---
product_id: 99277780
title: "Bruno, Chief of Police: A Mystery of the French Countryside (Bruno Chief Of Police Book 1)"
price: "20874CFA"
currency: XOF
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.sn/products/99277780-bruno-chief-of-police-a-mystery-of-the-french-countryside
store_origin: SN
region: Senegal
---

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

**Price:** 20874CFA
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- **What is this?** Bruno, Chief of Police: A Mystery of the French Countryside (Bruno Chief Of Police Book 1)
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## Description

The first installment in the delightful, internationally acclaimed series featuring Chief of Police Bruno. Meet Benoît Courrèges, aka Bruno, a policeman in a small village in the South of France. He’s a former soldier who has embraced the pleasures and slow rhythms of country life. He has a gun but never wears it; he has the power to arrest but never uses it. But then the murder of an elderly North African who fought in the French army changes all that. Now Bruno must balance his beloved routines—living in his restored shepherd’s cottage, shopping at the local market, drinking wine, strolling the countryside—with a politically delicate investigation. He’s paired with a young policewoman from Paris and the two suspect anti-immigrant militants. As they learn more about the dead man’s past, Bruno’s suspicions turn toward a more complex motive. "Enjoyable.... Martin Walker plots with the same finesse with which Bruno can whip up a truffle omelette, and both have a clear appreciation for a life tied to the land." — The Christian Science Monitor "A nice literary pairing with the slow-food movement.... [It is] lovely...to linger at the table." — Entertainment Weekly "A wonderfully crafted novel as satisfying as a French pastry but with none of the guilt or calories." — Tuscon Citizen's Journal

Review: Bruno is the sort of police chief we'd all love to have in our towns. - 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.
Review: Engaging and informative - 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.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #21,279 in Kindle Store ( See Top 100 in Kindle Store ) #76 in Cozy Culinary Mysteries #80 in Cozy Culinary Mystery #157 in International Mystery & Crime (Kindle Store) |

## Images

![Bruno, Chief of Police: A Mystery of the French Countryside (Bruno Chief Of Police Book 1) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91K3L4Bfd-L.jpg)

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bruno is the sort of police chief we'd all love to have in our towns.
*by C***E on August 2, 2011*

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.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Engaging and informative
*by D***N on March 9, 2014*

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.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Delightful Journey into Mystery and French Charm: Review of 'Bruno, Chief of Police
*by C***N on December 26, 2023*

"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.

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*Product available on Desertcart Senegal*
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*Last updated: 2026-10-13*