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ivygsr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
8797999's review against another edition
5.0
I have to say I thought this was a superb read for 99% of it.....
It was up until Bruno McClane came into the picture a 10/10 book. But the very ending seemed out of place to me, and a bit silly, I think the scene could be a love or hate it one.
I guessed the big reveal and the twist, it was very enjoyable and i do look forward to the next book in the series to see what happens regarding the consequences of the ending.
I would still give this 5/5, it was thoroughly enjoyable and had everything I enjoy in a good procedural.
It was up until Bruno McClane came into the picture a 10/10 book. But the very ending seemed out of place to me, and a bit silly, I think the scene could be a love or hate it one.
I guessed the big reveal and the twist, it was very enjoyable and i do look forward to the next book in the series to see what happens regarding the consequences of the ending.
I would still give this 5/5, it was thoroughly enjoyable and had everything I enjoy in a good procedural.
balthazarlawson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
There is a lot happening in St Denis keeping Bruno, chief of police, busy. There is a new magistrate, animal liberation activists letting ducks and geese free to wander, a body found at an archaeological site and a high level ministerial meeting taking place that may be the target of a terrorist attack by ETA. Bruno has to weave his magic to smooth the path through all the troubles and come out on top. Except for his trouble love life, nothing seems to go right.
There is a lot of things happening but it all makes for a very enjoyable read. The characters are likeable and life in a small France village seems ideal. But there is also danger and history always seems to come back and bite you. But this just makes things even better.
Great read.
There is a lot of things happening but it all makes for a very enjoyable read. The characters are likeable and life in a small France village seems ideal. But there is also danger and history always seems to come back and bite you. But this just makes things even better.
Great read.
markopdx's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
writer595's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
camartin1015's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
So far, this is my favorite of the Bruno, Chief of Police books, which I've been absolutely devouring since I finished the first book earlier this year. We meet our lovable Bruno as he begins addressing an anti-fois gras/animal abuse attack on one of the local farmers. . .only for him to becoming "seconded" to the ever-present Brigadier to help with security for a massive announcement on anti-terrorist collaboration with Spain. JJ and Isabelle are back, too, and we continue to see Bruno and Isabelle's will-they-won't-they relationship build and fizzle. The ending of this book was incredibly upsetting to me (see content warnings) but also more satisfying than a couple of the previous book's endings.
Because I've visited the Basque region, I was excited to see a plot that brought in some of that history. I really appreciate how Walker weaves in historical events with the small-town life.
Because I've visited the Basque region, I was excited to see a plot that brought in some of that history. I really appreciate how Walker weaves in historical events with the small-town life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
The belovedromanici's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. Loved it. Must read in print; it adds so much.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
2.0
At the site of a ground-breaking archaeological find, a more recent burial is discovered. With an important summit being held in the region, authorities are on the look-out for Basque separatists all the while trying to protect the local foie gras farms from animal activist attacks.
You would think that either Basque separatists or archaeology would provide a fascinating vehicle for a crime novel. However even the dead body takes a back-seat to the foie gras industry. The first 60 odd pages are practically an advertisement for something a lot of non-French people disagree with. Now I'm happy to be re-educated and am aware of ethical foie gras production outside of France but the author has a bit of a well-meaning slip-up when trying to defend it. I quote “the force-feeding of the birds, was also a natural process”.
The word “force” in itself implies the process is not natural. The fatty liver condition that gives us foie gras does indeed occur in the wild when certain species of ducks and geese fatten themselves up for winter. A visit to a local duck pond will demonstrate the birds' fondness for food that isn't healthy for them and I'm sure these foie gras farms could invite local children armed with bags of stale bread on a daily basis and get the same effect as sticking a funnel down the birds' necks.
This disagreement wouldn't have been so much of the issue if Bruno had spent more time investigating that dead body or securing the town for the impending summit. He's only a local policeman, employed by the mayor rather than the gendarme who are the military police of France, so I can understand his job isn't to run murder investigations. If he hadn't have spent so much time eating foie gras that he shouldn't have been able to afford, I might have felt it was part of his job. Instead it came across as indulgent preaching.
Read if you like foie gras or don't mind that being the premise for the story. It's an easy read and I wanted to like Bruno but I just felt a bit let down. I did quite like his dog, Gigi the basset hound.
This is the fourth novel in the Bruno, Chief of Police series by journalist and foodie, Martin Walker.
You would think that either Basque separatists or archaeology would provide a fascinating vehicle for a crime novel. However even the dead body takes a back-seat to the foie gras industry. The first 60 odd pages are practically an advertisement for something a lot of non-French people disagree with. Now I'm happy to be re-educated and am aware of ethical foie gras production outside of France but the author has a bit of a well-meaning slip-up when trying to defend it. I quote “the force-feeding of the birds, was also a natural process”.
The word “force” in itself implies the process is not natural. The fatty liver condition that gives us foie gras does indeed occur in the wild when certain species of ducks and geese fatten themselves up for winter. A visit to a local duck pond will demonstrate the birds' fondness for food that isn't healthy for them and I'm sure these foie gras farms could invite local children armed with bags of stale bread on a daily basis and get the same effect as sticking a funnel down the birds' necks.
This disagreement wouldn't have been so much of the issue if Bruno had spent more time investigating that dead body or securing the town for the impending summit. He's only a local policeman, employed by the mayor rather than the gendarme who are the military police of France, so I can understand his job isn't to run murder investigations. If he hadn't have spent so much time eating foie gras that he shouldn't have been able to afford, I might have felt it was part of his job. Instead it came across as indulgent preaching.
Read if you like foie gras or don't mind that being the premise for the story. It's an easy read and I wanted to like Bruno but I just felt a bit let down. I did quite like his dog, Gigi the basset hound.
This is the fourth novel in the Bruno, Chief of Police series by journalist and foodie, Martin Walker.
nuthatch's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series even though I disagree with Bruno on some animal rights issues. This one left me with a lot of questions about Bruno's love interests.