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Bruno, Chief of Police #5.5
Bruno and the Carol Singers
The fifth installment in the delightful, internationally acclaimed series featuring Chief of Police Bruno. In this exclusive eBook, St. Denis is experiencing its coldest winter in years—bringing the promise of snow and shared chocolats chauds in the village’s cafés—and Bruno is occupied with his Christmastime duties. From organizing carolers to playing Father Christmas for the local schoolchildren, Bruno has his hands full . . . at least until some funds raised for charity go missing. Then it’s up to Bruno to save the day (and perhaps manage a Christmas miracle) in this charming holiday installment of Walker’s best-selling series.
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
820 people are currently reading
1057 people want to read
About the author
Martin Walker
66 books1,550 followersMartin Walker is the U.S. bureau chief for The Guardian (London), a regular commentator for CNN, and a columnist for newspapers in the United States, Europe, and Moscow. A published novelist and poet, he lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife, the novelist Julia Watson, and their two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
December 30, 2018
In the small French town of St. Denis on the banks of the river Vézère the citizens are out and about eating roasted chestnuts and singing Christmas Carols, with their chief of police, Bruno Courrèges dressed as Father Christmas and shaking a can for donations to charity.
When Pamela, Bruno’s closest and dearest friend, is mugged on the way to the bank with the money, Bruno has a pretty good idea who did the deed.
They also have a scheduled rugby practice out in the fields where Bruno brings a huge thermos of hot chocolate for the children and another huge thermos of mulled wine that he made himself for the adults.
Then, one of the little boys goes missing after the game and Bruno blames himself for not watching more carefully.
This is a heartwarming short story of love during the Christmas season, and even though I guessed what had happened, it didn’t stop me from crying in the end.
When Pamela, Bruno’s closest and dearest friend, is mugged on the way to the bank with the money, Bruno has a pretty good idea who did the deed.
They also have a scheduled rugby practice out in the fields where Bruno brings a huge thermos of hot chocolate for the children and another huge thermos of mulled wine that he made himself for the adults.
Then, one of the little boys goes missing after the game and Bruno blames himself for not watching more carefully.
This is a heartwarming short story of love during the Christmas season, and even though I guessed what had happened, it didn’t stop me from crying in the end.
July 10, 2020
It is almost Christmas in St Denis and the chief of the local police does his best to gather money for a local cause with something new for St Denis, carol singers. It turns out to be a successful plan but the money gets nicked in a robbery.
At the same time Bruno cannot escape his job, he asked to look into an escapee whose ex-wife and son live in St Denis, with the holidays coming up perhaps the man has plans.
A delightful little tale of Christmas and St Denis that is totally feelgood.
One third of the eBook is the tale and two thirds of the e-book are vacation ideas in France. So a story and some some good touristy information thrown in for good measure.
At the same time Bruno cannot escape his job, he asked to look into an escapee whose ex-wife and son live in St Denis, with the holidays coming up perhaps the man has plans.
A delightful little tale of Christmas and St Denis that is totally feelgood.
One third of the eBook is the tale and two thirds of the e-book are vacation ideas in France. So a story and some some good touristy information thrown in for good measure.
January 13, 2020
Sweet for Christmas
December 22, 2022
Nice little story for the holiday season that captures the spirit of generosity.
December 6, 2021
Bruno plays Father Christmas for the town. He arranged a carol sing for Pamela who misses the UK tradition. A Lebanese Christian woman and her son recently moved to town. He receives a call that her convicted husband escaped from the release program. He feels certain the man will show up in town and when something happens to Pamela, he's certain of it. It's more of a feel-good Christmas story than a mystery. This is mainly for fans of the series. Others will probably not find much depth in the story.
September 22, 2020
Warmhearted Christmas story. It was the perfect foil for the excellent but deeply troubling novel that I am currently reading, Shuggie Bain. Always a pleasure to visit Bruno's village even, as in this case, for a short time.
