The Orchid Shroud [Paperback]

French Canadian interior designer Mara Dunn and orchidologist Julian Wood are back in another complex and multifaceted mystery that involves mysterious orchids, legendary werewolves, and feuding branches of an ancient French aristocratic family. Author Michelle Wan once again immerses the reader in bucolic landscape of the Dordogne region of France, its quaint villages, serene farms and flourishing wineries.

While employed to renovate the upper floor of Chistophe de Bonford's Aurillac Manor, Mara and her workmen stumble upon a human baby, preserved for a hundred years by the cold, airless environment of wall and swaddled in a covering of faded blue silk. Its arms are outside the covering and crossed upon its [...], clutching a rosary as if suspended in prayer.

Chistophe de Bonford is appalled at the discovery, mainly because he is about to publish a glorious family history. With a dead baby turning up to be explained, the scandal is no doubt going to rock Chistophe's world and severely tarnish the reputation of his ancient, aristocratic family.

Nicknamed named "Baby Blue," Mara - with the help of Julian is determined to unravel the mystery of who the child actually is. Most strange is that the baby seemed to have been smothered with unnecessary violence. But the biggest surprise is that an image of Julian's elusive Lady Slipper orchid; a flower of the most sinister beauty, the orchid that Bedie, Mara's sister had photographed before she was killed, has been intricately woven into the baby's silk covering.

The discovery astounds Julian, proving yet again that the orchid at one time grew in the surrounding area. Enthused by the discovery, the two amateur sleuths start to unravel the mystery of the baffling orchid and the arcane flesh of the de Bonfords. As the clues gradually disentangle, Mara and Julian discover the brittle bones of old money that embody this house, and learn of the stiffened sinews of class and privilege date back centuries.

In an effort to lean more, Mara turns to historian-genealogist Jean-Claude Fournier who helped Chistophe with the research for his book. But Jean-Claude is also not all that he seems, and when he turns up murdered, the poor Mara becomes the prime suspect. Things become even more frenetic when a sanglier-baiter is killed and half eaten by some kind of wild animal. Perhaps it was a dog, or a wolf or as some would have it, a loup-garou, a legendary werewolf that has reportedly lived in the valley for centuries.

Again, Wan has meticulously researched her novel, not just the complex discipline of orchidology, but also the science of lycanthropy, a rare disease in which individuals exhibit the bizarre behaviour of werewolves. Although, at times the novel is a bit too heavily plotted, the story is always engaging and the tension is effectively maintained throughout. And the descriptions of the beautiful and varied landscape of southwestern France are always a delight.

Mara ultimately finds herself framed for Jean-Claude's murder, Chistophe goes into hiding, and then there are the rumors of the return of the Sigoulane Beast, the legendary werewolf that allegedly terrorized the area during the 1700's and 1800's. Julian and Mara are certain all the nefarious doings are all somehow linked to the de Bonford family; with their history mired in extra-marital affairs, incest and sordid family secrets stretching all the way back to the 1770's, where "all legends have their roots in the reality of a people." Mike Leonard September 06.

Mara, Julian and their friends return in Wan's sequel to Deadly Slipper.

Mara, a Canadian who has been living in the Dordogne region for the past 19 years, is an interior decorator. Julian is a landscaper who also studies and collects orchids. They first met in Deadly Slipper and are now in a relationship (although it's going through a rocky patch).

Mara is overseeing renovations for Christophe de Bonfond's manor. When the workers tear down a wall, they discover a body. The murdered infant was wrapped in a blue shawl. Mara wants to know who would do such a horrific thing. Julian becomes interested in the mystery because the baby's shawl is embroidered with an orchid. He realizes that this is the elusive Slipper Orchid he tried to find in Deadly Slipper. If he can find out who made the baby's shawl, perhaps he'll discover where the Slipper Orchid was grown. Interviews with jealous cousins, diary entries and flashbacks to the past reveal that the de Bonfond family has a few skeletons in their closets. Will the baby's identity be revealed?

There is also something savage hunting in the valley. A hunter's body, mutilated chickens and slaughtered lambs have been discovered. Is it a pack of wolves, a feral dog, or, as some whisper, the return of a werewolf?

I really enjoyed the pacing and plot of this book. Wan has created some great quirky characters, and she has a good ear for dialogue. Her dry sense of humor made me laugh, "Pierre shouted to no one in particular, revealing a wet, purple expanse of gums that Julian, despite his dislike of the man, found momentarily fascinating." (p.76).

This book is also a treat for the senses, whether I was reading about the picturesque surroundings or the meals that the characters enjoy. This does not distract from the main mystery, it helped build the tension. I knew that the characters were enjoying normal moments not realizing that soon something bad was going to happen.

Whether you want to solve the mystery or just sit back and enjoy a well-written story,

The Orchid Shroud is highly recommended!

Armchair Interviews says: Strange things are happening in southwestern France.

I liked this book much more than I thought I would, particularly the protagonist Mara. The Reed review at the top of the page is correct that there seem to be dozens of plot points - orchids, historic renovation, genealogy, French cuisine, lycanthropy, wine making, landscaping, oh and the dead baby in the wall. Some threads went nowhere, but each was so firmly placed in the context of the character's lives it didn't bother me. My only quibble was the historical perspective. It didn't add anything and could have been dropped rather than so haphazardly used. Overall, I enjoyed the characters, their development and their stumble to a conclusion. I'll look for Wan's other books.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 4 reviews  4.2 out of 5 stars