Bruno's Challenge & Other Dordogne Tales

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.

“Walker is unrivalled at interweaving the professional and private pursuits of a thoroughly likeable cop - Daily Mail Rich on local colour - The TimesI've read a lot of mysteries in my day and you're up there at the top of my list alongside Michael Connelly, Georges Simenon and, most recently, Anthony HorowitzDollops of the sybaritic good life in rural France are spiced up with a dash of international intrigue in this excellent Bruno, Chief of Police outing - Irish Independent on A Shooting At Chateau Rock”

These short stories have something for everyone, whether you follow Bruno for his culinary expertise, his local knowledge and his loyal friends or his policework . . . If you've not met Bruno before, this would be a very good place to start Crime Review
Local customs and everyday life spring off the page, set against the beautiful Dordogne countryside . . . If you haven't met Bruno and his friends yet, I urge you to do so, very soon Mystery People
Any Francophile who has been unable to travel in the last eighteen months will either choke with envy and frustration or devour with gusto Bruno's Challenge . . . The whole collection is quite charming and heart-warming Shots

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.

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.

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