
Mystery Review: Death of a Master Chef | Jean-Luc Bannalec
If you even loosely follow my reviews, you know that I will jump into a series at any point. This time it’s the Kommissar Dupin series by Jean-Luc Bannalec and I started right on the newest book, Death of a Master Chef. I’ll be honest, I didn’t even realize this was part of a series when I picked it up nor read it, so trust me when I say this is a standalone book that just happens to feature the same detective as others (think of it like Hercule Poirot!).
What is Death of a Master Chef about?
Commissaire Georges Dupin is certain these first beautiful summer days in June would be perfect for a fun trip to Saint-Malo. In a region known as the culinary heart of Brittany, the paradoxical city is known for being a uniquely Breton, yet un-Breton, place. Their cuisine’s moto is voyages et aventures. Travel and adventure. Dupin would love to explore the internationally renowned cuisine one bite at a time. But to his chagrin, Dupin is there instead to attend a police seminar dedicated to closer collaboration between the Breton départements.
To prepare himself for what’s to come while in Saint-Malo, Dupin wanders through the halls of a local market—stopping to sample its wares as he goes—while admiring its aromatic orchestra. But Dupin’s morning is derailed when there’s a murder at a nearby stall. He quickly realizes this case is unlike any he’s worked on before. The police know the victim: Blanche Trouin, a grand chef of the region. They know the perpetrator: Lucille Trouin, Blanche’s sister and fellow successful chef in the area. The two had a well-known and public feud. After a bit of searching, Lucille is even in custody. The only thing they’re missing is the motive. And Lucille refuses to talk.
Saint-Malo doesn’t want any help from the visiting commissaires. Even Dupin’s assistant, Nolwenn, is telling him to stay out of it. But Dupin, along with a few of his Breton colleagues, can’t help but begin an investigation into why a chef killed her sister in the middle of a crowded market.
What did I think?
When will I learn to avoid reading culinary mysteries when I’m hungry? The food sounded heavenly, and the book starts off on page one with our lead detective, Commissaire Georges Dupin, at a market in Saint-Malo. He gives an in-depth commentary on the cheeses on display at the market that made my mouth water! Dupin is in Saint-Marlo to reluctantly attend a seminar. He’s enjoying the local cuisine and scenery at least!
Bannalec’s writing style is very descriptive, which made me feel as though I was right along side him. I could picture the sounds, smells, and sights of the quaint market. If it sounds like the story will meander too much, don’t worry. The murder happens all the way at the beginning of this book and our main character is a detective, so the mystery is the main focus of the book (unlike some cozy mysteries).
Dupin is departing the market when he hears screaming—a woman has been stabbed and Dupin races after another woman fleeing the scene. Unfortunately, though Dupin may be the one at the scene and pursuing the murderer, he’s not going to be assigned the case. Even worse, he won’t get out of the seminar.
The victim is a Michelin-starred chef named Blanche Trouin, and the person fleeing the scene was her sister Lucille, who is also a chef. The local police are certain Lucille was the murderer and arrest her. Only while she is being held in custody, Blanche’s husband is murdered. Finally, we get to see Dupin officially on the case, as his boss Prefect Locmariaquer assembles a team.
This was an interesting case because it seemed that the two murders must be related (time, proximity, and the relationship between the victims), but it appears that Blanche’s sister Lucille committed one murder, but can’t possibly have committed the other. Are there two murderers and two motives?
I am conflicted on this one. I thought the mystery was interesting and the setting was outstanding. I loved how descriptive Bannalec’s writing is, really bringing the reader into the story. At the same time, I agree with other reviewers who have commented that the vivid descriptions were almost too much at times. I didn’t find them too much, but I do think for some readers they may be over-done. Readers who appreciate the rich scene-setting and culinary descriptions served alongside a murder mystery will love this.
I enjoyed this mystery! I liked the main character, Dupin, who continued to remind me of Poirot in some ways—especially his passion for deduction and good food. The vivid imagery that Bannalec paints brings the reader right to Saint-Malo working the case and taking in the gorgeous scenery and vibrant cuisine right alongside Dupin.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.
If you liked this, what should you read next?
