Evan and Elle

Once again Bowen takes us on a great trip to the Welsh moutains. This book brings a great blend of humor and mystery. I find that these books are not just well written but have such great ambiaence that they really make you feel like you're there. It's true that this is not the every second suspense action thriller, but honestly I find those books boring and not really well thought. These characters are so fun and have a depth of character that it would be a shame to miss reading these books just because there's not a cliff hanger on every page. Ms. Bowen please keep writing! It has all the charm of an Oscar Wilde play and the great humor to go with it!

A serial arsonist is loose in the Welsh mountains. He seems to be targeting properties owned by foreigners. Is there a connection to some of the nationalist groups? Village constable Evan Evans thinks so. Meanwhile, the owner of the new French restaurant just down the mountain is receiving threatening notes. But when her place goes up in flame, a body is found in the rubble. Who is it? And who is setting the fires? Meanwhile, Evan is thinking about applying for a promotion that would take him out of Llanfair.Rhys Bowen offers yet another charming tale of life in a small Welsh village. Llanfair grows more familiar and fun with every visit. This is probably the best plot to date. While I suspected the direction this book was going, it took several twists along the way to the satisfying conclusion.With this, the fourth book in the series, these people have become friends. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

I just read this last night, and I must say that I enjoyed it in the extreme. Evan really had his hands full here. Once more there was a "fo- reigner" woman who is trying to make a play for our hero, much to the disapproval of Evan's "main ladies":Bronwen & Betsy. I think this was Ms.Bowen's best yet.

Wow! A mystery in which the hero detective is a real, smart, humble, and nice human being! Refreshing. Well-crafted story that will keep you puzzled to the end. A nice read for a wet afternoon. You drift right into the Llanfair setting in your mind's eye.

Although Constable Evan Evans years to be a detective on an official murder investigation, overall he is content with being assigned to the small village of Llanfair. The townsfolk are proud of their heritage and resent any foreign intrusion including the new French restaurant owned and operated by Madame Yvette Bouchard. Adding to the locals' disfavor of her establishment dubbed the "den of iniquity" by the local clergy is that Yvette is open for business on the Sabbath.The xenophobia turns ugly when someone torches the cottage of an English couple followed by the arson destruction of a foreign-owned inn. The authorities believe an extremist group is behind the attacks. When Yvette's restaurant is burned down next, it appears to be the same organization behind the first two fires. However, this time, a murdered body is found amidst the ruins. Evan joins the inquiries that lead him and others to England and France in a quest to uncover a clever killer.The fourth installment of the Constable Evans mysteries is as good as the previous three novels. EVAN AND ELLE showcases the beauty, culture, and politics of a small Welsh village. The numerous subplots merge into the main story line in an expeditious way that demonstrates the abilities of Rhys Bowen to take his audience on several sidebars that add depth to the tale. Fans of police procedurals in exotic locales will enjoy this charming novel and the other colorful books in this warm series.Harriet Klausner