To Kill a Troubadour

Bruno, Chief of Police #15

by Martin Walker

When a musician’s new song hits a political nerve, he finds himself in the crosshairs of Spanish nationalists’ ire, and it’s up to Bruno to track down an extremist who seems ready to take deadly measures.

Les Troubadours, a folk music group that Bruno has long supported, go viral with their new number, “Song for Catalonia,” when the Spanish government suddenly bans it. The songwriter, Joel Martin, is a local enthusiast for the old Occitan language of Périgord and the medieval troubadours, and he sympathizes with the Catalan bid for independence. The success of his song provokes outrage among extreme Spanish nationalists. Then a stolen car on a Périgord back road collides with a deer. The driver and passengers disappear but leave behind a distinctive bullet for a state-of-the art sniper's rifle that can kill at two kilometers. And police fear that Joel might be the intended target. The French and Spanish governments agree to mount a joint operation to stop assailants, and Bruno is the local man on the spot who mobilizes his hunting club friends to track them down. While Bruno tries to keep the peace, his friend Florence reaches out for help. Her abusive ex-husband is about to be paroled from jail and she fears he will return to reclaim their children. Will they be able to thwart this unwanted visit? Despite the pressures, there is always time for Bruno to savor les plaisirs of the Dordogne around the table with friends.

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

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2022

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]

There’s a mystery bracket that’s not cozy and not dark. A sub genre that dares delve deeper than the standard crime novel. A group that combines politics, religion and history along with a mystery. Think Louise Penny, Elly Griffiths, Donna Leon. And definitely Martin Walker’s Bruno Courreges series.
To Kill a Troubadour is the 15th in the series. This time, a local folk group has a new song that sympathizes with the Catalan bid for independence and is being banned by the Spanish government. A stolen car collided with a deer and a high velocity bullet was found inside. The thought is that an assassin might be on the hunt for the writer of the song.
Meanwhile, Florence’s abusive ex-husband is up for parole and hopes to re-establish a relationship with their kids.
The story moves at a steady pace. The plot is well thought on and never strays into the OTT territory of too many mysteries that have an international intrigue element. It’s filled with characters I wish I knew. And I would love to have Bruno’s life, filled with good friends, good food, tennis, horseback riding and gardening.
I love it when I learn something new from a mystery. Call me naive, but I was surprised to learn the Russians were interfering with elections in both Europe and England (knowing the research Walker does, I’m assuming the facts he espouses in this story are valid). In fact, the beauty of this series is I find I always learn something.
While each book could be read as a stand-alone, Walker makes a point of bringing back secondary characters from previous books. So, I recommend reading them in order.
I listened to this and Robert Ian Mackenzie is a fabulous narrator.

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered I had somehow missed this one book out as I rushed through the great series. Luckily my library had it in stock so I had a few hours of reading pleasure up my sleeve!

There is a lot going on in this book and Bruno is rushing from one event to another. He still finds time to cook delicious meals for his friends, ride his horse and play tennis matches. Not a bad life for anyone! However he is organising a music festival which suddenly becomes political and possibly dangerous. At the same time Florence learns that her ex husband has been released from jail and wants access to their two boys.

You have to admire Bruno as he deals with one issue after another not excluding disabling a drone attack. Such a great character - I hope there will be more books.

[John Pehle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved the "Bruno" series but, whether I've outgrown it or Martin Walker is in a slump, this installment felt different. The extended history lessons and detailed food preparation sequences are starting to distract from the plot lines. Furthermore, there seems to be more conflict and edginess in the St. Denis community. Perhaps Walker is making a transition for the character or setting us up for the next installment but there was just more tension between some of the characters and even a larger than usual dose of cynicism in Bruno's world view. It was still a fun read with a remarkably quick denouement but I sense a shift in the tone and I'm not sure I am happy about it.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest Bruno adventure is packed with layers of the usual camaraderie of Bruno's fellow citizens and friends with the addition of musicians coming to the region with their message of ancient cultures that some oppose. Elements normally delivered in all the Bruno books take on new urgency with international spotlight as well as individual crisis of one of Bruno's stable of friends under threat by appearance of newly released prisoner, a brutal husband.
Can so many crises be handled in one book amidst friendly celebrations of life including music, food, tennis, gardening, horses, dogs and planned annihilation by drone? With Bruno, all things are possible.
A favorite series for me, always new things to learn and enjoy. Amazing book! Much to be learned about Occitan culture.