March 6, 2013
First Sentence: The last market day before Christmas in the small French town of St. Denis was unusually cold.
St. Denis police chief Bruno Courréges is multi-tasking, as usual. He’s organizing carolers, playing Father Christmas and preparing for a Christmas feast. In spite of the freezing weather, all is going well…until money raised for charity goes missing.
Lately, it hasn’t been easy finding a good Christmas story that is both enjoyable yet not too saccharine. Walker has done the trick.
Bruno is such a wonderful character. He is very much part of his village and a role model to its youth. He is strict when he needs to be, yet wise and a peacemaker when he can be.
The story is light—it is a holiday story, after all—but thoroughly enjoyable. It is also another example of an author using food to entice and delight us. I do want a Bruno cookbook.
If you’re looking for a heavy, serious police procedural; this is not it. However, if you’re in need of a delightful read and a quick visit to Provence, I highly recommend “Bruno and the Carol Singers”. If you’ve not yet read the “Bruno” series, I highly recommend that as well.
BRUNO AND THE CAROL SINGERS (Pol Proc-Bruno Courréges-France-Contemp) – VG
Walker, Martin – eBook Novelette
Knopf, 2012
St. Denis police chief Bruno Courréges is multi-tasking, as usual. He’s organizing carolers, playing Father Christmas and preparing for a Christmas feast. In spite of the freezing weather, all is going well…until money raised for charity goes missing.
Lately, it hasn’t been easy finding a good Christmas story that is both enjoyable yet not too saccharine. Walker has done the trick.
Bruno is such a wonderful character. He is very much part of his village and a role model to its youth. He is strict when he needs to be, yet wise and a peacemaker when he can be.
The story is light—it is a holiday story, after all—but thoroughly enjoyable. It is also another example of an author using food to entice and delight us. I do want a Bruno cookbook.
If you’re looking for a heavy, serious police procedural; this is not it. However, if you’re in need of a delightful read and a quick visit to Provence, I highly recommend “Bruno and the Carol Singers”. If you’ve not yet read the “Bruno” series, I highly recommend that as well.
BRUNO AND THE CAROL SINGERS (Pol Proc-Bruno Courréges-France-Contemp) – VG
Walker, Martin – eBook Novelette
Knopf, 2012
August 3, 2020
Being fortunate enough to live just outside the town that Mr. Walker has fictionalized as St-Denis, I find his books and short stories irresistible, as I know intimately the characters, the cafés, the stores, the back roads, the festivities, and the countryside. I enjoyed this short tale because it takes place in the winter, a time of year few writers describe in the Périgord, a time of year when the local community is particularly drawn inward and together, and a time of year that can offer stunning but harsh weather conditions - not a good time of year for fishing under the bridge in town! The choir here is impressive, and I enjoyed reading Mr. Walker's laudatory comments about it. That he turned it into a brief mystery is of course a tribute to his mastery of the genre.
October 30, 2015
Part of my Christmas 2013 reading. A nice little e-book and park of the Bruno series, which I really enjoy.
Christmas in the French countryside. A little mystery (just a little larceny and no bloodshed) and wonderful characters.
Very light, not much character development. But wonderful for reading while listening to Bach's Christmas Cantatas.
Christmas in the French countryside. A little mystery (just a little larceny and no bloodshed) and wonderful characters.
Very light, not much character development. But wonderful for reading while listening to Bach's Christmas Cantatas.
December 13, 2023
A wonderful and fun little festive read featuring Bruno. An enjoyable plot and all the old favourites along with some new characters. A lovely winter warmer for the Christmas period.
The story is also available in the Bruno's Challenge collection of short stories.
The story is also available in the Bruno's Challenge collection of short stories.
December 31, 2015
A simple and very sweet story set in rural France. It has food and wine, Carol singers, village characters and an act of mercy at Christmas time. Cozy in the best sense.
