Bruno, Chief of Police

By: Martin Walker

Narrated by: Robert Ian MacKenzie

Bruno is a former soldier who has embraced the pleasures and slow rhythms of country life - living in his restored shepherd's cottage; patronizing the weekly market; sparring with, and basically ignoring, the European Union bureaucrats from Brussels.

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 everything and galvanizes Bruno's attention: the man was found with a swastika carved into his chest. Bruno soon discovers that even his seemingly perfect corner of la belle France is not exempt from that period's sinister legacy.

©2008 Walker and Watson Ltd. (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

An Engaging "French Cozy "

Bruno, "Chief of Police, " is the only police officer in his small village, located in a sleepy valley of France. A former soldier who was wounded in Kosovo, he loves the quiet little village which has adopted him as one of its own. He teaches the young children to play tennis and Rugby, and sometimes coaches the village Rugby team. He knows almost everyone of the locals, and they know and trust him. Rather like the village constable in a classic British mystery.

But an elderly Algerian Frenchman resident is murdered and various clues indicate that his death is somehow connected to WW II, Vichy France, Nazism, and the Franco - Algerian troops from that time period. Officers from the National Police arrive in the village to investigate the crime, and Bruno is put in the position of assisting the investigation while trying not to release the secrets of the villagers about activities which are not, strictly speaking, legal.

Other reviewers have compared this book to some of the stories of Alexander McCall Smith. There is a calmness and gentleness to the telling of Bruno's story that is reminiscent of Smith's tales. However, I find Walker's writing, characters and plotting the more interesting and engaging of the two. The plot is interesting enough to keep you engaged, the characters are well fleshed out and likeable, and the writing style takes you along gently. Narrator Robert Ian MacKenzie brings story and characters beautifully to life.

All in all, a most pleasant experience. I expect to read more from this series.

A Surprising GEM loved it!

Wow. I loved this book. A slow start but it grabs you, and I loved the village and the characters! I wanted to go live there and know these people. Add in a murder mystery with its roots in the history of this region of France, and you have one of my favorite books.
Part of that was because I was so surprised by it.
Wrong title I think!
Give it a try!
I am going out to get a french cookbook!

Ugh

The person reading this book was HORRIBLE. The story is set in a small French town. Throughout the whole listening experience I wished a person knowing at least some French pronunciation was reading the book. Or at least if they could get the curse words right. It was painful.

Not much of a mystery

I liked the story, but felt like it was more about the small town and setting a scene in the French countryside. It was a good story, but not the “murder mystery” I was looking for.

A pleasant surprise

I think I just found a new series. This story was released in 2009, setting in a small village in France. It’s a fiction, but the reality is more relevant today. I do enjoy the descriptions of the French countryside, people, food and wine.

French countryside mystery with roots in WW II

Good but not great reader.
Interesting plot with WW II REFERENCES.
English author reveals English style in speech and choice of characters
Overall enjoyable but not remarkable.

Good for listening to while driving

Thee combination of warmth, and intrigue without extreme violence dwelt upon, and a setting in a picturesque village made for easy listening

Unexpectedly good!

Would you consider the audio edition of Bruno, Chief of Police to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, but I imagine so. The narration was excellent.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed reading a mystery that was longer on human interest, interactions and history than on violence. It has its' shocking places, but I like reading about a character that uses patience, humor, and his sense of truth rather than one who is out committing more violence him(her)self in the name of finding criminals. This book had good human appeal and the story was filled with interesting information about the area of Perigord, in France.

Which scene was your favorite?

Actually, several of the scenes that were side issues to the mystery, but dealt with the charm and interest of the people and the area. I'd enjoy re-reading those parts.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction, but it held my interest, and moved back and forth between character exchanges and fact-finding scenes.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend it to people who don't like a lot of violent action, but enjoy a good mystery that is not "fluff."

I want more.

This is the first Bruno book that I have read. The characters have depth and sympathy. The story is complex. The addition of historical facts adds so much to give this story interest. I want more about this community.

Great food, great wine, great mystery, great history

Love Mackenzie as a narrator although he struggles with women’s voices. This does not diminish the experience. Why haven’t I heard of these before? Can’t wait for the next.