The Dark Vineyard
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Review
'Walker's relaxed style and good humour bring to life his engaging hero and delightful home and make this one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time' Susanna Yager, Sunday Telegraph.
Review
'Walker's relaxed style and good humour bring to life his engaging hero and delightful home and make this one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time' Susanna Yager, Sunday Telegraph.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
First Sentence: The distant howl of the siren atop the Marie broke the stillness of the French summer night.
The alarm on the top of the Mairie (city hall) of St. Denis calls Police Chief Bruno Courrèges and the volunteer squad out to a fire of a field and large barn. Upon investigation, Bruno learns the fire was arson and the property being used to develop GMO (genetically modified organisms) crops; specifically drought-resistant grape vines. The Californians are coming, wanting to buy a large part of the valley, which would bring jobs and produce varietal wines. Someone wants to stop it thru vandalism and maybe murder.
More and more, I look for good mysteries that rely on the mystery and on well-drawn characters rather than overt violence. This is just such a mystery.
Walker brings the Pergord area, the fictional town of St. Denis, and the people to life with descriptions so evocative, you're inclined to pack a bag. Walker's inclusion of information on GMOs, the impact of climate change on the wine industry, the cost of land, and more enhances the story, without ever bogging it down.
Bruno is one of the best protagonists I've read in awhile. He knows and cares the people and about whom Walker causes you to care as well. Bruno is savvy to what works with them, solution-oriented, his military training stands him well and he loves his community. What I most appreciate is his good working relationship with his counterparts and superiors.
The plot is well constructed. Walker does use a number of French terms; most I understood through the plot and only a couple did I have to look up, but it added veracity to the story. This is not a fast-paced, guns-blazing, cars-racing story. It is one which builds upon itself through characters with a subtle tension as they story progresses. I did identify the villain, but not until three quarters of the way through the story, at which point I felt was somewhat deliberate, but I didn't guess the motive until it was revealed.
Once I started this book, I found impossible to put down. This was a very good read and one I highly recommend.
THE DARK VINEYARD (Trad Mys/Pol Proc-Cap. Bruno Courrèges, St. Denis, France-Cont) - VG
Walker, Martin - 2nd in series
Quercus, ©2009, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 9780307270184
The alarm on the top of the Mairie (city hall) of St. Denis calls Police Chief Bruno Courrèges and the volunteer squad out to a fire of a field and large barn. Upon investigation, Bruno learns the fire was arson and the property being used to develop GMO (genetically modified organisms) crops; specifically drought-resistant grape vines. The Californians are coming, wanting to buy a large part of the valley, which would bring jobs and produce varietal wines. Someone wants to stop it thru vandalism and maybe murder.
More and more, I look for good mysteries that rely on the mystery and on well-drawn characters rather than overt violence. This is just such a mystery.
Walker brings the Pergord area, the fictional town of St. Denis, and the people to life with descriptions so evocative, you're inclined to pack a bag. Walker's inclusion of information on GMOs, the impact of climate change on the wine industry, the cost of land, and more enhances the story, without ever bogging it down.
Bruno is one of the best protagonists I've read in awhile. He knows and cares the people and about whom Walker causes you to care as well. Bruno is savvy to what works with them, solution-oriented, his military training stands him well and he loves his community. What I most appreciate is his good working relationship with his counterparts and superiors.
The plot is well constructed. Walker does use a number of French terms; most I understood through the plot and only a couple did I have to look up, but it added veracity to the story. This is not a fast-paced, guns-blazing, cars-racing story. It is one which builds upon itself through characters with a subtle tension as they story progresses. I did identify the villain, but not until three quarters of the way through the story, at which point I felt was somewhat deliberate, but I didn't guess the motive until it was revealed.
Once I started this book, I found impossible to put down. This was a very good read and one I highly recommend.
THE DARK VINEYARD (Trad Mys/Pol Proc-Cap. Bruno Courrèges, St. Denis, France-Cont) - VG
Walker, Martin - 2nd in series
Quercus, ©2009, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 9780307270184
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"The Dark Vineyard" is Martin Walker's second "Bruno" novel. Walker began his excellent series with "Bruno, Chief of Police", and continues with Bruno in this book. I think a third in the series will be published this summer.
Walker's novels are sort of "gentle" police procedurals. The crimes are in the background, and Walker focuses on Bruno, the former soldier who has become the police chief of the French Dordogne village of St Denis. Down the road from Perigueux, a real city in the region, the imaginary village of St Denis has the ubiquitous French village citizens you've come to know, ones who populate most books of this sort. Bruno is the chief of police - a one man show, actually - and is also an intimate part of village life as a Rugby coach. When crimes happen, Bruno often has to decide how to handle the investigation and both roles he plays in the village often come into conflict.
