Martin Walker: Bruno, chief of police (2008, Quercus)
262 pages
English language
Published Aug. 8, 2008 by Quercus.
The first installment in a wonderful new series that follows the exploits of Benoit Courreges, a policeman in a small French village where the rituals of the cafe still rule. Bruno--as he is affectionately nicknamed--may be the town's only municipal policeman, but in the hearts and minds of its denizens, he is chief of police.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.Because of the case's potential political ramifications, a young policewoman is …
The first installment in a wonderful new series that follows the exploits of Benoit Courreges, a policeman in a small French village where the rituals of the cafe still rule. Bruno--as he is affectionately nicknamed--may be the town's only municipal policeman, but in the hearts and minds of its denizens, he is chief of police.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.Because of the case's potential political ramifications, a young policewoman is sent from Paris to aid Bruno with his investigation. The two immediately suspect militants from the anti-immigrant National Front, but when a visiting scholar helps to untangle the dead man's past, Bruno's suspicions turn toward a more complex motive. His investigation draws him into one of the darkest chapters of French history--World War II, a time of terror and betrayal that set brother against brother. Bruno soon discovers that even his seemingly perfect corner of la belle France is not exempt from that period's sinister legacy.Bruno, Chief of Police is deftly dark, mesmerizing, and totally engaging.From the Hardcover edition.
A well written, enjoyable mystery; providing good historical perspective and interesting, engaging characters. I think this may be a seriesworth reading. I plan to try one or more to see if it continues in this positive vein.
The first 3/4 of the book reads more like an introduction to rural life in France, going into lengthy details about gastronomy and local customs, with a murder serving as a pretext.
The last quarter is more densely woven leading back to historical reasons for the murder dating back to the occupation. In my humble opinion the first 75% of the book would have benefited quite a bit from a serious pruning.
For 4MA discussion. In the Dordogne, a policeman in a small town lives a simple life but finds it complicated when a reclusive North African immigrant is murdered in an apparent hate crime. The contrast between the good and simple rural life and the complexities of race and the lingering violence of the occupation during World War II, sets up an interesting conflict. Cozy in tone, but with a troubling story line.
