I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of A Chateau Under Siege, the sixteenth novel to feature Chief of Police Bruno Courreges, set in the Dordogne.

When Brice Kerquelin is stabbed during a reenactment of the mediaeval liberation of Sarlat Bruno is the first officer at the scene, but not the last, because Kerquelin is now the head of the nearby intelligence gathering facility after a very successful career in Silicon Valley. While Bruno is deciding whether the stabbing was accidental or intentional he discovers that it is neither, but a staged attempt to give Kerquelin cover to negotiate a huge deal. Meanwhile his old, equally successful friends have arrived in France and need protection because a new danger has emerged.

I enjoyed A Chateau Under Siege, which is perhaps not as sunny as the previous novels and has less cooking. The novel has more global concerns than Bruno’s little corner of paradise with the war in Ukraine looming, rogue Russians running about and more speculation about China’s intentions. Needless to say, with the security services involved nothing is straightforward.

The plot is fairly standard for the series in that Bruno does a lot of his investigation by talking to his friends and piecing together what he learns into a cohesive narrative. In this case he learns enough to know he’s being lied to by his temporary boss, General Lannes. It upsets him, but not enough to stop trying to find out who or what the threat is. This is quite a techie novel at times so I got lost, like Bruno, in some of the descriptions and capabilities, but the conclusions are easier to grasp. This is in stark comparison to the snippets of regional history and mentions of local landmarks, where the author does a tremendous job of setting the atmosphere and selling the location.

There is an unprecedented interest in Bruno’s love life in this novel, with many of his friends delivering some brutal home truths and trying to point him in a certain direction. He’s not having it, at the moment, at least, but it’s an interesting concept, a sort of communal we know best.

A Chateau Under Siege is a good read that I can recommend.

Yay - Bruno is back. And bringing all his fiends along too. In book 16 - wowsers - how did that happen and still as fresh as a daisy!
So... in this book we start with Bruno assisting the town of Sarlat in policing the re-enactment of its liberation from the English, way back in 1370. Yes there's a bit of history to gt through but, if you are familiar with this series, you'll know that's par for the course. And, while it's mentioned, you are familiar with it, you have read all the previous books? You really should, you know. I know there's a lot but they are all brilliant. But don't read them if you haven't eaten as the food described will tip you over the edge if you are hungry.
Anyway, back to the re-enactment and it's all going mostly swimmingly until the main character played by Kerquelin goes off script and there's a melee and he gets stabbed... not fatally, he is initially attended locally but soon whisked off in a helicopter that is randomly nearby...
Being "on death's door" his children and ex-wife are summoned and it's not long before the story starts to get a bit strange as more is learned about Kerquelin, his past, working in Silicon Valley and his present with French intelligence. And his not really being injured. But I will leave you to discover the rest as the author intends...
If you have read previous books, you will probably guess the familiar faces that, once again, pop up herein. (and you have read the previous books ;) haven't you?!) And you will lick your lips and salivate at the Perigord food and wine that is prepared, cooked and served up too. And yes, Balzac plays his part too - and quite an important one...
Bruno is still love lorn but his friends are, once again, trying to nudge him in the right direction. Bit will he listen to them or his unrequited heart?
Yes it's a bit wordy description wise but then the area is a character in its own right, and it's beautiful and picturesque, so why wouldn't you spend time and work describing it...!
Oh, look... just stop reading reviews and buy the book already. It's #16 in the series and if you are still with the series after 15 previous books, it's a no brainer that you will love this one just as much!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Martin Walker knows how to tell a good international crime story. The Bruno Courreges or The Dordogne Mysteries series is now on its sixteenth story. There is an old fashioned gentlemanly charm about Bruno but that never stops him from ending up amidst high intrigue.This time he finds himself protecting a family after their father - a Silicon Valley computer expert now running a French intelligence unit - is supposedly stabbed at a reenactment battle.But all is not as it seems. As we’ve come to expect Bruno finds himself immersed in national and international events with a cast of high profile individuals. This is a complicated story in many ways and doesn’t have the rural charm of some of the earlier stories but still speeds along. It would be great to have Bruno solve a traditional murder / crime but that’s not to be …an intriguing addition to the series but a tad convoluted .

A highly recommended read. I don't want to say too much about the novel, revealing spoilers. However it does include all our favourite characters, including Balzac the Bassett, and some new ones. All the action takes place in Walker's beautifully described Perigord, and, yet again, as well as fulfilling his role as country policeman, Bruno cooks fabulous meals, as well as saving the day.

With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for an ARC.

Martin Walker is one of my absolute favorite authors and his books about Bruno Courrèges chief of police. Set in the rural Dordogne region in France, is the one I look forward to the most every year. A Chateau Under Siege is this years adventure and yes Balzac is in it. It starts in the town of Sarlat with an reenactment gone wrong and develops into a rather big affair with foreign interests. Oh, before you ask. Ther is food and drink is this one as it should be, don't you worry. Bruno is also getting some pressure on the matter of settling down with a partner.
These books are so wonderfully written so I have plans to visit the region shortly. I actually think about retiring there. Walker should actually get some proceeds from the tourism he attracts with his descriptions of this part of the world. For those that think this is only another cozy crime series, think again. There is action, espionage, history and world politics in this series. There is also some wine and food involved, enough to make you hungry reading. I recommend this series to all I know and those I don't know as well. I must give a very warm thank you to Querqus Books that gave me a copy and to Netgalley. But most of all to Martin Walker for creating this world of Bruno.

Very enjoyable mysteries but this one is probably a bit more serious with darker undertones. The world knows that Russia invaded Ukraine and this event forms part of the plot. I do like Bruno and the French setting is wonderful. Was Russian involvement too much? The jury's out on that. Still a very entertaining read though