A Shooting at Chateau Rock: The Dordogne Mysteries 13

Bruno, Chief of Police #13

by Martin Walker

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

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

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

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

340 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2020

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

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel as if Walker is beginning to lose me. Instead of tearing through this book in an hour or two, I read it languidly, between reading other books.

How many times can we watch Bruno take a horseback ride with Pamela and company?
How many times can we observe him cook a meal, or buy something savory at the market, or eat at a local restaurant? There is almost never any plot significance in these scenes, and there isn't even much variety to them.

More importantly, how many times are we going to have to see Bruno have a "tryst" with Isabelle that ends with "we love each other but it'll never work." This one is particularly weird because it involves Bruno's basset hound Balzac getting to meet a nice lady basset hound.Do we really need the details of how dogs do it? Mon Dieu! Oy vey iz mir!
Florence, the nice lady with 2 kids who is probably intended to SOMEDAY become Bruno's love interest gets very little page time here, BTW.

Oh, yeah, the mystery. It starts out as a main focus but gets lost in flurry of aging rock stars, Russian oligarchs and international intrigue, because Walker wants to show off all his background from his cool connections, and brags about them in the afterword.

Desole, M. Walker ,but 13 is not a lucky number for me in terms of your books.

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another five star read for me and I tried to work out what it is that makes me enjoy this series so much. This is what I came up with.
1. The setting in France is romantic and interesting and so different from my daily way of life.
2. There is always an intriguing mystery which tends to stretch beyond the local area and into really serious crime.
3. The food and the recipes are to die for. Do not read these books if you are on a diet.
4. Bruno. Read the books and find out for yourself.
5. Balzac. Who doesn't love a really cute dog.
That's it really. Bundle it all up into a book and you have a few hours of pure pleasure to enjoy. I have read 13 of them so far and have enjoyed every one.

[Wulf Krueger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve been a Bruno fan from the very first book on. I enjoyed reading so much about himself, his friends and the entire town.
For quite a few books, things were developing nicely and Bruno became a favourite of mine.

With this book, this ended.

It all starts interesting enough with the death of an old sheep farmer and his children suspecting foul play when they find out they’ve effectively been disinherited. Bruno promises them to look into the entire issue and does fairly well, using his expertise of rural laws and regulations - I was actually getting my hopes up of getting a real Bruno experience. Like a welcome mixture of...

“Sex, drugs, murder—and cruelty to animals.”

… as Walker puts it at one point.

The mystery that starts out so well, takes a backseat to a confusing tale of an aging rockstar, his adult children, a Russian oligarch, his daughter, the Ukraine conflict and world politics…

“Chateau Rock” reads like Walker is simply trying to boast about his cultural knowledge, e. g. About music and, thus, let’s Bruno, a rural French flic say this:

“He recognized the notes of the Spanish classic Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. At home, he had a CD of Paco de Lucía playing it on guitar while backed by an orchestra, the delicacy of the guitar against the deep sound of the strings and the sharp counterpoint of the clarinet.”

But, ok, maybe Bruno suddenly developed a taste for Spanish guitar music who knows… Even the previous cooking sessions that used to be lovingly described while showing a self-reflecting Bruno, sometimes even getting a new insight into the investigation, feel forced and are entirely superfluous. They add nothing this time but are page after page of transcribed recipes - not what I’m reading Bruno for.

Isabelle makes her usual cameo appearance but everyone else is severely neglected by Walker: Florence, Gilles, the Baron are all mentioned but play hardly any role at all and even rarely serve as bystanders as they sometimes did in the past.

Even Bruno himself is weirdly unlike himself: Not only does he make several potentially severe rookie mistakes (which, magically, turn out to be non-issues) and he does a few things that make him (rightly!) question himself:

“his self-doubts about his treatment of [...]. He knew it was standard police procedure, but it was not the way he liked to work.”

Walker has lost me with this latest instalment in a series I used to love. Very sad.



Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

[Dede Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting because it dealt with international issues that are real but I’m so tired of Bruno and Isabelle. Time for him to notice Florence

[Gerard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series and episode 13 was a relaxing read. However it was not a satisfying one. The formula dominated here; more detailed recipes, more political history, lengthy and graphic diversions into dog breeding, and colorful town characters, listed rather than developed, all at the expense of plot. The story had a much slower burn than usual arriving at, rather than building to, a preternaturally rapid denouement. Not as engaging as previous books and seemingly having the goal of telegraphing domestic scale events to come. Still, a pleasant fantasy village to escape to, though lacking the delight it once held.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story in this excellent series that combines detective work, current events, nature and food in Dordogne Valley, France.

