Bruno, Chief of Police: A Mystery of the French Countryside (Bruno Chief Of Police Book 1)

First Line: On a bright May morning, so early that the last of the mist was still lingering low over a bend in the Vézère River, a white van drew to a halt on the ridge that overlooked the small French town. After a horrifying stint with the U.N. peacekeeping forces in Bosnia, Benoît Courrèges (known as Bruno) has found a home he has come to love very much-- the small village of St. Denis in the Périgord region of southwestern France. There with the help of his friends and his own two hands, he has built a home, and there he knows everyone, and everyone knows him. The mayor of St. Denis also likes and respects Bruno and works with him for the good of the village. Bruno has a gun, but doesn't wear it. He has the power to arrest, but doesn't use it. Instead, he uses his common sense, his knowledge of the people and the area, and his powers of observation to do his job well. When an elderly North African who fought in the French army is brutally murdered, the sensitive issues of immigration and religion are raised and threaten to tear the village apart. The larger police agencies move in to take command, Paris sends in a hotshot to oversee everything, and Bruno finds that he's going to need every molecule of his ability to see justice done with the minimum amount of damage. Was the old man murdered by Fascist militants... or is there a deeper, more complex motive? Almost from the opening paragraph, I fell into the embrace of this book. I seldom use the word "charming" because when many other people do, it sounds twee. However, in the case of Bruno, Chief of Police, charming is the only word that fits, and there's nothing derogatory about my usage. The village of St. Denis and its people are so lovingly and meticulously drawn that they came to life as I read. Food played an important role throughout, and Walker described it so well that I often found myself becoming hungry. In the first few chapters of the book, the action centers on how Bruno and the village work together to escape the clutches of the fine-happy European Union officials who constantly roam the country to ensure that all the hygiene rules are being followed to the letter. This leads to many comic scenes that made me laugh. However, when the old man's murder is discovered, the mood turns serious. France's troubles with increasingly large numbers of Muslim immigrants are well known, and Walker depicts this with honesty and sensitivity. Throughout the book, Bruno's character is revealed layer by layer-- and what a marvelous character he is! He willingly gives up control to the larger law enforcement agencies, but they all soon learn that his knowledge of the area and its inhabitants are invaluable. Many times in the mysteries I've read, mayors seem to be a universal target of ridicule and scorn; people who've obtained their positions for the power and prestige and what those two P's can do for them. It was very refreshing to have a mayor play a major role in a book who was intelligent, honest, just, and kind-- and who used his position for the betterment of his community. Did I know the identity of the murderer before it was revealed? No, and when it was revealed, it was a "head slapper" for me because Walker had planted several clues all along the way. I was too immersed in the village and its inhabitants to see them for what they were. Will I be visiting Bruno and St. Denis again? Just try to stop me! This is one of the most enjoyable reads I've had so far this year.

This was not a fast paced thriller that kept me up late wondering what was next. But, it was a pleasant, well-thought out mystery that introduced me to a new police officer and a part of the world I would like to know better. The Chief of Police (Bruno) is an intelligent man, happy with his life and himself. After finishing this story, I can see why. The plot is interesting, starting with a brutal murder and potentially unpleasant political ramifications for a small town police officer. The author (Walker) blends drug deals, WWII mysteries, and immigration problems into the story, but does it in such a way that rather than depressing the reader, he brings us hope. When an arab immigrant is found murdered, with a swastika sliced into his chest, national police move into Bruno's town to take over the investigation. As the country begins to divide over right wing radicals and arab immigrants - the small country town (while reflecting some of the national divisive issues) pulls together and protects all the citizens of the community. Bruno works with the national police, but also uses his strong local knowledge to find the clues, and solutions to this grisly murder in time to end an ugly political situation. While helping to solve the mystery, Bruno introduces us to a country life, french cuisine, and a likable community of people who share a common love of sports, country life, and their country. Some reviewers have commented that the book is too light and focuses too much on day to day life in a small town. I didn't find this to be true. The author introduces us to a rural disdain for rules created in Belgium (EU law) that don't translate well into rural community life; a real issue for people who live in a rural setting and are "controlled" by lawmakers too far removed in life and culture to understand the impact of the laws they make. The ultimate plot digs into law versus justice, and handles the conflict better than many philosophical tomes discussing the divide between the two. That said, it is still a pleasant book, with a good plot, well-developed characters - and an insight into french country living. I liked the town, the people, found the mystery interesting (with a few twists to keep me guessing), and learned a little something about a different part of the world. That's more than enough to make me say "buy this book", and to convince me to buy more books written by Martin Walker.