May 26, 2016
A cute little look into Christmas in St. Denis. More food and wine and a tiny mystery. Ends abruptly but it is a short story. I love Bruno.
September 19, 2024
One thing I loved from the start was the cultural inclusivity towards European countries in more than just France, where this book takes place. The author mentions Christians coming together from many different countries in this little French town. Specifically, I loved the thought of hearing Christmas carols in other languages and how that would be so cool to listen to no matter what language you speak! After this, I’m definitely going to research Christmas carols in other languages!
I didn’t have a favorite character in reading this book, but I did care about them and would likely appreciate them as real people and all their traditions and small-town culture. I loved how realistic they were, especially how selfless and protective ladies’ man Bruno is, and the story behind the Crazy Scotswoman. The cast of characters work well together, so no, I don’t have a specific favorite character; but yes, I like them overall.
As I read this book, my mind went in and out, so even though I saw the words on the page, I wasn’t absorbing them through true reading. It was irritating after I finished the book when I realized I’d forgotten half the story; and no, I didn’t feel it would’ve been worthwhile to go back and reread it, since my mind was elsewhere by that point.
I had no favorite parts in this book. The only thing memorable is the concept, a Christmas mystery. Other than that, no scenes left positive or negative impacts on me, and the story as a whole felt too smooth and not exciting enough to be worth remembering. I really do hate saying that about a Christmas fiction book, but I’m simply being honest.
This book didn’t make me laugh or cry, and few scenes other than the opening were worth remembering. I read the book, yet the scenes didn’t flow smoothly into each other, so at one point, we’re at Bruno’s house taking care of his dog, then we’re on a rugby field in the wintertime. What’s up with that?
Even though this book was less than 100 pages, I didn’t consider this a page turner right after finishing the book or even now. The pace was either too boring to remember or way too choppy to make sense. Plus, if it’s winter, how is a rugby field clear to play on unless it was a rugby field inside somewhere? And where would that even be…?
There wasn’t much I disliked about this book, other than the scene changes, which is just about it. Nothing else is worth mentioning, even if I did recall it.
There wasn’t a cliffhanger ending, but I’m happy to know there’s a whole series within the Bruno, Chief of Police series that I may or may not read later on.
If I was in the place of Martin Walker as the author of this novel, there isn’t a lot I’d alter to make this book better other than scene changes that flow better instead of the odd choppy style Martin Walker used… But maybe that’s just the way he writes?
If I could recommend this book to anyone at all, I’d recommend it to my nana (my mom’s mom), and my grandma (my dad’s mom). Even though my grandma doesn’t celebrate Christmas (she’s Jewish), I already know she’d love the descriptions of the food Bruno made at the tail end of the book. My nana would appreciate that, too; she’d absolutely love the directions from Bruno on how to cook the liver dish (my nana is still the only person in my family who loved liver). My grandma would try to recreate most of the meals, which sound great in the book, so I know to the core of my being that she’d make the meal great! Other than recommending the book to my nana and grandma, I’d offer this book as a suggestion of what to read next if you’re a regular reader of Christmastime cozy mysteries that are also quick to read, with guaranteed HEAs and simple acts of kindness that make a story all sorts of wholesome. Even though I’ve only rated this book 3/5 stars, it’s still a gentle read from what I remember in the short time I spent reading this book.
I didn’t have a favorite character in reading this book, but I did care about them and would likely appreciate them as real people and all their traditions and small-town culture. I loved how realistic they were, especially how selfless and protective ladies’ man Bruno is, and the story behind the Crazy Scotswoman. The cast of characters work well together, so no, I don’t have a specific favorite character; but yes, I like them overall.
As I read this book, my mind went in and out, so even though I saw the words on the page, I wasn’t absorbing them through true reading. It was irritating after I finished the book when I realized I’d forgotten half the story; and no, I didn’t feel it would’ve been worthwhile to go back and reread it, since my mind was elsewhere by that point.
