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Bruno, Chief of Police #5
The Devil's Cave
It is springtime in France’s Périgord, a time of beauty and calm. But not for Bruno, chef de police of the small town of St Denis. A woman’s body has been found on a boat, bearing signs of a black magic ritual.
Bruno has much on his plate as it is – mediating a domestic abuse case that needs careful handling and a dodgy local development proposal that seems just too good to be true.
But a murder case must take precedent and the roots of this one lie buried deep in the past – linked to a chateau above a bend in the river, to the reclusive old woman who lives there, and the secret hidden in the Devil’s Cave.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2012
1012 people are currently reading
1946 people want to read
About the author
Martin Walker
66 books1,548 followersMartin Walker is the U.S. bureau chief for The Guardian (London), a regular commentator for CNN, and a columnist for newspapers in the United States, Europe, and Moscow. A published novelist and poet, he lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife, the novelist Julia Watson, and their two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 636 reviews
May 8, 2023
The fifth book in this series and I could not love a main character more! In this book he acquires a new puppy called Balzac and everyone just melts.
The book commences with a naked, murdered woman in a boat, black candles and occult markings. Is it real or is it a clever way for the local business men to bring tourists and their money into the town? Bruno seems to be in over his head, but he is a smart man and it is hard to catch him out. I am a little bit concerned about his bed hopping from Isabelle to Pamela but still interested to see how it ends up.
The writing is excellent and often so funny I needed to read bits out loud to anyone who was around at the time. I want to live in St Denis, preferably with Bruno and Balzac. Five easy stars.
The book commences with a naked, murdered woman in a boat, black candles and occult markings. Is it real or is it a clever way for the local business men to bring tourists and their money into the town? Bruno seems to be in over his head, but he is a smart man and it is hard to catch him out. I am a little bit concerned about his bed hopping from Isabelle to Pamela but still interested to see how it ends up.
The writing is excellent and often so funny I needed to read bits out loud to anyone who was around at the time. I want to live in St Denis, preferably with Bruno and Balzac. Five easy stars.
July 25, 2016
Bruno, Chief of Police in St. Denis was a happy man. He was standing in the twelfth century old church, listening to the choir performance when an urgent phone call disturbed his peace. A naked woman was floating in a punt down the river. Father Sentout was dedicated to his service and his music. Bruno's quick exit disrupted the practice. Everyone followed him out and rushed to the bridge to see the spectacle. A pentagram was clearly visible on the body's stomach.
It was early spring. Not even the German, Dutch and Scandinavian tourists dared to discard their clothes at the slightest opportunity. Accompanying the women was a beheaded cockerel and black candles acting almost as masts...
Therein lies the mystery. To identify the deceased woman, a chain of events ensued, taking Bruno through mountain tunnels, popular tourist caves, a subtle investigation into international high finances, an ancient chateau and its asocial inhabitants and hostile corrupt government departments. Bruno's life is in serious danger. His job is on the line. The media is milking the incident for various reasons, one of them being a group of greedy, influential investors using the opportunity to attract more tourists to the region as part of a darker agenda.
An anonymous letter informed him of a farmer abusing his wife and daughter, resulting in the 18-year-old girl leaving her parents. The passionate farmer would not receive a discreet cup full of his own medicine behind his barn delivered by members of the rugby team as was usually the modus operandi. Bruno would handle the incident differently this time and blow up a hornets nest of fraud, deceit, corruption and lies threatening the future of his beloved town. Many high profilers did not want to believe him, but well, he proved himself right! Gérard Mangin, the mayor of St. Denis had to retrace his own animosity towards Bruno.
Father Sentout was called in to perform exorcism in Our Lady's Chapel in the Gouffre de Colombac, for tourists, but better known as the Devil's Cave for old inhabitants. After the highly publicized death of the mysterious woman, the town's tourist traffic exploded, but for the wrong reasons, according to the mayor. It could blow up in their faces and something had to be done. The town's honor had to be saved before it was too late. Many jobs were on the line. Many role players benefited from the spectacular event. However, a hit list with just one name on it was circulating by word of mouth. The name was Bruno Courrèges, Police Municipale De St Denis.
Isabelle surprised him with a new puppy, Balzac, who became firm friends with his horse, Hector. Balzac came from the best basset breeder in France. Bruno had only one friend in the orphanage as a child. It was a dog. The priest, however, declared animals soulless and shocked Bruno out of any beliefs of any kind since then. He simply disagreed. Animals were everything to him. His chickens, geese, dog and horse. They were his trusted friends above all. He slowly admitted to himself that it was possible to be friends with women. Just good friends. He always had four categories for women: wife and mother; nun and teacher; colleague and sister; lover. Fabiola, the doctor in town, and Florence, the science teacher, slowly taught him about true friendship as a new revered category in his life. They rolled the dice for him when his male friends turned their backs on him in this game of danger and betrayal.
I enjoyed this book the most so far in this series. It was classic Bruno, Chief Of Police, but also a deeper insight into Bruno the man and friend. More history of France completes the story line.
