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Bruno, Chief of Police #9
Fatal Pursuit
A pair of murders, a romance and rivals in pursuit of a long-lost vintage car of unfathomable value—Bruno, chief of police, is busy in another mystery set in the beautiful Dordogne
At the annual fête in St. Denis, Bruno’s biggest worry is surviving as a last-minute replacement navigator in a car rally race. The contest and a classic-car parade are new to the festivities and draw a spate of outsiders with deep pockets, big-city egos and, in the case of a young Englishman, an intriguing story. It’s the tale of a Bugatti Type 57C, lost somewhere in France during World War II. Among the most beautiful cars ever made, one of only four of its kind—Ralph Lauren owns one—it is worth millions and drives its pursuers mad with greed. In the midst of the festivities, a local scholar turns up dead and Bruno suspects unnatural causes. After a second death, there is mounting evidence that the events in St. Denis are linked to international crime.
To make matters even more complicated, a family squabble over land brings to St. Denis a comely Parisienne who turns Bruno’s head. As usual, Bruno’s life offers its challenges—but there is always time for a good bottle and a home-cooked meal.
At the annual fête in St. Denis, Bruno’s biggest worry is surviving as a last-minute replacement navigator in a car rally race. The contest and a classic-car parade are new to the festivities and draw a spate of outsiders with deep pockets, big-city egos and, in the case of a young Englishman, an intriguing story. It’s the tale of a Bugatti Type 57C, lost somewhere in France during World War II. Among the most beautiful cars ever made, one of only four of its kind—Ralph Lauren owns one—it is worth millions and drives its pursuers mad with greed. In the midst of the festivities, a local scholar turns up dead and Bruno suspects unnatural causes. After a second death, there is mounting evidence that the events in St. Denis are linked to international crime.
To make matters even more complicated, a family squabble over land brings to St. Denis a comely Parisienne who turns Bruno’s head. As usual, Bruno’s life offers its challenges—but there is always time for a good bottle and a home-cooked meal.
301 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
1244 people are currently reading
1569 people want to read
About the author
Martin Walker
66 books1,540 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 492 reviews
September 16, 2023
The ninth book in this totally enjoyable series.
Take a close look at the car on the cover. That is a Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic of which only four were ever made. True fact. Google it and you can see the one owned by Ralph Lauren. Another is in a museum. The third was wrecked in a train crash. The fourth disappeared in France during WW2 and it is this one which features in Fatal Pursuit as the author creates a story about what might have happened to it.
Of course there is much more - car racing, horse riding, spying, money laundering for Islamic terrorists, fantastic meals to make your mouth water, lots of great characters and even a new romance for Bruno. And never forget a cute Basset Hound pup.
I highly recommend this series but start it at book one!
Take a close look at the car on the cover. That is a Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic of which only four were ever made. True fact. Google it and you can see the one owned by Ralph Lauren. Another is in a museum. The third was wrecked in a train crash. The fourth disappeared in France during WW2 and it is this one which features in Fatal Pursuit as the author creates a story about what might have happened to it.
Of course there is much more - car racing, horse riding, spying, money laundering for Islamic terrorists, fantastic meals to make your mouth water, lots of great characters and even a new romance for Bruno. And never forget a cute Basset Hound pup.
I highly recommend this series but start it at book one!
January 30, 2023
This is not the book or series for those looking for a fast paced thriller. The start of this book comes across more like an uplifting small town feel good story. (In a weird way, parts of this actually reminded me of Jan Karon’s Mitford series.) But for those that want a thinking man’s mystery with lots of history, good food and antique cars thrown in, this is the book for you.
Fatal Pursuit follows Bruno as he gets to be the co-driver in a car rally race.
One of the fellows he meets during the festivities is an Englishman with a story about a Bugatti C57 that went missing during WWII. It was one of four ever made (one of the remaining ones is actually owned by Ralph Lauren). The car could be worth $30 million Euro if found.
The death of a local scholar is occupying Bruno’s work hours. When a second death occurs, things heat up. Isabelle makes a return appearance as there are suspicious characters in the area.
