Im Château: Der sechzehnte Fall für Bruno, Chef de police

Bruno, Chief of Police #16

by Martin Walker, Michael Windgassen (translator)

Bruno im Eine Gruppe alter Freunde, die sich aus dem Silicon Valley kennen, trifft sich alljährlich zu einer Urlaubswoche, diesmal im wunderschönen, luxuriösen Château de Rouffillac. Doch im Vorfeld wird einer von ihnen, Brice Kerquelin, Opfer eines mysteriösen »Unfalls«, und Bruno wird zum Schutz der kleinen Runde abgeordnet. Aber nicht nur sein Scharfsinn, sondern auch seine Kochkünste sind In der Abgeschiedenheit des Schlosses wappnet er sich gegen Übergriffe und sorgt mit Estragonhühnchen und Tarte tatin fürs leibliche Wohl.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, France, Crime, Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook

373 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 8, 2023

About the author

Martin 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.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I make no secret of my enthusiasm for the Bruno Courreges series. It’s one of a few series that is truly intellectual, combining global politics, history and a good mystery. Lately Walker has been focusing on international threats to France and NATO. The Wagner Group even makes an appearance. And in this book, there’s even technological advances and cybersecurity in the mix. I had to resort to google and Wikipedia more than once to get an understanding of what was being discussed.
The premise here is that a high ranking French official who was running a nearby secret electronic surveillance base is seriously wounded while performing in an historical reenactment. The question is whether the wound was intentional or accidental. (I was disappointed that the blurb for the book gives way too much away. If you can help it, don’t read the blurb! ). It does somewhat strains credibility that numerous soldiers are sent to protect the daughters and rich friends of this man, who has been sent elsewhere. That said, the story is fascinating and totally kept my interest.
A great part of my enjoyment of this series is the interaction between Bruno and his friends. His friends finally come out and tell him he’s been missing a great romantic opportunity, something I’ve been thinking about for the last several books.
This is the first in the series I’ve read rather than listened to. And oh, what a delight to find the Author’s Notes, with a detailed accounting of what is real and what is fictional. It had me going back to the prior books to check out their author’s notes. It has once again sharpened my peeve that so many audiobooks don’t include them, when they’re so important.
My sadness is that I’m now caught up on the series and will need to wait for #17.
My thanks to Netgalley and Knopf Books for an advance copy of this book.

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good series. Time spent with Bruno in the small town of St. Denis is definitely time well spent.

This story begins in the nearby town of Sarlat where a reenactment is taking place of the liberation of the town in 1370. When a scene from the play takes a deadly turn Bruno becomes involved in the investigation, and in turn is required to play a part in some very high level security issues. He also gets a telling off from his closest friends about his erratic love life. I am on Bruno's side in this one. Marriage needs a stronger basis than just liking someone.

All my favourite characters were mentioned at some point and Balzac the puppy was everywhere. Some beautiful meals were cooked and eaten, and the description of the market place and all the wonderful foods for sale was droolworthy. (if that is not a word it should be). This series has everything - a great main character, a beautiful setting, clever mysteries, plenty of action, and a Bassett Hound called Balzac. What more could you want?

My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Wulf Krueger · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the new low point of a once-great series. Once a series about Bruno investigating mysteries in rural France, and his friends, this has moved to international spy/tech fiction. This novel doesn’t even have any real mystery anymore… The technological stuff isn’t anything new or interesting, and the spy stuff is just completely over the top. As for the international setting, it involves France, the USA, Russia, China, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, and others…

I won’t hold back any spoilers (marked on platforms supporting that), so proceed with caution.



The story is extremely simplistic: A top-ranking intelligence official, Kerquelin, is attacked and Bruno is investigating. Sadly, it is obvious early on that the attack was staged. The reason for staging it is never revealed, though, and it hardly makes any sense anyway…

Kerquelin had invited friends to the eponymous chateau (which is never under siege, though…) and Bruno is baby-sitting them on orders of the ever-present General Lannes with the help of a squad of soldiers. These friends are supposed to be ultra-rich and ultra-smart Silicon Valley pioneers and, indeed, they’re techno-babbling initially and are made to look like a secret society but even they’re seriously under-used.

Towards the end, they’re even entirely forgotten about and there’s no closure on many loose threads.

Not so present, in contrast to Lannes, are all our old “acquaintances” from the earlier novels - yes, they’re all mentioned in passing but they play absolutely no role in this novel. At one point, some of them chastise Bruno for having thoroughly friend-zoned his potential love interest Florence but that’s it.