"Bruno, Chief of Police" by Martin Walker is an absolute delight, a rare gem in mystery and crime fiction. Set in the picturesque village of St. Denis in the Dordogne region of France, the novel introduces us to Bruno, the only policeman in town. Bruno is a character who wins hearts effortlessly, embodying a blend of warmth, wisdom, and a keen sense of justice. Walker masterfully brings the French countryside to life, painting vivid images of the landscape, the mouth-watering cuisine, and the rich culture. The setting is not just a backdrop but a vital character in the story, adding depth and charm. The plot of the book is engaging and well-crafted. It's a satisfying blend of a classic whodunit with modern twists, keeping the reader guessing until the end. The pacing is perfect, ensuring the story is engaging without overwhelming. The mystery is intriguing, woven with local politics, love, and tradition strands. One of the most appealing aspects of "Bruno, Chief of Police" is its cast of characters. They are wonderfully fleshed out, each with their quirks and stories, contributing to the tapestry of village life. Bruno, in particular, is a protagonist who is easy to root for – a compassionate and astute policeman who values the community over bureaucracy. Walker's writing style is fluid and evocative. He has a knack for crafting beautiful and functional sentences, propelling the story forward while allowing the reader to savor the moment. His descriptions of French cuisine and traditions are delightful, making one yearn to visit the Dordogne. In conclusion, "Bruno, Chief of Police" is not just a mystery novel; it's a journey into the heart of the French countryside, led by a charming and intelligent protagonist. It's a book that offers comfort and excitement, a rare combination that makes this novel a must-read. Whether you're a fan of mysteries or simply in love with France, this book is a perfect escape into a world you wish to visit.

It only takes a chapter or so of "Bruno, Chief of Police" to understand that author Martin Walker has written as much a loving chronicle of life in a small French town as a murder mystery. The story's protagonist, Benoit Courreges aka Bruno, is, as written, a kind of renaissance man who has found the perfect life in St. Denis, a picturesque town in the beautiful Dordogne/Perigord region of France. Bruno is a manly guy, who stars on the rugby field, but also makes the best omelet in the neighborhood. He charms old ladies and titillates young ones. He's also a good cop, who knows his beat and thinks logically when the criminal investigations get rolling. In this introductory novel, a brutal murder takes place near St. Denis. The body of an elderly Algerian/Frenchman with well-respected family living nearby is found by his grandson with a swastika carved into his chest. Suspicion immediately falls on the right wing Front National members living in the region. But the case quickly becomes more complicated as the investigation broadens. The story line is greatly strengthened by some impressive historic research that the author has brought in as background, and it moves to a convincing denouement using that background. This is a very good mystery--author Walker is a very experienced writer, and it shows in the language, characters and flow of "Bruno..." But the best thing about the book is the beautifully rendered context for the tale. Walker clearly knows a great deal about France, French politics, social and cultural institutions, and cuisine. Beyond that, he is transparently in love with French rural living and that feeling is nicely conveyed in the book. Also amonth the many noteworthy vignettes, gems of information and commentary embedded in the story, is a plausible theory of why English cooking is generally so bad. But even while the author provides a historic rationale for the shortcoming, he can't help but have protagonist Bruno shoot some holes in the theory as a proper French food chauvinist. A thoroughly agreeable read. And try, "The Dark Vineyard", the second Bruno novel. Slightly more focus on the crime and procedurals, but still lots of evocative commentary about the social and cultural side of French village living.

3 stars, not my favorite. Reasons: • A cast of 65+ characters, many of whom were inconsequential to this specific mystery in Book #1. Perhaps the author, Martin Walker, is laying the groundwork for the remainder of the series with 19 books as of January 2026. He’s listing all of the people in St. Denis which seems like a lovely French town. • Way too much French. I don’t enjoy a book when I must look up French words all over the place. No glossary, no parenthesis. Frustrating. • Three French police entities: the local police, the Gendarmes and the National Police. It was overwhelming to me. I did like Bruno and it was an interesting piece of French history (Algiers) that I knew nothing about. Decent book, just not my cup of tea.