Quote that piqued my interest: "I've never met anyone who makes decent wine who isn't fundamentally happy about their life."

[Ellinor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 13th instalment in the Bruno series is a mediocre mystery. It is all too obvious from the beginning how the old farmer died. Also, how many international criminals and terrorists can possibly show up in a small town as St Denis? All just so that Bruno can meet his ex Isabelle again. I‘m also getting tired of Bruno‘s cooking which I found very charming and mouthwatering in the first few books. I‘m also wondering how much free time he actually has, going on a morning run, then horseback riding, having breakfast at home and then at a Café, cooking for all his close friends (who seem to get more with each book), and teaching various sports to numerous children, all along with a fulltime job.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with quite a few books by Martin Walker and the adventures of his Bruno the village policeman the book should be approached as a meal with a long preparation before it can be served.
It all starts with a scheme that seemingly is great for pensioners but quite a nasty surprise for the children as there is nothing left to inherit. Bruno is not quite sure this scheme is legal and he starts digging.
Then there is chateau of the local rockstar who lives there invite latter days of his life to raise a family. Bruno has been around his kids who now have grown up and the wife who is seriously younger than the musician wants a divorce because she is still young enough to a have a second life, which is considered by all parties as perfectly Allright.
And then there is the music by the rockstar, his son and his fiancé. Once again love ❤️ is in the cards, not for Bruno. His dog has more succes this book around.

There is as always the foodporn for which these books are well known. A lot of familiar faces and Bruno’’s lovelife is still more life than love.

The book delivers a message over the influence of a Russian politician who is currently involved in the next war on European soil and some of the antics of the Russian nouveau-riche and our society.

Another enjoyable and readable novel from a cozy corner even if Bruno gets involved in situations that are well without his beat.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Shooting at Chateau Rock is the thirteenth instalment to feature Bruno Courrèges, Chief of Police in the Dordgne town of St Denis and although preferable to have read the previous novels it isn't a necessity as they can each be picked up and enjoyed as standalones without issue. This is a real treat to read and exceptionally thought out. Shortly after local famer Driant’s untimely demise, seemingly from a heart attack, his son Gaston contacts Bruno Courrèges in an angry and confused state. He has discovered that his father had signed over his farm to pay for his fee to stay in a luxury retirement home owned by a Russian oligarch. The money was paid to an insurance company who was to secure his place at the retirement home near Sarlat. It all seems very fishy to Bruno and Driant’s family. Elsewhere infamous rocker Rod Macrae and his wife Meghan are due to divorce and sell chateau rock to split the proceeds. When their children come to visit for the last time Jamie brings with him his Russian girlfriend who turns out to be the daughter of the oligarch who owns the retirement home...

This is a cosy mystery-thriller with an edgier side to it and with the scenes from Midsomer Murders replaced by the sun and serenity of South West France. It is delightful and charming, moves at a swift pace and beautifully written. Escaping to Perigord in your mind is easy as Walker describes the region in rich, vivid detail and the inclusion of so much food makes your mouth water. It's an entertaining and light crime novel with a wonderful atmosphere and superbly crafted plot that deals with corruption, shady insurance scams and Russian oligarchs who appear to act with impunity. Being reacquainted with Bruno is like meeting up with an old friend and it's great to catch up with what is happening in his life too. The countryside and setting was described beautifully with a spot on depiction of small-town life where everyone thinks they know everyone. It addresses the topical issues of bureaucracy/red tape, insurance scams, dirty dealings, Russian oligarchs, climate change and Bruno's basset hound Balzac begins mating. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skipped around a little. This is Book #13 in the series, published in 2020 and it has so much current events featured that it seemed especially timely. The main action takes place at Chateau Rock which is owned by an aging British rock star. The musician's son is in love with a wealthy Russian who comes to the chateau to visit with her bodyguard and a friend, who happens to have Ukrainian family history.

One of the parts I liked best was Bruno's 1) involvement with Isabel, who works for French and European intelligence, but also 2) Balzac's mating story, his first encounter with the female of his species. Really quite involving, to one who's never been involved in such doings.

Very fast paced starting midway, but the rest is as wonderful and slow as one would hope a French village market would be...