This is a character rich story. I adore not only Bruno (is it possible to have a crush on a fictional character?) but also his friends. But I want that man to find a romantic partner who wants what he wants - a family! So far, it would appear he’s batting 0 for 3.
While I originally had problems with Robert Ian Mackenzie, I now find his voice perfect for this series and almost soothing.
Fatal Pursuit follows Bruno as he gets to be the co-driver in a car rally race.
One of the fellows he meets during the festivities is an Englishman with a story about a Bugatti C57 that went missing during WWII. It was one of four ever made (one of the remaining ones is actually owned by Ralph Lauren). The car could be worth $30 million Euro if found.
The death of a local scholar is occupying Bruno’s work hours. When a second death occurs, things heat up. Isabelle makes a return appearance as there are suspicious characters in the area.
This is a character rich story. I adore not only Bruno (is it possible to have a crush on a fictional character?) but also his friends. But I want that man to find a romantic partner who wants what he wants - a family! So far, it would appear he’s batting 0 for 3.
While I originally had problems with Robert Ian Mackenzie, I now find his voice perfect for this series and almost soothing.
February 13, 2017
A vintage car, the most sought-after Bugatti in living memory, vanished during WWII. A vintage road show enthralls the town of St. Denis and during the festivities a murder is committed, seemingly unrelated to the event. "Natural causes", is what the doctor wants to write on the death certificate of the retired archivist, but recalling a recent, serious faut pas in this regard, the doctor hesitates. Bruno, Chief Of Police, smells a rat, and the mix is on ...
Therefor, another compelling, adventurous pursue of truth and justice takes the reader along in super fast car races, through dark dungeons of history and romantic entanglements. Through it all a couple of youths are dragged through the legal system and an over indulgent mother pulled back into reality. Bruno can be tough with gloves on!
We're back in the territory of The Dordogne in France, where culinary chiefdom puts the proof in the pudding, and Balzac the dog roles his eyes at his master's pursuit of eternal happiness with strong unavailable woman. Bruno loves the romance, and he mourns the absence of children in his life, yet he chooses women who will not fit into the role of mother and life partner. It is almost as though his feet willingly do not want to walk his talk.
The usual cast of characters are there, with some fading in, and others out. But the ambiance is still a town with many stories to tell to the eager groupies of the Martin Walker canon. This tale is no exception. The story is not so important as the happiness of being back in St.Denis, enjoying the hospitality and ambiance of a special town. Whatever plays itself out just delightfully contributes to the experience.
Therefor, another compelling, adventurous pursue of truth and justice takes the reader along in super fast car races, through dark dungeons of history and romantic entanglements. Through it all a couple of youths are dragged through the legal system and an over indulgent mother pulled back into reality. Bruno can be tough with gloves on!
We're back in the territory of The Dordogne in France, where culinary chiefdom puts the proof in the pudding, and Balzac the dog roles his eyes at his master's pursuit of eternal happiness with strong unavailable woman. Bruno loves the romance, and he mourns the absence of children in his life, yet he chooses women who will not fit into the role of mother and life partner. It is almost as though his feet willingly do not want to walk his talk.
The usual cast of characters are there, with some fading in, and others out. But the ambiance is still a town with many stories to tell to the eager groupies of the Martin Walker canon. This tale is no exception. The story is not so important as the happiness of being back in St.Denis, enjoying the hospitality and ambiance of a special town. Whatever plays itself out just delightfully contributes to the experience.
July 18, 2016
This book is all about cars and car races, especially about a Bugatti 57s Atlantic, the world's most valuable vintage car. I enjoyed Bruno as a co-driver in a car rallye, but overall I'd say that this is one of the weaker installments in the series. From the first time the Bugatti was mentioned it was obvious where this was leading and also who the murderer was - of the second murder I mean; the first one was never really solved or did I miss something? The terrorist plot also seemed very constructed and just a weak excuse to give Isabelle an appearance. The setting was great as usual and so is Bruno's work for his town. I'd not recommend this book for people new to the series, but fans will love it anyway.
(I received a free digital copy via Netgalley/ the publisher. Thanks for the opportunity!)
(I received a free digital copy via Netgalley/ the publisher. Thanks for the opportunity!)
February 3, 2017
A fine return to form for Bruno, Chief of Police.
