I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of Bruno’s Challenge & Other Dordogne Tales, a collection of 14 short stories featuring Bruno Correges, Chief of Police in the Dordogne town of St Denis.

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection which comprises of both previously published stories and new material. It is the usual cosy mix of cookery, the rural lifestyle and native cunning with a dash of crime thrown in. Most of the stories do not involve crime or police work at all and are more concerned with cookery, the friendships Bruno has forged and the sense of community he tries to foster. This is hardly surprising as several of the stories have featured in cookery magazines and while it may disappoint the readers looking for crime fiction, it will please the readers looking for the warm atmosphere created in the novels.

I’m not a fan of french cookery so the recipes passed me by, but I am a fan of Bruno and his lifestyle, so I have no hesitation in recommending Bruno Challenge & Other Dordogne Tales as a good read.

I had hoped this series of short stories about Bruno, Chief of Police would be detective stories but sadly most of them were about Bruno solving day to day problems in the town, with barely a criminal amongst them. Add to this lots of food, cooking, drinking and I found myself seriously disappointed. Perhaps I should have taken more note of where many were first published - in cookery magazines!
The author uses the environ of Perigord and the rural French life style to create and idyllic existence with a colourful cast of characters including the mayor, various shopkeepers, stall holders, Bruno's Scottish girlfriend and a former lover in the Paris police. The stories ooze a sense of place and a feeling of peace.
However while I'm sure some readers will be charmed by the gentle efficiency of Bruno in solving the town's problems and his ability to whip up a dinner menu to order but I find he rather over achieving and some what too good to be true.
This book just wasn't for me.

The Bruno, Chief of Police series has produced over two wonderful crime tales set in the Perigord oozing french village life and cast of varied characters. This collection of short stories is a perfect accompaniment to the series and is an ideal gift. You could dip into any other stories and be taken away from the every day into the world of Bruno and St Denis. This collection continues the culinary focus found in many of the stories and once again Bruno is able to save the day and deal with the problems that ensue. This book, like the series, is pure escapism and in a world of so much uncertainty and sadness revisiting St Denis every few months is a perfect antidote.

Martin Walker has created one of the best environments and characters ever. Bruno chief of police series is a wonderful series set in the Dordogne area in France and we get everything. Murders, mysteries, small crimes, food and drink, love stories and friendship. This one is the first collection of short stories, some of them old and some of them new. I have never felt such an urge to visit and even move to a place as when I read these stories and also I get very hungry reading about Brunos cooking. This region in France seems to have it all, the history with some of the oldest cave paintings in the world. All the castles and winemakers. The influence in food from all the people who has settled there and visited the place. I love the description of rural country village life and search for a good life. I can not help myself from telling everyone to try these books. #BrunosChallengeOtherDordogneTales #NetGalley #QuercusBooks I must thank @netgalley @quercusbooks for giving me this advance copy and #MartinWalker for writing these wonderful stories.

A Delectable Platter…
A delectable platter of tales from the Dordogne featuring the inimitable Bruno, Chief of Police. Each tale is as delicious as the last with ever beautiful settings, vivid descriptions of both place and fare and intriguing, captivating storylines. A worthy addition to compliment this long running series. A first class read.

What a treat - a collection of short stories about Bruno, to tide us over until the next book arrives. I felt as if Christmas had arrived early.

Although possibly aimed at aficionados anyone new to the series will enjoy this collection. Martin Walker has created the ideal community that anyone would want to live in, and characters that anyone would wish to have as neighbours. Although there are often crimes to solve, unpleasant events occur book makes me want to spend time in St Denis.

Perfect for a Martin Walker. Bruno Courreges, St Denis fan.

Highly recommended, and with many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for an ARC.

A sumptuous mix of “A Year In Provence” and Midsomer Murders”, Martin Walker’s book “Bruno's Challenge & Other Dordogne Tales” is full of “crime douillet” (cosy crime in French) stories featuring his popular and unflappable French detective, Bruno, where the lush Dordogne landscape and gastronomic adventures are just as important as solving crimes.
If you come to these stories expecting hard-hitting crime then you’ll be disappointed, but if you like cosy crime and long descriptions of French food and locales and are a fan of the lovable Bruno, then this collection of short stories will be a treat.