A Shooting at Chateau Rock: The Dordogne Mysteries 13 (Bruno, Chief of Police, #15) (The Dordogne Mysteries)

by Martin Walker

Millions of readers worldwide are talking about the Dordogne Mysteries. Discover why and join them with this gripping new read!

'WILL MAKE READERS LONG FOR LAZY DAYS IN RURAL FRANCE' Irish Independent

Following the funeral of a local farmer, Bruno gets a phone call from his son. He tells Bruno that before his father's sudden death, he had signed over his property to an insurance company in return for a subscription to a luxury retirement home. Bruno discovers that both the retirement home and the insurance company are scams with links to a Russian oligarch whose dealings are already being tracked by the French police.

Meanwhile an aging British rock star is selling his home, Chateau Rock. The star's son returns for the summer with his Russian girlfriend. As Bruno pursues his inquiries into the farmer's death and the stolen inheritance, he learns that the oligarch is none other than the girlfriend's father. Bruno's talents are tested to the limit as he untangles a Gordian Knot of criminality that reaches as far as the Kremlin.

But luckily Bruno still has time to cook delicious meals for his friends and enjoy the life of his beloved Dordogne. What's more, love is in the air. His pedigree basset, Balzac, is old enough to breed. Bruno heads for the kennels where a suitable beauty, Diane de Poitiers, is ready and waiting for Balzac's attentions...

• ISBN10: 1787477681
• ISBN13: 9781787477681
• Publish Date: 26 May 2020 (first published 1 May 2020)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 29 August 2024
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Quercus Publishing
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Shooting at Chateau Rock is the 13th Chief Bruno mystery by Martin Walker. Released 26th May 2020 by Knopf, it's 320 pages and is available in most formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is such a subtly written, engaging, and satisfying book. I've been with the series since the beginning and always look forward to the narratives which are full of food and camaraderie (and some crime); they feel like catching up with old friends. This one is very much in the same mold. Bruno begins to investigate a potential rural insurance fraud and is soon neck deep in international money laundering, Russian / Ukrainian shady politics, and international security. Contrasted with high crimes and misdemeanors are sunny and satisfying descriptions of town markets, vineyards, his friends and acquaintances, horse culture and riding, loyal hound Balzac, and as always good food.

This is classic crime fiction, exceedingly well written, engaging, and worthwhile. Although it's the 13th book in the series, it works very well as a standalone book and would make a good entry into the series.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.