I had no favorite parts in this book. The only thing memorable is the concept, a Christmas mystery. Other than that, no scenes left positive or negative impacts on me, and the story as a whole felt too smooth and not exciting enough to be worth remembering. I really do hate saying that about a Christmas fiction book, but I’m simply being honest.
This book didn’t make me laugh or cry, and few scenes other than the opening were worth remembering. I read the book, yet the scenes didn’t flow smoothly into each other, so at one point, we’re at Bruno’s house taking care of his dog, then we’re on a rugby field in the wintertime. What’s up with that?
Even though this book was less than 100 pages, I didn’t consider this a page turner right after finishing the book or even now. The pace was either too boring to remember or way too choppy to make sense. Plus, if it’s winter, how is a rugby field clear to play on unless it was a rugby field inside somewhere? And where would that even be…?
There wasn’t much I disliked about this book, other than the scene changes, which is just about it. Nothing else is worth mentioning, even if I did recall it.
There wasn’t a cliffhanger ending, but I’m happy to know there’s a whole series within the Bruno, Chief of Police series that I may or may not read later on.
If I was in the place of Martin Walker as the author of this novel, there isn’t a lot I’d alter to make this book better other than scene changes that flow better instead of the odd choppy style Martin Walker used… But maybe that’s just the way he writes?
If I could recommend this book to anyone at all, I’d recommend it to my nana (my mom’s mom), and my grandma (my dad’s mom). Even though my grandma doesn’t celebrate Christmas (she’s Jewish), I already know she’d love the descriptions of the food Bruno made at the tail end of the book. My nana would appreciate that, too; she’d absolutely love the directions from Bruno on how to cook the liver dish (my nana is still the only person in my family who loved liver). My grandma would try to recreate most of the meals, which sound great in the book, so I know to the core of my being that she’d make the meal great! Other than recommending the book to my nana and grandma, I’d offer this book as a suggestion of what to read next if you’re a regular reader of Christmastime cozy mysteries that are also quick to read, with guaranteed HEAs and simple acts of kindness that make a story all sorts of wholesome. Even though I’ve only rated this book 3/5 stars, it’s still a gentle read from what I remember in the short time I spent reading this book.
July 9, 2025
This was such a heartwarming story; really renews one’s belief in the inherent goodness of people. Reminded me of Amahl and the Night Visitors, even though the stories aren’t the same at all. This has a rather humble setting as well, a cold drafty barn on a cold winter’s night, a father wearing only a thin hoodie has escaped prison to see his young son because his ex-wife refuses to bring him to visit. It’s Christmas, he has no money to buy his son a gift. All he wants is to see his son, and take him fishing because that’s what was their favorite thing to do together.
Bruno knows the boy because he joined the youth rugby team this year; he is new to town, a good student and dutiful son who lives with his very protective single mum (an immigrant from Lebanon). A boy who misses his papa who is in prison.
Unlike Amahl and the Night Visitors, where three wealthy kings bring gifts to the royal infant born in a manger, here there are no rich men—only the desperate poor: a prisoner separated from his only son who loves him, unlike his wife. Any gifts given here are not rare, costly spices but basic necessities like a hot meal for a stranger and shelter from the cold. A warm fire and warm clothing from Bruno’s own closet.
Bruno isn’t rich but he’s not poor, either. He’s just a man, battle-scarred from service in Bosnia who returned to France to serve a rural region of people who have become his friends. He is a protector, a modern-day gallant with such heart that you want to stand up and cheer for him. When he sees someone in need—which happens a lot—he does what he can himself, and if that is not enough, he calls a friend to help. He was new to town ten years ago but made friends quickly by being a friend to them, by making his rounds every day, looking out for people. He figures if he has the means to help, those are gifts he is meant to share, and he certainly does not want recognition. He is not naive, either, and knows he is skirting the law by helping the escapee, but his conscience tells him that the father deserves compassion. He knows he made a huge mistake, but it is Christmas, and he was desperate to see his son. He shows remorse and is willing to return to prison.
