Death in the Dordogne

Helen
I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters engaging and the writing evoked the setting very clearly - I could picture the village and the French culture. I enjoyed the storyline, and thought that the ending was appropriate. I’d like to know more about the history underpinning this story as I was unaware of this and would also read more in this series. 9/10

Sonia
I found this book very bland and it was difficult to get really engaged with either the characters or the storyline. As I have zero interest in food and alcohol I found the emphasis on that throughout, and the concentration on women's appearance and attractiveness, quite tedious and the progress of the investigation too slow. Sadly not one for me although I know I am not in the majority here! I would give it a 4 out of 10 as it was a relatively easy read.

Chris
Really enjoyed this book. It was well written and an easy read and you couldn't help but like Bruno. The WW2 history was interesting and the descriptions of the area and the food and wine gave an insight into life into rural France albeit probably a little romanticised.
I found the twist in the plot at the end about who had committed the murder well thought out and unexpected.
I will give it 8

Mabe
This book gave me great pleasure to read. I loved the portrayal of the peaceful French hamlet which was majorly changed when a grisly murder takes place . The main character Bruno the policeman was a joy, as was reading the book it was a complete escape from our Covid world.

I will be reading more books from this series I wish they would make it into a tv series where we could escape into the beautiful French countryside and it's way of life and enjoy a good detective story as well.

I give it 8.

Carolyn
I found Death in the Dordogne easy to read. I liked Bruno. He was organised and efficient and seemed to have a good work-life balance unlike a lot of fictional detectives who drink a lot and are miserable.The violent murder was a bit surprising, possible because of the quiet rural setting where the people seemed friendly and accepting of each other.
The WW2 connection was interesting and the plot quite well thought out. I liked it and give it 6.

Becky
I’ve only managed to get up to chapter 8 as I started reading it late in the month having just joined. At the moment I’m struggling to get into the book - although I do feel the story is now starting to pick up. I think part of this is being thrown so many characters in the first few chapters… the writer has introduced many village members and at chapter 8 I’m not sure how relevant this is but it’s made it a bit hard for me to follow. Feel it’s a bit unfair for me to give a rating at the moment so early on - however, I will keep reading

Arleen
This story was taken in a little town in France where everybody knows all about their neighbours and nothing happens that can remain a secret. That is, until a dreadful murder has been committed. The murder was horrific as the elderly man had had his stomach cut open and on his chest the murderer had cut into it the sign of the hated swastica. For a town where everyone knows everyone else, this man was not known. Only going to his family for his meals, being driven between both homes. Bruno, the towns policeman didn't know where to start looking.

The old man came out into the town to watch a procession and was recognised by the murders as the man who, during the second world war sent thousands of Jews to their deaths. They decided to take matters into their own hands to avenge the thousands of Jews he had killed.

As the murderers were old men, it was decided between the Mayer and the policeman not to arrest them as they didn't have many years left and they would be judged by a higher authority when they died.

This was a really good read and I enjoyed it. 8/10

Eve
I enjoyed this book. It was easy to read. I thought the plot was clever, interweaving it with the problem the village was having with the EU regulations. The story about the resistance fighters, still being against one another after the war was very unusual. I understand that this is the first in a line of detective books by Mr Martin and I would be pleased to read more. It looks like Bruno is sure to have more romances and we are sure to learn more about him.
I would give this book the score of 8

Margaret
I loved it
The descriptions of life in la France Profonde were so beautiful and the way the people got round the rules they regarded as petty and bureaucratic was a delight
It also cast a light on the long shadow of conflict and division within the community
I shall seek out more in the series to remind me of why I like France
9/10

Gill
I loved reading this book The intrigue of French rural politics was wonderful
Having had two holidays in the Dordongne I can picture the settings
Indeed there were lots of little ceremonies going on whilst I was there
He writes with humour and I can’t wait to read his next book
Loved it
9 out of ten for me

This is the first installment of a series of books set in a small village in rural France. Benoit (known as Bruno) is seen by the locals as the Chief of Police although in reality he is the only policeman in the village. He is a former soldier who has embraced village life to the full – he lives in a converted shepherd’s hut, is very fond of good food and wine, has no time for EU bureaucracy, knows everybody in the village and would count most of them as his friends. But then this sleepy village becomes home to a murder and his idyllic existence is severely impacted as he tries to solve the case.

There is a lot to like about this book. It is very character driven, the real joy of the book being the life of Bruno, the local policeman. He loves his job, knows the local people intimately and immerses himself in village life. As this is the first book of a series it spends a lot of time introducing Bruno and acquainting us with the local culture.

However, it was not without its problems. I am lucky enough to have read a couple of others from this series and I enjoyed them much more. As a murder mystery I think this one fell short of the mark and I wasn’t as gripped by the plot as I wanted to be. This could be because more time was spent concentrating on introducing Bruno than on the plot itself or it could just be because the author relaxed into his role as a writer and just got better as the series progressed. I found it difficult to rate it as I quite enjoyed it overall but felt the storyline let it down a bit.

Despite a couple of negative comments I would definitely recommend both this book and others in the series. Personally I didn’t read them in order and had no problem with them being stand-alone books.

"Death in Dordogne" is a beautiful and gentle very French detective mystery book. While the subject matter is disturbing and very current subject - murder. racism, political tensions and accountability - at the same time the language is evocative of a very peaceful small village life. Bruno (the head policeman in this village) reminds me of Inspector Maigret in his calm and pragmatic approach to crime and justice.
This is just the kind of book for vacation reading. Enjoy!

I really enjoyed this book. Although a detective novel, the story had a languid pace and gentle writing. The vivid descriptions gave a real sense of place and time. I shall definitely look out for the sequel.