Murder In Dordogne (Robbie Cutler Diplomatic Mysteries Book 3)

This is the third novel in the Robbie Cutler Diplomatic Mystery series. In “Vintage Murder,” Robbie Cutler, American Consul at Bordeaux, France, uncovers a blackmail plot against the great wine property owners. His girl friend Sylvie Marceau helps him in the investigation, which takes them throughout the famous wine country, and also to Lascaux, Montségur, and Biarritz. The visit by a United States Senator, in line for the vice presidential nomination, triggers an assassination attempt. In “Murder On The Danube,” Robbie is reassigned to the American Embassy in Budapest, where a murderer tries to prevent the truth from emerging about a small group of Freedom Fighters in the revolution against the Soviet Union. He and Sylvie become engaged during a trip to Prague, just before the Russian Mafia appears with other plans for the diplomatic couple.

In “Murder In Dordogne,” Diplomat Robbie Cutler and Sylvie are newlyweds, on their honeymoon in the scenic Dordogne region of southwestern France. The scenery and good food were expected—the murders were not!
They discover the Château de Rastignac, the French White House, and its secrets. It was in this historic château that the French owners tried to hide priceless Impressionist paintings by Van Gogh and Cezanne from the Nazis during World War Two. But the paintings disappeared, and have not been seen since that time.
The Cutler honeymoon is abruptly interrupted by the discovery of a murder victim, a young woman who served with the French Resistance, the fiancée of Robbie’s Uncle Seth Cutler, an intelligence operative during the war. Solving the mystery of her death—and the possible fate of the missing paintings—takes some sleuthing through Resistance history.
They explore the French Resistance, how it worked, how couriers and radio operators were supplied from London, and then, the groups on the ground were joined by Jedburgh teams from the American, British and French armed forces, as the resistance groups harrassed the Nazi forces, to prevent them from reaching the Normandy beachhead. Robbie solves the sinuous mystery, with the help of survivors from the period – on both sides.
But there is a further surprise in store. The Cutlers discover that the dangers they sense are not all history, when a vicious killer tries to murder the newlyweds. There is a new motive for murder. And then it is a race against time, before the killer strikes once again.
Here’s an early 5 Star Review: “A well written page turner mystery revolves around factual history of WWII Vichy and French Resistance with an up to date discovery of a past crime along with a picturesque mosaic of SW France yesterday and today. Characters are unique, interesting and believable. Writing flows and weaves history and fiction seamlessly. Exciting twists!”