Along with the criminal part of the story, Walker does a very good job at explaining French village life, with the forces of modernisation competing with those who want to keep old traditions in place. In this book, these factors - tradition against modernisation - are seen in the wine industry in the village.
Walker's books are really about life in rural French, with a little crime thrown in. It's a good mix and Walker writes superbly.
Walker's novels are sort of "gentle" police procedurals. The crimes are in the background, and Walker focuses on Bruno, the former soldier who has become the police chief of the French Dordogne village of St Denis. Down the road from Perigueux, a real city in the region, the imaginary village of St Denis has the ubiquitous French village citizens you've come to know, ones who populate most books of this sort. Bruno is the chief of police - a one man show, actually - and is also an intimate part of village life as a Rugby coach. When crimes happen, Bruno often has to decide how to handle the investigation and both roles he plays in the village often come into conflict.
Along with the criminal part of the story, Walker does a very good job at explaining French village life, with the forces of modernisation competing with those who want to keep old traditions in place. In this book, these factors - tradition against modernisation - are seen in the wine industry in the village.
Walker's books are really about life in rural French, with a little crime thrown in. It's a good mix and Walker writes superbly.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was really looking forward to this book. Given the reviews, the setting and my francophile tendencies it all sounded perfect. Unfortunately, it was a big disappointment. It was ponderously slow, with little happening for much of it other than a number of rather weak rural french "scenes" and more padding out than a 24 tog duvet. There was certainly nothing "Dark" about it and no tension or unexpected dramatic twists to speak of. Perhaps it would be fine if sitting back on holiday with a glass of wine or lazing on the beach- other reviewers certainly seem keen.
Overall it just seemed like a french version of "midsommer murders" with the exciting bits taken out. Perhaps it just couldn't live up to the excellent reviews it has here- perhaps from a specific demographic. I very much wanted to like this book and despite the disappointment of the (not so) Dark Vineyard, I am tempted to give another of Mr Walker's books a go. Not straight away though.
Overall it just seemed like a french version of "midsommer murders" with the exciting bits taken out. Perhaps it just couldn't live up to the excellent reviews it has here- perhaps from a specific demographic. I very much wanted to like this book and despite the disappointment of the (not so) Dark Vineyard, I am tempted to give another of Mr Walker's books a go. Not straight away though.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Another very French 'Bruno' Book
These books are full of character and atmosphere for the English reading about France. The hero is realistic and interesting and the stories are good. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Hkcrofter
Good follow up to Bruno Chief of Police
The second in the Bruno series and as good as the first outing.
Walker has built an enviable community that Bruno polices, what with his neighbours and fellow town folk... Read more
Walker has built an enviable community that Bruno polices, what with his neighbours and fellow town folk... Read more
Published 11 months ago by freedomrulesok
Hook Line and Sinker !!
Yep. My new vice. France, wine, women, weather and a well constructed story by a good stylist. You wont be disappointed.
Published 11 months ago by paul lumsden
Jury still out - genetic modification, greens, gypsies and grapes
This is the first 'Bruno' novel I have read and regretably it does not make me want to rush to place another in my shopping basket. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Noel
France you want to live in
A terrific series, Martin Walker describes an area he obviously loves but also writes a great crime series, Bruno an excellent hero,enjoy!
Published 15 months ago by Roy Walker
Enjoyable tale
A good 'sense of place' and a satisfying protagonist. A fine, if a tad romantic, picture of small town rural France. Read more
Published 17 months ago by G. T. Coulton
The mystery isn't in the minutia
As an American who lives 4 miles from "St. Dennis", I have been greatly entertained by Mr Walkers' first "Bruno" book as well as his earlier "The Caves of Perigord". Read more
Published 18 months ago by M. Barfleur
Dark Vineyard
Another comfortable police story with Bruno Courreges winning the day. A book to read accompanied by a glass of wine, some nibbles and a warm wrap on the settee. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Jane Doe
DARK VINEYARD
I absolutely ADORE Bruno Courreges, he is such an engaging character. His flair for investigating crime is unparalleled, and he deals with people in an intuitive and sensitive... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Annette Kelly
Great food, wine, and the odd local arson and murder
In the small village of Saint Denis in the Dordogne region of France, life hasn't changed much in centuries. Read more
Published 21 months ago by R. Larkin
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