Bruno seemed a bit off his game in the previous book The Patriarch (U.S. edition) aka The Dying Season: A Bruno Courrèges Investigation (U.K. edition) so I am happy to report a return to form in the latest in the crime series on the rural policeman of St. Denis in the Périgord region of France.
The regular Bruno supporting cast all make guest appearances including lost-love Isabelle who is now with EuroJust and is chasing international money launderers who have a St. Denis connection. But for once Isabelle is not quite portrayed as an entirely sympathetic character as she perhaps has the sense that Bruno has moved on with his romantic interests. Actually, Bruno seems so swept up that there was less time spent on meal preparations and enjoyments except for quick croissants and brioches and more time spent on l'amour.
The domestic cases (a local suspicious death and Bruno mentoring a teenager who is caught shoplifting) merge very well with the international cases of the money chase and the search for a missing classic Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic automobile and all is well again in St. Denis.
Stray Observations:
- Fortunately there is no difference this time between the titles of the U.K. edition (published June 2, 2016) and the U.S. edition (published June 21, 2016) and the publishing time difference is down to only 3 weeks (it was a year difference when the series began).
- I spotted a rare Bruno typo. Pg. 240 in the UK edition, perhaps fixed for the US? "...and at your famr [sic] where we first discussed...". [should be "farm"].
- The hunt for a rare Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic is based on a true story including the story of Ralph Lauren's $40 Million model which you can see here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUpoU...
Bruno seemed a bit off his game in the previous book The Patriarch (U.S. edition) aka The Dying Season: A Bruno Courrèges Investigation (U.K. edition) so I am happy to report a return to form in the latest in the crime series on the rural policeman of St. Denis in the Périgord region of France.
The regular Bruno supporting cast all make guest appearances including lost-love Isabelle who is now with EuroJust and is chasing international money launderers who have a St. Denis connection. But for once Isabelle is not quite portrayed as an entirely sympathetic character as she perhaps has the sense that Bruno has moved on with his romantic interests. Actually, Bruno seems so swept up that there was less time spent on meal preparations and enjoyments except for quick croissants and brioches and more time spent on l'amour.
The domestic cases (a local suspicious death and Bruno mentoring a teenager who is caught shoplifting) merge very well with the international cases of the money chase and the search for a missing classic Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic automobile and all is well again in St. Denis.
Stray Observations:
- Fortunately there is no difference this time between the titles of the U.K. edition (published June 2, 2016) and the U.S. edition (published June 21, 2016) and the publishing time difference is down to only 3 weeks (it was a year difference when the series began).
- I spotted a rare Bruno typo. Pg. 240 in the UK edition, perhaps fixed for the US? "...and at your famr [sic] where we first discussed...". [should be "farm"].
- The hunt for a rare Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic is based on a true story including the story of Ralph Lauren's $40 Million model which you can see here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUpoU...
July 26, 2020
In diesem neunten Buch der Reihe „Bruno, Chef de Police“ geht es nur vordergründig um ein verschollenes Exemplar des Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, dem teuersten Auto der Welt.
Das eigentliche Thema sind Leid und Leben in dem (fiktiven) Städtchen St. Denis im malerischen Périgord, seine Bewohner und deren Beziehungen zu ihrem „flic“ Bruno Courrèges. Jedes Buch dieser Reihe ist für mich wie die Rückkehr zu einem Ferienort, den man lieb gewonnen hat. Das mag auch daran liegen, dass ich die meisten Bücher als Audiobook während der Fahr in den Urlaub genossen habe.
Das eigentliche Thema sind Leid und Leben in dem (fiktiven) Städtchen St. Denis im malerischen Périgord, seine Bewohner und deren Beziehungen zu ihrem „flic“ Bruno Courrèges. Jedes Buch dieser Reihe ist für mich wie die Rückkehr zu einem Ferienort, den man lieb gewonnen hat. Das mag auch daran liegen, dass ich die meisten Bücher als Audiobook während der Fahr in den Urlaub genossen habe.
