Black Diamond

Read previous two stories and found them utterly enjoyable. Decided to buy the following two. Black diamond is a fascinating discovery of a very hush-hush world, that of truffles. A most interesting journey, with Bruno the Chief of Police in Dordogne :-)

This is the third in Martin Walker's 'Bruno' series. Last year I read 'Dark Vineyard' the second in the series. Dark Vineyard: A Case for Bruno, Chief of Police: A Bruno Courreges Investigation I was not won over by it and hoped for better things when I bought 'Black Diamond'. I was not disappointed. I found this a much more coherent plot than 'Dark Vineyard' and I was caught by the story by the end of the first chapter. I completed the book in a couple of sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it. There are a lot of themes in this story, the green environmentalist presence from the 'Dark Vineyard' is still here as a prominent feature but it does not dominate the storyline in the way it did to the detriment of 'Dark Vineyard'. We also have illegal immigration; Chinese triads; Vietnamese exile gangs; truffle fraud and spooks from the war in French Vietnam and Algeria. All these come together in the not so sleepy little town of St Denis in the Perigord. Poor Bruno, chief of police, gets blasted by a stun grenade; descends into a slurry pit and gets caught in a conflagration. A third woman and potential love interest gets added to the mix. Unlikely as it seems it all fits together to make a cracking good story. I look forward to the next episode.

With the holidays approaching Bruno finds himself experiencing a rare discontent with his life in St. Denis. A contentious mayoral race is creating a headache for the normally easy-going Chief of Police and a disturbing series of attacks on Vietnamese market vendors casts a pall over the quiet little village. A grisly murder leaves Bruno trying to figure out if any of these violent events could possibly be related. This series centers on Bruno, the Chief of Police in a small village in the south of France. There's a poignancy to his character that I find very appealing. Bruno is nearly forty, an ex-soldier with no family to speak of who loves this village and its people with his heart and soul. Bruno is content to walk his beloved hunting dog, feed his chickens and tend to his garden. If he had his way, nothing would ever change, and yet (of course) in that he's fighting a losing battle. Little by little "real world" problems are creeping into the fiber of St. Denis. This third installment has plenty in it to keep an armchair sleuth busy. The various crimes and how (or should I say "if"?) they are related are intriguing. The plot is well thought out and skillfully executed. There are no lulls in the storyline and the pacing has a nice balance; neither rushed nor lumbering. Of course one of the main attractions of this series is its familiar cast of characters, and we get to visit with many of them. Bottom Line: An intelligent, well-written mystery that makes the most of its charming setting. This is a series that is best read in order as the interpersonal relationships of some of the characters are integral to the story. Start with book one, Bruno, Chief of Police: A Novel of the French Countryside . You'll be glad you did!

viel Lokalkolorit, humorvoll und besonders gegen Ende zu spannend. Viel Kolonialgeschichte Frankreichs (Vietnam und Algerien, die Machendschaften der Geheimdienste Frankreichs)

Excellent service & the book was in very good condition as stated. The Bruno series is habit-forming, interesting, & a learning experience too. Terrific characters & vivid descriptions of the Dordogne & surrounding areas as well as everyday life. Fresh croissants every day, (mmm-mmm!), aromatic, strong coffee, good local wines, Bruno's cooking, pets, friends, vegetable garden, horses, locales, all so well-written you feel you're a part of it. It's difficult to put the book down until completed, then get the next book. Marvelous.