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I look forward each year to getting my hands on the latest Bruno, now the 13th of a great series.

This one was, as always, filled with many shared meals described tantalizingly and portraying the best of satisfying social interactions among friends. Watch for the lamb shanks recipe!

The criminal challenges included investigation of the sudden death of old guy who had a taste for female company and his sudden change of his will promptly followed by his death. This develops into a far reaching conspiracy involving the Russian factor.

There is a healthy portion dedicated to music as well, a visit from Isabelle taking Balzac for his first mating experience and plenty of opportunity for Kir. What's the deal with that as the favored cocktail in Perigord region? Must be, I guess. At times I lost a tiny bit of interest in detailed cooking directions but I remain a fan of this series.

Library Loan

[Agnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A so-so entry in the series. It took quite a long time for the action to get going and when it did, it was actually quite depressing in the end. It increasingly feels like the balance of plot vs filler material is off and trending toward the latter. Did we really need a long description of the swim lessons Bruno gave? Also, given the earlier events, the wedding proceeding at the end made little sense. Also, I’m so over Bruno and Isabelle. We get that they rehash the same conversation every time they meet. Can we please move on now?

[Julie Durnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a pleasure to catch up with Bruno and the rest of his friends, and dine vicariously at their table, filling up with homegrown vegetables and fruit, delicious French pastries and wonderful wines. I particularly enjoyed the geo-political intrigue in this book, bringing to mind the Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva (one of my favorites).

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am surprised that I am giving 2 stars to Martin Walker's latest Bruno book. I have read all these books and enjoyed them. He always has a lot of local color of the French countryside and descriptions of cooking and food which I have liked. This time the book contained mostly local color and descriptions of food, and very little crime solving. There was no excitement until the last few pages.

[Betty Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love cooking. This time there were too many silly details . . . add pepper, saute til onions are colored, etc. etc.

Balzac and breeding . . . jeez. . . this used to be a mystery series . . .

Bruno and Isabelle . . .enough already . . .Pamela . . . enough already . . .

I so loved the series, now it is just going nowhere . . .

[Alan (the Lone Librarian rides again) Teder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Balzac, the Basset Hound is 2 Years Old!
Review of the Knopf USA hardcover edition (2020)

There are several things that are off with the new Bruno, Chief of Police novel such as the misleading title, some out-of-character investigative techniques, still falling for Isabelle, etc. which may distract and disappoint fans along the way. However, for me the big takeaway was that Bruno's beloved dog Balzac is described as being only 2 years old! This is in a 2020 book when Balzac was introduced back at the time of The Devil's Cave (2012) in Bruno No. 5. That means that although the Bruno books since then have supposedly taken place over 8 years, in fact they have been only 2 years of Bruno / Balzac time.

That is cause for rejoicing in that Walker is not letting Bruno and Balzac age in real time and that therefore we can still look forward to many more years of enjoying the people, culture, food and wine of St. Denis.

I picked up The Shooting at Chateau Rock through the excellent selection at Toronto's mystery book store Sleuth of Baker Street.

[Ken Fredette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Bruno books, Martin fills them with so much history and food that you are dazzled by the horse riding, petty things that are for farmers, the caves, and all the old Chateau's and the wine. Bruno is bothered by a distraught Gaston Driant over the death of his father who sold his farm to a insurance company to live his life out in a new residential home, leaving nothing to his two children.
What happened to Driant's livestock was the initial thing that Bruno found wanting from the insurance company. All the people that ran the insurance company, the residential home, and ran a notaire office seemed to vanish when Bruno tried to meet them. This is one of the stories of this book. Another story is of the Château Rock which is owned by a Rock star from the 70's, Rod Macrae, was being sold by an agent from Paris. Another story is Pamela, Miranda and Fabiola and their interaction with Bruno's worry over the livestock and then the horses that Pamela owned. Not to be outdone is the story of the breeder of dogs that breeds basset hounds, who bred Blazac to her bitch, not without Isabelle being present. I won't go in to detail but lets just say there is a Russian involved and several grownup children and other people that are involved. J-J and the brigadier are also in the story so we have all the people. It's a story that is constantly changing so you might want to get it as
a pre-ordered book.

[Chris Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There never are enough stars for one of Bruno’s stories. The world and characters Martin Walker created are endlessly fascinating. Each book opens new doors into their world. I look forward to the next!!

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another charming addition to the series for Bruno fans.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of A Shooting at Chateau Rock, the thirteenth novel to feature Bruno Courrèges, Chief of Police in the Dordgne town of St Denis.