Martin Walker adds a unique flavor to his murder mysteries. Mystery aficionados must do themselves a huge favor by introducing this series to their reader's oevre. It is just so much more than just good mysteries.
An excellent read.
It was early spring. Not even the German, Dutch and Scandinavian tourists dared to discard their clothes at the slightest opportunity. Accompanying the women was a beheaded cockerel and black candles acting almost as masts...
Therein lies the mystery. To identify the deceased woman, a chain of events ensued, taking Bruno through mountain tunnels, popular tourist caves, a subtle investigation into international high finances, an ancient chateau and its asocial inhabitants and hostile corrupt government departments. Bruno's life is in serious danger. His job is on the line. The media is milking the incident for various reasons, one of them being a group of greedy, influential investors using the opportunity to attract more tourists to the region as part of a darker agenda.
An anonymous letter informed him of a farmer abusing his wife and daughter, resulting in the 18-year-old girl leaving her parents. The passionate farmer would not receive a discreet cup full of his own medicine behind his barn delivered by members of the rugby team as was usually the modus operandi. Bruno would handle the incident differently this time and blow up a hornets nest of fraud, deceit, corruption and lies threatening the future of his beloved town. Many high profilers did not want to believe him, but well, he proved himself right! Gérard Mangin, the mayor of St. Denis had to retrace his own animosity towards Bruno.
Father Sentout was called in to perform exorcism in Our Lady's Chapel in the Gouffre de Colombac, for tourists, but better known as the Devil's Cave for old inhabitants. After the highly publicized death of the mysterious woman, the town's tourist traffic exploded, but for the wrong reasons, according to the mayor. It could blow up in their faces and something had to be done. The town's honor had to be saved before it was too late. Many jobs were on the line. Many role players benefited from the spectacular event. However, a hit list with just one name on it was circulating by word of mouth. The name was Bruno Courrèges, Police Municipale De St Denis.
Isabelle surprised him with a new puppy, Balzac, who became firm friends with his horse, Hector. Balzac came from the best basset breeder in France. Bruno had only one friend in the orphanage as a child. It was a dog. The priest, however, declared animals soulless and shocked Bruno out of any beliefs of any kind since then. He simply disagreed. Animals were everything to him. His chickens, geese, dog and horse. They were his trusted friends above all. He slowly admitted to himself that it was possible to be friends with women. Just good friends. He always had four categories for women: wife and mother; nun and teacher; colleague and sister; lover. Fabiola, the doctor in town, and Florence, the science teacher, slowly taught him about true friendship as a new revered category in his life. They rolled the dice for him when his male friends turned their backs on him in this game of danger and betrayal.
I enjoyed this book the most so far in this series. It was classic Bruno, Chief Of Police, but also a deeper insight into Bruno the man and friend. More history of France completes the story line.
Martin Walker adds a unique flavor to his murder mysteries. Mystery aficionados must do themselves a huge favor by introducing this series to their reader's oevre. It is just so much more than just good mysteries.
An excellent read.
July 8, 2013
First Sentence: Bruno Courrèges seldom felt happier about the community he served as chief of police than when standing at the rear of the ancient stone church of St. Denis, listening to rehearsals of the town choir.
The body of a naked woman floating down the river in an old boat is not a common sight in St. Denis. Marks on her body and items in the boat lead to rumors of Satanism. Connections begin to be made and other deaths occur and suspicions of fraud arise with people even trying to ensnare Bruno in their net.
Spring has arrived in small community of St. Denis and you are immediately drawn into the story in a way that takes you from the beatific and sacred, to the profane. Walker’s wonderful descriptions of both the setting and foods—including beer-can chicken, make one feel a part of the scene and the story.
Bruno is such an appealing character; you can’t help but like him. He is loyal to his community and has become part of it. It knows its residents and takes a personal interest in them and the challenges they face. He is ethical and principled with refreshingly good relationships with his boss and his counterparts. His past gives him strength, skills and toughness. The fact that he also loves animals, demonstrates his empathy and compassion. His relationships with women are also interesting, especially as he is a man cast into, what is often, the situation of a woman.
Walker’s plotting has an interesting style. The story starts off quite simply but, rather like a magnet, other elements are drawn in as the story progresses. Rather than make the story too complicated, they add depth and interest to the story. Best of all, the pieces fit together in a logical, occasionally humorous, manner until the full picture is revealed. His pacing is so well done. With the introduction of new threads and characters, comes added tension until you reach an exciting climax, with another and another, without it seeming contrived.
“The Devil’s Cave” is a wonderful combination of great characters, wonderful descriptions, fascinating historical information, and an excellent police procedural allowing us a look at the way in which the various branches of the French justice system work together.
THE DEVIL’S CAVE (Pol Proc-Chief of Police Bruno Courrèges-St. Denis, France-Contemp) – VG+
Walker, Martin – 5th in series
Knopf, 2013
The body of a naked woman floating down the river in an old boat is not a common sight in St. Denis. Marks on her body and items in the boat lead to rumors of Satanism. Connections begin to be made and other deaths occur and suspicions of fraud arise with people even trying to ensnare Bruno in their net.