December 13, 2018
1957 Bugatti Atlantic
Description: A pair of murders, a little romance, and rivals in pursuit of a long-lost vintage car of unfathomable value - Bruno, chief of police, is busy in another mystery set in the beautiful Dordogne.At an annual fete in St. Denis, Bruno's biggest worry is surviving in the rally race. The rally and a classic car parade are new to the festivities and draw a spate of outsiders with deep pockets, big-city egos, and, in the case of a young Englishman, an intriguing story. It's the tale of a Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic, lost somewhere in Southern France during World War II. Among the most beautiful cars ever made, one of only four of its kind, it is worth untold millions and drives its pursuers mad with greed.As the parade begins, a local scholar turns up dead..............
June 16, 2016
The 9th in the series and a truly enjoyable read from start to finish. Absolutely love these books, characters, plots, format.... Mixture of interesting storyline that varies each book with the fabulous recurring characters, nature, cuisine, culture are simply wonderful. Each time some measure of resistance France and today's criminal world interwoven expertly. Wish for many more good reads in such good company.
August 23, 2024
The abiding love some people have for automobiles is on display in this portion of the series. It deserves to be here because clearly France is all about 'la amour' and that comes in many colors and shapes, whether mechanical or not. I withhold a star in my rating merely because the ending was rushed and incomplete. Many mysteries are incomplete, but not quite to this extent. I always expect the 'thief who got away' to show up in a subsequent story, but so far, they never have.
A beautiful Bugatti, one of only four made in the history of the company, was lost during the war while traveling from a southern French city to a northern one. Many wondered where it had gone, and only at the end do we discover its fate.
In the meantime, Bruno takes a new lover (again!), and I am not going to tell you the outcome, but consider his record with women...
A young boy who is getting into trouble in town is taken in hand and becomes a hero! with untold skills that may one day make him rich in friends and family, if not in cash.
Heartwarming.
A beautiful Bugatti, one of only four made in the history of the company, was lost during the war while traveling from a southern French city to a northern one. Many wondered where it had gone, and only at the end do we discover its fate.
In the meantime, Bruno takes a new lover (again!), and I am not going to tell you the outcome, but consider his record with women...
A young boy who is getting into trouble in town is taken in hand and becomes a hero! with untold skills that may one day make him rich in friends and family, if not in cash.
Heartwarming.
September 7, 2024
The ninth Bruno, policechief of St Denis in the Dordogne has been a pleasure as most of my experiences have been with this series.
It all starts with a parade of oldtimer cars and next comes Bruno's participation in a rally with him in the role of navigator and his friend Annette as the driver.
Next a retired researcher is found dead and it just does not work with Bruno who wants to know where the work has gone as well the payment for the job.
Bruno has to be diplomatic in a fight between families about proporties, and meets their daughter who is very interesting.
Isabelle returns with an investigation into payment towards terrorists, and she'll remains a wound in Bruno's lovelife.
And then there is the search for a True classic car: the Bugatti type 57 Atlantic. The most beautifull car in the world only 4 were made and one dissappeared during WW2 in the area around St Denis.
Another full Bruno tale, with him being a good guy and trying to help 2 young men getting on in life.
The expected food and wine porn and a wee bit of romance, brings this Bruno experience once again to a satisfying end and fun reading experience.
Read them all and unlike me start at the beginning.
It all starts with a parade of oldtimer cars and next comes Bruno's participation in a rally with him in the role of navigator and his friend Annette as the driver.
Next a retired researcher is found dead and it just does not work with Bruno who wants to know where the work has gone as well the payment for the job.
Bruno has to be diplomatic in a fight between families about proporties, and meets their daughter who is very interesting.
Isabelle returns with an investigation into payment towards terrorists, and she'll remains a wound in Bruno's lovelife.
And then there is the search for a True classic car: the Bugatti type 57 Atlantic. The most beautifull car in the world only 4 were made and one dissappeared during WW2 in the area around St Denis.
Another full Bruno tale, with him being a good guy and trying to help 2 young men getting on in life.
The expected food and wine porn and a wee bit of romance, brings this Bruno experience once again to a satisfying end and fun reading experience.
Read them all and unlike me start at the beginning.
September 23, 2018
I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I had the others because of the racing and race driving theme. I was wrong, Martin Walker gives enough details about the sport to be interesting even to non-enthusiasts, but the mystery and murders and other going ons in Bruno's world make the story compelling.
