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Bruno, Chief of Police

By: Martin Walker
Narrated by: Robert Ian MacKenzie
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Publisher's summary

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

What listeners say about Bruno, Chief of Police

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Trés charmant!

If you are a francophile, you will love this book. It really captures the feel of rural France. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

What a Wonderful New Find

I never heard of this series before I saw the first book on sale, but it sounded interesting so I took a chance and I'm so glad I did. I loved everything about this book– the setting, characters, pacing, protagonist, etc. – with just one exception. It could've had a more exciting climax and, at the end, a bit more resolution. Otherwise, it was darn near perfect. I will be recommending this widely, and I'll certainly continue reading with the next book in the series. It's a delight.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I loved it.

it was a great story. I loved it. now on to the next inn the series..

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

not bad

it didn't really have a climax. but it wasn't terrible and was still interesting. not sure I'll read another.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

It was okay

Lots of history, lots of detail about food and tennis, not enough mystery for me. The final wrapup was swift and not very satisfying. Characters were dull. Don't get me wrong: I like history but I would have preferred to listen to an actual history than a rambling deep-dive that only gives a reason for the ending. Eventually. I won't continue the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Love this book!

I want to live in this charming village!
Bruno is lovable and the mystery is perfect

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A new series to devour!

Martin Walker mentions, in the course of this novel, that there are little memorials to the 20th-century war dead all over France, evoking memories of a plaque my husband spotted on the outer wall of an elementary school in a quiet side street in Paris when we were visiting this past May. It listed three or four teachers and about fifteen students of the school, all Jewish, who perished, presumably in concentration camps, around 1942. It was deeply disturbing and saddening to imagine that in one of the world's major centers of civilized thought and culture the school was unable, or even unwilling, to keep its pupils safe.

The crimes of the Vichy government loom large in this mystery, as does the Franco-Algerian War and its veterans. I love mysteries that not only take me to distant places but give me an unexpected window into a specific time in history that I would be unlikely to otherwise encounter, and this one does that splendidly, thanks, in part, to its narrator. I also tend to note how appropriate the accents of various characters are, but hearing the title character voiced with an Oxonian inflection didn't really bother me that much, as he himself is a highly literate man. The food, wine, and landscape of the novel are enchanting, and I look forward to meeting many of the characters again in future installments of the series.

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19 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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High hopes for this series!

Looking forward to the rest of the series. Good solid start with interesting characters, contemporary issues (water shortage, GMO, etc.) and something to say about the human condition.

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17 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Viva la France! A gentle serious mystery.

What a pleasure! A well written & enjoyable mystery without explicit sex or crime scene descriptions. A little romance is welcome though along with French history, contemporary social lessons, & justice. The love of French food & culture is evident & sure threads woven into the story. I learned about an aspect of French WWII history unknown to me. Every country has dark times & knowing of them may keep everyone humble.

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Mystery in a small French village

This was just what I was looking for! It is light listening (reading) and gives the flavor of French culture in a village. The mystery is a good one, also steeped in French culture. I’m looking forward to finding more books in this series.

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1 person found this helpful