Books by Martin Walker

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBruno, France's favourite country cop, investigates a long-buried war crime and faces a devastating flood that threatens the town he polices and the people he loves.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrance''s favourite country policeman investigates a suicide and gets involved in a tricky local issue in the latest adventure in this ever popular and bestselling mystery series.''FRENCH TOURISM SHOULD RAISE A GLASS TO WALKER''S DORDOGNE MYSTERIES'' Daily MailBruno Courr?ges is chief of police of the lovely Dordogne town of St Denis with a remit that covers the beautiful valley of the river Véz?re. One autumn morning he comes across an abandoned car parked near a local beauty spot. Inside is a dead woman, Monique, an apparent suicide resulting from depression. But there are circumstances surrounding the death that raise Bruno''s suspicions, particularly when disputes arise surrounding her Will. At the same time, Bruno makes the mistake of interfering in a local marital dispute. Deputy mayor Xavier has been playing away and finds himself evicted from the family home. Old controversies about deer culls take on new life and then a second campaign begins, stating that Bruno is less of a village copper and more of a secret policeman, whose main job is working for French intelligence. Some of the ammunition for this attack, Bruno learns, comes from Xavier, who sees this as a way to topple Bruno and the mayor and succeed to the mayor''s job himself. Suddenly Bruno''s shiny reputation is looking a little tarnished as he battles to save his name and answer the questions surrounding Monique''s suicide.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A thoroughly enjoyable book and the introduction to a great series' 5* READER REVIEWCrime fiction fans worldwide are talking about the Dordogne Mysteries. In the first book in this beloved series, read and discover why, and what dark secrets are lurking in the idyllic French town of St Denis.When an old man, head of an immigrant North African family, is found murdered, suspicion falls on the son of the local doctor, discovered playing sex games surrounded by Nazi paraphernalia.But policeman Bruno isn't convinced, and suspects the crime has its roots in that most tortured period of French history - World War 2, a time of terror and betrayal that set brother against brother. Now it's up to him to find the killer - but will the people of St Denis allow him to go digging through a past they long to forget in order to do so?'An auspicious beginning and can be recommended unreservedly' 5* READER REVIEW'The descriptions of people, the area, food and wine give a great insight to this part in France' 5* READER REVIEW'I could almost see the countryside, taste the food, appreciate the characters' 5* READER REVIEW'The book is wonderful and I have purchased the next four' 5* READER REVIEW'Whether you fancy a trip through the sleepy Dordogne or a fascinating crime story then this book is for you' 5* READER REVIEWTrade ReviewHugely enjoyable and absolutely gripping... the Maigret of the Dordogne -- Antony BeevorA satisfyingly intriguing, wish-you-were-there read * Guardian *Hugely enjoyable and absolutely gripping. Martin Walker has got off to a flying start in what promises to be a great series. Bruno will be the Maigret of the Dordogne -- Antony BeevorIt's beguiling, evocative and utterly wonderful. it also made me very hungry . . . the Alexander McCall Smith of La France Profonde -- Francis WheenThe selling point of this delightful book is its setting in the legendary France profonde . . . Walker brings to life both a complete community and the chief of police who is its protector, teacher and friend. This book's ingredients are combined as carefully as Bruno's good meals * Literary Review *Has many of the characteristics of Golden Age novels, above all the apparently remote setting which reveals its involvement in wider events. Martin Walker's Dordogne is worth a visit * Times Literary Supplement *The pleasures of life in the Dordogne, some distinctive well-rounded characters and an intriguing mystery are a winning combination . . . one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time * Telegraph *[Death on the Dordogne] may be a gentle book but it does not pull its punches. It is well-written, introducing a charming, likeable main character: a satisfying detective story; and conveying a strong love and