Library Loan

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of "To Kill a Troubadour," the fifteenth book in the "Bruno, Chief of Police" series set in the French countryside with Simon. This was his introduction to the series and my fifteenth. I asked him what he thought and discovered that he had been on the edge of his seat throughout. He added that he thought it was worth a rating of at least four out of five stars for the "double agent skullduggery!"

As for me, with fourteen other volumes to compare it with, it is not one of my favorites. Maybe it was all a bit too much, and the relationships between all the major players seemed to lack luster. It is still a good book and a worthy listen. I enjoyed Robert Ian MacKenzie's narration as usual.

[Linden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruno, Chief of police in St. Denis, has another strange case. A popular local folk singer has written a song praising Catalonian separatists, and the song has gone viral, despite its banning by Madrid. Someone has targeted this troubadour, Joel, and Bruno and others in law enforcement are trying to decide if their open air concert should be allowed to proceed. There is apparently a Russian connection as well. Another thread involves Florence's violent ex being released from prison and demanding to see the children. It's great to be able to revisit these characters and this region of France again. As usual, there is lots of good food, wine, and camaraderie. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Nifty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book angered me.

~SPOILERS~

The primary plot was interesting, but the secondary plot involving Florence's convict ex-husband trying to claw his way back into her life and Bruno scolding her for wanting nothing to do with him was an unnerving and disappointing move by both the character and the author. With each successive Bruno book I read, Walker's gender bias becomes clearer. Whenever a new female character is introduced, Walker feels the need to comment on whether she is attractive or not--but attractiveness doesn't figure into his descriptions of male characters. That kind of imbalanced, double-standard writing reveals a distressing lack of self-awareness in the author and really gets to me.

With this book in particular, Bruno is adamant that Florence's violent ex play a part in their children's lives, even though he's a domestic abuser who tried to induce a miscarriage by severely beating her. This is a man you think is safe to be around children?! This is a man you think deserves to be around his children after he tried to get rid of them, hurting and traumatizing his then-wife in the process?! Bruno's/Walker's lack of sympathy for Florence's frightening situation was appalling to read. Women are not walking incubators who must defer to their (ex-)husbands. Especially not when said (ex-)husband is a piece of garbage who's historically mistreated his wife and violently rejected his unborn children. Squirting your load into a womb doesn't make you a fit father--you'd think that Bruno, the orphan, would be well acquainted with that notion.

Bruno has shown that he's an intelligent, caring man numerous times over--so why is he so shockingly dense and unfeeling in this situation toward one of his own close friends? Eff if I know. I'm done with Martin Walker. He's revealed himself as just another old, white man with a limited worldview.

[Richard Fletcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I seem to be out of step, or maybe people don't bother with poor reviews. Anyway, having (mostly) enjoyed the preceeding 14 books in the series this one just did not engage me. Overly politicised plot, questionable motives re Florence's ex, and at 70 pages in virtually nothing except for introductions of charaters had taken place (and we'd not yet got to the General!). Just boring really, and tha last Walker book I'll read, I think this one was just phones in to make to deadline with no real effort. And frankly, I wish Bruno would shit or get off thge pot wrt the women in his life! As shame, but another off my "must read the next one" list.