About the Author
This series is written by Jörg Bong under the pen name, Jean-Luc Bannalec. The author divides his time between Germany and coastal Brittany, France. Death in Brittany, the first case for Commissaire Dupin, was published in German in March 2012 and sold 600,000 copies, spending many months on the bestseller list. It has been sold into 14 countries.


21 Comments
Carla
I’ve not heard of this series, but it sounds like a good one. Nice review, Mackenzie.
Anonymous
I LOST MY CRYPTOCURRENCY TO SCAMMERS / HOW DO I RECOVER IT BACK / HIRE A HACKER TO RECOVER YOUR CRYPTOCURRENCY GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER
Hello, everyone here. I am here to give a testimonial on how I met one of the best Hackers so far in my incredible moment of pain. I was taken advantage of by a fake cryptocurrency investment company pretending to help people double their investments. I lost a huge amount of money to a fake investment company. I invested 108,000 USD in this investment company with the belief that I will have a huge return when it was time for me to get my return. The company no longer picks my calls or replies to my email. I was so devastated. I was told Bitcoin is impossible to trace once you lose it but after coming across a post about GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER, a reputable cryptocurrency recovery company. I contacted them immediately and was able to recover everything I lost. I’m sharing this with anyone who might need their services. Their contact is
Email: geovcoordinateshacker@gmail.com
Website; https://geovcoordinateshac.wixsite.com/geo-coordinates-hack
Anonymous
HOW TO RECOVERY LOST OR STOLEN CRYPTOCURRENCY.
I have always thought it would be impossible to recover stolen cryptocurrency funds until I came across a hacker called GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER. Thanks to their expertise and dedication. I was contacted online by a lady through email pretending to be an account manager of a bank, who told me I could double my savings through cryptocurrency investment, I never imagined it would be a scam and I was going to lose everything. I decided to invest on cryptocurrency trading i thought i was doing the right thing not knowing i was totally dealing with the wrong people, they look so real and composed how could i have know they were fake, at first they advised me to put in little amount to start with and i invested with $1000 and after few days it appreciated double, and i withdrew the money that even got me more convinced and i invested again this time they advised me to invest as much as i can as it is my last chance of investing with them, i asked why and they say i can only invest with them twice they are trying to regulate it to enable others benefit, i agreed with them and since i have invested before and i got my money back i decided to invest with $120,000 behold immediately i invested the money they took the money out and never talked to me again, it was like a dream to me all i could wish for was just to wake up from my dream but it was all real, i started looking for how to get my money back, i went online and i saw a lot of hackers, i read a testimony about GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER on how he had helped a lady that had similar issues like mine, i took his email and immediately i tested him he replied, i was pleased after speaking with him and he gave me instructions which i can’t say over here. I highly endorse their services to anyone looking to have their funds traced and recovered. I am happy and satisfied. If you try him you will know what i am talking about, i will leave his information. You can get in touch with them through their Email
Email: geovcoordinateshacker@gmail.com
Website; https://geovcoordinateshac.wixsite.com/geo-coordinates-hack
Mathew Felix
What you need is the best recovery expert. Seeker Assets Recovery can help you get out from under your crypto theft methods. The bitcoin investing industry is full of scammers, and despite people’s best efforts to make enormous gains, they regularly end up losing money. No one can defeat these people’s cunning schemes because of their intelligence. They typically offer contact agreements and put you in a group with others who have already made investments to tempt you to invest your hard-earned money. I invested my money as advised, then a few days later I discovered that IDMining had taken it. I appreciate Seeker Assets Recovery assistance in helping me reclaim my BTC from these cyber crooks. I firmly guarantee that using Seeker Assets recovery service to retrieve your stolen BTC back will be safe. Talk with a representative today on: Email: info @ seekerassetsrecovery . com
Website: seekerassetsrecovery . com
Whatsapp: +1 (514) 312-2803
Anonymous
Hello Everyone,
My name is Juliet Harald, and I’m from New Hampshire, I lost access to my crypto wallet when I mistakenly deleted the Seed Phrase to my wallet, and I couldn’t access my crypto wallet for weeks. It all became weird when I started getting emails of funds being transferred out of my crypto wallet. I saw $650K withdrawn from my account in a day and I was devastated, it felt like my world was coming down on me. I was torn apart and was in a debt crisis until a colleague of mine told me about Morphohack Cyber Service, a data and crypto wallet recovery service. I sent an email to (Morphohack@cyberservices.com) and the team responded immediately, providing me with support and assistance. I couldn’t believe it when Morphohack Cyber Service was able to trace and retrieve my crypto wallet, tracing all the funds that were withdrawn from my wallet, I’m hugely grateful for the services of Morphohack Cyber Service in helping me get back my crypto wallet and crypto funds. Their services were amazing and professional.
