The Dying Season

The Dordogne Mysteries 8

By: Martin Walker

Narrated by: Peter Noble

'BRINGS ALL THE BEAUTY OF DEEPEST FRANCE VIBRANTLY ALIVE' - Irish Independent on Sunday

Bruno, Chief of Police's beloved Dordogne town of St Denis is tearing itself apart. Can he keep it together in the gripping eighth instalment in this internationally bestselling series? St Denis may be picturesque and sleepy, but it has more than its fair share of murder and mystery, as Bruno knows all too well.

When Bruno is invited to the 90th birthday of a powerful local patriarch - a war hero with high-level political connections in France, Russia and Israel - he encounters a family with more secrets than even he had imagined. When one of the other guests is found dead the next morning and the family try to cover it up, Bruno knows it's his duty to prevent the victim from becoming just another skeleton in their closet. Even if his digging reveals things Bruno himself would rather keep buried.

Meanwhile, very modern battles are being fought in St Denis between hunters defending their traditions and environmentalists protecting local wildlife. Neither side, it seems, is above the use of violent tactics.

At the centre of it all, Bruno must use all his cunning and character to protect his community's future from its present - and its past.

(P)2015 WF Howes Ltd©2015 Martin Walker

Critic reviews

Walker is brilliant at capturing the murderous charms of rural France . . . the setting is undeniably delicious

The Bruno series . . . is highly assured, full of quirky touches and characterised with real exuberance

not too heavy, not too light

Engaging.

One of Walker's better Bruno stories.
Narration was pretty good.. There were a few pronunciation startles when obviously well known French words were given odd pronunciation. The different character voices on occasion, were out of sync with the character speaking. While French speakers may be upset I was simply startled. For me the narration was better than 3 star overall.
An interesting plot that referred to shortcomings of French Intelligence and Diplomacy, was made more interesting through development of personalities at the higher end of policing.
Famous and wealthy people and a few beautiful women of all ages, set in the vineyards and old houses are linked to Bruno's beloved town and politics at many levels.

All up an 'enjoyable' listen.