Dark Vineyard

Industrial sabotage spills over into murder. Bruno, chief of police must balance tradition and progress while bringing a killer to justice in the second instalment in this mouthwatering series of mysteries.

Just before dawn one summer morning Bruno is summoned by the wail of the siren in the little town of St Denis in the Perigord. A fire is raging in a local barn and spreading to the surrounding fields. When Bruno arrives at the scene, the smell of petrol leaves no doubt: it was arson. The barn belongs to an agricultural research company experimenting with genetically modified crops - an unpopular move in deeply traditional St Denis.

Meanwhile, a Californian producer wants to set up a wine-making business in the valley. Despite the money and jobs this would bring, many fear it would destroy their town. When a violent death follows the crop burning, it looks as though someone is prepared to do anything to stop the scheme. Bruno will have to draw on all his local knowledge to reach the truth.

“Sure to appeal to readers with a palate for mysteries with social nuance and understated charm - Wall Street JournalThe delights of [Walker's Dordogne] - from the chateaux along the rivers to the prehistoric cave paintings to the food on the tables - are very real.... Absorbing - New York Times Book Review”

Sure to appeal to readers with a palate for mysteries with social nuance and understated charm - Wall Street Journal

The delights of [Walker's Dordogne] - from the chateaux along the rivers to the prehistoric cave paintings to the food on the tables - are very real.... Absorbing - New York Times Book Review

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.

In the Perigord town of St Denis, Captain Bruno Courreges is pulled from sleep by the wail of the local fire engines. A nearby barn is engulfed in flame, the surrounding fields ablaze. Everything points to arson. Meanwhile, a Californian wine maker wants to set up a huge vineyard in the valley. Despite the money this would bring in, many fear it would destroy their little town. When another outrage follows the crop burning, it looks like someone is prepared to do anything to stop the scheme - and Bruno will have to draw on all his local knowledge to get to the truth.

Industrial sabotage spills over into murder. Bruno, chief of police must balance tradition and progress while bringing a killer to justice in the second instalment in this mouthwatering series of mysteries. Just before dawn one summer morning Bruno is summoned by the wail of the siren in the little town of St Denis in the Perigord. A fire is raging in a local barn and spreading to the surrounding fields. When Bruno arrives at the scene, the smell of petrol leaves no doubt: it was arson. The barn belongs to an agricultural research company experimenting with genetically modified crops - an unpopular move in deeply traditional St Denis.Meanwhile, a Californian producer wants to set up a wine-making business in the valley. Despite the money and jobs this would bring, many fear it would destroy their town. When a violent death follows the crop burning, it looks as though someone is prepared to do anything to stop the scheme. Bruno will have to draw on all his local knowledge to reach the truth.

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