The Dark Vineyard

 I recently reviewed the first book in the Martin Walker 21-book series, Bruno, Chief of Police. I was so excited about the quality of that murder mystery novel, that I quickly acquired through the app Libby the second book The Dark Vineyard, published in 2009, a year after the first one. I see that author Walker has written a book a year since then, so assuming the quality of his stories continues there’s lots to look forward to.

Chief of Police Bruno Courreges is the only police officer in the small rural village of Saint-Denis located in the Perigord region in southwestern France. He has learned to love the quiet and intimate life in the village. Bruno only spoke a limited amount of English, which was all he needed in the countryside. The intense romantic relationship that Bruno had begun with police investigator Isabelle Perrault was interrupted as the result of her transfer back to her home base in Paris. That interruption seemed to be a great disappointment to both of them. But Bruno did not like the idea of living in Paris, and Isabelle was ambitious and thought working in Paris would provide her with the best chance at promotion.

As author Walker described delightful day-to-day life in Saint-Denis, there were frequent references to the local cuisine and many references to wine that might be consumed at any time of day. This second book started over a special vineyard where GMO crops were being tested, but many of the locals were not happy about it. While this venture was supposed to be kept secret, there really were not many secrets in this small village. When the crops were torched by an arsonist, it became a worldwide story. It turned out a large international producer of wines was considering making a major land purchase in Saint-Denis which surely would have changed the quality of life there. Some of the locals including the mayor saw the opportunity make a lot of money, but others were against the changes that this huge industry would bring

We learned about a cast of characters that included locals who worked in various businesses and people from the large wine company. It was when this quiet town experienced two deaths of longstanding beloved villagers that the tale got most interesting. Meanwhile, Bruno struggled with missing the wonderful relationship he had been building with Isabelle, as well as his attraction to one of the women who had made Saint-Denis her home of choice.

This book masterfully revealed a great plot and the developed a fascinating cast. Once again, the narrator of this audiobook was Robert Ian MacKenzie, and he was fantastic. I might just have to keep following Mr. MacKenzie for whatever books he narrates. Now, I will get my hands on Bruno book #3, Black Diamond.