June 25, 2016
I can't wait until you read this book because it was filled with mysteries of murder, mayhem, and a car that was lost since WWII. We had rich people and poor people and lovers and horses and dogs what more can a reader want. Just maybe Bruno has met a woman but she's a real independent business woman out for number one, but just maybe. Get your grubby hands on this book and you will be carried away to France.
September 12, 2017
A solid story for Bruno fans, this time with a focus on off-road racing, antique cars and money-laundering. Not as interesting as the others from a political/historical perspective, but crafted better than the previous one. Not a good place to start the series. And what is it with Isabelle; I mean dumping Bruno for Paris is one thing, but for The Hague? (Just kidding, Dutch people.)
August 27, 2021
DNF
Do not start this series with Book #9 - in fact, don’t start it at all. Zillions of characters all with French names. I couldn’t make heads nor tails as to who they were. It seemed Bruno had slept with every woman mentioned. I definitely needed the backstory.
Nothing happened by page 165, so I gave up. It actually was the history of Bugatti and a lost model from the 1930’s. No interest. The food descriptions were like pages of Bon Apetit, who cares what they ate! The book was all cheesy dialogue with boring characters.
Do not start this series with Book #9 - in fact, don’t start it at all. Zillions of characters all with French names. I couldn’t make heads nor tails as to who they were. It seemed Bruno had slept with every woman mentioned. I definitely needed the backstory.
Nothing happened by page 165, so I gave up. It actually was the history of Bugatti and a lost model from the 1930’s. No interest. The food descriptions were like pages of Bon Apetit, who cares what they ate! The book was all cheesy dialogue with boring characters.
August 6, 2017
A disappointment
I've read the previous Bruno books and mostly enjoyed them but found this to be the worst. It's not until at least half way through the book that the real narrative begins. The endless details about the market stalls of St. Denis were just tedious and I felt the author was trying just a bit to hard to pad out a rather dull story. I think this will be the last Bruno outing for me.
I've read the previous Bruno books and mostly enjoyed them but found this to be the worst. It's not until at least half way through the book that the real narrative begins. The endless details about the market stalls of St. Denis were just tedious and I felt the author was trying just a bit to hard to pad out a rather dull story. I think this will be the last Bruno outing for me.
March 8, 2017
Fatal Pursuit:
wine
road rally
suspicious death
troublesome teens
good food
Balzac - the hound, rather than the author
Hector - the horse
local friends and colleagues
wine
very good food
family feud
former love interests
vintage car
wine
romance
honking geese
wine
money for terrorism
amusement park
electric cars
wine
and an abrupt conclusion
Did I mention the wine?
wine
road rally
suspicious death
troublesome teens
good food
Balzac - the hound, rather than the author
Hector - the horse
local friends and colleagues
wine
very good food
family feud
former love interests
vintage car
wine
romance
honking geese
wine
money for terrorism
amusement park
electric cars
wine
and an abrupt conclusion
Did I mention the wine?
May 28, 2019
Let's face it, the mysteries in these Bruno, Chief of Police, "mysteries" are strictly secondary. The books are really a travelog of the Dordogne section of France, all about the laid-back country lifestyle and especially the food.
After all, this Chief of Police is a gourmet cook who delights in preparing food for his friends and neighbors using the vegetables from his garden, fungi from the woods, and the products of the animals, mainly chickens and geese, that he and his neighbors raise. And of course the wine! Ah, the wine, at least two different kinds served at every meal and always at the ready to be served for any occasion. If Martin Walker is to be believed, the champagne flows freely in the little Dordogne community of St. Denis.
Food and wine and friends as always play big parts in the plot of Fatal Pursuit, but the main action is a car rally race. The race and a classic car parade are the main events of St. Denis' annual fête. The cars have attracted a large number of tourists to the area and the race has attracted super-rich car fanciers with big egos and vintage cars. It has also brought attention to the tale of a famous car, a Bugatti Type 57C, that disappeared in France during World War II. Supposedly one of the most beautiful cars ever made, it was one of only four that were produced and if it could be found it would be worth millions. It's enough to drive some of those seeking it over the edge with greed.