understanding of the Dordogne region of France * Eurocrime *Deftly dark, mesmerizing, and totally engaging * French Embassy *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'BEGUILING, EVOCATIVE, WONDERFUL ... THE ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH OF FRANCE' Francis WheenIn the second mystery of this mouthwatering and bestselling series, Bruno, Chief of Police of a small rural French town, must balance local tradition and modern progress while bringing a killer to justice.Just before dawn one summer morning Bruno is summoned by the wail of the siren in the little town of St Denis in the Périgord. A fire is raging in a local barn and spreading to the surrounding fields. When Bruno arrives at the scene, the smell of petrol leaves no doubt: it was arson. The barn belongs to an agricultural research company experimenting with genetically modified crops - an unpopular move in deeply traditional St Denis.Meanwhile, a Californian producer wants to set up a wine-making business in the valley. Despite the money and jobs this would bring, many fear it would destroy their town. When a violent death follows the crop burning, it looks as though someone is prepared to do anything to stop the scheme. Bruno will have to draw on all his local knowledge to reach the truth.Trade ReviewSure to appeal to readers with a palate for mysteries with social nuance and understated charm * Wall Street Journal *The delights of [Walker's Dordogne] - from the chateaux along the rivers to the prehistoric cave paintings to the food on the tables - are very real.... Absorbing * New York Times Book Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA sumptuous French cookbook that immerses readers in the incomparable cuisine of the Périgord region, by the bestselling author of the beloved Dordogne Mysteries series, co-authored with his wife, food writer and novelist, Julia Watson.Bruno Courrèges, the protagonist of Martin Walker's internationally acclaimed mystery series, is not only the local police chief of the idyllic village of St Denis. Bruno also happens to be an impressive amateur chef, and in this delightful new cookbook, the culinary and cultural inspiration behind Bruno's fiction world comes to life. Featuring local recipes, charming anecdotes, and a history of its French setting, Bruno's Cookbook invites readers into the bucolic life of Walker and his wife, Julia, and showcases their passion for the region's rich cuisine.Brimming with truffles, pate, top quality fruit and vegetables, famed regional cheeses and wines, the Périgord is a gourmet's paradise. Bruno's Cookbook includes over 90 recipes, steeped in local flavours and prepared in Walker's large country kitchen, from Duck Breast Fillets with Honey and Mustard, Red Onion Tarte Tatin, and a classic Beef Pot Roast, to Chard Gratin (Bruno's comfort meal), Hazelnut Meringue Cake, and Homemade Blackcurrant Liqueur. Centred on the splendid institution of the village market, the recipes are organised around the people who provide the food: the fisherman, the hunter, the cheesemaker, the forager, the baker, and the winemaker.A feast for the senses, Bruno's Cookbook transports readers to France's gastronomic heartland.Trade ReviewWritten with a generous measure of culinary joie de vivre and a keen appreciation for the people and culture of Périgord, this captivating cookbook will charm fans of Walker's long-running series as well as any cook wishing to explore the bountiful riches of French country cooking * Library Journal *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTake Note for Exam Success! York Notes offer an exciting approach to English literature. This market leading series fully reflects student needs. They are packed with summaries, commentaries, exam advice, margin and textual features to offer a wider context to the text and encourage a critical analysis. York Notes, The Ultimate Literature Guides.Table of Contents - Intro – How to Study a Play, Novel, - Author Profile – Historical timeline, context with dates, author life, works , historical events.- Map/family tree/character tree- Summaries (numbered summaries for every scene)- Commentary – covering themes, characters, language analysis, style- exam questions end of each section- Answers to Checkpoints and exam questions- Exam questions with annotated model answers (D grade – B grade)- Coursework assignments/resources/top marks/advice- Key Quotations – how to use them.- Glossary/Literary terms- Timeline of events

