December 23, 2013
In Walker's endearing sixth novel featuring St. Denis police chief Bruno Courrèges (after 2013's The Devil's Cave), Bruno, who prides himself on knowing just about everything transpiring in his picturesque patch of Périgord, is stunned when the latest in a string of burglaries reveals that a retired British spymaster, Jack Crimson, has been residing right under his nose. But Bruno has barely enough time to process thisâor the pending return to St. Denis of his former flame, ambitious Police Nationale capitaine Isabelle, to oversee the politically sensitive Crimson probeâbecause of the brutal murder of a vacationing British antiques dealer. Despite distractions that include the region's always-tantalizing gastronomy, Bruno soon starts to make serious investigative headway, demonstrating convincingly that there's nothing smalltown about his understanding of human nature. Existing fans and newcomers alike will savor Walker's ability to smoothly fold suspense into his Périgordian soufflé. Agent: Stephanie Cabot, Felicity Bryan Associates.
February 15, 2014
The passing of an 86-year-old Resistance fighter opens another can of worms (and stocks of truffles and pate de fois gras) for chief of police Bruno Courreges (The Devil's Cave, 2013, etc.). Even if he hadn't been one of St. Denis' last surviving members of the Resistance, Loic Murcoing's death would have disclosed deep roots. In his hand, the dead man grasped a bank note dating from 1940, a note traceable to a real-life 1944 train robbery in Neuvic that netted Resistance forces an amount equivalent to 300 million. Two other cases indicate the return of other long-dormant passions. The burglary of retired British civil servant Jack Crimson sets Bruno adrift on deep waters, and the murder of antiques dealer Francis Fullerton, who once served a prison term for receiving stolen goods, carries echoes of gay-bashing thugs' attack 10 years ago on lycee graduate Edouard Marty, now a professor of interior design, and his ex-lover Paul Murcoing, Loic's grandson. Bruno, his colleague J-J, and his sometime-lover Isabelle of the Paris Surete would all love to talk to Paul, but he's gone AWOL. The mayor of St. Denis is preoccupied by his own sorrows; Bruno's Scottish girlfriend, Pamela, is riding for an accident; and Bruno's basset hound, Balzac, is about to be pressed into service in a most unusual capacity. Amid all the hustle and bustle, however, there's still plenty of time for good friends to share good food and make new memories. As usual, the tale of crime and detection is mainly a pretext for a gentle celebration of la belle France. But this time, Bruno, who's required to act as enforcer, sleuth, diplomat, comforter, impersonator, hostage negotiator and rescuer, reveals unsuspected resources.
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February 1, 2014
Bruno has his hands full with a case linked to the French Resistance movement of World War II, plus present-day troubles in the local gay community. The sixth entry in the enjoyable series (after The Devil's Cave) set in France's Dordogne region. [Prepub Alert, 8/19/13.]
Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 2014
Rides on horseback through the French countryside of the Dordogne. Elaborately prepared and explained meals. Wines. And, oh yes, a mystery blended into this heady mix. While most readers think the British have a line on cozies, Walker makes a great case for the French version: a tiny village, landed gentry (in this case, series hero municipal policeman Bruno Courr'ges), and a round of farm tending, riding, and dinner parties. Courr'ges' ever-evolving love life provides an added kick. This time out, as in all cozies, the tiny village is beset by crime. First, a hero of the French Resistance dies, clutching banknotes that link him to a daring train robbery. There's also a spate of burglaries, one involving a British spy. And an antiques dealer is murdered. Courr'ges navigates the spree in his usual unflappable manner. He may remind many readers of the late Robert B. Parker's Spenser, as he devotes his closest attention to the preparation of meals. Much to admire and sigh over in this appetizing mystery.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)