Also weird: Bruno, who rarely resists female advances, rejects both Marie-Do and Claire for reasons unknown and neglects to tell Florence about the absence of any romantic feelings on his part. This is all very unsatisfying (sic).

Since it’s clear that there’s no (attempted) murder, Bruno is supposed to find out who is out to get those tech people but even that is mostly done by and, ultimately, achieved by the soldiers under his command.



Lastly, and worst of all, there’s a rushed, lacklustre, cheap ending that leaves a proper Bruno novel to be desired. The ending feels like Walker finally ran out of patience with his own uninspired writing and the (lack of a) story and gave up.

»This feels more like mobile warfare, with snipers and drones and grenades. I’m still trying to adjust.«

I shared that feeling but refused and failed to adjust. This is not what I read these novels for.

The entire novel reads like Martin Walker had absolutely no interest in writing another Bruno novel but wanted to show off his oh-so-brilliant insight into global politics and technology. At the very least, he didn’t manage to write a proper mystery.

One sad star out of five.


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Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed a lot of books in the early part of this series, but as time has passed, Walker is channeling Tom Clancy more than he is Peter Mayle. The village characters/ Bruno's friends fade into the background amidst a bad tasting potage of military and high-tech intrigue combined with recipes doubtlessly intended for Walker and his wife's next "award winning" cookbook.

Long time fans of the series will at least be amused by Bruno being taken to task by all his friends for not realizing he should marry Florence and be a good Papa to her twins. But why would he when Isabel is still out there and other women continuously throw themselves into his lap?.

I've also realized that Walker's writing style feels as if it has been written originally in French and then translated stiffly by Google translator.

Au revoir, Monsieur Walker. You
will probably write more of these, and I will probably read them, if for no other reason than blowing off some steam writing these reviews.
.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author intertwines current events as usual. I had a hard time staying focused on the storyline and it all felt a bit contrived. At one point Bruno comes across as a temperate and empathetic character during the interrogation of two captured would-be assassins. Firstly, he talks to one of them in their native language. Secondly, there was a heavy hint that some not so subtle techniques were being applied to extract information from the captives when Bruno was sent to make the tea not once, but twice.

Favorite quote:
"Like Bruno, they shared a hope, often sorely tested, that the European Union could yet match their dreams of a wider homeland routed less in national pride than in the shared heritage of Greece and Rome."

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bruno and his friends are watching a local historical re-enactment, and are shocked when one of the participants appears to have been stabbed as he falls from his horse. Fabiola is outraged that they are taking the man to a local facility when he has lost so much blood, but apparently there is more going on than meets the eye. The man is a wealthy local entrepreneur--was this an accident, attempted murder, or something way above Bruno's pay grade? Bruno is somewhat annoyed when his friends tell him that he should consider Florence and stop thinking about the unattainable Isabelle. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.

[Mike Sumner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not so sure about this, the 16th in The Bruno Courrèges, Chef of Police series. Many of my favourite characters that I have come to love over the years, don't get a mention. Even Pamela only makes a cameo appearance as does his beloved horse, Hector. It's dominated with a plot dictated by electronic intelligence, the micro thin material gd graphene, Russians, Syrian mercenaries, Chinese influence... This is not a comfortable tale about the Perigord and St Denis with its amiable inhabitants, not much about Bruno's famous cooking and his love life seems to founder at every turn.

Of course its well written and very well researched but still left me rather disappointed...

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bruno is now in charge of a spy mission to protect foreign billionaires instead of being the friendly policeman of his village. To the extent that he has contact with his fellow villagers he can't even bear to sit down to dinner with them because they are annoying him so much by intruding into his private life in a way that seems very unFrench. Meanwhile the big mystery mishap at the beginning is never satisfactorily resolved because apparently there is no restoration/punishment/whatever for the obnoxious transgression that was committed.
This episode isn't quite jumping the shark but is close to it.

[Lisa Barbour · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have loved this series up until now. I miss the village atmosphere and the interactions between Bruno’s friends. I just could not get into this book.

[Julie Durnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Lisa Bussom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Bruno and the Perigord region of France. I truly enjoyed the books where Bruno was doing his regular duties and meeting up with the different characters in the region. I have been slowly becoming disenchanted with the series as Bruno becomes more involved with spy craft and international politics and international incidents. In this book, Bruno is squarely involved in the international situation, there is little interaction with the locals and somehow only Bruno is able to piece together a potential international incident even though there are several intelligence officers around. At least Balzac was there.