Read more less

Book Synopsis'BRILLIANT AT CAPTURING THE MURDEROUS CHARMS OF RURAL FRANCE ' MirrorMillions of fans worldwide have discovered the world of Bruno, Chief of Police, and the lovely Perigord town that he looks after. Yet even in the depths of rural France, murder is never far away.Spanish separatists, angry local activists and a mystery corpse: Bruno has his work cut out in this exciting mystery, part of the internationally bestselling series.Life in the Dordogne isn't full of the charming peace that you might imagine. In St Denis a summit in a local château is threatened by Basque separatists, animal rights campaigners are causing havoc and it's about to get worse. A local archaeological team unearths a well-preserved skeleton. Yet it's a lot more recent than they'd hoped - boasting a Swatch on its wrist and a bullet-hole in its skull. Meanwhile, an influx of visitors makes St Denis unusually crowded, and the solution to the murder appears to lie with one of these outsiders. Bruno must think fast and keep his wits about him, especially if the answer lies a little closer to home.Trade ReviewWalker is brilliant at capturing the murderous charms of rural France ... the setting is undeniably delicious * Mirror *A satisfyingly intriguing, wish-you-were-there read * Guardian *Enchanting country mysteries [that] embody the sublime physical beauty and intractable political problems of the Dordogne * New York Times *Walker hits the sweet spot of balancing humor and drama, and his food descriptions will leave readers fantasizing about dining in the Perigord * Publishers Weekly *It's difficult not to be charmed by journalist Walker's series * Kirkus Reviews *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'ENCHANTING COUNTRY MYSTERIES THAT EMBODY THE SUBLIME PHYSICAL BEAUTY OF THE DORDOGNE' New York TimesIn this latest mouthwatering mystery starring French country cop, Bruno, the body of a woman is found outside a cave beneath the ruined Templar chateau of Commarque in the heart of the Dordogne. She died of a broken neck. An accidental fall, or was she pushed?The victim carries no identification and her fingerprints are not known to the French Police or Interpol.The only clue to the woman's identity is that her dentistry looks American, but Bruno's inquiries at local hotels and gites yield no trace of a missing foreign woman. The chateau of Commarque, begun in the 11th century, was founded by a Bishop of Sarlat and entrusted to the Knights Templar. In the rocks beneath it are caves. It is one of the few Templar sites in France that has never been associated with the fabled hidden treasure of the Templars - never until now, when a local journalist publishes a sensational story around the unknown woman's death and a centuries-old mystery looks like it might finally be solved...Trade ReviewMartin Walker tells a good story set in a region that he clearly knows and loves . . . fascinating and poignant - Crime ReviewAll the Bruno trademarks . . . the splendid Dordogne location . . . descriptions of food which leave your mouth watering . . . with the added bonus that you're not going to put the book down until you've turned the final page - The Book BagThe perfect holiday read - Shiny New BooksWalker is brilliant at capturing the murderous charms of rural France . . . the setting is undeniably delicious - Mirror

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn his latest adventure Bruno, France''s favourite country cop, investigates a long-buried war crime and faces a devastating flood that threatens the town he polices and the people he loves.''FRENCH TOURISM SHOULD RAISE A GLASS TO WALKER''S DORDOGNE MYSTERIES'' Daily MailThe long arm of history reaches into the present in Bruno''s latest case when three sets of bones are discovered, buried deep in the woods outside the Dordogne town of St Denis. It appears that the remains have lain there since World War 2. Bruno must investigate who the bones belong to and whether their burial amounts to a war crime.Bruno has other concerns too. After weeks of heavy autumn rain, the normally tranquil Dordogne river has risen to record levels, compromising the upriver dams that control the Vezere that flows through St Denis, bringing the threat of a devastating flood. As ever, Bruno must rely on his wits, tenacity and people skills to ensure tha

Read more less

Book Synopsis'RICH IN ATMOSPHERE AND PERSONALTIY ... IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO READ A BRUNO NOVEL WITHOUT GETTING HUNGRY' New York TimesBruno, Chief of Police, star of the internationally bestselling series of Dordogne Mysteries, investigates the real-life disappearance of 'the most beautiful car ever made' in this compelling case for France's favourite copThe Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic was called the most beautiful car of all time. Only four of them were ever built. A California museum paid $37 million for one; Ralph Lauren bought another; a third was smashed by a train at a level crossing. The fourth disappeared in France during World War 2. It was the car used by British racing ace, William Grover Williams, twice winner of the French and Monaco Grand Prix, who became an undercover agent in Occupied France.The latest adventure in the Bruno series of mystery novels starts from this true story. Two young men, both racing drivers with a passion for antique cars, compete to find new clues as to the car's hiding place in the Perigord region of France. When a local researcher turns up dead on Bruno's patch, and French intelligence starts investigating the use of classic car sales to launder money for funding Islamic terrorism, Bruno finds himself once more caught up in a case that reaches far beyond his small town and its people.With the bucolic charm and gourmet cooking that are the hallmarks of this series, Bruno's latest adventure finds him falling in love again as he races to find the murderer and to track down the fate of the most beautiful car ever made.Trade ReviewMartin Walker tells a good story set in a region that he clearly knows and loves . . . fascinating and poignant - Crime ReviewAll the Bruno trademarks . . . the splendid Dordogne location . . . descriptions of food which leave your mouth watering . . . with the added bonus that you're not going to put the book down until you've turned the final page - The Book BagThe perfect holiday read - Shiny New BooksThe history is as fascinating as Walker's recipes are mouthwatering, and somehow he manages to throw history, politics, food and police work into the melting pot and emerge with something entirely delicious - Crime Review

