BEYOND ALL SUSPICION | Enquêtes criminelles | W9

It’s Easter Sunday, April 16 2006 in Ladoix-Serrigny, a village of 1,800 in Burgundy. And it’s the day the lifeless body of a 79 year-old woman is discovered in her home at the foot of the stairs. It’s clear that this was no accidental fall. The retired woman had been beaten violently about the face. The investigation proves difficult, because the victim, Marcelle Bouvard, was very much liked in the area. She was the widow of the former mayor of the village. She had no known enemies. At first, the investigators are inclined to think it was a burglary, committed by a prowler. In fact, the victim’s house is isolated and her car was found several days later totally burnt out. However, this theory is soon abandoned since nothing was stolen from the old lady’s house. There’s only one theory left: that of a family crime because Marcelle was at the head of a small fortune: property, several vineyards and a large, healthy bank account. It’s time to question all the members of the family. Perhaps one of them wanted to bring forward the payment of the inheritance…