The time is fast approaching for our last event of 2021 – just a week away! Unfortunately, we’re still in this weird world of Covid. We’re hoping that at some point next year we’ll be able to meet in person but until then we’re still online on Monday 6th Dec at 7.30pm on our Facebook page. Once again, no Christmas cookies for you all – sorry! But we do have an amazing panel for you with Sarah Hilary (Fragile), Alexandra Benedict (The Christmas Murder Game), Emma Haughton (The Dark) and Martin Walker (Bruno’s Challenge & other Dordogne Tales). Jake Kerridge will be asking the questions. Thanks to Joe Christie at Quercus, I’ve been reading Martin Walker’s book but before I tell you about it, here’s the blurb.
The Blurb
A bumper collection of delightful stories featuring Bruno, Chief of Police and France’s favourite cop, all set in the beautiful Dordogne valley and the ravishing Perigord region of the south west. Here is a landscape of meandering rivers with medieval castles overlooking their banks, of lush hillsides and spreading vineyards, of delicious local wines and world renowned cuisine.
With titles like ‘The Chocolate War’; ‘The Birthday Lunch’; ‘Oystercatcher’; ‘A Market Tale’ and ‘Fifty Million Bubbles’, you may be sure that champagne and gastronomy will feature as well as cosy crime in ‘Dangerous Vacation’. Bruno strides through these tales, staying calm. settling local disputes and keeping safe his beloved town of St Denis.
Only on one occasion does he panic: in ‘Bruno’s Challenge’, his friend Ivan, proprietor and chef of the town’s popular eatery, suddenly collapses on the eve of a large anniversary dinner, and he asks Bruno to take over the restaurant. After a few protests followed by some deep breaths, the inimitable Bruno meets his challenge and saves the day.
My Review
I have to confess that this is my first meeting with Bruno Courrèges, chief of police in the village of St. Denis, and a short stories book is the perfect way to become acquainted. I’ve discovered that Bruno is no ordinary police officer. He takes his responsibility of looking after the village to heart and knows that it’s not just about dealing with crime. He coaches the young people in the village in various sports. He’s a constant presence in the town square, chatting with residents and business owners. And there’s only one man who can be Le Père Noël at Christmas. There are fourteen stories all together in this collection but I won’t tell you about them all. I don’t want to spoil the surprise!
A Dangerous Vacation involves the sabotage of a minibus carrying tourists. Initially it seems as though it might have been an accident but a check by a mechanic proves otherwise. Bruno has to investigate quickly to ensure the tourists’ safety and also to save Juliette’s business. I liked the subtle way Bruno looks at this – the little observations that make all the difference. He’s also an officer that likes things to end well.
Mère Noelle is a very short but sweet story about an excess of wine and an old family recipe. An excess of wine? In France? Well, with lockdown, it was hard for vineyards to sell their wine to bars and restaurants. The same is true in St. Denis. To throw away the wine is to throw the profit. Sadly, the one person who could have helped, old Mère Dailloux, died earlier in the year. Her special mulled wine was always a hit at the Christmas markets. Can Bruno find a way to discover the secret ingredients and save the village vineyard?
Keeping the Christmas theme going is Le Père Noël. As I’ve already said, Bruno is always Le Père Noël in St. Denis. When the carols collection money is stolen, Bruno knows a stranger must be in the village. None of the residents would steal money destined for a charity. But Bruno, knowing the true meaning of Christmas, is aware that this is a time when strangers need to be welcomed in, not cast out. This is a lovely, compassionate story revealing Bruno’s generous nature.
This cosy crime collection is perfect for Christmas – to curl up and read the heart-warming stories of village life in St. Denis, whether it’s battles over the price of coffee or the residents coming together to rescue a golden wedding anniversary meal. At the heart of it all, though, is Bruno, a police officer that any village or town would be proud to have.
You can buy Bruno’s Challenge & other Dordogne Tales here or check out your local bookshop. Don’t forget to join us on Monday 6th Dec at 7.30 pm GMT on our Facebook page First Monday Crime.
The Author
Martin Walker is a prize-winning journalist and the author of several acclaimed works of non-fiction, including The Cold War: A History. He lives in the Dordogne and Washington, DC.
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