Read more less

Book SynopsisMillions of readers worldwide are talking about the Dordogne Mysteries. Discover why and join them with this gripping new read starring Bruno Chief of Police, France's favourite cop'RICH ON LOCAL COLOUR' THE TIMES'DOLLOPS OF THE GOOD LIFE IN RURAL FRANCE SPICED UP WITH INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE' IRISH INDEPENDENT'UNRIVALLED AT INTERWEAVING THE PROFESSIONAL AND PRIVATE PURSUITS OF A THOROUGHLY LIKABLE COP' DAILY MAILFollowing the funeral of a local farmer, Bruno gets a phone call from his son. He tells Bruno that before his father's sudden death, he had signed over his property to an insurance company in return for a subscription to a luxury retirement home. Bruno discovers that both the retirement home and the insurance company are scams with links to a Russian oligarch whose dealings are already being tracked by the French police. Meanwhile an aging British rock star is selling his home, Chateau Rock. The star's son returns for the summer with his Russian girlfriend. As Bruno pursues his inquiries into the farmer's death and the stolen inheritance, he learns that the oligarch is none other than the girlfriend's father. Bruno's talents are tested to the limit as he untangles a Gordian Knot of criminality that reaches as far as the Kremlin. But luckily Bruno still has time to cook delicious meals for his friends and enjoy the life of his beloved Dordogne. What's more, love is in the air. His pedigree basset, Balzac, is old enough to breed. Bruno heads for the kennels where a suitable beauty, Diane de Poitiers, is ready and waiting for Balzac's attentions...Trade ReviewA seductive and engaging read * NB Magazine *Walker is unrivalled at interweaving the professional and private pursuits of a thoroughly likeable cop * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTake Note for Exam Success! York Notes offer an exciting approach to English literature. This market leading series fully reflects student needs. They are packed with summaries, commentaries, exam advice, margin and textual features to offer a wider context to the text and encourage a critical analysis. York Notes, The Ultimate Literature Guides.Table of Contents- Intro – How to Study a Play, Novel- Author Profile – Historical timeline, context with dates, author life, works , historical events.- Map/family tree/character tree- Summaries (numbered summaries for every scene)- Commentary – covering themes, characters, language analysis, style- exam questions end of each section- Answers to Checkpoints and exam questions- Exam questions with annotated model answers (D grade – B grade)- Coursework assignments/resources/top marks/advice- Key Quotations – how to use them.- Glossary/Literary terms- Timeline of events- Other titles in the Series

Read more less

Book Synopsis'WALKER'S FINEST YET ... A FIRST-RATE MYSTERY' - Entertainment WeeklyBruno, Chief of Police, investigates when a body is found floating in the river showing marks of Satanism. France's favourite cop must track down a murderer while quelling his town's superstitious fears in this page-turning mystery, part of an internationally bestselling series.It is springtime France's Périgord, a time of beauty and calm. But not for Bruno, chief of police of the small town of St Denis. A woman's body has been found on a boat, bearing signs of a black magic ritual. Bruno has too much on his plate as it is - mediating a domestic abuse case that needs careful handling and a dodgy local development proposal that seems just too good to be true. But a murder case must take precedent and the roots of this one lie buried deep in the past - linked to a chateau above a bend in the river, to the reclusive old woman who lives there, and to the secret hidden in the Devil's Cave.Trade ReviewIf you're looking for some engaging entertainment as a beach read or for a wet afternoon then you're unlikely to go far wrong * Bookbag *The irresistible Bruno ... leaping up mountains and plunging into caves as he prevents various ingenious crimes and plots from upsetting the traditional way of life in St Denis * Literary Review *A page turning thriller ... well crafted and enjoyable * Tribune *Makes for pleasant holiday reading with its panoramic picture of life in all those Dordogne towns and hamlets * Shotsmag *The book's darker edges are balanced out by a likeable main character and Walker's obvious love for and understanding of French country life is obvious in every page * Irish Examiner *Walker's finest yet, a first-rate mystery * Entertainment Weekly *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'WALKER BRINGS TO LIFE A COMPLETE COMMUNITY AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE WHO IS ITS PROTECTOR, TEACHER AND FRIEND' - Literary ReviewIn rural Dordogne, Bruno, Chief of Police, knows that WW2 casts the longest shadow. Rare bank notes are found, linking to the famous Neuvic train robbery of 1944 in the sixth internationally-bestselling case for France's favourite cop.In the small town of St Denis, Bruno, can't get a moment's rest. Some rare bank notes have come to light that may have links to the legendary Neuvic train robbery in 1944. The investigation is fraught with issues. Bruno is also dealing with a wave of local burglaries, which have brought his old flame, Isabelle - and their complicated history - back to the town. Worse is to come. Tasked with piecing together these past crimes, Bruno now finds he has the more pressing matter of a body on his hands. He must now trace the links between past and present to restore peace in his beloved town of St Denis.