When old man Driant dies of a heart attack nobody is particularly surprised but when his son discovers that he has sold the farm and invested the proceeds in an insurance company that will pay for a lifestyle he’s unaccustomed to in a private retirement home Bruno’s antennae are raised. His investigation establishes links to a Russian oligarch, who is of great interest to the French Security Agencies and whose daughter is staying at the home of an ageing rock star.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Shooting at Chateau Rock which is the usual mixture of topical issues and small town life with a dash of rural trickery at the expense of city slickers. I should say immediately that I have deducted points for the fact that the eponymous shooting doesn’t take place until the final chapters, thus goading me into impatience as I turned the pages quickly to get to the expected main event.

The novel is told from Bruno’s point of view and is a charming mix of his personal and professional lives. Much is made of his dog, Balzac’s, first foray into love and it’s funny as is Bruno’s love of cooking and recipes for what he cooks, although they seem like a lot of effort to me. It seems like a simple life of friendship, barter and community but wrongdoing lurks and Bruno is the man to sort it out. I enjoyed his dismay at National Security (my capitalisation) issues trumping his suspicious death investigation and happily went along with his mutterings, possibly because I, like much of the readership, am not a big picture person. I also loved his use of agricultural laws to jumpstart his investigation, which is pure class with the bumpkins winning. It made me laugh but also underlines what I don’t understand about the bureaucracy of rural life. It’s an eye-opener.

I must admit that the politics of the plot didn’t really hold my attention. Russia’s illegal efforts at world domination are, by now, so public that no recap is really necessary and I hate reading about refugees, because it’s too heartbreaking to fictionalise. Having said that the author puts it in more personal terms for some of the characters so it’s perhaps a little harder hitting. The plot itself is actually quite slim but that hardly matters as the warm atmosphere of friendship and all the details of Bruno’s life and lateral thinking more than make up for it.

A Shooting at Chateau Rock is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although ruled as a heart-related death, Bruno finds circumstances regarding a man's death as suspicious. He recently acted in manners seemingly uncharacteristic for him and which left his children without an inheritance. Bruno wonders if he's stumbled upon an insurance scheme taking advantage of the elderly. He soon once again finds himself attached to the Brigadier's operations and dealing with a multi-national situation. I love this series. The depictions of the region and the food are added bonuses. We get to visit with many of the characters we've grown to love over the course of the series. I'm not certain the title chosen was the best for this installment, and I'm surprised an editor didn't change it. I listened to the audio read by Robert Ian Mackenzie who did an excellent job as usual.

[Lese lust · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nääätt. Wie immer schöne Essens- und Landschaftsbeschreibungen und eine Krimihandlung, die auch ganz ok ist.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was soll ich sagen. Man hängt irgendwie an der Reihe fest...aber ich weiß eigentlich nicht mehr wirklich wieso.
Tiefpunkt war die detaillierte Schilderung des Hundeaktes zur Zucht.
Wer zur Hölle will sowas lesen?

[Cathy Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martin Walker skillfully weaves so much information about France and Europe in general into The Shooting at Château Rock that, after I'd finished reading the book, it took a while for my mind to leave the Périgord. This book is about so much more than the fleecing of the elderly. Readers learn that although Europe knows that Russian criminals and oligarchs are moving into their countries, getting passports from places like Malta and Cyprus in an effort to hide their true Russian citizenship, they still have to tread carefully since half of Europe is dependent on Russian gas. I also learned that drones are being used to video opulent properties when they're being placed on the real estate market for sale. (How the other half lives, eh?)

No matter how hard Bruno works to track down the bad guys, there's still plenty of interaction with his friends, and-- let's face it-- that's what most Bruno fans eagerly await in each new book. There are several delicious meals lovingly described in The Shooting at Château Rock, and I loved the addition of music to the storyline. Bruno's young Basset hound, Balzac, also gets his turn in the spotlight.

You can't have a new book in the series without dealing with Bruno's love life. Fans know that his penchant for strong, independent women means that he hasn't found the right one who wants to settle down and raise a family with him. Here he seems to be nudged in a direction that I'd wondered about myself. Only time will tell what's in store for our favorite French policeman.