This is a great series and brings the Perigord area of France into perfect focus. The Characters are authentic and very believable and the hero's way of going about solving the mysteries is great. The people you run into are from the top to the bottom of society and thus you get to see life and its possibilities from all directions. The people and situations they get themselves into are realistic. You will want to visit this area of France and see it up close. Food and the making of food is a special treat in this book and the author has put out his own cookbook so you can try your hand at making the recipes if you can get get the ingredients (Living in a big city will help). The hero's fellow police officers are believable and have all the good things and bad things about real human beings. These are hard books to put down and I have sorrowfully read them all and hope the author will write many more. My favorite mystery series are Joe Pickett by CJ Box, Jesse Stone by Robert Parker, Books about Maine by Paul Dorion and a few other series set in Chianti/Tuscany by various authors. I also love Virgil Flowers books by John Sanford. YOU WON'T BE SORRY YOU START BUYING THESE BOOKS.

Excellent plot and plenty of new things to learn about French history, wine, and food. So much fun! Thank you, Martin Walker!

Benoit Courreges, known to everyone as Bruno, is the chief of police in the small village of St. Denis in the Dordogne region of southwestern France. He's a unique kind of policeman. He has a gun but he keeps it locked away. He makes every possible effort not to arrest people, preferring reasoning with them and sometimes turning a blind eye to minor infringements. His main challenge as a policeman seems to be protecting the vendors at the village market from the EU health and safety inspectors who are charged with ensuring that regulations are followed and who are authorized to hand out fines to those who attempt to circumvent the rules. Bruno is an orphan who found his calling as a soldier serving with United Nations forces in Bosnia. Coming home, he had a mentor in one of his former commanders in Bosnia and through the efforts of that man, now the mayor of the town, Bruno became chief of police and found a sense of family at last in the people of his village. He is completely devoted to them and to the welfare of his community. That community includes some Arabs, descendants of immigrants from North Africa. One particular family is well-known and highly esteemed by the close-knit citizenry. The village is rocked when the patriarch of that family, a man who was considered a war hero who had won the Croix de Guerre for his services in Vietnam, is brutally murdered, with a swastika carved on his chest. The murder brings to the fore hidden racial and cultural resentments and threatens to rip apart the unity and the easy-going rhythms that have long marked life in this community. The national police are charged with the investigation of the crime, but Bruno, as the local expert, is attached to the team of investigators. It soon develops that the roots of the crime reach far back to World War II days and the role that the French Resistance played. It seems that the victim may not have always been the hero that his family believed him to be. The writer was able to seamlessly weave in details of the World War II experience in the French countryside which helped to make the story more realistic. Throughout the investigation, Bruno continues his daily interaction with all the locals, the friends and neighbors who are a part of his circle. We get to know them all as they meet at the market, play tennis or rugby, visit the local caves which contain prehistoric paintings, and especially as they share meals. And what fabulous meals! Food is an integral part of this story. Well, it is France, isn't it? This is the first in a series. I learned about it through one of my blogger buddies, Snap of Tales from Twisty Lane. It's a favorite of hers and since I have found that she and I often agree on reading material, I was interested to give it a try. I'm glad I did. It is well-written, humanistic in philosophy, and the characters are believable and thoroughly likable. It actually reminded me somewhat of Alexander McCall Smith's Botswana series featuring Precious Ramotswe. Moreover, I thought the plot and the pacing of the story were deftly done and, even though the story moved at the pace of country life and there was not a lot of action, it was sufficient to keep the reader interested and turning the pages to see what Bruno would do next. I particularly enjoyed the writer's vivid descriptions of what must be a truly beautiful region. It is obviously a place that he knows well and loves, and I look forward to learning more about it in future books in the series.

I had only read one of this series before and it was a much later one but I enjoyed it; very well written and informative as well as a good yarn. I'm glad I bought this. It was easy to do - and I shall probably re-read it more than once.

Martin Walker’s Chief Inspector Bruno series is a wonderful discovery for me, offering a charming escape into rural France before the overwhelming presence of social media. The beautiful Dordogne setting, with its villages, vineyards, scenery, local cuisine, and strong sense of community, almost becomes a character of its own. I especially enjoyed the way Walker weaves in the memories of the Second World War, the Occupation, and the Resistance, adding historical depth to these gentle mysteries. Bruno is a wonderfully grounded character — a thoughtful policeman who values relationships, tradition, good food, and the simple pleasures of life. I look forward to reading my way through the entire series, at least until the day the charm finally begins to fade!

I enjoyed this book. The setting is contemporary, looking at the effects on France of the European Union, and the rising tide of racism. The author's empathetic approach, and the minute details make it worthwhile. As a murder mystery, it holds one's interest. Not so keen on all the meat-based food in it, though; it seems outdated.

good local content

A wonderful glimpse of French country life. Almost as good as a visit. Interesting believable characters. Deals with today’s issues through application of old world values, yet, in no sense, naive. .Thoroughly enjoyable.