But back to the race. At the last minute, Bruno is dragooned into being the navigator for one of the drivers when her navigator reports he is ill and unable to do it. Thus we get to ride along on his - literally - hair-raising adventure.
Soon, though, Bruno's attention is drawn elsewhere when a local scholar turns up dead, maybe of natural causes, maybe not. Bruno has his suspicions and asks for an autopsy. The scholar had been researching some unknown topic, but all of his findings seem to have disappeared. Hm, I wonder if it could have had anything to do with classic cars...
This all gets very complicated when there appears to be a money laundering for terrorism operation going on and related to the exorbitantly expensive classic cars and possibly to the death of the scholar. Bruno's former lover, Isabelle, now working for the European Union's justice division, comes to town to be in charge of the terrorist-related investigation. Meantime, of course, Bruno has a new lover whom he's just met and who finds the body of the second suspicious death victim. In fact, there is no doubt about this one; he was murdered.
How will Bruno resolve it all, plus all the little community side issues that he's dealing with and still keep everyone happy and eager to attend his next gourmet meal? Never fear. He will do it while his Basset Hound Balzac charms everyone in sight.
After all, this Chief of Police is a gourmet cook who delights in preparing food for his friends and neighbors using the vegetables from his garden, fungi from the woods, and the products of the animals, mainly chickens and geese, that he and his neighbors raise. And of course the wine! Ah, the wine, at least two different kinds served at every meal and always at the ready to be served for any occasion. If Martin Walker is to be believed, the champagne flows freely in the little Dordogne community of St. Denis.
Food and wine and friends as always play big parts in the plot of Fatal Pursuit, but the main action is a car rally race. The race and a classic car parade are the main events of St. Denis' annual fête. The cars have attracted a large number of tourists to the area and the race has attracted super-rich car fanciers with big egos and vintage cars. It has also brought attention to the tale of a famous car, a Bugatti Type 57C, that disappeared in France during World War II. Supposedly one of the most beautiful cars ever made, it was one of only four that were produced and if it could be found it would be worth millions. It's enough to drive some of those seeking it over the edge with greed.
But back to the race. At the last minute, Bruno is dragooned into being the navigator for one of the drivers when her navigator reports he is ill and unable to do it. Thus we get to ride along on his - literally - hair-raising adventure.
Soon, though, Bruno's attention is drawn elsewhere when a local scholar turns up dead, maybe of natural causes, maybe not. Bruno has his suspicions and asks for an autopsy. The scholar had been researching some unknown topic, but all of his findings seem to have disappeared. Hm, I wonder if it could have had anything to do with classic cars...
This all gets very complicated when there appears to be a money laundering for terrorism operation going on and related to the exorbitantly expensive classic cars and possibly to the death of the scholar. Bruno's former lover, Isabelle, now working for the European Union's justice division, comes to town to be in charge of the terrorist-related investigation. Meantime, of course, Bruno has a new lover whom he's just met and who finds the body of the second suspicious death victim. In fact, there is no doubt about this one; he was murdered.
How will Bruno resolve it all, plus all the little community side issues that he's dealing with and still keep everyone happy and eager to attend his next gourmet meal? Never fear. He will do it while his Basset Hound Balzac charms everyone in sight.
May 27, 2017
Walker is back in form with this entry into the Bruno, Chief of Police murder mystery series. I thought he had become stale in the last book The Patriarch - too much like the other books plus a rushed, preposterous ending. But Fatal Pursuit held my interest with the things I love about these books. History, food, wine, love (or perhaps lust), horses, politics, the Dordogne region of France, tourism and, of course, murder. And at the centerpiece of this story is a car - a rare Bugatti that went missing, possibly in this area, during WWII. It was one of only 3 made and, if found, would be worth millions. Was someone murdered over finding it? Will it be found? Who will find it? Bruno, is on the case!
July 31, 2016
This Bruno tale was wonderful, I enjoyed it so much! The story of a missing Bugatti from the WWII era, one of only four made, was so intriguing. The characters involved were interesting and well drawn. Bruno's love live goes merrily along, as usual, as well as his fantastic ability to cook. His relationships with the townspeople are warm and friendly, and he goes out of his way to help others. A real hero, Bruno!