[Tammy Hoyt · Rating 3 out of 5]

least favorite in the series

Sorry, but the terrorist plot is getting tiresome in the Périgord . And frankly Bruno needs to move on from his one night stands with Pamela. But the whole story really dragged for me, and I just wanted it over.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bruno makes more friends with food in this portion of the story...this time an elite team of snipers--good people to have one one's side. Songsters who have a protest theme become centered in a Russian plot to aggravate relations between France and Spain. Cozy Bear almost succeeds, but is stymied by Bruno's great sense of timing.

All Bruno's friends met earlier who have talent singing have a role in this fine tale.

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series since I first found it a few years ago. To Kill a Troubadour by Martin Walker is the latest adventure with Bruno Courreges, chief of police in St. Denis and the surrounding area in Perigord France. This book revolves around some trouble between Spain and France regarding the region of Catalonia and food. But is it that simple? Is some other country behind the troubles? Well buy the book and read, enjoy and find out. Although I am a little picky when it comes to food i always gets hungry when i read these books. I also love the fact that the stories always is filled with historical facts about the region, which I hope someday to visit. I can strongly recommend that you try this series and enjoy the masterful writings of Walker. I must thank Penguin Random house, Knopf, Edelweiss, Quercus and Netgalley for supplying me with this advance copy.

[Julie Durnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars I liked this well enough, but it wasn't my favorite Martin Walker book. There was so much historical background information for that region, both Spain and France, that while very well researched and educational, I felt it was too much. I still love catching up with Bruno and the gang!

[Suzy]

Setting this one aside for the time being. The beginning felt like Walker was 'educating' me on subjects I'm not eager to learn about at the moment. We'll see if I circle back to this at another time.

Why I'm reading this: I finally cleared the library hold list. I have to read every entry into the Bruno, Chief of Police series, although I must say my motivation to get to this has been low. I hope this is better than I anticipate!

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just started this one. A good go-to series if I want to fall asleep quickly while listening to the audiobook. Walker goes into such minute detail about everything that it sends me off easily before the snooze cuts it out. However, such is his superior knowledge of international politics, I usually learn a thing or two while vaguely following the Perigord super-hero's antics!

Update: I had to bale out because I found this SO boring. Martin Walker's and my idea of literary entertainment are now poles apart. Goodbye Bruno.

[Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's time for another visit to the Dordogne to see what's going on with Chief of Police Bruno, aka Benoît Courrèges, and all his friends. And as usual, we find Bruno facing a number of challenges.

Bruno has long been a fan of the folk music group Les Troubadours but all of a sudden the group becomes controversial when their new song, "Song for Catalonia," is banned by the Spanish government. Of course, being banned is just the boost the song needs to make it truly a phenomenon.

The song is songwriter Joel Martin's expression of sympathy for the Catalan bid for independence from Spain. Martin is also known as a local enthusiast for the old Occitan language of the Périgord region and for medieval troubadours and his song is a verbalization of that sympathy. But that, of course, is not a popular sentiment among the more extreme Spanish nationalists.

Amid all the brouhaha about the song, a stolen car is found on a Périgord back road, and in it is a distinctive bullet for a state-of-the-art sniper's rifle that can be used to kill from three kilometers away. The police have reason to suspect that Joel Martin may be the intended target.

Meanwhile, Bruno's good friend Florence is dismayed to learn that her abusive ex-husband is about to be paroled from prison and she is concerned that he will want a relationship with his children and may even try to take them from her. She is considering her options, including a possible move to Canada. Bruno explores ways to keep the ex-husband at arm's length and Florence and the children safe.

Of course, no problem no matter how serious can long keep Bruno and his friends from gathering for a gourmet meal featuring the products of local farms, and once again we get mouth-watering descriptions of those meals. I think it is why reading these books always makes me hungry!

This was a creditable addition to Martin Walker's Bruno series. It was not the best of the lot; after all these books have become quite predictable and I could almost write one myself. But that is almost inevitable in a long series. It's impossible to make each entry in it fresh and new. Nevertheless, I always enjoy my visits to the Dordogne and this was no exception.

