It’s summer in the Dordogne and the heirs of a modest sheep farmer learn that they have been disinherited. Their father’s estate has been sold to an insurance company in return for a policy that will place him in a five-star retirement home for the rest of his life. But the farmer dies before he can move in. Was it a natural death? Or was there foul play? Chief of Police Bruno Courrèges is soon … soon on the case, embarking on an investigation that will lead him to several shadowy insurance companies owned by a Russian oligarch with a Cypriot passport. The arrival of the oligarch’s daughter in the Périgord only further complicates one of Bruno’s toughest cases yet. It will take all of his resolve and quick thinking to untangle the truth in a mystery that will reach its deadly denouement at the château of an aging rock star. But in true Bruno fashion, at least lunchtime is never in danger.
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Includes Bruno cooking tips among the story.
Being unable to travel has an up side and this series is one of those. Somehow I had overlooked this wonderful series and I am eager to play catch up. What a joy to discover a long running series, all new to me. I love France and treasure my memories of time spent there. Within these pages I was a very happy traveler. Meeting Chief Bruno Courreges and his wonderful dog, Balzac gave me the perfect escape in these trying times.
When a local farmer dies of what seems to be natural causes – he did, after all, have a heart condition – his doctor made that assumption and the family proceeded with a cremation. Then they get the shock of their lives upon discovering that he had sold the family land, disinheriting them and had been promised a life of luxury in his final days on earth. Something is not right and Bruno is soon on the case without much to go on as there is no way to get any evidence from the corpse. That’s not going to stop Bruno from investigating and using some very clever means to go up against an unsavory Russian oligarch, one who is also of interest to the French security agencies.
I found the day to day life of Bruno and his town of St. Denis to be everything I needed for my escape. The mystery was enough to keep me engaged but it was the rest that won me over. If I could only jump into the pages of the book so I could sit in his kitchen while he cooks up such wonderful food, spend time in town – the sure sign of a well crafted book with a wonderful protagonist. I’m ready to line up the other twelve books in the series and binge read.
My thanks to the publisher Knopf and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
It’s summer in the Dordogne. The heirs of a Périgordian sheep farmer learn that they have been disinherited, and their father’s estate sold to an insurance company in return for a policy that will place him in a five-star retirement home for the rest of his life. But the farmer never gets his life of luxury–he dies before moving in. Bruno begins the investigation that leads him to several shadowy insurance companies owned by a Russian oligarch with a Cypriot passport. The companies are based in Cyprus, Malta, and Luxembourg, but Bruno finds a weak spot in France: the Russian’s France-based notaire and insurance agent.
This is the thirteenth book in this engrossing series. Once again we are taken on a lovely trip to the French countryside as well as a mystery we have Bruno’s culinary skills & of course his faithful dog Balzac. I love this series & would highly recommend it however at the present time with lockdowns & no travel it was a delight to escape to sunny France for a few hours. Whilst not my favourite in the series & thoroughly enjoyed it & can’t wait for more
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Will read anything by Martin Walker, for the story line and the descriptions of the cuisine.
The Shooting at Chateau Rock is the latest tale involving Police Chief Bruno, keeper of the peace in a French town. Among the joys of this book is Bruno’s recipe for lamb shanks which I can’t wait to make.
Not as well written as past works, became tedious at times
Bruno is an engaging main character and the story provides a tangental look at country life in France.