Contact them via E-Mail(MORPHOHACK@CYBERSERVICES.COM) Whats-App(+1 213 672 4092)
Anonymous
I could have lost $923,000 worth of Bitcoin if I was not referred to HackMetrix Cyber service by my colleague.
I mistakenly sent crypto to the wrong wallet address while helping my boss carry out a Bitcoin transaction. I thought my life ended at first, and was in shock when I realized what I had just done. I never knew crypto could be recovered until my colleague at work told me about HackMetrix, this crypto recovery company was able to recover my crypto from the wrong address, and the only information they asked for was the wallet address. HackMetrix Cyber Service was able to save me from going to jail, by helping me recover this crypto. I’m so grateful and I recommend them for all your crypto assets recovery. HackMetrix can be reached via:
Email:hackmetrix@cyberservices.com
WhatsApp:+44 737845 0946
Anonymous
A Sandwich Attack Was Used to Wipe Out My Crypto Transaction Of $389,000.
I was swapping in between my stablecoins when I lost $389,000. I was confused and didn’t know how that could happen, I just lost all my crypto and I’m traumatized.
A few days later, a tech guy from my firm contacted a crypto recovery expert Morphohack Cyber Service, who was able to detect that a malicious bot called MEV(Maximum Extractable Value) detected my transaction and front ran it before my transaction was processed. The bot’s actions made me lose almost 99% of my funds and stole $389,000. Fortunately for me, Morphohack Cyber Service was able to trace this transaction and retrieve it successfully without any delay while applying its sophisticated software and malware techniques. It seems we have to be up to date with market news and stay alert always. Morphohack can be contacted via the following link: MORPHOHACK@CYBERSERVICES.COM (Whats App:+12136724092)
Anthony Larson
Effective Lottery Spell By Lord Meduza
The sole individual I’m aware of who can provide you with a winning lottery number is Lord Meduza. This man assisted me in finding the lucky number that led to my lottery win of $112 million dollars in Arizona through his powerful spell. For a transformative chance to gain wealth in life, contact him via Email: Lordmeduzatemple@hotmail.com
Call/WhatsApp: +1 807 907 2687
You can also search him on Facebook via: Lordmeduzatemple
Anonymous
Morphohack Successfully Recovered My USDT/BTC From GainBitcoin Scam.
My name is Mukesh and I was a victim of a GainBitcoin scam where I was promised huge returns from my investment not knowing I was being conned by GainBitcoin, I lost 22 million Indian rupees to this scam which I thought was gone forever after the whole scheme was down, however, I came across Morphohack Cyber Service, who was able to help me trace and recover my USDT and BTC funds and after several months of waiting for the CBI to begin their investigation, Morphohack Cyber Service was able to help me recover my USDT/BTC in a few hours. It’s such a pity that such a scam could be allowed to continue for so long and if not for the services of Morphohack Cyber Service, I would have lost my money forever. I’m recommending Morphohack services to everyone affected by the GainBitcoin scam. I can confidently assure you that Morphohack can recover any crypto assets no matter how long you have lost them. Below is their contact information.