Read more less

'WILL MAKE READERS LONG FOR LAZY DAYS IN RURAL FRANCE' Irish IndependentA missing art student. An international investigation. A secret that will shatter Bruno's charming village of St Denis.A rich American art student is found dead at the bottom of a well in an ancient hilltop castle. The young woman, Claudia, had been working in the archives of an eminent French art historian, a crippled Resistance war hero, at his art-filled chateau. As Claudia's White House connections get the US Embassy and the FBI involved, Bruno traces the people and events that led to her fatal accident - or was it murder?Bruno learns that Claudia had been trying to buy the chateau and art collection of her tutor, even while her researches led her to suspect that some of his attributions may have been forged. This takes Bruno down a trail that leads him from the ruins of Berlin in 1945, to France's colonial war in Algeria.The long arm of French history has reached out to find a new victim, but can Bruno identify the killer - and prove his case?**************************************What readers are saying about The Body in the Castle Well'I loved the book and strongly recommend it' 5* Reader Review'Interesting plot, satisfying mystery to solve, accompanied by lovely descriptions of the beautiful Périgord region of France' 5* Reader Review'My favourite author' 5* Reader Review'As always, a book about Bruno is a delight' 5* Reader Review'Another gem . . . One of his very best, not just a good and clever story, but particularly rich in French history' 5* Reader Review

Read more less

Book SynopsisPREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS CHILDREN OF WAR'SO LIKEABLE IS BRUNO AND SO CONVINCING HIS MILIEU THAT I WAS DESPERATE FOR MORE ... FORMIDABLE!' Independent on SundayBruno, Chief of Police, France's favourite cop, is under pressure once again in this internationally bestselling series. He's investigating a murder - but it's one his bosses would rather he left well alone...Bruno, Chief of Police in the charming French town of St Denis, is already busy with a case when the body of an undercover French Muslim cop is found in the woods, a man who called Bruno for help only hours earlier. But Bruno's sometime boss and rival, the Brigadier, doesn't see this investigation as a priority - there are bigger issues at stake. Bruno has other ideas. Meanwhile, a Muslim youth named Sami turns up at a French army base in Afghanistan hoping to get home to St Denis. One of Bruno's old army comrades helps to smuggle Sami back to France, but the FBI aren't far behind. Then an American woman appears in St Denis with a warrant for Sami's extradition. Bruno must unravel these multiple mysteries, amidst pressure from his bosses, and find his own way to protect his town and its people.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAt the heart of French gastronomy lies the famed black truffle of the Perigord. But France's truffles are being adulterated with cheaper ones from China, and it seems that Chinese organised crime is behind the fraud. The third internationally bestselling case for Bruno, Chief of Police. In St Denis market, a Vietnamese family has been selling their dishes for years, until their stall is wrecked by attackers who look Chinese. Again it appears that organised crime is behind the outrage, firing the opening shots of a Viet-Chinese triad war. When vicious murder, illegal immigration and the importation of underage girls for prostitution are added to the mix, Bruno has his work cut out to keep St Denis from tearing itself apart.Trade ReviewSo likeable is Courreges and so convincing his milieu, that I was desperate for more Bruno as soon as Black Diamond's brisk and brutal conclusion came... C'est formidable * Independent on Sunday *There are truffles to gather and market days to attend, as well as a sumptuous funeral banquet for a murdered truffle master that surpasses any meal cooked up thus far in a series that always makes your mouth water * International Herald Tribune *Done with elegance, intelligence and a touch of steel to ensure that the books never turn into a twee portrayal of rural life * Reviewing the Evidence *Luscious rural French caper * Sunday Mirror *[T]hat the novel manages to avoid lapsing into a familiar description of sleepy provincial French life can be attributed to the broader, timely issues that the author has chosen to address: immigration, fraud and political corruption. * Times Literary Supplement *Martin Walker spins a surprising and compelling mystery, laced with charm and a deep knowledge and love of France, past and present. It is a combination that will win him many fans * Waterstones,com *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrance''s favourite country cop, Bruno, faces a dangerous threat to the town he polices and the people he protects. Loved by millions, the Dordogne Mysteries are the perfect mix of mystery and escapism.The event of the Périgord tourist season is the re-enactment of the liberation of the historic town of Sarlat from the English in 1370. But it all goes wrong when the man playing the part of the victorious French general collapses in a pool of blood.The question for chief of police Bruno is was this an accident - or deliberate? The stakes rise when Bruno learns that the man, Kerquelin, was running Frenchelon, the secret French electronic intelligence base nearby, after being recruited from a brilliant Silicon Valley career.As he investigates, Bruno discovers that Kerquelin''s wound was faked, that he is alive and well and secretly negotiating a massive deal to build a semi-conductor industry in France. But then a whole new and dangerous player emerges,

