The Dark Vineyard

A new case for St Denis' incomparable Chief of Police, Captain Bruno Courrèges, in this second instalment of a series set in rural France.

Just before dawn one summer morning Bruno is summoned by the wail of the siren in the little town of St Denis in the Perigord. A fire is raging in a local barn and spreading to the surrounding fields. When Bruno arrives at the scene, the smell of petrol leaves no doubt - it was arson.

Meanwhile, a Californian producer wants to set up a wine-making business in the valley. Despite the money and jobs this would bring, many fear it would destroy their town. When a violent death follows the crop burning, it looks as though someone is prepared to do anything to stop the scheme.

Bruno will have to draw on all his local knowledge to reach the truth.

About The Author

Martin Walker was educated at Balliol College, Oxford and Harvard. In 25 years with the Guardian, he served as Bureau Chief in Moscow and, in the US, as European Editor. In addition to his prize-winning journalism, he wrote and presented the BBC series 'Martin Walker's Russia' and 'Clintonomics'. He has written several acclaimed works of non-fiction, including The Cold War: A History. He spends his summers in his house in the Dordogne.