A Grave in the Woods

By: Martin Walker

Narrated by: Robert Ian Mackenzie

Another entertaining and enlightening entry in the Bruno, Chief of Police series, featuring an archaeological dig in the French countryside that unearths World War II–era mysteries—all while Bruno dishes up more culinary magic

When Abby, an American archaeologist, arrives in St. Denis on the heels of her divorce, she hopes to make a new life for herself as a specialist guide for visiting tourists. So when a local British couple discover a grave from World War II on their property, Abby is able to put her training to good use. As it turns out, in the grave are the remains of two German women and an Italian submarine office who had a big secret to hide: the women are suspected of having had links to the German garrison in Bordeaux during the war. It’s up to Bruno, just recovered from a gunshot wound earlier in the year, to unravel the mystery—and its contemporary relevance. His task is made more difficult by the horrible heat-dome summer, which is raising both temperatures and tempers, while unprecedented amounts of rain drench the Massif Central and threaten increasingly dramatic floods.

As Bruno drills to the heart of the case, matters get even more complicated when both Abby’s financially distressed ex-husband and a mysterious, dashing Italian naval office arrive, with very different ideas in mind. Once again, Bruno is left to serve the guilty their just rewards, and his friends some sumptuous Perigordian cuisine.

©2024 Walker and Watson, Ltd. (P)2024 Recorded Books

Not up to par

Not his best effort - not a very good story this time - least favorite of all his books

The book ended far too soon there was still so much to go on

Bruno, of course, and all his fellow compatriots reading what they’re up to involved in their conversations and the pleasure they find from breaking bread together. There was a great deal going on in this book enough for at least another book. I look forward to hearing what happens next.

Too much woke politics

and not enough storyline. Surely the most boring and unimaginative Bruno so far. Sadly, this will be my last.

Lacking in mystery, animals and romance…

No real mystery in this story, only a long lesson in European history and an ode to EU. Not enough dog and horse and the flood subplot is artificial. Also no romance for Bruno. The most disappointing of all Bruno novels.

Boring

I like this series - usually! The previous book in the series is excellent. In fact, I binged the beginning books when I discovered Bruno series. Bruno has always fallen on the side of correctness. In this book he comes off as a prig. Characters as in people should go through self discovery and learning to make them interesting. Bruno never takes a wrong step. Just became tiresome after a while.

the French countryside

love all of Mr Walker's books set in this charming French countryside with plenty of quirky characters

it was OK until the last chapter

I have read or listened to all of the Bruno books. Some were better than others, but this one was disappointing. It was OK until the last chapter (epilogue). Probably because there should have been another chapter or two before the epilogue to tie up loose ends and follow up on all of the threads. But the book just shut off suddenly like a light going out. I can usually tell when a book is winding down to the end but this one dropped right off of a cliff (bad analogy since I don't think it's any more of a cliff-hanger than any of his other books). Overall there was a lot of preaching about the effect of global warming on climate and the resulting emergency situation described in this book, all of which I agree with, but it should not have been more interesting than the actual plot. There were some aspects of flooding I had never considered, like the effect of trees washed downriver forming dams at bridges and the backing up of a tributary when the larger river is also flooding. There was also a lot of preaching about the after effects of war (WWII in this case) and what seemed like an "Up With People" + "It's a Small World" response by the village inhabitants. It seems a little unrealistic (yes I know this is fiction). Another plot line was about criminal activity, extradition, and how the parts of government and law enforcement do and do not work well together (JJ was wrong, you will see what I mean). I would still recommend it but just warn everyone that there will be a lot of questions at the end.

Lack of mystery

I’ve enjoyed the other books, however This was the least favorite in the series. There was a thinly veiled mystery, chunks of history that seemed to go on too long, as if he needed to fill the page, and a disappointing and rushed ending.

Disappointing for a fan of the series

I have thoroughly enjoyed this Bruno Chief of Police series from Martin Walker and always look forward to the next book. This latest is disappointing. There is almost no mystery here The characters are cardboard. The plot is obscure. There is a great deal of WWII history centered on France's experience. In fact, this is more history than novel. I found the history interesting and Walker's thoughts on how Europeans today could/should/do view their relationship is enlightening. So, I stuck with it. But, it is NOT the mystery novel I expect from this author & this series. So, money misspent. My recommendation is that you read the series in order, beginning with Bruno, Chief of Police/Death in the Dordogne. Enjoy the previous books and pass on this one.

Disappointing

Compared to all the other Bruno books this one was meh. Storyline was weak and disjointed. No suspense because there was no real mystery. Very disappointing.