Read more less

Book SynopsisSummer in the beautiful Périgord region of southern France, the Dordogne Mysteries are the perfect combination of mystery and escapism.In the little down of St Denis, Bruno is busy organising the annual summer concert. He's hired a local Périgord folk group, Les Troubadours, to perform their latest hit 'A Song for Catalonia'. But when the song goes viral, the Spanish government, clamping down on the Catalonian bid for independence, bans Les Troubadours from performing it.The timing couldn't be worse, and Bruno finds himself under yet more pressure when a specialist sniper's bullet is found in a wrecked car near Bergerac. The car was reportedly stolen on the Spanish frontier and the Spanish government sends warning that a group of nationalist extremists may be planning an assassination in France. Bruno immediately suspects that Les Troubadours and their audience might be in danger.Bruno must organise security and ensure that his beloved town and its people are safe - the stakes are high for France's favourite policeman.'I LOVE BRUNO!' 5* Reader Review'A REAL PAGE-TURNER AND LOTS OF LOCAL COLOUR' 5* Reader Review'ONE OF THE BEST' 5* Reader Review'WELL UP THERE WITH THE BEST OF THE BRUNO NOVELS' 5* Reader ReviewTrade ReviewGood food, fascinating history, and a crackerjack mystery: who could ask for more? * Publishers Weekly *The gorgeous scenery and delicious meals provide as much entertainment as the action * Sunday Times *While a brilliantly conceived plot builds up to a climax that James Bond might envy, there is pleasure to be had in Martin Walker's sensitive portrayal of a tight-knit community where friendship and mutual support count for more than expediency. Bruno is a hero for our troubled times * Daily Mail *Walker once again delivers a delightful potpourri of southern French La vie en rose and tense action * Irish Independent *This is the perfect Summer escape novel, with a cracking crime at its heart * Sun *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA bumper collection of delightful stories featuring Bruno, Chief of Police and France's favourite cop, all set in the beautiful Dordogne valley and the ravishing Perigord region of the south west. Here is a landscape of meandering rivers with medieval castles overlooking their banks, of lush hillsides and spreading vineyards, of delicious local wines and world renowned cuisine. With titles like 'The Chocolate War'; 'The Birthday Lunch'; 'Oystercatcher'; 'A Market Tale' and 'Fifty Million Bubbles', you may be sure that champagne and gastronomy will feature as well as cosy crime in 'Dangerous Vacation'. Bruno strides through these tales, staying calm. settling local disputes and keeping safe his beloved town of St Denis. Only on one occasion does he panic: in 'Bruno's Challenge', his friend Ivan, proprietor and chef of the town's popular eatery, suddenly collapses on the eve of a large anniversary dinner, and he asks Bruno to take over the restaurant. After a few protests followed by some deep breaths, the inimitable Bruno meets his challenge and saves the day.Trade ReviewThese short stories have something for everyone, whether you follow Bruno for his culinary expertise, his local knowledge and his loyal friends or his policework . . . If you've not met Bruno before, this would be a very good place to start * Crime Review *Local customs and everyday life spring off the page, set against the beautiful Dordogne countryside . . . If you haven't met Bruno and his friends yet, I urge you to do so, very soon * Mystery People *Any Francophile who has been unable to travel in the last eighteen months will either choke with envy and frustration or devour with gusto Bruno's Challenge . . . The whole collection is quite charming and heart-warming * Shots *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMurder mystery starring Bruno, France's favourite policeman, plus food and wine, great characters and sunshine and everything that's wonderful about the Dordogne.'RICH ON LOCAL COLOUR' THE TIMESFor thirty years, Bruno's boss, Chief of Detectives Jalipeau, known as J-J, has been obsessed with his first case. It was never solved and Bruno knows that this failure continues to haunt J-J. A young male body was found in the woods near St Denis and never identified. For all these years, J-J has kept the skull as a reminder. He calls him 'Oscar'. Visiting the famous pre-history museum in nearby Les Eyzies, Bruno sees some amazingly life-like heads expertly reconstructed from ancient skulls. He suggests performing a similar reconstruction on Oscar as a first step towards at last identifying him. An expert is hired to start the reconstruction and the search for Oscar's killer begins again in earnest.'DOLLOPS OF THE GOOD LIFE IN RURAL FRANCE SPICED UP WITH INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE' IRISH INDEPENDENT'UNRIVALED AT INTERWEAVING THE PROFESSIONAL AND PRIVATE PURSUITS OF A THOROUGH LIKABLE COP' DAILY MAILTrade ReviewIt's a delight to dip into his sun soaked world -- ObserverWalker weaves an exciting story against a backdrop of bucolic bliss * Daily Mail *It's Midsomer Murders meets MasterChef flavoured with espionage, dog breeding and veganism * Sun *Walker's strength lies in his ability to bring out the character and charm of the region and interlace this with a strong plot that carries an equal sense of time and place * Crime Review *New readers to the series can comfortably start here - Walker has the rare ability in a series writer of orienting old and new readers alike. A feast * Booklist * starred review *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe 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 th