E-mail: Morphohack@cyberservices.com
Anonymous
I was exploited by CanCap Crypto Exchange and was made to invest $112,000 worth of Canadian dollars into crypto trading by this company. They made it all look real and it was impossible to easily figure out the sham they were running. I was just like every other curious person and investor who decided to invest in cryptocurrency trading but I was exploited and lost my hard-earned money to this scam, if not for the intervention of Morphohack, a cyber security and crypto recovery expert who has been able to help top officials from the government recover their cryptocurrency successful, I would have not been able to recover my crypto assets. CanCap contacted me through a popular figure on Facebook who I later found out to be a sham too, and Morphohack made me realize many other victims like me invested in this platform, I’m bringing this to you here that it was a scam to steal crypto from people. Morphohack was able to recover my crypto successfully and has since been able to assist two of my partners in recovering their crypto from the CanCap crypto investment scam. If you wish to contact Morphohack, you can reach them via the info below: WhatsApp: +1 (213) 672 4092 Or Morphohack@Cyberservices.com
Anonymous
I fell victim to an investment scam on CBEX, losing $72,000 Worth of USDT. Initially, the platform seemed legitimate, with fake profits and a helpful team convincing me to invest more. But when I tried to withdraw, my account was locked, support vanished, and the site disappeared. In desperation, I found Astraweb Cyber Service, a team specializing in crypto scam recovery. Using advanced blockchain tracking, they located my stolen Bitcoin and guided me through the recovery process. With their expertise, I recovered my entire loss. If you’ve been scammed like me, don’t hesitate to contact Astraweb Cyber Service. They’re experts in handling such situations and take real action. You can reach them at Astraweb@cyberdude.com
Daniela Rivera
I never imagined a single decision could unravel months of financial discipline. It started with a message on LinkedIn—professional, polished, and seemingly legitimate. A woman named Amélie claimed to be a financial advisor representing a reputable European investment firm specializing in cryptocurrency. Her warmth and confidence lowered my guard. After a few video calls, I was convinced. I started small. When I withdrew $300 profit within a week, it felt real. Hopeful. Addictive.
Encouraged, I went all in—$60,000 over two months. Then came the moment that shattered everything: when I tried to withdraw, they claimed there were “security checks” and requested $5,000 more to “unlock” my profits. That’s when the panic set in. The moment I sent it, everything went dark. Emails bounced. Numbers disconnected. My account was frozen, and with it, my dreams of financial stability.
I was consumed by shame and fear. I stopped sleeping. My friends noticed the shift. My family didn’t understand. I contacted law enforcement, but they told me what I already feared—recovering funds from international crypto scams is nearly impossible.
Then I stumbled upon CYBERPUNK PROGRAMMERS, a recovery team mentioned in a crypto forum. I was skeptical, emotionally drained, but I reached out. From the first reply, they were different—direct, empathetic, methodical. Over the next two weeks, they traced wallet addresses, followed the blockchain, and coordinated with legal channels. Against all odds, they recovered my lost $65,000.
I don’t know how they did it—but they gave me my life back.
If you’ve been scammed, don’t suffer in silence. There are people who can help. CYBERPUNK PROGRAMMERS were my light in the darkest moment of my financial life. Contact them at cyberpunkprogrammers.com
Anonymous
HIRE A HACKER TO RECOVER STOLEN FUNDS. THE HACK ANGELS
If you are a victim of losing your hard earned money to a fake online investment. Or you require assistance getting back your lost or stolen ETH, Bitcoin, or other cryptocurrency? I will recommend anybody who wants to recover scammed bitcoin, stolen cryptocurrency, funds lost to binary options forex, investment and any other form of online scam to reach Out to THE HACK ANGLES RECOVERY EXPERT. So, catch them up for your lost funds through their email or through their WhatsApp No.
WhatsApp +1(520)200-2320)
support@thehackangels.com
Website at http://www.thehackangels.com
I will always be grateful for the job well done.
Jason McAllister
In a time when truth is often buried behind screens and secrets, these cyberpunk programmers are true digital vigilantes. I reached out with deep suspicions about my partner’s late-night texts and constant phone guarding. Within days, they exposed everything — from hidden messages to secret apps I never knew existed. They used advanced phone cloning techniques and remote access tools to show me exactly what was going on. It wasn’t just about catching a cheater; it was about reclaiming my peace of mind.
Beyond personal investigations, their skills extend into parental control and child safety.
These programmers operate with professionalism, efficiency, and a futuristic edge. It felt like something out of a sci-fi film — but real, and incredibly effective. They’re not just tech experts; they’re digital detectives with a mission to uncover truth and protect clients.