Spring has arrived in small community of St. Denis and you are immediately drawn into the story in a way that takes you from the beatific and sacred, to the profane. Walker’s wonderful descriptions of both the setting and foods—including beer-can chicken, make one feel a part of the scene and the story.
Bruno is such an appealing character; you can’t help but like him. He is loyal to his community and has become part of it. It knows its residents and takes a personal interest in them and the challenges they face. He is ethical and principled with refreshingly good relationships with his boss and his counterparts. His past gives him strength, skills and toughness. The fact that he also loves animals, demonstrates his empathy and compassion. His relationships with women are also interesting, especially as he is a man cast into, what is often, the situation of a woman.
Walker’s plotting has an interesting style. The story starts off quite simply but, rather like a magnet, other elements are drawn in as the story progresses. Rather than make the story too complicated, they add depth and interest to the story. Best of all, the pieces fit together in a logical, occasionally humorous, manner until the full picture is revealed. His pacing is so well done. With the introduction of new threads and characters, comes added tension until you reach an exciting climax, with another and another, without it seeming contrived.
“The Devil’s Cave” is a wonderful combination of great characters, wonderful descriptions, fascinating historical information, and an excellent police procedural allowing us a look at the way in which the various branches of the French justice system work together.
THE DEVIL’S CAVE (Pol Proc-Chief of Police Bruno Courrèges-St. Denis, France-Contemp) – VG+
Walker, Martin – 5th in series
Knopf, 2013
July 26, 2015
Auch der fünfte Band mit Chef de Police, Bruno Courrège, is überaus lesenswert und unterhaltsam. Dieses Mal ist es keine Delikatesse, sondern die jüngste Geschichte Frankreichs und eine Familienintrige, die im Zentrum der Handlung steht, wiederum wundervoll eingebettet in das fiktive Örtchen St. Denis, seine teilweise etwas skurrilen, aber liebenswerten Bürger und das Savoir-vivre des Périgord.
October 9, 2021
When a woman's body floats to St. Denis, her body's signs showing performance of a Satanic ritual prompt further investigation. We become acquainted with the Red Countess, her sister, her nurse, and others as it appears the punt was launched from her property. Many residents oppose a proposed housing development they feel will cause more harm than good. Pamela remains in England caring for her mother. While Isabelle is present during the initial cave exploration, she plays a minor role in this installment. While retaining the charm of the Périgord region, this becomes almost like a thriller near the end, involving multiple law enforcement branches. I enjoyed this installment and fell in love with Bruno's new pup! I listened to the audiobook read by Robert Mackenzie which was great as usual.
July 29, 2013
Once again, I've come a little late to a series, but it really doesn't matter. I was initially attracted to the book because it takes place in the Dordogne, in the southwest area of France. I've never been to that part of France, but had read a book a few years ago called "Labyrinthe" which was an historical mystery that took place there also.
It's famous for its caves, and a cave plays a prominent part in this story. This was my first exposure to chief of police Benoit "Bruno" Courreges of the town of St. Denis. It's spring and getting close to Easter. The town choir is practicing a particularly rigorous number. Bruno is enjoying the rehearsal until he is told that the body of a dead woman has been seen floating down the river in an old boat.
In the meantime, a development group, headed by a local Count, is trying to lure the town into underwriting the development of an upscale golfing and summer home community. They are promising to build and indoor sports complex, something that Bruno has wanted for a long time. The mayor also sees this as a way to lure more jobs and tourists to his town in order to keep young people from moving away.
However, there seems to some issues with the project, not to mention an inn that has been reopened as an upscale establishment with private dining only and many pretty young hostesses.
Bruno's love life and memories are replayed for the new reader, so you don't feel as if you don't understand what's been going in. I really enjoyed this book. It's intelligently written, witty and interesting with a lot of twists and turns. I'll be checking the older books when I can.
It's famous for its caves, and a cave plays a prominent part in this story. This was my first exposure to chief of police Benoit "Bruno" Courreges of the town of St. Denis. It's spring and getting close to Easter. The town choir is practicing a particularly rigorous number. Bruno is enjoying the rehearsal until he is told that the body of a dead woman has been seen floating down the river in an old boat.
In the meantime, a development group, headed by a local Count, is trying to lure the town into underwriting the development of an upscale golfing and summer home community. They are promising to build and indoor sports complex, something that Bruno has wanted for a long time. The mayor also sees this as a way to lure more jobs and tourists to his town in order to keep young people from moving away.
However, there seems to some issues with the project, not to mention an inn that has been reopened as an upscale establishment with private dining only and many pretty young hostesses.
Bruno's love life and memories are replayed for the new reader, so you don't feel as if you don't understand what's been going in. I really enjoyed this book. It's intelligently written, witty and interesting with a lot of twists and turns. I'll be checking the older books when I can.
May 26, 2021
Bruno's latest case involves a naked woman floating down the river in a punt. It's ruled a suicide initially, but Bruno is certain that the woman was murdered. Everyone is shocked when her identity is revealed, and his old friend from the army, who now writes for Paris Match, is interested in pursuing the story. Isabel has brought Bruno a puppy who she's named Balzac, and he will provide some much needed levity in this intense mystery involving a black mass, multiple murders, and greed. Robert Mackenzie again proves to be the perfect narrator.
