Black Diamond

A Mystery of the French Countryside

By: Martin Walker

Narrated by: Robert Ian MacKenzie

Best-selling author Martin Walker’s previous two novels starring Chief of Police Bruno Courrèges became hits with fans and critics around the globe. In this thrilling third mystery, Bruno has his hands full with trouble in the truffle trade in St. Denis’ marketplace. And when a friend is murdered, things really start heating up.

©2010 Walker and Watson Ltd (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Walker’s bucolic mysteries offer a gentle reminder to slow down and smell the grapes.” ( New York Times Book Review)

Great, (if unlikely) continuation of Series

Very absorbing continuation of Chief Inspector Bruno series. Love the description of the land, the people and the food.

A little stretch of the imagination as Bruno juggles women- relationships- past, present and likely future. Found myself thinking ‘Really??!’ But happy to continue with the story, male fantasy aside.

The narrator is terrific- great voice and emotional tone.

Enjoyed the historical complexity. Makes me want to research further.

Fun and Engaging

Another delightful mystery romp with Bruno. Delicious food and wine, creepy bad guys and subplots aplenty.

Charming and unique

The charm of this series is the atmosphere - a small rural town in France, and very likable, eccentric but believable and interesting characters. In addition the stories provide interesting information about French country life like the wine harvest and the truffle trade and the ways the fallout from Vietnam and Algeria still reverberate and send shockwaves through French society. This is a dimension of French National life that of which most Americans have no inkling. This saves the stories from being simple charming “cozies.” These are stories for food lovers. They often make you want to stop what you are doing, sit down in the sun with a glass of red wine, some good cheese or pate and a croute of good French bread. Unfortunately this is not possible in upstate New York in winter, so these books are the next best thing.

Love Bruno

I love this series, and Black Diamond is one of my favorites. My big gripe with the narrator is how he says “sensual” or “sexual”. Way creepy.

A diamond in the hand

This story was more complex that the previous and the action flow quickly. There were the wonderful details about French village life as the world’s proem impinge on Bruno’s life. I like the police chief heart and loyalty to his community. Love, lust, graft and many false clue abound. This is the third book I. The series and I am even more hooked on their story and it’s ever widening of local characters. A must listen or read.