The Dordogne holds a special place in my heart because that's where I have been spending all my summers for the last 30 years. I have also read earlier books in the series and so recognise a lot of the people, places etc. Even though I liked this last instalment, I sometimes felt a bit overwhelmed and had the impression the author was trying to cram a little bit too much into the book. The historical part was tied up nicely but the other storyline with the hacking felt a little bit unfinished since it left me with quite a few unanswered questions. Nevertheless, the Bruno books are always a good read and the characters and setting make up for what is missing. Another enjoyable immersion into life in the Dordogne.

Past and Present Collide..
The seventeenth outing in the Dordogne Mystery series featuring the inimitable Bruno, chief of police, and a new case where past and present worlds collide following the discovery of three sets of bones. Our protagonist also has other pressing issues as Bruno needs to protect the town and the residents from an impending flood. Once again, a thoroughly enjoyable instalment with the usual ideal melange of crime, mystery, delicious food, perfect setting, well drawn characters and intriguing plot. Wholly immersive and engaging.

A Grave in the Woods is,incredibly, the 17th book in Martin Walker's hugely popular "Bruno" series. As well as very entertaining police procedurals these books are almost a love letter to the Dordogne and packed with the history,culture,scenery and not least the cuisine of the area.
This book is something a bit different with the discovery of 3 sets of bones dating back to WW2 being found deep in the woods outside St Denis. The condition of the bones of 2 females suggests that atrocities had been carried out. As Bruno carries out his investigation the reaction of locals towards the discovery is mixed but mostly very moving and Walker deftly ponders via his writing the nature of war,reconciliation and the scars of history. With not only a devastating flood threatening but Bruno discovering that his police computer might have been compromised there's certainly a lot going on with the book almost reading like 3 novellas stitched together.
There's a massive cast of characters in the Bruno books that can seem a bit daunting to those new to the series,, in this book a handful more are introduced, and it can feel a bit "busy".
That said this is a joy to read,not just for the plot but for the aforementioned background information about the Dordogne ,I doubt I'm the only one to finish this book as intrigued about the area its set in as the story.

Rather like a new Donna Leon novel in Venice or a Denzil Meyrick thriller in Scotland a new Bruno Courrges story has become an annual event in the summer for the last 17 years !!

As ever the town and the people of St Denis are a backdrop to the latest police/thriller story.
Bones of three people are discovered in a war grave raising questions as to whether a war crime was committed; two of the victims were women and violently abused.

The story takes an interesting focus upon the atrocities of war and abuse upon the victims of both sides- a fine line in the eyes of many- but the violence against the female victims leads the women of St Denis to show solidarity. Martin Walker holds a sensitive line in this element of the book- with some of the male bastion showing ' a more basic view' of allies v germans.

Much of the book is taken up with well researched history of the WWII period and the resistance in the Dordogne. Quite a history lesson.

The other elements of the book focus upon a new resident and cyber /crypto currency crime involving an ex partner as well as the danger to the community from rising water levels and potential floods

Bruno is always at hand to help, organise and be at the heart of all the events- and of course demonstrate his culinary and sporting skills

This is sometimes just a bit frustrating as he becomes a bit too much of a super hero- especially as he is recovering from an injury from the previous story..

But just suspend disbelief and dive into another rollicking read; there was a sense that this book felt a little disjointed especially with the denouement of the cyber attack story, the flood situation towards the ends whilst keeping a focus on the main story plot. .

But there is no denying, that if you like a mix of police procedural /thriller with some good food and company thrown then this new Bruno Courreges story is a great summer escape read.

I’d previously read the first of this 17-strong series (Death in the Dordogne), so here I am skipping to the latest, due to be published in June. This is a review of an ARC from Quercus and NetGalley.