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen a musician’s new song hits a political nerve, he finds himself in the crosshairs of Spanish nationalists’ ire, and it’s up to Bruno to track down the extremists who seem ready to take deadly measures, in another delightful installment of the internationally acclaimed series featuring Bruno, Chief of Police.“As usual, Walker concocts a satisfying dish featuring an intriguing lead character who moves through enviable settings and enjoys wonderful meals while tracking down criminals.”—BooklistLes Troubadours, a folk music group that Bruno has long supported, go viral with their new number, “Song for Catalonia,” when the Spanish government suddenly bans the song. The songwriter, Joel Martin, is a local enthusiast for the old Occitan language of Périgord and the medieval troubadours, and he sympathizes with the Catalan bid for independence. The success of his song provokes outrage among

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the author of the internationally best-selling Bruno, Chief of Police series, comes a sumptuous French cookbook that immerses readers in the delectable countryside cuisine of Bruno’s beloved Périgord region, featuring favorite meals from Roasted Tomato Tapenade and Tarragon Chicken to A Most Indulgent Chocolate Cake.Bruno Courrèges, the protagonist of Martin Walker’s internationally acclaimed mystery series, is not only the local police chief of the idyllic French village of St. Denis, but he also happens to be an impassioned amateur chef. In this delightful cookbook, the culinary and cultural inspiration behind Bruno’s fictional world comes to life. Featuring meals from the best-selling series, local recipes, charming anecdotes, and a history of the novels’ French setting, Bruno’s Cookbook invites readers into the bucolic life of Martin Walker and his wife, Julia Watson, and showcases their passion for the

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic was called the most beautiful car of all time. Only four of them were ever built. A California museum paid $37 million for one; Ralph Lauren bought another; a third was smashed by a train at a level crossing. The fourth disappeared in France during World War 2. It was the car used by British racing ace, William Grover Williams, twice winner of the French and Monaco Grand Prix, who became an undercover agent in Occupied France.The latest adventure in the Bruno series of mystery novels starts from this true story. Two young men, both racing drivers with a passion for antique cars, compete to find new clues as to the car's hiding place in the Perigord region of France where Bruno is the local chief of police. When a local researcher turns up dead on Bruno's patch, and French intelligence starts investigating the use of classic car sales to launder money for funding Islamic terrorism, Bruno finds himself once more caught up in a case that reaches far beyond his small town and its people.With the bucolic charm and gourmet cooking that are the hallmarks of this series, Bruno's latest adventure finds him falling in love again as he races to find the murderer and to track down the fate of the most beautiful car ever made.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less