When I read The Body in the Castle Well I was absolutely captivated by the book’s lead policeman Benoit ‘Bruno’ Courreges. A multifaceted man for whom policing seems to be just one part of him but he executes his duties with unfailingly, efficient and effective demeanour.This latest novel is the thirteenth in the Dordogne mysteries. Banish all thoughts of superstition because there’s nothing unlucky about this story unless you’re the guilty perpetrator!
'Millions of readers worldwide are talking about the Dordogne Mysteries. Discover why and join them with this gripping new read! Following the funeral of a local farmer, Bruno gets a phone call from his son. He tells Bruno that before his father's sudden death, he had signed over his property to an insurance company in return for a subscription to a luxury retirement home. Bruno discovers that both the retirement home and the insurance company are scams with links to a Russian oligarch whose dealings are already being tracked by the French police. Meanwhile an ageing British rock star is selling his home, Chateau Rock. The star's son returns for the summer with his Russian girlfriend. As Bruno pursues his inquiries into the farmer's death and the stolen inheritance, he learns that the oligarch is none other than the girlfriend's father. Bruno's talents are tested to the limit as he untangles a Gordian Knot of criminality that reaches as far as the Kremlin. But luckily Bruno still has time to cook delicious meals for his friends and enjoy the life of his beloved Dordogne. What's more, love is in the air. His pedigree basset, Balzac, is old enough to breed. Bruno heads for the kennels where a suitable beauty, Diane de Poitiers, is ready and waiting for Balzac's attentions...'
Once again we have a recipe book of classic French cuisine nestling amongst the more sinister overtones of Russian oligarchy and defrauded, bereaved offspring. Don’t read this book if you’re hungry! You will salivate all over the pages! Walker’s style might at times be described as cosy crime. It’s a term I love for the very paradox of the concept. But Bruno is very comfortable if not cosy. You feel safe with him as a reader for even if bad things happen, and they do, you feel protected by him. It’s a deceptively complex plot which initially on the surface presents as a quite straightforward crime. Then as they say “the plot thickens” in fact it deepens as it casts its net amongst the myriad characters who descend on Château Rock and into Bruno’s life. Walker cleverly introduces a variety of aspects into the tale. As already mentioned there’s cookery but also music, dog breeding, horse riding so that the story has a wide appeal.
Walker also manages to create a most appealing picture of life and community in rural France. There is a languid, easy feel to the descriptions of life there. You sense that everybody is on good terms with each other which is so uplifting to read particularly in these times that we currently find ourselves in. You can pick up a book like this and completely forget about the ruddy coronavirus. That makes it worth it’s weight in gold. And then if this is the first Bruno story you've read you have the alluring prospect of twelve more to get your grubby little hands on! 😉
My thanks to Milly Reid and Katya Ellis at Quercus books for a copy of the book and the opportunity for a place on the blog blast.
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