[NBY]≡ [PDF] The Dark Vineyard A mystery of the French countryside Martin Walker 9780307270184 Books

The Dark Vineyard A mystery of the French countryside Martin Walker 9780307270184 Books

Download As PDF : The Dark Vineyard A mystery of the French countryside Martin Walker 9780307270184 Books

The Dark Vineyard A mystery of the French countryside Martin Walker 9780307270184 Books

These books are a pure delight. In the middle of a murder mystery or terror bombing, Bruno goes home to cook foie gras, in a way no-one's ever heard of. Captivating as they are, the who-dunnit plots are not centre stage: the real essence of the books is in the rich and endlessly quirky life of a small French market town cop. A perpetual theme is the poignant contrast of Bruno's life in St Denis, his priorities and methods with those of Paris, in part embodied by Isabelle, Bruno's forlorn beloved. Bruno couldn't give a shrug for officialdom and state security priorities; his loyalty is to the wellbeing of his community. Playing Father Christmas and organizing the rugby are important, as is investigating truffle market rorting, standing by his sometimes difficult mayor, and nipping home to get a start on the 6 course dinner he's giving his friends after tennis. Raising his own ducks, bottling his half-barrel of wine, making his own rillettes, growing his own baby carrots and salad leaves, Bruno is synchronised with the seasons of the Perigord. While intrigue, murder and mayhem swirl around him, Bruno maintains his standards, not the least of which is that every fine dish commences with duck fat.


Tags : The Dark Vineyard: A mystery of the French countryside [Martin Walker] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. In this riveting sequel to Martin Walker’s internationally acclaimed novel Bruno, Chief of Police,Martin Walker,The Dark Vineyard: A mystery of the French countryside,Knopf,0307270181,Mystery & Detective - Police Procedural,Arson investigation;Fiction.,Murder;Investigation;Fiction.,Police chiefs;France;Fiction.,Arson investigation,English Mystery & Suspense Fiction,Fiction,Fiction - Mystery Detective,Fiction Mystery & Detective General,Fiction Mystery & Detective Police Procedural,France,Investigation,Murder,Mystery & Detective - General,MysterySuspense,Police chiefs

The Dark Vineyard A mystery of the French countryside Martin Walker 9780307270184 Books Reviews

In this, the second volume of his Bruno series, Martin Walker doesn't disappoint. The delightful atmosphere of the French countryside was maintained, and even enhanced, and the plot was exciting enough to maintain interest, but I still think the characters, food, wine, and countryside are the most important ingredients. Definitely recommended. I shall continue ordering and reading the Bruno series.
I stumbled across the series and instantly became totally hooked. Excellent writing, exciting plots, some dry humor (the author is British so that is expected and loved) and very real characters. I found myself cooking with duck fat and truffle oil last night because that was on my mind. (If you have read these novels, you'll understand what I mean.) I gulped all 5 of the currently available series down in less than 5 days. My favorite was "The Crowded Grave" which was so exciting I really read it fast. Now I will go back in 6 or 7 months and reread them all - slowly. I know I will find interesting bits I just skimmed over the first time. I would move instantaneously to France if I thought Bruno would be our village policeman.
I was offered one of the series on Book Bub. The rest is history. I went back, bought one and am reading my way through the series. I discovered a lengthy description of the Dordogne (where the series are set) in the back of The Dark Vineyard and am planning to spend two weeks there next year, exploring the world of Bruno, Chief of Police in St. Denis. Can there be a higher compliment? In every respect Martin Walker makes the world of his characters come alive. I have to go and see for myself.
Love one, love them all. I noted my thorough enjoyment of the first "Bruno" book. This second one is simply an extension of time spent with l people one would be pleased to know, in the most beautiful part of France, enjoying very fine meals - and, oh, a mystery as well. Am into the third - even more feasts. But each book so far touches upon the unpleasantness of humanity through the mystery presented - so all is not rosy in St. Denis.
This is an excellent mystery. It has all the elements--good plot, intriguing setting, memorable characters, moodiness, and best of all, the slightly flawed hence all the more lovable Inspector Bruno. Bruno's a good cook, too, which doesn't hurt. The only thing that kept me from giving it five stars was the obsession with wine and wineries. I love wine--and stories of good wines, too. I love visiting wineries. But often in this book I had a sort of let's-get-on-with-it-already kind of feeling. The competition between vineyards and the suggestions of possible plotting by the "eco's" (people who favor organics) made the plot, I felt, unnecessarily complicated. All in all, however, I enjoyed it thoroughly--enough to buy another book by Walker. His books are highly reminiscent of the Louise Penny series featuring Inspector Gamache. Gamache has a bit more of the Columbo touch, which is to say, just when you think he can't detect his way out of a paper bag, he manages to solve the whole thing--and surprise you in the bargain. Penny still has an edge when it comes to crafty endings, but the two series are similar, and if you enjoy one, you'll likely enjoy the other.
These books are a pure delight. In the middle of a murder mystery or terror bombing, Bruno goes home to cook foie gras, in a way no-one's ever heard of. Captivating as they are, the who-dunnit plots are not centre stage the real essence of the books is in the rich and endlessly quirky life of a small French market town cop. A perpetual theme is the poignant contrast of Bruno's life in St Denis, his priorities and methods with those of Paris, in part embodied by Isabelle, Bruno's forlorn beloved. Bruno couldn't give a shrug for officialdom and state security priorities; his loyalty is to the wellbeing of his community. Playing Father Christmas and organizing the rugby are important, as is investigating truffle market rorting, standing by his sometimes difficult mayor, and nipping home to get a start on the 6 course dinner he's giving his friends after tennis. Raising his own ducks, bottling his half-barrel of wine, making his own rillettes, growing his own baby carrots and salad leaves, Bruno is synchronised with the seasons of the Perigord. While intrigue, murder and mayhem swirl around him, Bruno maintains his standards, not the least of which is that every fine dish commences with duck fat.