Bruno, chief of police- Martin Walker

I've mentioned my love of V.I Warshawski already and I'm always on the lookout for a mystery novel that features interesting characters, a satisfying plot and good writing.

Crime novels are their own kind of comfort reading too, the solving of the crime restores a kind of moral order to the universe of the novel, even though the best writers understand that things cannot go back to exactly how they were before. I don't like my novels too graphic or bloody or psychologically disturbing, it's not that I don't understand that these reflect part of our reality but I'm still capable of having nightmares or disturbed sleep which is hardly entertaining, comforting or at all relaxing, so I stick to the less graphic.

I was delighted that following a recommendation on another blog I tried the first in a relatively new series of novels set in the Perigord region of SW France. I've not had the opportunity to travel that much, so I enjoy a holiday by proxy when a writer gives me a real sense of place. Of course this means I have no way of judging how accurate it is, but it works for me. Recently I heard of a budget holiday idea where we stay at home and enjoy a guide which describes in detail our trip around an area, what we will see, smell, taste and otherwise experience while watching films which feature the area, reading books and cooking ourselves some of the local cuisine. It does have a certain attraction when funds are limited and I don' then have to worry about the animals at home and who is looking after them.

So if you fancy a trip to Perigord by proxy I can recommend Bruno.

Martin Walker creates a town and its inhabitants, their relationships to each other, their daily preoccupations and passions and the food and drink they love. Bruno is introduced to us and as the novel unfolds we get more and more of a sense of who he is, what has shaped him and what matters to him.

The central crime concerns the murder of an old Algerian immigrant, whose entire family have settled here and become assimilated. But he himself has only lived in the area a couple of years and by and large has kept himself to himself , except for spending time with his family. There is a suggestion that the murder has racial motivation and the police begin their investigation trying to understand what has motivated this brutal and apparently senseless crime. Along the way they uncover a few other things and Bruno has to work with his new gendarme colleague and the representatives of the Police Nationale as well as continue with his routine of helping the local market traders  avoid the bureaucratic rulings of the EU inspectors. He shows himself a fine investigator, a wily politician and a good human being. The crime and its motive is unfolded in a realistic and even-handed manner and the way that justice and the law can appear to be different things is highlighted. 

All in all I enjoyed my visit to Perigord and look forward to spending more time with Bruno. I'm sure wherever you are holidaying this year he would be a worthwhile companion in your luggage and I'm just about to get stuck in to the second in the series- Dark Vineyard. it's even making me wish I liked alcohol so I could enjoy the local wines and spirits that feature in the story.

 

Comments

[roulette]

oh) I like to read criminal novels too)) you gave me the new author) thx for it=) maybe you recomend me some others good authors?

[supra for kids]

It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.

[domena]

Great information here, thanks for sharing this valuable information!