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vtb's review against another edition
4.0
Learned a lot about French modern history and everyday culture. Will continue series.
shaiguy333's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
3.0
Set in a small town in southern France, this is the first book in the Bruno, Chief of Police series. Bachelor police chief Bruno's seemingly serene life St. Denis is shattered when one of the town's residents -- an elderly Algerian who fought for the French Army during World War II -- is brutally murdered. When it appears that there may be a tie to the National Front (aka France's Nazi party), Paris sends in police reinforcements to mitigate the potential political fallout of the murder. The author skillfully blended small town life with a lesser known aspect of French and North African history and real issues facing French society today. Bruno was a very likable character and one I would enjoy spending more time with in the future.
showell's review
4.0
Bruno, Chief of Police is the first in a series of mysteries set in a small town in modern-day rural France. In it, Walker introduces Benoît Courrèges, aka Bruno, a former soldier who has immersed himself in the gentle rhythms of French country life.
Bruno is an excellent cook, spends his off-hours renovating his shepherd’s cottage, and would probably be a great shot, if he could be bothered to carry his gun. Although Bruno technically has the power to arrest the citizens in his village, he would greatly prefer that events never get that far, and so has a tendency to talk things over first.
The mystery involves an elderly North African man’s murder, with roots in conflicts within the town dating back to the German occupation during WWII.
What I thought of it
The most enjoyable parts of this book for me weren’t actually the mysterious bits. Bruno conducts his investigation in a calm, almost lackadaisical, style that suits the character of his village. Even being partnered with a policewoman from the more aggressive Paris office doesn’t shake up his calm approach that much.
Walker’s deliberate pacing gives the village time to shine. The parts of the book where Walker explores what it’s like to be a small town in the rural French countryside under the European Union were the parts that I enjoyed the most.
Walker brought the characters and life of the town alive for me in a way that reminded me very much of what I love about reading Louise Penney. Both authors have a way of making their settings so vibrant that I feel as though I could book a trip tomorrow to their little towns and feel right at home.
(Want more details? See my full review at my book blog, BostonWriters.
Bruno is an excellent cook, spends his off-hours renovating his shepherd’s cottage, and would probably be a great shot, if he could be bothered to carry his gun. Although Bruno technically has the power to arrest the citizens in his village, he would greatly prefer that events never get that far, and so has a tendency to talk things over first.
The mystery involves an elderly North African man’s murder, with roots in conflicts within the town dating back to the German occupation during WWII.
What I thought of it
The most enjoyable parts of this book for me weren’t actually the mysterious bits. Bruno conducts his investigation in a calm, almost lackadaisical, style that suits the character of his village. Even being partnered with a policewoman from the more aggressive Paris office doesn’t shake up his calm approach that much.
Walker’s deliberate pacing gives the village time to shine. The parts of the book where Walker explores what it’s like to be a small town in the rural French countryside under the European Union were the parts that I enjoyed the most.
Walker brought the characters and life of the town alive for me in a way that reminded me very much of what I love about reading Louise Penney. Both authors have a way of making their settings so vibrant that I feel as though I could book a trip tomorrow to their little towns and feel right at home.
(Want more details? See my full review at my book blog, BostonWriters.
rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
Someone in my library group recommended the Bruno series to me, and so, I began with the first installment. It took me a while to get into it, all the characters confused me a bit, and the crime was complex. There was also a great deal devoted to cuisine, which I now understand is a big part of Bruno’s character.
I did enjoy the budding romance, the compassion and concern Bruno feels for his constituency, and the way the town of St. Denis takes care of its own.
Once I finished the novel, I did realize that I enjoyed the novel and will try book 2. Perhaps the series will endear itself to me as I read through it.
In this one, an elderly North African man is murdered with a swastika carved into his chest. Bruno and the inspectors have to peel back layers and research history to determine who were the murderers, and what to do when they discover the answer. Will arresting them cause the town to erupt when their motive is revealed?
#BrunoChiefofPolice #MartinWalker
I did enjoy the budding romance, the compassion and concern Bruno feels for his constituency, and the way the town of St. Denis takes care of its own.
Once I finished the novel, I did realize that I enjoyed the novel and will try book 2. Perhaps the series will endear itself to me as I read through it.
In this one, an elderly North African man is murdered with a swastika carved into his chest. Bruno and the inspectors have to peel back layers and research history to determine who were the murderers, and what to do when they discover the answer. Will arresting them cause the town to erupt when their motive is revealed?
#BrunoChiefofPolice #MartinWalker
cari1268's review against another edition
2.0
This was a book club book and not my favorite genre. I have a hard time getting invested in murder mysteries. Bruno, Chief of Police did little to change my lackluster enthusiasm about crime-centered books.
I knew from the first paragraph that Walker's writing was not for me. There was too much description. The story got bogged down in it. On the bright side, I never forgot that the story was in France and the setting was sharp in my mind.
Bruno, Chief of Police focused on three distinct areas. A third of it was about Bruno's love life, a third was about the murder and a third was about food. Walker must be a foodie because a lot of space is dedicated to descriptions of Bruno's meals.
The last little bit of the book caught my interest. I learned some things about French history that I was unaware of. I'm curious enough to read plot synopses for the following books in the series.
2 Stars.
I knew from the first paragraph that Walker's writing was not for me. There was too much description. The story got bogged down in it. On the bright side, I never forgot that the story was in France and the setting was sharp in my mind.
Bruno, Chief of Police focused on three distinct areas. A third of it was about Bruno's love life, a third was about the murder and a third was about food. Walker must be a foodie because a lot of space is dedicated to descriptions of Bruno's meals.
The last little bit of the book caught my interest. I learned some things about French history that I was unaware of. I'm curious enough to read plot synopses for the following books in the series.
2 Stars.
pattiillbee11's review
4.0
I liked this novel but not sure about the main character. I hate to say it but he's just too nice. Maybe some comic relief might help , a sidekick ? Anyway the mystery was pretty good and I learned some French history too.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
4.0
This book was just what I needed. A character driven mystery combined with french history and food. I will be reading more in this series.
mawalker1962's review
4.0
I love the history that is woven into all the books of this series. In this one, I learned more about French life under the Vichy regime, the persistence of the French Resistance, and the unscrupulous way that leaders manipulate racial divisions for their own purposes. And as always, the reminder that the past is not even past.