The Chateau de Rastignac that was a possible hiding place of the missing race car is a real place too (as is much of this story). The chateau was burned by the Nazi's and rebuilt but bears a striking resemblance to the south portico of the White House!
The Chateau de Rastignac that was a possible hiding place of the missing race car is a real place too (as is much of this story). The chateau was burned by the Nazi's and rebuilt but bears a striking resemblance to the south portico of the White House!
May 1, 2023
Bruno's small town is always trying to bring in the tourists. Toward this end, they try to start a car rally. Bruno gets drafted in as a navigator, but to his chagrin. There are stories floating around about a rare classic car being somewhere in the vicinity. When a local scholar is found dead, it's possible the two may be connected. Plus there's a family feud, a new woman, and a bullied kid to keep Bruno busy.
Pretty decent.
Pretty decent.
July 11, 2021
An old man is found dead, and despite the appearance of a heart attack, Bruno wonders if it could have been murder. The man was researching a Bugatti which has not been seen since before the war, and would be worth millions if found. Bruno has a new woman in his life, but again wonders how long it can last, since he wants to stay in St. Denis, and he’s always attracted to ambitious, independent women. Robert Mackenzie again provides exceptional narration.
September 15, 2024
The ninth in the series and a great read and mystery.
The mystery surrounds a famous Bugatti, one of only four manufactured. The automobile went missing in the chaos of WWII and Bruno is one of many involved in trying to discover what happened to it. There are side duties -a juvenile delinquent, a murder that seems tied to the Bugatti and an unexpected visit from Isabela- that are taking Bruno's time and attention away from a new romantic interest. Unfortunately Bruno has fallen for another career women. I am starting to believe that his sub-conscious is wrestling with his heart about him wanting a family and children.
This one did not have as much food and wining details, two things that I love about this series. However the story was solid and Walkers knowledge of France never ceases to please me.
The mystery surrounds a famous Bugatti, one of only four manufactured. The automobile went missing in the chaos of WWII and Bruno is one of many involved in trying to discover what happened to it. There are side duties -a juvenile delinquent, a murder that seems tied to the Bugatti and an unexpected visit from Isabela- that are taking Bruno's time and attention away from a new romantic interest. Unfortunately Bruno has fallen for another career women. I am starting to believe that his sub-conscious is wrestling with his heart about him wanting a family and children.
This one did not have as much food and wining details, two things that I love about this series. However the story was solid and Walkers knowledge of France never ceases to please me.
October 29, 2022
This is the first of the “Bruno, Chief of Police” series that I’ve read…I found it was more of an examination of the Dordogne Region of France, its people, food, culture, etc., than a mystery…Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the read…I found it to be like a middle class, Stuart Woods Stone Barrington where the mystery flows along with an examination of the high life…In “Fatal Pursuit,” Bruno has a new love, racing cars and murders to contend with…I’m going to read another when caught up with my current reading plans!
May 8, 2022
When a researcher dies and his report and other things that should have been present are missing, Bruno suspects murder in what appears to be death by natural causes. The autopsy confirms his suspicion. They discover he was researching a historic automobile that disappeared just before World War II. Bruno finds a new romantic interest. Is she involved in the murder? There's some theft by adolescents. One is underage, and Bruno finds him a job with Pamela at the stables. The other is the son of a store owner and continues his bad behavior because his mother thinks he hung the moon. He finds a dose of reality when he passes his sixteenth birthday and is eligible to be tried as an adult. As always the food descriptions and countryside descriptions are wonderful! I listened to the audiobook read by Robert Ian Mackenzie who does a great job. (3.5 stars)
August 21, 2019
Always enjoyable to read a Bruno when on summer vacation.
August 8, 2020
Enjoyable. The details about French life are more interesting to me than the actual mysteries, but I do find myself coming back to this series.
March 7, 2025
Fatal Pursuit - Walker
Audio performance by Robert Ian MacKenzie
4 stars
This was a very busy book. Bruno plots usually are busy. There’s international money laundering, with a side of terrorist financing hiding in the mostly legitimate world of classic car collecting. And, a murder or two. The particularly desirable car of this book ties the plot, once again, to WW2 history. On a local level, Bruno is dealing with a family land feud and juvenile crime. Also, as if life wasn’t complicated enough, Bruno is juggling two former girlfriends and a new one.