June 2, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. Bruno's demeanor makes me wish always that he was the Chief of Police in my town. Or more truthfully, that I lived in his. The plot of this book involves caves, political cans of worms, and shady businesspeople who view the area's inhabitants as nitwits and/or country bumpkins. Au contraire, fellow readers. And therein is one of the book's (and the series') deep pleasures. Walker's fine writing makes you see these people in colorful detail and root for them. While the perspective the story initially has regarding domestic violence and the Spanish adage invoked may tarnish the fun and joy that are a hallmark of Walker's writing, it's just a headshake moment. Moreover, I spend more time savoring each becasse, courgette, garlic and croissant than any disturbing bit. One reviewer who opined that she 'skipped the foodie parts' made me feel that she had no interest in food or its place in French culture. I worry she may be subsisting on cardboard. Oh, and did I mention the subplot of satanism? This layering of simple to very complicated elements is a crucial piece of Walker's story-telling chops. This technique does not befuddle his tales, but rather draws the reader deeper into the story. I kid not, this is another triumph of mystery writing. You MUST READ this tale of "The Devil's Cave."
October 6, 2015
I continue to love this series and burned through all 333 pages of this fifth installment in a little over 3 days. The Perigord region of France is full of caves, one of which is featured as a setting of this book. I complained that in book four, The Crowded Grave, it seemed out of balance in the things we've come to enjoy of Bruno's life in St. Denis. The community, the romance, sex and food seemed to be squeezed in, unconnected to the main terrorism focus. In this one, the pendulum seems to have swung the other way. Full of regional scenes and dinners cooked by Bruno, romance, and sex, the murder mystery felt less dominant. No complaints here! On to The Resistance Man!
On another note, I want to re-watch Cave of Forgotten Dreams, the brilliant Werner Herzog movie. It's available on Netflix streaming here in the States. (From the blurb: This fascinating documentary offers an unprecedented look at France's Chauvet Cave, which contains the oldest human-painted images found on Earth.) I believe this cave is in the region of the Bruno series.
On another note, I want to re-watch Cave of Forgotten Dreams, the brilliant Werner Herzog movie. It's available on Netflix streaming here in the States. (From the blurb: This fascinating documentary offers an unprecedented look at France's Chauvet Cave, which contains the oldest human-painted images found on Earth.) I believe this cave is in the region of the Bruno series.
January 29, 2019
I gave this book a lower rating than it probably deserved for one reason.....it was a Hamish Macbeth novel moved from Scotland to France.......policeman (Bruno Courréges) in a small rural village (St. Denis), has a beloved dog, unrequited love. eccentric friends, strange crimes for such a small town, etc. I could have practically predicted what was going to happen since I have read several of the Macbeth stories. I'm certainly not accusing the author of plagiarism but the similarities were so obvious that it rather put me off.
The story is clever and the characters are interesting but I felt like I had read it before with different character names and nationalities. But the reader needs to make a choice.....read this series or read the Macbeth series but don't necessarily read both.
The story is clever and the characters are interesting but I felt like I had read it before with different character names and nationalities. But the reader needs to make a choice.....read this series or read the Macbeth series but don't necessarily read both.
August 12, 2024
I am enjoying the every-day-ness of the Bruno mysteries. The Devil's Cave was particularly gruesome and sad with some unexplained family dynamics, but the dynastic range of family names in France was well on display. Some startling revelations make us question what we knew of some familiar characters, in a way that makes us dislike them a little, perhaps.
Lots to think about when it comes to choosing how we want to live, who to love and how puppies make life better.
Lots to think about when it comes to choosing how we want to live, who to love and how puppies make life better.
June 19, 2013
"The Devil's Cave" by Martin Walker reads more like a fascinating slice of French rural life than a mystery, although the core of the plot is a mystery. Bruno, the Chief of Police in St Denis, is a wonderful, warm character and someone you really like and want to spend time with.
At the beginning of the story, Bruno is called in to investigate when a swamped boat is discovered, carrying a woman's nude body down River Vezere. In the boat is a black candle and a beheaded black chicken, leading folks to believe that the woman may have been involved in witchcraft and perhaps murdered or sacrificed during a black mass.
When I said it was more like a fascinating slice of French rural life than a mystery, it was because I found myself more interested in the village, the problems of the villagers and interesting tidbits of history like Madame de Montespan's participating in a black mass in 1666 to gain the attention of King Louis XIV. Some of the villagers want to fight the establishment of a sort of "resort" area near the village because of the impact on the village, while others believe it will bring jobs and more money to the village. Such local issues and the glimpses of life in France held more tension for me than the oddball death of the woman--perhaps because you don't know anything about the victim initially. I really had no reason to be caught up in the mystery of her death--but as you can see from my rating--that was ok. I really enjoyed the story anyway (although I did guess the end well in advance of the end).
