The Crowded Grave: A Mystery of the French Countryside Paperback – Illustrated, April 9, 2013

First Sentence: For once, the chef de police of the small French town of St. Denis was carrying a gun.It is a busy time for police chief Bruno Courrèges. Local farmers of geese and ducks are being set upon by members of PETA who oppose fois gras. A local archeology site has turned up four skeleton's-- three that could cause a significant change in the science of evolution, one much more recent who was murdered--and now the head of the dig has gone missing. A high level summit is about to take place between representatives of France and Spain over the Basque separatists. And Bruno has two attractive women and a new magistrate with whom he must contend.Walker's evocative descriptions transport one to the sights, sound, smells and tastes of Provence. Each book being set in a different season--in this case, Spring--heightens the experience even further.Bruno is a very likeable and appealing character. He is very much part of his small community and protective of its residents. He is part of their lives and understands them. His approach to law enforcement is always to abide within the letter of the law, but to do what is just, and provides the best solution to the people involved.An excellent description comes from Bruno himself, "He could imagine what young magistrates might think of him, an ex-soldier who hunted and drank and who tired never to arrest anyone and cared little for the subtleties of modern law enforcement with its counseling and political correctness." although this makes him seem harsher than he is. The woman he most loves now lives in Paris and he can't imagine life anywhere but in St. Denis. It also leaves out that he built his own house, grows most of his own food, makes wine, rides horses, and cooks. The descriptions of food and its preparation were mouth-watering and somewhat amusing. Above all, he is no one's fool.I always learn something from Walkers' books. The archeological information is fascinating with the subject of the dig being a discovery that could change thoughts of the evolution of man from Neanderthal to Cro-Magnin. There was also and interesting, and well-handled, perspective given on the controversy over fois gras. However, some of the history from WWII, the French Resistance, the Spanish Civil War, the Basque separatists, and the "Dirty War" in Argentina, was a bit confusing to me. I certainly know of them all, but not necessarily how they fit together politically. Still, it made me look things up and was fascinating. It also led to a moment of introspection... "Generation after generation, so many bodies must lie scattered in the soil of France, so many battlefields where the bones must lie thickly together. ...France is built on a heap of bones, he thought; we are the sum of all the dead that went before us.""The Crowded Grave" is a very good read. It has all the best elements of character, sense of place, a bit of humor, some suspense, and a compelling plot. I'm happy to say the next book is already waiting for me.THE CROWDED GRAVE (Pol Proc-Bruno Courrèges-Provence, France-Contemp) - VG+Walker, MartinAlfred A. Knopf, 2011

I've been bingeing on the delightful "Bruno" series, and this 4th installment was chock full of the things that make these books so appealing. First we have Bruno doing what he does best: looking out for the citizens of St. Denis when some student activists target local farmers. Then a dead body is discovered and Bruno switches into "investigator" mode, while juggling security duties for a last minute summit between France and Spain. Phew. Don't worry though, there's still plenty of time for Bruno to show off his culinary skills, vacillate between the two women in his life and walk his beloved hunting dog, Gigi.I enjoy the way the author reveals more about Bruno's past as the series moves forward. There's so much that explains his strong attachment to the small town of St. Denis and his fierce need to protect its citizens, who are his family of choice. These stories are strongly character based, though the mysteries are not simply window dressing (as they are in a "cozy" mystery). There are a lot of layers to this particular storyline, and the mystery kept me completely engaged. As always the characterization was excellent and the author's vivid descriptions of food and wine had me raiding my fridge in the wee hours of the morning (sadly, I was unable to locate any foie gras or Pomerol, and had to settle for some goat cheese from the supermarket - the shame!).If you enjoy mysteries that have more substance than a "cozy" but still focus on all the charming details that bring a locale to life, then I'd recommend this series. Good, solid mystery storylines that are heavy on the characterization and domestic details and light on the blood and gore. You'll want to start at the beginning: Bruno, Chief of Police: A Novel of the French Countryside .Occasional strong language/swearing. No explicit sexual content.

Intriguing story but a tough read. So many in St Denis become friends no need to more so than Bruno. Story filled with Walkers usual twists and turns.

St Denis must be the most dangerous and internationally connected town in the world!Bond villains descend on it every season to be thwarted by Bruno Chef de Police and his dog Balzac.I love how global themes tie into an English expat "Year in Provence" vision of rural France.For me, it's all about the tight plot lines and not so much the marketing of produits des terroirs (in my school boy French products from a magically big French desk drawer) but suspect that for other readers they're part of the charm and appeal!I've the whole set, especially good on audio.

The characters in each book are engaging as are the story lines. You also are invited to learn more about French wines and history. If you like a well written mystery/murder stories, this series is for you

Well I've read the previous three books on Bruno already and found them all endearing and very gripping. I liked this one the most so far even though the end is heartbreaking. Already downloaded the next book in the series and can't wait how Bruno will go on with life after the end of the last book. Just love this series, its characters and also how the region is described in the book, with so much love and in such detail.

Love this series and this is another great read

Things in St. Denis, the usually quiet village in the heart of Dordogne, are suddenly becoming very complicated for its Chief of Police, Bruno Courreges. On one hand, the town is being harassed by members of PETA who are sabotaging the region's fois gras business, on the other a new, young, over zealous magistrate is making life difficult for everyone, the remains of a anonymous murdered man are found in an archeologic dig on the outskirts of town, Bruno has been seconded to the Ministry of Interior to help assure the security of a summit meeting on terrorism and, as if all that were not enough, the summit is being organized by Bruno's old lover, Isabelle. Bruno is forced to walk a very thin line indeed from one crisis to the next and not become distracted by his confusion relative to his old lover and his present flame. He succeeds meeting most of these challengers (except perhaps his own personal delimma over his relationships) while sheparding us through the gstronomic delights of the Perigord region. This is diffinitely a must read for all Martin Walker fans.

This is the fourth Bruno Courreges story. Having read the first three, I looked forward to renewing my acquaintance with Bruno and the other inhabitants of this corner of Walker's Dordogne.The discovery of a more recent burial at an archeological dig is just the beginning of the intrigues in this outing - complicated by a joint Spanish/French summit to be held on Bruno's "patch" which also requires Bruno's attention, and animal rights attacks on some farms involved in the production of foie gras, not to mention the arrival of a new, "green" magistrate.Walker's stories have something of the feel of an enjoyable, comfortable Sunday afternoon television series, with the plot mixed in with likeable (and dislikeable) characters whose adventures you want to catch up with, gentle humour, and a wonderful sense of place which will appeal to those who love France - and there are accounts of how to cook a few authentically Southern French dishes thrown in!I have already preordered the next book in the series, due out August 2012, and eagerly await this next instalment.