of Monet and art, and numerous extramarital entanglements. Connected with the murder is the art prodigy, Fanette Morelle, almost eleven years old and the prospect of a brilliant future in front of her, Stephenie Dupain, school teacher married to Jacques and longing for a child and an unnamed elderly woman who spies on everyone, a woman no-one notices, exuding a chilling air of menace in just how much knowledge she appears to be privy to.

The investigation is led by Inspector Laurenc Serenac, aided by his diligent Inspector Sylvio Benavides. They follow the leads they have such as a postcard with a phrase from Louis Aragon, a reference to the birthday of an eleven year old child, the interest in Monet, a set of photographs of Morvel that imply sexual relations with women that include the beautiful teacher, Stephenie, and the death of an eleven year old boy, Albert Rosalba, with a similar MO in 1937. Serenac and Stephenie, with her magnetic water lily eyes, are instantly attracted to one another in echoes of Flaubert's Emma Bovary. Serenac is intuitively convinced that the case revolves around Stephenie.

However, Benavides is not so convinced and the evolving relationship with Stephenie compromises Serenac. This results in a retired Chief Inspector Laurentin being nudged into carrying out his own private investigation. In the meantime, Fanelle is aspiring to produce a painting that will win the art prize run by the Theodore Robinson Art Foundation and provide her with a route out of Giverny. A strange and sinister set of events unfold around Fanelle that seem designed to unbalance and scare her.

Bussi paints a picture of Giverny and the characters trapped within a Monet painting and landscape. A place that appears to be timeless, held inexorably to the past through tourism and in homage to Monet. The novel has a compelling and atmospheric narrative with twists that make you want to reread the book. An unusual mystery that will stay with you long after you have finished the story. Fantastic read that I highly recommend. Thanks to Orion for an ARC.

The home town of Claude Monet is the setting for this small town murder mystery. Jerome Morval, a man who loves his art almost as much as he loves his women, is found dead in a stream. A postcard in his pocket reads "Eleven years old. Happy birthday", Somehow mixed up in all this are a beautiful school teacher, a young girl with dreams of being a painter, and an old lady who watches over the comings and goings in the town. Inspector Laurent Serenac suspects Jacques Dupain, husband of schoolteacher Stephanie, but his assistant Silvio, suspects it's related to another murder that took place decades before.

I had high expectations following on from "After The Crash", and hate to say it but was sorely disappointed. I've seen reviews that describe the ending in particular as elegant and clever, but alas I just feel cheated and lied to as a reader. Hard to go into specifics without spoilers, but suffice to say that I simply couldn't buy into the way he stitched the plot lines together, the original motivations of the person responsible, or what lay behind the curtain so to speak, when Bussi does his reveal at the end. He's clearly done a lot of research into Monet, and the Impressionists, but there's too much art/art history and not enough substance to the characters or plot to make this one I could recommend. Just felt like a long slog with no pay off at the end.

The beauty of this novel, translated from French, is the seemingly simple, yet compelling, story. A murder in Giverny raises a great many questions. As this quaint and sleepy village - known the world over for Claude Monet's paintings - reacts, the story unfolds in unexpected ways.

Black Water Lilies is a rich and twisty novel that's woven together with great care and deception. I absolutely loved this book, especially the end, which caught me completely unaware! A real treat!

I don't want to say word one of the plot for fear of damaging the reader's impressions or revealing an important plot device. It's best to read it, absorb the intriguing tale and enjoy the ride. The surprise is well worth the wait and one to be relished.