The writing is excellent and as I mentioned, you really want to spend time with Bruno and his lovely little village. I truly enjoyed this book and will be glad when another story about Bruno and St Denis comes out.
At the beginning of the story, Bruno is called in to investigate when a swamped boat is discovered, carrying a woman's nude body down River Vezere. In the boat is a black candle and a beheaded black chicken, leading folks to believe that the woman may have been involved in witchcraft and perhaps murdered or sacrificed during a black mass.
When I said it was more like a fascinating slice of French rural life than a mystery, it was because I found myself more interested in the village, the problems of the villagers and interesting tidbits of history like Madame de Montespan's participating in a black mass in 1666 to gain the attention of King Louis XIV. Some of the villagers want to fight the establishment of a sort of "resort" area near the village because of the impact on the village, while others believe it will bring jobs and more money to the village. Such local issues and the glimpses of life in France held more tension for me than the oddball death of the woman--perhaps because you don't know anything about the victim initially. I really had no reason to be caught up in the mystery of her death--but as you can see from my rating--that was ok. I really enjoyed the story anyway (although I did guess the end well in advance of the end).
The writing is excellent and as I mentioned, you really want to spend time with Bruno and his lovely little village. I truly enjoyed this book and will be glad when another story about Bruno and St Denis comes out.
November 13, 2022
So-so. I've enjoyed Bruno's exploits so far, this time I didn't quite connect, don't know why. There was quite a bit of action, the usual mouthwatering food descriptions and everything. But a whole lot happened towards the end that, to me, felt rather rushed. Also his women, it's time for some clarity or a firm decision.
As a Christian I wasn't keen on the dark-forces-motif anyway.
Still, I'll get back to this series, I suppose.
As a Christian I wasn't keen on the dark-forces-motif anyway.
Still, I'll get back to this series, I suppose.
October 29, 2023
Nach langer Zeit mal wieder ein 'Bruno-Krimi' gelesen. Der Mix aus Dorfpolizist, netter Kerl, Liebling der Frauen und Geniesser von feinem Essen und Wein hat sich auch in diesem Buch fortgesetzt. Hier geht es um eine Tote in einem Boot, um schwarze Messen und Sexorgien.
Dazwischen wird Bruno mal hier und da gebraucht und klärt mal dies und das. Der Schluss wird dann was kompliziert - aber spannend. Insgesamt ein 'gut'...
Dazwischen wird Bruno mal hier und da gebraucht und klärt mal dies und das. Der Schluss wird dann was kompliziert - aber spannend. Insgesamt ein 'gut'...
February 14, 2017
maybe 3-
Not the best Bruno. Tant pis!
It’s hard to review a book by one of your favorite authors when you don’t think it measures up to what he has written in the past. Unfortunately, that was my reaction to Martin Walker’s fifth Bruno, Chief of Police, novel, The Devil’s Cave.
The Bruno series is built on a firm foundation, the town of St. Denis in the Perigord area of France, and is a paean to the region’s beauties both natural and gastronomic. The Devil’s Cave continues to delight in this respect. I especially enjoy the discussions of cookery, and I can’t wait to try Bruno’s recipe for roasting a chicken impaled on an open can of beer to make it absorb a flavor that I would previously have associated only with red-meat recipes like boeuf a la flamand. Readers can also expect to learn fascinating tidbits of history or culture from a Bruno book. This one included lore about the influence of Satanism on Henry XIV’s mistress and the participation of French communists in the WW II Resistance, and, appropriately in a series where love of animals is as prominent as love of people, Bruno tells us that the Marquis de Lafayette gave George Washington a gift of basset hounds.
The Bruno series also glorifies the warmth of life in a small town, as when Bruno slows to exchange kisses and handshakes in the local market while he tries to rush to a crime scene. Finally, the small-village atmosphere naturally leads to a series in which relationships play an important role and continuing characters become old friends. This book adds a delightful new character, the basset hound puppy Balzac.
In addition to loving animals, like any good Frenchman, Bruno loves women, specifically the British expatriate Pamela and fellow law-enforcement officer Isabella, and his frustration at not being able to forge a more committed relationship with one of them is another continuing theme. Both women play only minor roles in this book, but the protracted discussion of Pamela’s unwillingness to commit and Isabella’s ambivalence about whether to pursue a high-power career or a family life is becoming tedious. I wish Walker would either do something with this theme or ignore it.
The biggest weakness in The Devil’s Cave, though, is the plot, the most important single element of a novel. It is difficult to discuss the problems in detail without irrevocably spoiling the book, but there is simply too much going on. There are Black Masses and exorcism, a secret tunnel, international finance, possibly shady local land development, complicated family relationships leading back several centuries, and high-class prostitution, to name the major elements. It would be hard to make a unified and plausible story out of these elements, and to this reader the author did not succeed.
Unfortunately, my ultimate impression of The Devil’s Cave was that the foundation that has given the series its well-deserved reputation is still solid, but the story that forms the present volume is shaky. For those who have not read Bruno, I would in any case recommend you begin with the first book, Bruno, Chief of Police. For long-time Bruno fans, I’d say this installment is optional, and you might decide to wait for the next book. As Bruno would say, “Tant pis.”