[Michael Shulman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars is generous

If you are new to this series you will not like it - at all. Walker’s last book had too little of what makes the series great - the backdrop of rural France - this book is a bewildering presentation of names places technology with no character development - Walker’s great skill at creating characters we want to get to know has devolved into wooden presentations of caricatures. He also rushed the ending. Tant pis pour moi.

[Jim Cooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy read but lacking in substance. The ‘fillers’ on French cooking, Bruno’s love life ( or lack of it), and the charm of the Dordogne is wearing a bit thin after the 16th book in the series.

[MicheleinNJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry to say Bruno novels have gotten predictable & ho hom. The Isabelle thing is so dull at this point.

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Walker is one of my absolute favorite authors and his books about Bruno Courrèges chief of police. Set in the rural Dordogne region in France, is the one I look forward to the most every year. A Chateau Under Siege is this years adventure and yes Balzac is in it. It starts in the town of Sarlat with an reenactment gone wrong and develops into a rather big affair with foreign interests. Oh, before you ask. Ther is food and drink is this one as it should be, don't you worry. Bruno is also getting some pressure on the matter of settling down with a partner.
These books are so wonderfully written so I have plans to visit the region shortly. I actually think about retiring there. Walker should actually get some proceeds from the tourism he attracts with his descriptions of this part of the world. For those that think this is only another cozy crime series, think again. There is action, espionage, history and world politics in this series. There is also some wine and food involved, enough to make you hungry reading. I recommend this series to all I know and those I don't know as well. I must give a very warm thank you to Querqus Books that gave me a copy and to Netgalley. But most of all to Martin Walker for creating this world of Bruno.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel that Bruno and Saint Denis have lost their charms, and now the plot is all about global espionage and the tone too pedantic, I doubt I shall be revisiting this series.

[Dale Wyant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have loved this series so much and always look forward to a trip back to St. Denis, but this particular book was lacking. A rushed ending and unsatisfying romantic twist didn't help. Yes, the mystery was timely, as well as our current global situation, but I expected better.

[Philippa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the Bruno books but I found this one a little disappointing; too much willing suspension of disbelief required. It gripped me less than the others somehow. Amazing food though, and we all adore Balzac the dog!

[Janette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series has become a lot more like political thrillers rather than murder mysteries with a political element.

[John Cavanagh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Almost nothing happens in this one. France's answer to John McClane spends most of the time on the phone. Hands-free of course. They're busy elsewhere as usual -- what drama there is centers on Bruno's attempts to sleep with every woman who sets foot in the Perigord. Someone seems to have had a word with Walker after last time out cause this time even Bruno's friends seem to have had enough. Dinners include chicken tarragon with creme fraiche and spaghetti with bacon and zucchini

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will continue to read this series, but definitely sticking with borrowing from library.

*On one hand, the “lectures” on history and recent global situations are interesting, but there’s so much of it. Those sections would take me out of the story.

*Am I the only one who thought it was an abrupt ending? It felt like there were loose threads that didn’t get tied off as much as just snipped off.

*I don’t think Bruno and company were nearly pissed-off enough that their time was wasted. That’s one of the threads that needed better closure. I wanted to see the “victim”, his daughters and friends to be all apologies and making amends.

*Really annoyed with the guilt trips/manipulations re: Bruno’s relationship with Florence! Do Bruno and Florence need to have an open and honest discussion? Yes, they do, since it seems that Florence may be having certain expectations; but everyone else needs to back off. Although, I will say that I’m in agreement with the friends over Bruno and Isabelle’s continued connection. I appreciate that B & I let each other be their independent selves even though they desire each other, but the truth is that I’m just not a fan of Isabelle as Bruno’s “soul mate”(?). Haven’t been for a while if I’m being honest.

*What was up with Claire, Marie-Do and even Suzanne?! If they weren’t referring to his relationships with Isabelle and Florence like they were confidants entitled to his personal info, they were making straight up advances (looking at you, Claire) Something about it struck me as adjacent to sexual harassment (maybe?). I don’t know, but it annoyed me a great deal.

*Another woman who annoyed me was Fabiola. She needs to stop displacing her fears and anger re: Gilles onto Bruno.

[John Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 16th and latest of the Bruno series.
For those of us who have been with Bruno Courreges from the start, we and Bruno have come a long way. We have learnt much about the French system of law enforcement, French history and the community of St Denis in the Vegere valley in the Perigord region.
From Bruno's start as a humble 'village bobby', our honoured war hero has become a figure engaged in International crime.
His continued service has brought him many friends in high places on whom he can call "no questions asked" for whatever favours are deemed necessary.

