L'affaire Lerouge

In a tranquil village perched above the Seine, the sudden disappearance of a reclusive widow draws a chorus of anxious neighbors to the local police station. Their pleas spark a reluctant investigation that drags a weary magistrate, a handful of gendarmes, and a locksmith into the winding, stone‑walled lanes of La Jonchère. As the crowd gathers, the officers force open the modest cottage’s sealed door, revealing a scene of chaos: overturned furniture, broken locks, and a chilling silence that hints at something far more sinister than a simple accident.

The story unfolds with a meticulous eye for detail, capturing the tension between rural superstition and the emerging methods of modern policing. Through the eyes of the determined commissioner and his reluctant assistants, listeners are drawn into a puzzle of clues, whispered rumors, and the unsettling realization that a violent crime has shattered the village’s fragile peace. The opening promises a compelling blend of atmospheric suspense and early detective work that will keep you guessing at every turn.