(Reviewed on Amazon)
Not the best Bruno. Tant pis!
It’s hard to review a book by one of your favorite authors when you don’t think it measures up to what he has written in the past. Unfortunately, that was my reaction to Martin Walker’s fifth Bruno, Chief of Police, novel, The Devil’s Cave.
The Bruno series is built on a firm foundation, the town of St. Denis in the Perigord area of France, and is a paean to the region’s beauties both natural and gastronomic. The Devil’s Cave continues to delight in this respect. I especially enjoy the discussions of cookery, and I can’t wait to try Bruno’s recipe for roasting a chicken impaled on an open can of beer to make it absorb a flavor that I would previously have associated only with red-meat recipes like boeuf a la flamand. Readers can also expect to learn fascinating tidbits of history or culture from a Bruno book. This one included lore about the influence of Satanism on Henry XIV’s mistress and the participation of French communists in the WW II Resistance, and, appropriately in a series where love of animals is as prominent as love of people, Bruno tells us that the Marquis de Lafayette gave George Washington a gift of basset hounds.
The Bruno series also glorifies the warmth of life in a small town, as when Bruno slows to exchange kisses and handshakes in the local market while he tries to rush to a crime scene. Finally, the small-village atmosphere naturally leads to a series in which relationships play an important role and continuing characters become old friends. This book adds a delightful new character, the basset hound puppy Balzac.
In addition to loving animals, like any good Frenchman, Bruno loves women, specifically the British expatriate Pamela and fellow law-enforcement officer Isabella, and his frustration at not being able to forge a more committed relationship with one of them is another continuing theme. Both women play only minor roles in this book, but the protracted discussion of Pamela’s unwillingness to commit and Isabella’s ambivalence about whether to pursue a high-power career or a family life is becoming tedious. I wish Walker would either do something with this theme or ignore it.
The biggest weakness in The Devil’s Cave, though, is the plot, the most important single element of a novel. It is difficult to discuss the problems in detail without irrevocably spoiling the book, but there is simply too much going on. There are Black Masses and exorcism, a secret tunnel, international finance, possibly shady local land development, complicated family relationships leading back several centuries, and high-class prostitution, to name the major elements. It would be hard to make a unified and plausible story out of these elements, and to this reader the author did not succeed.
Unfortunately, my ultimate impression of The Devil’s Cave was that the foundation that has given the series its well-deserved reputation is still solid, but the story that forms the present volume is shaky. For those who have not read Bruno, I would in any case recommend you begin with the first book, Bruno, Chief of Police. For long-time Bruno fans, I’d say this installment is optional, and you might decide to wait for the next book. As Bruno would say, “Tant pis.”
(Reviewed on Amazon)
July 9, 2022
Probably not ideal to start a series with #5 or by audio, instead of by reading (harder for me to follow details and keep characters straight on audio). But I enjoyed this; Bruno is chief of police in a small town in the Perigord region of France, in the same area that has the famous Lascaux caves with their prehistoric art.
A huge cave complex is part of this story, too, as is the food, landscape, markets and people of the area.
Bruno keeps chickens, cooks, rides a horse, has a new puppy, helps out with the local youth sports teams . . . he's a reasonably content man, living in a town that is still a rural community (although struggling with depopulation, etc.) He brings a past to his work (he was part of the UN peacekeeping troops in Bosnia) but he's not neurotically ghost ridden by his past either like many detective lead characters . He's also a smart and sensible man so we know that he will solve the mysteries and crimes that the town confronts.
This particular mystery spends a good portion of its time in the caves (and caves are not my favorite place) but cave's past as a Resistance hiding place added a lot to the story. Sometimes the pacing (between Bruno's relaxed home life and the crime chasing) was a bit jarring but otherwise, a smooth and enjoyable story with a good audio narrator. 3.5 for me.
A huge cave complex is part of this story, too, as is the food, landscape, markets and people of the area.
Bruno keeps chickens, cooks, rides a horse, has a new puppy, helps out with the local youth sports teams . . . he's a reasonably content man, living in a town that is still a rural community (although struggling with depopulation, etc.) He brings a past to his work (he was part of the UN peacekeeping troops in Bosnia) but he's not neurotically ghost ridden by his past either like many detective lead characters . He's also a smart and sensible man so we know that he will solve the mysteries and crimes that the town confronts.
This particular mystery spends a good portion of its time in the caves (and caves are not my favorite place) but cave's past as a Resistance hiding place added a lot to the story. Sometimes the pacing (between Bruno's relaxed home life and the crime chasing) was a bit jarring but otherwise, a smooth and enjoyable story with a good audio narrator. 3.5 for me.
November 23, 2015
This book is 5th in a series of books about a small town policeman working in a village in France. Clearly, the author is a foodie as the descriptions of food and wine show up quite frequently. Whenever I read a book like this, I want to be more, I don't know, present during my meals. These characters savor the food, they know the perfect wine to pair with it. I vow I'm going to be more like these characters who have such an intimate relationship with food. That has yet to happen. It is possible I'm more of an armchair foodie. I can read an entire cookbook for enjoyment, drooling over the recipes, but then close it up. Later, I'll make the same old, same old meal for dinner. Maybe this time will be different.