[Wulf Krueger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been a Bruno fan since the first book in the series and really enjoyed Martin Walker's congenial blend of mystery, world politics, joie de vivre and common-sense policing in a rural French environment. At times, especially in books 12 and 13, Walker overdid certain of those aspects: Were it cooking or politics, those books were annoying to read.

Now, with To Kill a Troubadour we’re at book 15 and Walker has fully regained his literary balance: Bruno is investigating a case of looming terrorism with a connection to the very real struggle of Catalonia (a region in Spain with minor partls in France) for independence.

Then there’s Florence’s (a series regular) ex-husband out on parole and other minor issues Bruno has to take care of. All our literary friends are with us again as well: The Baron, Isabelle, Gilles, Pamela, Bruno’s mayor and so on.

In this newest instalment - written in 2021, please keep that in mind! -, though, Walker has obviously gained an uncanny prophetic ability…

»Bruno stood in his garden beneath the stars, Balzac patiently sitting beside him, and watched the big car leave, thinking about the difference between him and his friend. Bruno had been through the military and J-J had not, and in that way he resembled most of the new generations of French people who were younger than Bruno. That was fine, and Bruno understood the idealism that lay behind the idea that the new Europe had grown beyond war. But the bright and peaceful new world that had followed the Cold War had changed, become darker, and brought back some of the old fears. It was not simply the new challenges of terrorism but the old and traditional forces of national ambition. As the new Russia flexed its military muscle and used new technologies to interfere in Western elections and to poison its social media, and used nerve agents to kill defectors in England, could Europe still hope to continue in its placid, pacifist ways?«

I was intellectually part of this bright, peaceful new world. I believed in change through trade. As we all know, taught by aggressive imperialist, fascist Russia, this was not to be…

Don’t be discouraged to read this book right now - this wouldn’t be a proper Bruno if there wasn’t a lot of bright light and fun:

»Was it not Charles de Gaulle who observed that England was an old Norman colony which had not turned out well?’ Bruno asked.
‘No, it was Georges Clemenceau,’ the Mayor replied firmly, looking at Bruno with a touch of suspicion. ‘You’re not trying to tease me, are you?’
‘Heaven forbid, Monsieur le Maire,’ Bruno replied, grinning. ‘I’m simply reminding you what an industrious pupil you have.«

Speaking of one major evil playing a role in this book, I must not neglect to mention the second one, hardly less corrupt and evil, namely, the churches. When asked for help in a very serious matter, the local priest replies very realistically:

»‘Of course I’m on her side, Bruno, as far as I can be given my duty to the teachings of the Church. On that there can be no compromise.’«

The eloquent metaphorical narration style is engaging and stylistically appropriate:

»Inevitably, it was Pamela who won the final point to clinch the match, leaping like a panther to jump on a scooped return that bounced high. She smashed it down so hard that the ball rose like a rocket and soared high over the netting at the far end of the court.«

Walker also expertly but unobtrusively spins real historical figures into this fascinating tale. It’s never overbearing, though, but fits perfectly into the setting. Thus, basically everything is fine in Bruno’s and Walker’s Périgord.

The slight downside of this book is the ending which is a bit abrupt. An additional final chapter to wrap things up would have been highly appreciated.

If you like Bruno, though, read this!

»Our European history and culture have long been more closely entwined than we tend to think.«

Vive L’Europe!

Four out of five stars.