Highly recommend if you’re dealing with cheating suspicions, phone security breaches, or simply want to ensure your loved ones are safe. Discreet, reliable, and incredibly effective. Just reach them at cyberpunkprogrammers.com
jsuza54
BEST BITCOIN RECOVERY EXPERT THE HACK ANGELS
Contact THE HACK ANGELS. If you have lost money to scam. There are a lot of untrue recommendations and it’s hard to tell who is legit. But I am sure of THE HACK ANGELS and the team they will surely help you out. Took me a long time to locate them. They approach each case with precision and adaptability, always focused on delivering results. If you are facing fraud, scams, or other crypto-related challenges, contact a professional like THE HACK ANGELS before the trial runs out. They help clients reclaim what is rightfully theirs. CONTACT INFORMATION VIA:
support@thehackangels.com
Website at http://www.thehackangels.com
WhatsApp +1(520)200-2320
They did more than retrieve my Bitcoin; they gave me back my future.
Anonymous
My name is Winifred Ethan and for months, I lived in agony after losing my entire crypto portfolio worth $650,000 in USDT to a group of sophisticated online fraudsters.What I thought was a legitimate investment opportunity turned out to be an elaborate crypto manipulation scheme, leaving me devastated. But thanks to Washington Recovery Pro, a top-tier crypto recovery firm, I got my funds back. Here’s my story. It started when I joined a private Telegram group called Elite Crypto Investors.The admins claimed to have insider knowledge of low cap altcoins poised for massive pumps. They presented convincing charts, fake testimonials, and even video calls with successful traders who had supposedly made millions.Trusting their expertise, I transferred 650,000 USDT to a wallet they controlled, believing it would be used for a high yield, short-term trade. At first, they sent small profits to build trust. But when I tried withdrawing my full amount, they froze my access, deleted the group, and vanished.I reported the scam to authorities, but crypto transactions are nearly impossible to reverse without expert intervention. After weeks of research, I found Washington Recovery Pro, a firm specializing in blockchain forensics and asset recovery. They deployed advanced chain analysis tools to track my stolen USDT across Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and Tron networks. They identified the scammers’ exit points where they tried to cash out through offshore exchanges.Using their legal network, they froze the funds before the criminals could liquidate them. Within 7 days, they recovered 92% of my stolen USDT a staggering $598,000 and returned it to my secure wallet. Today, I’m forever grateful to Washington Recovery Pro for their skill and dedication. If you’ve been scammed, don’t lose hope professional recovery is possible.
Telegram-https://t.me/Washingtonrecoverypro
Email-WashingtonRecoveryPro@engineer.com
WhatsApp-+1 (903) 249‑8633
Anonymous
I never knew I would fall victim to a scam, especially not in the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency. When I came across an opportunity to appear on a crypto podcast, I was excited. The promise of exposure and the chance to connect with like-minded individuals in the crypto community seemed too good to pass up. The podcast appeared legitimate, complete with a professional website, glowing testimonials, and a polished social media presence. I felt confident that this was a step forward for my career. After some back-and-forth communication with the supposed host, I was convinced to pay $9,500 to secure my spot on the show. I imagined the doors this opportunity would open for me new connections, potential partnerships, and a boost in credibility. However, after I made the payment, everything changed. The communication I had enjoyed suddenly stopped. My emails went unanswered, and the podcast’s website vanished into thin air. I was left feeling devastated and foolish.In my desperation, I began searching for help and stumbled upon CHAINTRACE ASSET RECOVERY. WEBSITE: https://chaintraceassetrecovery.com I was skeptical at first, but I had nothing to lose. I reached out to them, and to my surprise, they took my case seriously. Their team of experts began investigating the scammer, employing advanced tracking techniques to uncover the digital trail left behind. I watched as they worked diligently, piecing together the puzzle of my lost funds. To my amazement, CHAINTRACE ASSET RECOVERY WHATSAPP : +1 (581) 256‑1989 was able to trace the scammer and recover 95% of my money. The relief I felt was overwhelming. Not only did I regain most of my lost funds, but I also learned a valuable lesson about the importance of due diligence in the online space. This experience has made me more cautious and aware of the potential pitfalls in the cryptocurrency world. While I wish I had never fallen for the scam, I am grateful for the support I received from CHAINTRACE ASSET RECOVERY. EMAIL : chaintraceasset@post.com Their expertise not only helped me recover my money but also empowered me to share my story. I hope that by speaking out, TELEGRAM : https://t.me/CHAINTRACE_ASSET_RECOVERY I can help others avoid the same fate and encourage them to be vigilant when navigating the exciting yet risky landscape of cryptocurrency.
