Another delectable serving of mystery and the pleasures of the Dordogne from the newest master of suspense, Martin Walker.
It's spring in the idyllic village of St. Denis, and for Chief of Police Bruno Courrèges that means lamb stews, bottles of his beloved Pomerol, morning walks with his hound, Gigi-and a new string of regional crimes and international capers. When a local archaeological team looking for Cro-Magnon and Neanderthal remains turns up a corpse with a watch on its wrist and a bullet in its head, it's up to Bruno to solve the case. But the task will not be easy, not with a meddlesome new magistrate eager to make a strong impression, an ongoing series of attacks by animal rights activists on local foie gras producers, and a nearby summit between France and Spain approaching-not to mention two beautiful, brilliant women vying for Bruno's affections.
Complicating events even further, the professor in charge of the dig is soon reported missing, leading Bruno to suspect that the past and the present are bound up in dangerous ways. As summer approaches, the wine growing cooler and the fruit sweeter, Bruno's investigations take him indelibly deeper into contemporary Europe's dark history of terrorist and counterterrorist tactics-and toward a dramatic finale.
As savory as foie gras, as piquant as vin de noix, and as richly complex as the region's truffles, The Crowded Grave is a feast for mystery lovers and Francophiles alike.
Industry Reviews
"In Martin Walker's delightful series . . . the charm of rural France is regularly disrupted--but not too much." --The Seattle Times
"The small towns where Martin Walker sets his enchanting country mysteries embody the sublime physical beauty . . . of France." --The New York Times
"Martin Walker plots with the same finesse with which Bruno can whip up a truffle omelette." --The Christian Science Monitor
"A satisfyingly intriguing, wish-you-were-there read." --The Guardian (London)
"Sure to appeal to readers with a palate for mysteries with social nuance and understated charm." --The Wall Street Journal
"In an era when most Americans are ignorant of France in its true richness, generosity of spirit, and quality of life, Mr. Walker and his Bruno offer an enchanting introduction into this very real world. The American reading public should flock to join them." --The Washington Times
"Another delicious romp through a French menu garnished with politics." --Kirkus Reviews
"Fans will appreciate Martin Walker's superbe gendarme procedural." --The Mystery Gazette
"Though Bruno has a lot on his plate, he always leaves time for a good meal and glass of wine. . . . The Dordogne area of France provides a rich backdrop for any story, full of history, political strife and delicious delicacies." --The Mystery Reader
"A roman policier . . . that the celebrated Simenon, creator of Inspector Jules Maigret, would have been proud to claim." --The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
"Walker hits the sweet spot of balancing humor and drama, and his food descriptions will leave readers fantasizing about dining in the Perigord." --Publishers Weekly
"A lighthearted celebration of the P�rigord region of France . . . [with a] prevailing atmosphere of dappled sunlight and good food and wine and friends. A pleasure for Francophiles, oenophiles, and the palate." --Booklist