On to the story. The author was a journalist for 25 years before turning to fiction. I have noticed that while the storyline is well thought out, even complex, the writing of the characters seems a little flat. I felt like all the good guys were of a typr, and all the bad guys of another. For the record, I have not read the four other books. It's possible that character development plays a bigger role earlier on. As a stand alone, this detail was missing. The women were also pretty much the same. Strong, competent, independant women, who all love sex, but are not interested in a committed relationship.
Where the author got me was in his descriptiive writing. I could definitely picture the beautiful little village in the Dordogne. The small town politics were very interesting, Bruno's techniques in balancing his role as a policeman in a small town with his role as a villager were well done. A scene that takes place in the caves had me on edge, feeling more than just a little claustrophobic. This could easily keep me reading the stories. As a little bonus, there is a website with more in-depth discussion of food and wine. www.brunochiefofpolice.com. Maybe I'll make french onion soup with a caesar salad for dinner tonight. With wine, of course.
On to the story. The author was a journalist for 25 years before turning to fiction. I have noticed that while the storyline is well thought out, even complex, the writing of the characters seems a little flat. I felt like all the good guys were of a typr, and all the bad guys of another. For the record, I have not read the four other books. It's possible that character development plays a bigger role earlier on. As a stand alone, this detail was missing. The women were also pretty much the same. Strong, competent, independant women, who all love sex, but are not interested in a committed relationship.
Where the author got me was in his descriptiive writing. I could definitely picture the beautiful little village in the Dordogne. The small town politics were very interesting, Bruno's techniques in balancing his role as a policeman in a small town with his role as a villager were well done. A scene that takes place in the caves had me on edge, feeling more than just a little claustrophobic. This could easily keep me reading the stories. As a little bonus, there is a website with more in-depth discussion of food and wine. www.brunochiefofpolice.com. Maybe I'll make french onion soup with a caesar salad for dinner tonight. With wine, of course.
July 31, 2013
The Devil's Cave, the fifth in the Bruno series, is a little different from the first four in which wine and/or food played a central role, a key part of the plot. Also,in this novel there is much less plotting and counter plotting among various police factions. Although Bruno's love life has not settled down, it too is less front and center. Pamela is in Scotland caring for her mother incapacitated by a stroke. Although Isabelle does come down on business and spends the weekend with Bruno, there is no longer any question of a long term committed relationship. This time the focus is on land deals and fraud with a sex worker component. A group wants to develop property at St. Denis and promise much once the town makes concessions and develops the necessary infrastructure. Bruno early on smells a rat. At the same time a beautiful dead naked woman is seen floating down the river in a punt with Satanic items in the boat and Satanic markings on her body. This death leads Bruno to the Red Countess a hero of the Resistance and famous Communist. She now lays comatose in her chateau suffering supposedly from Alzheimer's and surounded by players in the land deal, the sex ring, and Satanic activity at a local tourist attraction cave. The ending brings together all three elements, a chase through cave tunnels to save a girl, and an heroic rescue by Bruno. More action that the other four, this the fifth still has some of the loved elements from the earlier novels--good food and drink carefully described, long horse rides on Hector, and the lovely Dordogne country side. But perhaps best of all--Balzac the basset puppy who succedes the much loved Gigi. A Goodread.
January 20, 2023
The best yet in this series, with truly villainous villains and all the usual charms of the French countryside, small town, church, priest, farmers, market-stalls, food, wine, horses, dogs, and murder. Here what at first seems to be a possible suicide grows into an international scandal, complete with apparent Satanic rituals in a tourist cave which the cave's proprietor is only too happy to exploit for profit. The police-procedural aspects seem very authentic and well-researched, as do the local history and politics. The big finish is very big indeed, getting more desperate and exciting with each page, and continuing to explode far past the time the reader thinks it's over. In his acknowledgments, the author is anxious to say that while some people may see some familiar things, the characters and locale are entirely fictitious. He then, deadpan, observes, "The idea that businessmen in the French defense industry or hedge-fund financiers would ever resort to the exploitation of loose women in pursuit of profit is, of course as ludicrous as it is outrageous. And the journalists for the splendid regional newspaper Sud Ouest would never behave as Philippe Delaron does in this novel. My imagination must have run away with me."
August 12, 2012
Martin Walker's 'Bruno Courrèges, Chief of Police' books should come with a warning label saying: "May provoke cravings for foie gras, fresh croissants and good wine."
This is the 5th of the Bruno series of books and was just released in the UK as of early August 2012. I've become such a Bruno fan in the space of the past 2 months that I ordered this one online since it will likely be a year before the North American edition is released.
The main plot involves the finding of a dead body found floating down the river in a punt showing indications of the aftermath of a satanic ritual. Meanwhile Bruno is anonymously alerted to a case of domestic abuse and his patron, the Mayor of St. Denis, is involved with a development scheme to build a high-end holiday village in the outskirts of the community. Many others of the St. Denis and Perigord cast are back including a new romantic temptation for Bruno and even a possible love interest for the Baron.