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Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam

[Ken Fredette · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about Martin Walker that he already hasn't said about the people in his books. He is a true educator in that he spends time explaining everything about different cultures, he has fun bringing each and every story to light. He has a knack of telling about foods and wine that make you regret you are not in his book as one of his characters. He brings Bruno to life with his morning routine with his dog Blazac and feeding his chickens. In this episode he has the Spanish Government banning a song by a group of musicians called Les Troubadours, who were to play at a concert in St. Denis. Of course Bruno knew the singer of the group, Flavie, who was a beautiful woman with long dark hair, a lithe figure and eyes that looked good under any light. But he didn't know the song writer called Joel, who wrote the song "Song of Catalonia" until he looked for Flavie and found them together. Martin brings all of Bruno's special women to the story with his incredible way of describing how each one has a way of becoming special to Bruno by being incredibly good at something like how Pamela is a tennis player or good with horses. Bruno ends up saving the day by being the one of the watchers for an attempt at making the concert into a reason Spain and France would become enemy's. This story is much more complicated than what I've decribed, Florence and her children and her former husband. Bruno has his hands full with what happens. Each story is something to add to what you learn about Bruno's life. Martin Walker is an incredible author and I like each and every book.

[Mike Sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never like to finish a Bruno, Chief of Police book because I know I will then have a long wait for the next, provided that Martin Walker is actually writing it! I hope so Martin although how you follow To Kill a Troubadour I have no idea. I count this as number 16 as the numbers described does not include the publication of short stories under the title Bruno's Challenge.

The plot here is superbly researched as Bruno finds himself faced with a possible assassination attempt by Spanish nationalist extremists incensed by the publication of the recorded 'A Song for Catalonia' by a local Périgord folk group, Les Troubadours who will be performing the song at the St Denis annual village concert. The Spanish government has tried to have the performance banned.

This is a complex plot that Walker handles with his usual eye to political detail as Bruno must organise security and ensure the safety of the people of his beloved town...

Martin, I hope that there is another Bruno story in the making, or writing I should say!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot to like here - especially the cultural history of the Occitan, Islamic roots of the European Renaissance, musical tradition of the troubadours, the political history of western Europe, and intricacies of present-day international conflicts. With all that and a great mystery, this was by far my favorite Bruno book in a while.

BUT I still have such mixed feelings about this series, with the women characters seeming more one dimensional each time. More and more like they just exist to tell us certain things about Bruno, and some of those things are pretty unattractive. Complicating all this for me as a reader is that it's unclear whether the author realizes he's portraying Bruno so sexistly sometimes, or whether he actually thinks he's showing positive masculine traits.

After some of Bruno's cluelessness in this book around the realities for domestic violence survivors and the tendencies of its perpetrators, he could never deserve a particular one of those women. Though when the next book comes around again, I'll probably give him one more chance to prove himself... sigh.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a wonder Bruno has a chance to solve the threats coming to the singing group Les Troubadours, or the scholar and writer of their hit song, which praises the Catalonian separatist movement in nearby Spain. Or to deal with the threats to beloved teacher Florence as her ex-husband, a drunken abused, is about to be released from jail and demands access to their young twins. After all, he's busy playing in the tennis tournament, cooking spur-of-the-moment gourmet meals for his friends, helping cook a wild boar for a charity function, and video-conferencing with Paris and European security forces--conferences which tend to lean heavily on which acronymic terrorist groups use which alpha-numeric weapons. I prefer Bruno in local mode, when he's dealing with the citizens of his beloved St. Denys.

[Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. Mr Walker needs to make a decision at this point (probably way before this point, really). He either needs to make his plots significantly thicker in order to support a much longer novel or he needs to stop trying to shoe-horn in every single minor character from every single previous novel in the series; this latter tendency is becoming increasingly tiresome and is badly degrading the quality of each story. Of course, he could always do both.

[nik farmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

Bruno would never behave like that. Yveline had a perfect defence in law and is now complicit in a lie. Is the next book going to be how Bruno escapes prison for perjury?

[Tripfiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery set in the DORDOGNE with international flair



There are all the usual elements of sleuthing, mystery, food and French flair, tennis, and of course at the heart of the novel is Chief of Police Bruno Courrèges, with his trusted basset hound Balzac by his side.