First of all, a pause to reflect: 17 books! I suppose there would be a danger that the Perigord Noir would start to seem like Midsomer, the murder capital of the world—if there was a murder in every book. Luckily Martin Walker seems to have too much sense for that. The mystery that gives the title this book dates back to 1944: a war crime, perhaps. And the most up-to-date criminal activity here is some kind of attempted computer hack, the motives for which are unclear. Meanwhile, a third plot thread is provided by a dramatic flood that threatens St. Denis, the fictional town that sits somewhere along the Vézère River, possibly between Limeuil (which sits at the dramatic confluence of the Vézère and the Dordogne) and Les Eyzies. Le Bugue might be the best guess as to the real place that inspires St. Denis, but what really matters is that this is escapist literature, a cozy mystery wherein any horrible suffering is buried deep in the past.

So distance in time provides some cushion, and further coziness is provided by loving descriptions of delicious meals, good wines, and fiery spirits. Add in the cast of characters familiar from the other books (with some new faces to freshen the scene), and it’s like being on holiday without worrying about the credit card bill.

One of the new faces wants to take over a derelict building and turn it into holiday lets and a cooking school, but there’s a problem: according to the deeds, there’s a grave somewhere on the property, and nobody knows who is in it. Meanwhile, another new face, American archaeologist Abby, wants to qualify as a guide but has a murky divorce in her recent past. Police chief Bruno is here to offer friendly advice, and isn’t even supposed to be on duty following a shooting incident in the previous book. But then there’s all the rain, and the dams upriver can’t cope with the quantity of water…

My biggest criticism here is that there are a few too many information dumps. Because the case connects to 1944, there is an awful lot about the occupation, the liberation, the resistance—as you might expect. But then there’s more, about Italians where they shouldn’t be, and archaeology and the American revolution and even Russian and Ukraine. It all builds up, rather like the floodwaters in the dam. For me, just a few too many scenes of people telling each other things over dinner, and not all of the historical stuff really played into the present day mystery.

On the other hand, it feels like you’re getting a snapshot of local cop Bruno’s life, as he juggles the responsibilities of his job with his social activities. A couple of weeks where some stuff happens. And the real reason you’re here is to escape into the Dordogne countryside, pop a few corks, forage for mushrooms, and reflect that, even with two rivers in full flood and the town on evacuation alert, you’d still rather live there than Britain.

(This ARC had a few typos, and a White Peugeot 308 that became a Renault a few pages later, but I don't know who to tell about that.)

Another brilliant page-turner from Martin Walker. In this one there are newcomers to St Denis - with big plans to renovate a rundown property. These are put on hold when an unknown grave is mentioned in documents. This uncovers an incident from World War Two. At the same time an American archaeologist arrives in the village, and she is being pursued by her ex-husband who has been dabbling in crypto-currency and lost millions. How this all comes together, and who is involved is written about brilliantly.

Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for an ARC.

First of all I must thank the kind people of Quercus Books for reaching out and giving me an advance copy of this book and Netgalley for handling it. A Grave in the Woods by Martin Walker is the 17th book about Benoît Courrèges, aka Bruno. He is the Chief of police in the Dordogne valley in the south of France, he lives in the little village of St. Denis and in this book he returns from a time in hospital due to a wound he got in the last book. He is still recovering and is not supposed to work until the doctor has given his ok but things happen and he pulls on his uniform. While examining what is a forgotten grave they discover three bodies all from the second world war and at the same time some of the new inhabitants in St. Denis are having problems. That is not all, there is also a big risk of flooding the valley due to heavy autumn rain. This is as always a well written story and not only do we get to follow Bruno solving mysteries we also get a good dose of local cuisine which always leaves me hungry. We also get to see some old acquaintances return due to a memorial service for the discovered bodies. Never have I come across a book series that makes me want to move somewhere like this one does. I understand why the author has taken to live here. It is alway great fun returning to this piece of rural France and what could have been a great place to live if it wasn't for the murder rate.

The latest book in the Dordogne mystery series sees charismatic policeman Bruno assist in the uncovering of a WW2 grave as well as dealing with a cyber attack on the police network despite being on convalescent leave. This is only the second book of the series I have read but was immediately transported into the culture, history and community of St Denis and the residents of the beautiful town. I have visited the Dordogne, though not as far south as the Perigord Noir and as a reader was delighted to be absorbed in the setting and story. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.