Anonymous
I’m absolutely thrilled with cryptpo jack recovery team AT g mail com work in recovering my lost funds via crypto scam. their professionalism and expertise were evident through out the process
Anonymous
At the end of 2024, I made what I thought was a smart move investing £150,000 into a promising crypto opportunity. It looked legitimate, the returns were enticing, and everything seemed perfect until it wasn’t.The withdrawals stopped. The support lines went dead. My account showed a balance, but I couldn’t touch a single pound. That’s when the truth hit me: I had been scammed.I was devastated. It felt like my entire future had just collapsed. Then, someone recommended Washington Recovery Pro and that was the turning point.From the first call, their professionalism and knowledge stood out. They carefully traced the blockchain movements, gathered solid evidence, and guided me through every legal and technical step needed to fight back. It wasn’t an overnight miracle, but their dedicated work brought real results.Thanks to Washington Recovery Pro, I recovered a major portion of my lost funds. More importantly, I got back a sense of control, confidence, and peace of mind.I can’t thank them enough. If you’ve been a victim of crypto fraud, don’t give up hope. These people know what they’re doing and they fight for you when it feels like no one else will.Reach out to them via their handle below.
Email~ WashingtonRecoveryPro@engineer.com
WhatsApp ~ +1 (903) 249‑8633
Anonymous
Huge thanks to Swift Spy Assets Recovery for helping me uncover the painful truth. I had long suspected my husband was cheating, and they helped me securely access his phone and social media, what I found confirmed everything. Their service was fast, discreet, and incredibly professional. I finally got the clarity I needed, and I’ll always be grateful. So many people recommend them and now I see why. If you need help uncovering the truth, Swift Spy Assets Recovery is the team to trust. Reach them on email:(swiftrecoveryservice006 (@)gmail . com) or WhatsApp number: +1 (352) 436-7955 Or Telegram @SWIFT_HACKING Website https://swiftspyassetsrecovery.com to get the help you need as well.
insightfulf9f3e288d8
My daughter had warned me multiple times about the risks of crypto scams, but I never imagined I would fall victim to one. It all started when I came across an ad on YouTube for an “Ethereum mining pool” that promised high returns with minimal effort. The idea of passive income was too tempting, and I didn’t think twice. Unfortunately, what I believed was a legitimate investment opportunity turned out to be a sophisticated scam. I lost 18 ETH my entire retirement savings. The regret and despair I felt were overwhelming. It wasn’t just the money, but the fear of how I would secure my future. I had no idea how to get it back or even where to start. That’s when a friend recommended CHAINTRACE ASSET RECOVERY. At first, I was skeptical. After all, I had already lost so much, and I had no idea who could help me now. But after contacting them, I was surprised at how understanding and patient they were with my situation. They assured me they had the tools and expertise to trace my lost funds, and I decided to give them a chance. CHAINTRACE ASSET RECOVERY did exactly what they promised. Not only did they track down the funds, but they also uncovered the full scope of the scam operation. It was a complex network, involving multiple players across borders. The team worked tirelessly, collaborating with international exchanges and law enforcement to identify the culprits and retrieve as much of my money as possible. In the end, they recovered 17 ETH 94% of what I had lost. What truly impressed me was their professionalism and compassion. They didn’t just treat me like another case; they treated me like a person. When they learned I was a retiree, they even waived part of their fee, which was an incredibly kind gesture. I was beyond grateful for their support and expertise throughout the process. If you’ve fallen victim to a crypto scam, don’t give up hope. CHAINTRACE ASSET RECOVERY. WHATSAPP +1 (581) 256‑1989 WEBSITE: https:/chaintraceassetrecovery.com EMAIL: chaintraceasset@post.com TELEGRAM :https://t.me/CHAINTRACE_ASSET_RECOVERY are miracle workers with hearts of gold. They not only recovered my funds but also gave me a sense of closure and peace of mind. I highly recommend them to anyone facing a similar situation.