During the course of this series, Walker has shown us how the various law enforcement agencies work in France, and it's a fascinating glimpse into how another country protects its citizens. But Bruno does wonder-- as I sometimes do-- if there's still room for the human factor amidst all the technology and the massive amounts of data it can uncover. After all, most of Bruno's success is based on the fact that he knows most of the citizens in his area-- and they know and trust him.

Fans of this series should love The Shooting at Château Rock. If you're new to the series, I'm going to admit that you could read this book and not feel lost... but don't be surprised if you find yourself going back to read the rest of the books. They are quite the delectable feast.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m sorry to say that this latest book about Bruno is not one of the author’s best. Lots of filler with descriptions of many marvelous meals which made my mouth water but did nothing to advance the plot. Oh, was there a plot? A misleading title does not help this latest installment. Do not buy this book! If you’re desperate for something to read, find it at the library, which is what I did, thankfully!
Not recommended!

[Pauline Liu-Devereux · Rating 4 out of 5]

An escape

I said I wouldn't read any more of Bruno. I found the plot in the previous book almost non existent but in the present circumstances some escapism seemed appropriate and it was amply provided by Bruno's enviable social life and culinary skills. I might even try to recreate his lamb shanks with pomegranate.
However, a while ago I went to a friend's house to watch a film I thought titled 'Who Killed Roger Rabbit'. I waited impatiently for the rabbit's demise and only later discovered the film's title was 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'. The experience of reading Bruno's latest adventures was somewhat similar . I had given up expecting a shooting when it finally happened. I knew more about the mating habits of dogs than I need to and a lot more about very confusing Ukrainian politics but the shooting was over and done with and so near the end of the book that it barely registered. Maybe a different title would have produced a less frustrating read? That said though, I enjoyed being transported to the Perigord and intend to look online for more of Bruno's recipes.

[Stephan Benzkofer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shooting at Chateau Rock features everything Bruno fans love: suspense, romance, cooking, castles, and dogs, all mixed together with small-town drama and international intrigue. This series is a delight, and it has been fun watching Martin Walker grow as a mystery novelist. You definitely want to read these in order!

[Inez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, another great read. Great story, and such wonderful people. However, I am sick of Isabelle & Pamela both selfish. When will Bruno have the sense to notice the really beautiful person Florence!! What is wrong with him. Enjoyed it very much.

[Sunhawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I read one of these Bruno books, I find myself grinning and salivating (the food, y'know). What is it about these books that's so appealing? I'm looking for a reason to make some aillou.
There's a clue, I think, in Bruno's sentimental, sweet, and ultimately dead-ended relationship with Isabelle: here's a man who is contented with the place he's found to live in pretty much, except for a partner and family, every aspect. Escaping from a lousy youth, here he is, surrounded by comfort, affection, respect, a comfortable daily ritual full of companionship, good food, and wine. Isabelle, whose ambition has drawn her to the capitol and beyond to the administrative center of Europe, represents avery different path where career is more important than contentment. I suspect that Martin Walker, who looks like a bit of a career high-flyer himself, judging by his presumably (self-written) bio in the back of the book, and certainly a restless spirit -- "He shares his time between the United States, Britain, and the Périgord..." -- is using Bruno as a sort of alter ego, or as writers so often do, as a way to experience different choices.
So, if we take the foreshadowing of a romance with Florence (that has a nice ring to it) seriously (and in this book Bruno's appreciation of Florence in a bikini, plus his enjoyment of her children is fairly convincing) will we be seeing Bruno, and Walker too, settling comfortably anytime soon? Will that change our enjoyment of Bruno? I think not.
Having chosen "perfection of the life" over the work, to use a favorite passage of Yeats's, I empathize with Bruno's choice, and maybe that's why I love these books so much.

[Booknblues · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an avid fan of Martin Walker's Bruno Chief of Police series. When I learned that the 13th one was to be released, I ordered it and upon receiving it quickly read it.

I knew, I could count on Bruno for exhibiting a love of his people and an understanding and wisdom in dealing with any crimes or tragedies thrown his way. In this episode he states:

"In Bruno’s experience the best way to deliver advice was to make it sound like something else."

With Bruno, I can also expect some delightful reading about cooking and techniques.

"Making gazpacho was for Bruno much more important than preparing a simple soup. It marked the moment when spring had turned indisputably into summer, when he routinely ate in the open air, and the garden provided most of his meals. He put on Macrae’s tape as he washed, trimmed and deseeded the vegetables before cutting them into chunks and putting them into his blender.",/i>

This one was cleverly woven together and quite satisfying to read.