What is the story about? And why am I reading it? It's about two rivals in the baking world who come to an agreement in the end because it's good for each's business.

4 out of 5 stars
I want more!
ByMaggieon August 27, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
As a francophile, I love Martin Walker's Bruno novels, so this short story is right up my alley. However, I feel that it is a bit too short! It addresses one of the challenges of today's life in France (UK and North America, also)--the clash of the from here's and from aways. I think this material deserves a longer narrative! So, I want more!

Review A charming literary tale that oozes with French provincial atmosphere. Martin Walker entertains us with yet another slice of life episode in the universe of Bruno, the chief of police of the small French village of Denis.... with his dog Balzac tagging along. A feud has erupted in the weekly village market between a stall seller and a local merchant .... involving the undercutting of price for fine coffee and chocolates. Unexpected violence occurs presenting Bruno to intervene in his own unique way.
A nice addition to the ongoing Bruno series. Thanks to Netgalley and Vinage for providing this entertaining story in exchange for honest review. (less)

Fans of the Bruno series will enjoy this little story set at the market of Saint Denis. Bruno, Chief of Police, tries his best to settle a dispute between an immigrant seller of (excellent) African coffee and chocolate and the local sellers and bar/cafe owners - successfully of course. It‘s a quick read, perfect while having a cup of coffee yourself.

Lovely quick read about a clash of old and new in a small French village, with Bruno, chief of police in the middle. The conflict arises when immigrants importing chocolate and coffee undersell the traditional merchants. There's a parable in here as the two sides resolve their issues. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Martin Walker has penned a charming and timely tale of competition in small-town France — between market merchants and local brick-and-mortar retailers. It’s not deep, but it does address the tension between new-immigrant entrepreneurs and long-time locals, and it is a pleasant ten minute read. By the time you finish it, you will likely be seeking out chocolate, espresso or a combination of the two.

Walker's Bruno, Chief of Police series is a idealized view of contemporary rural France, caught between globalization and tradition, and bound by France's own history with WWII, Algeria, Vietnam and EU politics. Bruno, a veteran of Peacekeeping in the former Yugoslavia, is often called upon to use diplomacy and a network of friendship and goodwill to sort out crimes big and small in his Perigord town. In this novella, the town's traditional market is disrupted by West African merchants offering coffee and chocolate under the cost available to longstanding vendors, leading to vandalism and hard feelings--can Bruno and the Mayor remind everyone of their common bonds?

Since his first Bruno novel in 2008, Martin Walker’s character has turned into one of the literary world’s favorite detectives. Walker has written eleven novels and two short stories so far about this small-town police chief living in the Périgord region of France.

This short story The Chocolate War begins innocently enough with Bruno making his rounds on market day, checking in with all the usual vendors selling their wares. A nephew of one of regulars has a shrewd business idea, but his prices are undercutting the local cafe. What starts out as a simple economic feud, turns into a fight of rules and sanctions with Bruno stuck in the middle. It will be his job to calm tensions before things get out of hand.

The Chocolate War would be an excellent introduction to Bruno for newcomers, and veterans of the series will love to take a quick vacation back to St. Denis.

Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf Doubleday, Vintage Books, and Mr. Martin for an advanced copy of this story.

This reminds me of listening to a parable in Sunday School where you don't want to upset either party in an argument. Bringing common sense to the people in starting a new project is paramount. With the help of the Mayor of St. Denis, Bruno learns a lot about the Mayor and his helping hand in both Fauquet's and Leopold's earlier lives. When they see this it brings some semblance to everyones life and problems.

Martin Walker brings life to the squabbles that people have making it much better in the long run. My readers will definitely want to read this story.