I enjoyed this one quite as much as the others although the ending was quite shocking and distressing in some ways (no, not as distressing as the end to No. 4, if you know what I mean).
This is the 5th of the Bruno series of books and was just released in the UK as of early August 2012. I've become such a Bruno fan in the space of the past 2 months that I ordered this one online since it will likely be a year before the North American edition is released.
The main plot involves the finding of a dead body found floating down the river in a punt showing indications of the aftermath of a satanic ritual. Meanwhile Bruno is anonymously alerted to a case of domestic abuse and his patron, the Mayor of St. Denis, is involved with a development scheme to build a high-end holiday village in the outskirts of the community. Many others of the St. Denis and Perigord cast are back including a new romantic temptation for Bruno and even a possible love interest for the Baron.
I enjoyed this one quite as much as the others although the ending was quite shocking and distressing in some ways (no, not as distressing as the end to No. 4, if you know what I mean).
April 24, 2013
What I really enjoy about the "Bruno" books(other than Bruno and his group) is the history in the mystery. (lol) Martin Walker ties in his characters from other novels in this one, a nice touch. The crime has to do with Satanism and St. Denis has some interesting crimes going on. For those who read the series, there is happy news in this one. (enough said) The plot was a bit more difficult to follow and the finale a bit contrived possibly. But still, loved it.
September 18, 2022
I love the character Bruno. I especially love the setting in southern France. Read this series if you like French food (not the fancy stuff, the country stuff). The story extends back to the French resistance in WWII. There is also a cave of wonders (sort of like the caves in France with the neolithic paintings in them). Then there is the standard problem of who is going to inherit the estate and, therefore, who is killing off these seemingly random people. Recommend.
December 14, 2012
It was a book to make you wonder what would happen next. It simply took off with many amusing tales. I like Burno but he needs to make up his mind about women.
October 13, 2015
A real page-turner - but the exorcism mass is pure invention & way over the top! But then Walker admits he made this up out of whole cloth. Lots of other fun parts though & some GREAT villains!
April 13, 2020
A cozy mystery set in the French countryside where the descriptions of village life, food and wine together with its twists and turns make for a delightful read.
December 21, 2023
I am so happy I found this series . There is action and some great loveable characters and of course the mystery. Mystery is not one of my regular reads, but this series has kept me interested and entertained when I need something lighter than my usual reads.
Poor Bruno is still hoping for a woman to settle down with, but he seems to get attached to women who really are not interested in being a wife or mother. He is still hoping Isabelle will return to St. Denis-don't think that is going to happen Bruno-and still romancing Pam-but only when Pam invites him too-I would tell her to hit the road Bruno!
The mystery here surrounds a titled family with deep French roots and lots of hidden secrets. In true Bruno style there is a lot action and heroism on his part. In true Martin Walker style we are introduced to more of the surroundings in this small country environment and of course the delicious French cuisine.
Oh! And Bruno get's a new friend and housemate and I am already in love with that little guy!
Poor Bruno is still hoping for a woman to settle down with, but he seems to get attached to women who really are not interested in being a wife or mother. He is still hoping Isabelle will return to St. Denis-don't think that is going to happen Bruno-and still romancing Pam-but only when Pam invites him too-I would tell her to hit the road Bruno!
The mystery here surrounds a titled family with deep French roots and lots of hidden secrets. In true Bruno style there is a lot action and heroism on his part. In true Martin Walker style we are introduced to more of the surroundings in this small country environment and of course the delicious French cuisine.
Oh! And Bruno get's a new friend and housemate and I am already in love with that little guy!
June 4, 2022
No. 5 in the Bruno, Chief of Police series, involving aristocrats behaving badly and a death in which a beautiful (unidentified) naked woman is found floating in a small boat down the river with many satanic signs and symbols surrounding her. Has she been murdered by devil worshippers? Bruno’s investigation leads to a chateau belonging to the Red Countess, a fabled aristocrat who was part of the resistance during WWII as a mere slip of a girl and later took up the communist cause and famously rallied the students and workers on the barricades in 1968. There are some shady developers trying to convince the village of St. Denis to invest in their scheme, led by the countess’ nephew. It all comes to a head with a terrific stand-off between cops and villains deep in a watery underground cave, the Devil’s Cave of the title. Bruno to the rescue!
April 20, 2018
This installment of the Bruno series features the mystery more than the meals, I'm a little sorry to say. But a cracking good mystery it is! Beginning with a body in a boat floating downriver, and ending explosively, it's an exciting read all around. I continue to recommend this series, especially to anyone interested in the French countryside.
March 20, 2020
Satan is on the march, but fortunately for St. Denis, Bruno is on the job. This is a thoroughly enjoyable mix of mystery, skullduggery, beguiling and bemusing lovers, and exquisite cuisine set in a small provincial French town (whose police chief has astounding intelligence resources).
April 21, 2020
Wow! I really enjoyed this book. I found the mystery engaging, and some of the descriptions were really wonderful. My favorite of Walker's books so far.
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