I enjoyed this one. It held my attention for a long day of airports and cross country travel. My only regret is that Bruno was unavailable to cook me a fantastic meal after a day of airline snacks.
Audio performance by Robert Ian MacKenzie
4 stars
This was a very busy book. Bruno plots usually are busy. There’s international money laundering, with a side of terrorist financing hiding in the mostly legitimate world of classic car collecting. And, a murder or two. The particularly desirable car of this book ties the plot, once again, to WW2 history. On a local level, Bruno is dealing with a family land feud and juvenile crime. Also, as if life wasn’t complicated enough, Bruno is juggling two former girlfriends and a new one.
I enjoyed this one. It held my attention for a long day of airports and cross country travel. My only regret is that Bruno was unavailable to cook me a fantastic meal after a day of airline snacks.
June 10, 2018
This installment in the series focuses on car racing and the mystery of what happened to a rare WWII-era Bugatti. Not a car aficionado, I could not fully appreciate the details of the cars described, though the Bugatti's role in the Resistance (based on a real story) was interesting. And, as always, Bruno's fellow townsfolk, their meals, and their wine feature prominently, and that always saves the day for me!
October 4, 2020
A fine installment of the Bruno, Chief of Police series with an interesting backstory (that you lean about in the epilogue). For me, the mystery took a back seat to what was going on with Bruno and his friends in St. Denis, especially the storyline dealing with a teenager named Felix that in many ways was more compelling than the murder investigation.
May 13, 2016
Long one of my favorite series, Martin Walker's Bruno, Chief of Police mysteries could be guaranteed to make me speak with a French accent while hungering for the meals so lovingly prepared in the village of St. Denis. Unfortunately some of the sparkle is wearing off this series. Bruno is becoming a bit stale and formulaic. There will be a current crime that ties into a bit of French World War II history. Bruno will go out riding with his basset hound following along. Bruno will long for a committed relationship and often find a pretty woman to turn his head. There will be food. There will be wine.
While interesting, the scenes involving the car rally and the Bugatti really didn't grab my imagination-- and I love old classic cars. It really is time for Bruno to settle down because it's come to the point where I have to refrain from rolling my eyes whenever a new woman is introduced. Old flame Isabelle, busy with her high octane career, even has time to pay a visit, and she spends most of it being catty about any woman Bruno happens to look at. (Don't like it, Isabelle? Then you should've stayed.)
I have to admit that the most interesting part of the book for me was Bruno's helping young Felix who's being hounded by Tristan the bully. This subplot ties into the main thing that has made this series so good. Bruno shows over and over again that the best crime prevention involves knowing the people who live in your jurisdiction, being involved in community events like celebrations and sports clubs, and working with government officials to make the village a good place to live. It's a model that works well for Bruno and St. Denis, and it's a model that would work well anywhere.
Fatal Pursuit is a good, solid book. It's just not got the joie de vivre of the earlier ones. I'm hoping that Walker can shake things up a bit next time.
While interesting, the scenes involving the car rally and the Bugatti really didn't grab my imagination-- and I love old classic cars. It really is time for Bruno to settle down because it's come to the point where I have to refrain from rolling my eyes whenever a new woman is introduced. Old flame Isabelle, busy with her high octane career, even has time to pay a visit, and she spends most of it being catty about any woman Bruno happens to look at. (Don't like it, Isabelle? Then you should've stayed.)
I have to admit that the most interesting part of the book for me was Bruno's helping young Felix who's being hounded by Tristan the bully. This subplot ties into the main thing that has made this series so good. Bruno shows over and over again that the best crime prevention involves knowing the people who live in your jurisdiction, being involved in community events like celebrations and sports clubs, and working with government officials to make the village a good place to live. It's a model that works well for Bruno and St. Denis, and it's a model that would work well anywhere.
Fatal Pursuit is a good, solid book. It's just not got the joie de vivre of the earlier ones. I'm hoping that Walker can shake things up a bit next time.
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