Martin Walker books

 Book Bub found me another interesting police procedural, this one set in bucolic southwest France. The author, a Scotsman who worked for The Guardian and later for UPI, lives part-time in this region of France. www.brunochiefofpolice.com

Bruno, Chief of Police. Book 1. Martin Walker 

The first novel introduces Benoît (Bruno) Courrèges, chief of police in St. Denis, a fictional village in the Perigord region of France. An old man of  Algerian ethnicity is found murdered in a horrible way — gutted with a swastika cut into his body. Bruno, the mayor, and the regional police force are involved in solving the crime, which at first makes no sense since Hamid was a decorated WWII hero. Inept officials almost create a riot, but Bruno’s common sense prevails even in  the face of an “unsolved” crime. Lots of delicious food and wine descriptions along the way — good read.

The Dark Vineyard. Book 2. Martin Walker

Here's the second book in the series. Bruno is called to investigate the murder of an organic wine maker found in a vat of wine. There’s also a woman involved who had a relationship not only with the dead man but also an American representing a large wine group looking to buy acreage in the area. Oh, and there’s a GMO facility trying to make long-lasting produce. And there’s a hippie-type commune, where the dead man lived.  So many interesting characters and so many twists and turns. Another good read.

Black Diamond. Book 3. Martin Walker

This time, the plot revolves around truffle fraud and a Vietnamese/Chinese gang war. Elections will be held soon for mayor of St. Denis, and Bruno’s friend may be ousted. At the same time, Bruno gets a call about checking out the truffle market nearby. And a Vietnamese family is burgled, and the break-in looks racially motivated.  Then a good hunting friend is murdered in a gruesome way, and Bruno discovers that his friend was heavily involved with an intelligence agency in Indochine — now Vietnam. Of course, all these seemingly disparate threads are totally connected.

The Crowded Grave. Book 4. Martin Walker

Another entertaining entry in the Bruno books, this one about archeological digs, Basque separatists, animal activists targeting foie gras, and murder, of course. A meeting between French and Spanish politicians is planned in the area, and Bruno must help set up security for the event. There’s also vandalism related to the production of foie gras, a staple of the area. Plus, an important archeological discovery comes with a body wearing a watch. More French food and wine make this book another delectable mix in the Bruno series.

The Devil’s Cave. Book 5. Martin Walker

Bruno finds himself embroiled in what looks like some sort of Satanic cult when a naked woman is found in a boat drifting down a river, and then one of the ancient caves, called The Devil’s Cave, is the site of vandalism that looks Satanic. There’s also a really important real estate deal in the final stages of preparation, but Bruno is troubled by the lack of information about the company heading the project. Another fun read filled with murder, mayhem, and good food & wine.

The Resistance Man. Book 6. Martin Walker

This episode finds Bruno trying to sort out a series of robberies targeting antiques, paintings, and fine

wines. There’s also a murder, which is somehow connected with the robberies. Muddying the waters

is political chaos a number of levels above him, which affects Bruno’s ability to get answers about

how to proceed in his cases. And there’s a funeral to plan for a resistance hero, whose obsession

with an infamous train robbery ties into the other strands of the plot. So much fun!

The Children Return. Book 7. Martin Walker

Bruno discovers that two Jewish children were hidden somewhere in St. Denis during WWII

because after their deaths, it's discovered that their wills bequeath an interesting legacy to the

village. In another subplot, an autistic man who grew up in the village and spent time in Afghanistan

plans to return home after being declared missing. Is he an abused person or a bomb-making

terrorist? Bruno will find out for sure.

The Patriarch. Book 8. Martin Walker

WW II pilot Marco Desaix (aka The Patriarch) is hosting a birthday party, and Bruno is a guest.

However, the murder of a friend of Marco’s causes Bruno to examine the Patriarch’s friends and

family to find the killer. There’s also a possible connection to Russia and the Cold War. And

there’s also the attractive Madeleine, the Patriarch’s daughter-in-law, to add to the intrigue.

Fatal Pursuit. Book 9. Martin Walker 

If you are a fan of classic Bugattis, here’s a fun read with Bruno as the replacement navigator in

St. Denis’s first classic car race. Of course, there’s also a murder and a WW II connection due

to a legend about a lost Bugatti. More, food, wine, and crime-solving occur.

The Templars’ Last Secret. Book 10. Martin Walker

Of course there’s a supposed former Knights of Templar bastion located somewhere in the Perigord

region, and of course there’s a murder near said bastion. The victim was an archeologist searching

for an important artifact possibly linked to the Knights. And there’s a new female in the mix, a

woman assigned by the French government to accompany a local policeman for a week to get

a sense of what the job entails. Rather than being an annoyance, she becomes an integral part of

Bruno’s investigation. Oh, and she can sing like an angel! Guess who will be tapping her for an

upcoming festival in St Denis!

A Taste for Vengeance. Book 11. Martin Walker 

At the same time that a cooking student goes missing on her way to a St. Denis cooking week, a girl

on the St. Denis rugby team has a really good shot at being named to the French National

Rugby Team. When the missing student, the wife of a retired British general, is found dead along

with a mysterious Irish man in a nearby village, Bruno must navigate the treacherous waters of

various government agencies. And the rugby star is — gasp — pregnant, yet another issue with

which Bruno must deal.

The Body in the Castle Well. Book 12. Martin Walker 

This entry book in the series finds — a body in a well. Well, actually a body and a cat — at first, it

looks like an accident, but the coroner finds evidence of foul play, so Bruno’s mission is to find the killer. 

The victim was studying Renaissance art with a well-known art historian, a wheelchair-bound scholar

who is also famous for the sale of validated paintings of the era. However, these paintings may be

linked to stolen art from WWII. And there’s also an ex-con who now raises falcons as part of the mix. 

Another fun mystery set in beautiful Perigord.

The Shooting at Chateau Rock. Book 13. Martin Walker

This novel involves a disinherited family, an aging rock star, and a posh retirement home perhaps

funded by a Russian oligarch. As Bruno investigates the reason for a sheep farmer’s disinheriting

his children, he discovers a link between the expensive retirement home the old man plans to move

to and an insurance policy. When the man dies, Bruno must determine whether his death is a

murder. And then the Russian’s daughter shows up and takes an interest in an aging rock star’s

son. More wine, food, and complications ensue.

The Coldest Case. Book 14. Martin Walker

The most recent entry in the Bruno series, this novel centers around the art of 3D facial reconstruction

to age and identify; it also deals with the threat of wildfires brought about by drought. Facial

reconstruction involving a cold case comes as a result of Bruno’s visiting an exhibit about the

technique being used on ancient skulls. As he digs into the old case, the East German Staasi

becomes an interesting part of the puzzle.  The plot twists and turns in between deliciously

described meals and wine. Always fun.