We have followed him through his affairs of the heart and his community activities teaching the youngsters of the town Rugby and Tennis as he becomes a well respected figure in the locality.
And yet, he still has time to exercise his horse Hector most days and takes Balzac, the beagle he jointly owns with an ex girlfriend, with him almost everywhere.
His cooking is renowned and here he provides a much admired gourmet meal at the drop of a hat,for a group of perhaps the wealthiest people in the world.

I enjoyed the read and it still captures the essence of the region but, for me, I wonder if the series is moving off at an unwelcome tangent now with international crime/terrorism featuring in the last two books. The village policeman who breaks off arranging an operation to capture potentially international mercenaries, to take children for a swim and prepare a meal for friends starts to stretch bounds a bit for me.

With his greatest personal battle rekindled by a message late in the book, maybe Bruno will come back to basics and sort out once and for all, what really matters.

[Ken Fredette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Walker may be setting us up! All his friends are telling him to marry Florence. Forget Isabelle and marry the woman he does not love. But he likes her as a human being and her twins. The book give us a lot of other women that Bruno came into contact with in regards to his duties. Clair and Nadia the daughters of Kerquelin who is the main character in this story. And then there is Marie-Do who is a friend of Isabelle's and working near him. Also there is Suzanne who was divorced to Kerquelin but is more impressed at staying in Paris. The book is well planned out and Bruno comes out well but not in good shape. Its main thrust is that Kerquelin was knifed during a play that was being put on by another town close by. His daughter Nadia who is a striking red head was worried. All his friends throughout the world came to see him but Bruno had to keep them occupied until he recovered. It gets involved with the Russians, Chinese, and makes for a good storyline. In the last chapter he gets a note from Isabelle saying she will see him soon. So we're still in the quandary about Florence.

[Delores · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will confess that I miss the earlier books in the series that focused more on local events and people. The series has veered away from this and toward complex international plot themes. The result is less about St. Denis and more about international intrigue.

The plot is overly complicated and, frankly, not plausible. Would a local police officer really be the lead on an international operation of this magnitude? Doubtful.

Hopefully, the storyline will return to local stories, which is what made this series so delightful.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative and not sorry I read it but this was not my favorite Bruno. Walker delivers an interesting narrative of geo-politics but sadly tells not shows the story. Yes Bruno cooks and yes, a glamorous woman throws herself at Bruno but there's no plot action until the end. This is not a police procedural, a mystery, or an international spy thriller. It's just a publisher's deadline met. Of course, it closes with a note from the ubiquitous yet absent Isabella.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was... fine.

(Minor spoiler alert: Bruno gets shot about every fourth book. This is book #16 in the series. So do the math!)

[Stephan Benzkofer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every Bruno, Chief of Police installment has three elements: adventure/mystery, French food and tourism, and Bruno's love life and interaction with the constellation of locals we've come to know. So I would rate this book at 5 stars for food and tourism (I truly want to visit this region of France) and 3.5 stars for love life as Bruno finally may be forced to make a choice. But adventure? Disappointing. Anti-climactic. And misleading! One star. (That's not to say I didn't gobble it up on the beach over two picture-perfect days.)

[Karen Schnakenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a real fan of Walker and Bruno but think this one doesn't quite measure up - too much in the way of international intrigue and special ops and military equipment and not enough of Bruno and his friends and their more pedestrian but far more interesting interactions and concerns. Even the food, which is a major feature of most books in this series, seems to get relatively short shrift. I always look forward to a new book in this series and have been known to reread a number of them, but this one probably won't get that treatment

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I've loved the Bruno series, the delightful locations, the mouth watering food descriptions, the witty characters.... this newest book, with a plot 'ripped from the headlines,' requires way too much suspension of disbelief to be enjoyable. Not the plot itself, but how the reader is supposed to believe a small town chief of police would be called upon to lead an operation involving national defense and intelligence personnel to foil a Russian-planned terrorist attack. All the while cooking gourmet meals and hosting unexpected guests. Please. Enough.

[Rich Bussom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating the recent Bruno books is more a matter of what you like than the books themselves. They are uniformly well written with great characters and settings. If you're here for "Bruno, local village policeman " this books contains quite a bit you'll enjoy. If you prefer "Bruno, Mr. Walker's answer to Jack Ryan", you'll also find much to like. If you find the combination jarring, like me, then it comes down to how much one takes away enjoyment of the other.