The novel opens with a map and who doesn’t like a good map to pinpoint the movements of the characters? As Courrèges is taking his evening constitutional, he is alerted to a car accident and at the scene, the discovery of a very specific bullet, alerting the authorities that someone important is likely to be in the line of fire…

Meanwhile a news item highlighting the banning of a Catalan song, “Song for Catalonia”, recorded by a local Périgord group – the eponymous minstrels of the title – unsettles the good Chief of Police. He knows the group and the ban is likely to ruffle feathers in his vicinity, with the added dimension of pressure from Spain; international politics are, of course, a very different kettle of fish from the local politics which generally engage the Chief of Police. The Troubadours use l’Occitan, a local dialect which is much older than French and related to Catalan. He is concerned that meddling from Spain could potentially destabilise the whole region. With an upcoming concert, where the song will be featured, there is everything to play for and quite some worries for the police department. As the situation becomes clearer, the enormity of the problem becomes all too evident.

Courrèges is a real institution in his local community, people turn to him in their hour of need. The author really conjures up this beautiful part of the world but the rate of crime is so high – this is indeed number 15 in the Dordogne Mystery Series – it might be worth a swerve! But I jest, the setting is integral to the story and the author does a great job of bringing the area to colourful life.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m impressed that Walker has managed to maintain both quality and a sense of newness 15 books into this series. That’s no easy feat, as most mystery series become derivative long before this point.

That said, I prefer the Bruno books that are more focused on a countryside murder mystery plot than the more political offerings, and this is far more political mystery/thriller than location-based procedural. It’s also largely focused on Spanish politics, which is, of course, not why one buys books set in the France.

Walker does a good job with weaving a political hot potato into life in St Denis, so this is a preference issue rather than one of quality and one that thus didn’t impact my rating of the book.

I didn’t love the creepy abusive husband sideline either, but the deft storytelling and the lovely culinary and cultural content is always a delight to read.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest honest review.*

[Booknblues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly reading the 15th book in the series, one is invested in the characters and storyline and I'm ready to move to St. Denis in the Périgord region or Dordogne department of France, if I can be part of the group of citizens who are friends with Bruno, chief of police.

In this latest installment we have espionage, concerts, history and spousal abuse all tied together. Many of the characters of previous books make appearances . Bruno is busy riding horses, playing tennis, solving crimes and cooking as usual. He almost outdoes himself with cooking by helping to prepare a spit-roasted wild boar.

To Kill a Troubadour takes us in an interesting direction with the possibility of new interest for the chief of police. I am excited to see what will happen next.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightful episode in the life of Bruno, the Chief of Police in a small town in the Dordogne area of France. Bruno's exploits are not just common problems in a small town. He seems to get drawn into plots of national and international interest and I am always impressed with how Walker brings in current topics in international relations. In this story, Bruno must protect a Catalan singer who is in danger from snipers. As usual, Bruno has time to cook his excellent meals with veggies from his garden and lots of local wine. His basset hound, Balzac plays a key role in sniffing out the terrorists and along the way teaches his son "The Bruce", who is still a puppy, in sniffing tactics.

[Heidi Hilty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A local folk group reaches sudden fame with a song that is banned by the Spanish government. The songwriter is a respected Occitan scholar who lives in the Perigord and may be a target for Spanish national extremists. Should the folk group play their scheduled concert? In addition, Florence’s abusive ex-husband is about to receive early release from prison and wants a relationship with the twins he never wanted. Bruno has his hands full trying to keep peace on all fronts. Still, he finds a bit of time for some tantalizing dinners with his friends.
All caught up with this series; book 16 to be released at the end of August.

[Donna Mcnab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to marry Bruno so he can cook for me!! I really like the characters in these books but also the history and politics are interesting.

[Lese lust · Rating 3 out of 5]

War okay, aber andere Bände haben mich stärker überzeugt.

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good book in a fun, easy to read series. The author has really built out the character of Bruno and each book expands your knowledge of each person you encounter. Its a good read that will leave you wanting more