Bruno Chief of Police by Martin Walker
Bruno Chief of Police is the first in the series set in southern France by Martin Walker. (See my earlier review of The Dark Vineyard)
In this book, we learn more about Bruno's past and how he ended up being the only policeman in tiny St. Denis. Most of the story revolves around Bruno's attempts to solve the murder of a reclusive Algerian.
Much of the book is a series of charming vignettes about life in a small French town. But there are two subplots related to the murder that have a much more serious tone--one about life in the region during World War II and the other about anti-Arab sentiments in France (which are frequently directed toward former colonists from Algeria and Morocco who have settled in France). It's a good reminder that even in a seemingly idyllic place like St. Denis, nothing is perfect.
In this book, we learn more about Bruno's past and how he ended up being the only policeman in tiny St. Denis. Most of the story revolves around Bruno's attempts to solve the murder of a reclusive Algerian.
Much of the book is a series of charming vignettes about life in a small French town. But there are two subplots related to the murder that have a much more serious tone--one about life in the region during World War II and the other about anti-Arab sentiments in France (which are frequently directed toward former colonists from Algeria and Morocco who have settled in France). It's a good reminder that even in a seemingly idyllic place like St. Denis, nothing is perfect.
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