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A Grave in the Woods

A country cop uncovers a war crime amid a looming flood threat.

Martin Walker author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Quercus Publishing

Published:20th Jun '24

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A Grave in the Woods cover

In this mystery, France's beloved country cop, Bruno, uncovers a buried war crime linked to World War II while simultaneously battling a looming flood that threatens his town and its residents.

In A Grave in the Woods, Bruno, the beloved country cop of France, is faced with a dual challenge that intertwines the past and present. When three sets of bones are unearthed in the woods near the quaint town of St Denis, Bruno is thrust into a complex investigation that harkens back to World War II. The discovery raises questions about the identity of the remains and whether their burial constitutes a war crime, compelling Bruno to delve into a historical mystery that has long been buried.

As Bruno navigates the intricacies of this case, he is also confronted with a pressing environmental crisis. The Dordogne river, usually peaceful, has swelled to alarming levels due to weeks of relentless autumn rain. The threat of a catastrophic flood looms over St Denis, putting both the town and its residents at risk. This duality of the investigation and the impending natural disaster tests Bruno's skills as a detective and a community leader.

Throughout the narrative, Bruno relies on his resourcefulness, determination, and strong connections with the townspeople to tackle these challenges. His ability to balance the weight of historical injustices with the immediate needs of his community underscores the themes of resilience and the importance of confronting the past to safeguard the future. As the story unfolds, readers are drawn into a gripping tale that highlights the complexities of human relationships and the enduring impact of history on contemporary life.

Walker has mastered the fine art of harnessing intriguing murder mysteries with paeans to his adopted country's rich history, landscape, food and culture to dish up stories with an addictive brand of Gallic charm * Burnley Express *
Another thoroughly delightful episode in the life of Bruno * Irish Independent *
Fine French food and wine in the Dordogne, laced with tasty murder and mystery provide a banquet for fans of the Bruno, Chief of Police series . . . A real page-turner * Peterborough Telegraph *
Martin Walker does a splendid job of describing the dreamy richness of life in the Dordogne and making his readers incredibly jealous they are not there * SHOTS *

ISBN: 9781529428285

Dimensions: 236mm x 160mm x 32mm

Weight: 540g

336 pages