If ever there was a time of year to show compassion, it is Christmas, n’est-ce pas? Bruno tells the father that he will have to return any money remaining, which he does. Bruno will make up the difference, from his own pocket. If he agrees to return to prison right NOW, Bruno will drive him back tonight. His parole officer has promised to wipe the whole incident off his record. This is unheard of! If Captain Duloc knew, he would haul Bruno up on charges. But he doesn’t know, and Christmas is a time when the unexpected can happen—even miracles. There are no kings following a star, no heavenly host singing, but there are villagers singing carols and two wise public servants who have effected a miracle of their own: to rescue a family and get a father back on track. Bruno is not Priests and rabbis may say that only God can see into men’s hearts, but human beings with love and compassion in their hearts are also able to read whether a person is remorseful but acted out of love for a son he misses desperately. Bruno doesn’t judge, and shows mercy. I‘d say he and the parole officer qualify as angels in disguise.
Bruno knows the boy because he joined the youth rugby team this year; he is new to town, a good student and dutiful son who lives with his very protective single mum (an immigrant from Lebanon). A boy who misses his papa who is in prison.
Unlike Amahl and the Night Visitors, where three wealthy kings bring gifts to the royal infant born in a manger, here there are no rich men—only the desperate poor: a prisoner separated from his only son who loves him, unlike his wife. Any gifts given here are not rare, costly spices but basic necessities like a hot meal for a stranger and shelter from the cold. A warm fire and warm clothing from Bruno’s own closet.
Bruno isn’t rich but he’s not poor, either. He’s just a man, battle-scarred from service in Bosnia who returned to France to serve a rural region of people who have become his friends. He is a protector, a modern-day gallant with such heart that you want to stand up and cheer for him. When he sees someone in need—which happens a lot—he does what he can himself, and if that is not enough, he calls a friend to help. He was new to town ten years ago but made friends quickly by being a friend to them, by making his rounds every day, looking out for people. He figures if he has the means to help, those are gifts he is meant to share, and he certainly does not want recognition. He is not naive, either, and knows he is skirting the law by helping the escapee, but his conscience tells him that the father deserves compassion. He knows he made a huge mistake, but it is Christmas, and he was desperate to see his son. He shows remorse and is willing to return to prison.
If ever there was a time of year to show compassion, it is Christmas, n’est-ce pas? Bruno tells the father that he will have to return any money remaining, which he does. Bruno will make up the difference, from his own pocket. If he agrees to return to prison right NOW, Bruno will drive him back tonight. His parole officer has promised to wipe the whole incident off his record. This is unheard of! If Captain Duloc knew, he would haul Bruno up on charges. But he doesn’t know, and Christmas is a time when the unexpected can happen—even miracles. There are no kings following a star, no heavenly host singing, but there are villagers singing carols and two wise public servants who have effected a miracle of their own: to rescue a family and get a father back on track. Bruno is not Priests and rabbis may say that only God can see into men’s hearts, but human beings with love and compassion in their hearts are also able to read whether a person is remorseful but acted out of love for a son he misses desperately. Bruno doesn’t judge, and shows mercy. I‘d say he and the parole officer qualify as angels in disguise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2019
This is a short little tale to keep series fans happy in between books. I think a fourth one of these in between stories is just being published and a new novel in the series is coming soon. I expect to read some or all of them in the supposed proper place in the series order. I can tell after 4 novels that I do not want to skip around with this series of books - there is a definite progression that I don't want to spoil. Bruno has played Father Christmas for the children of the village of St. Denis in a prior story and he does it again. The mystery element in this story is pretty slight, and this reader wondered a little about who was really the "bad guy", but Bruno as usual works to make things mostly right.
I've yet to read a dud story here, but this one is pretty slight and syrupy sweet for those already familiar with the series. The fate of a character or two was left open at the end of the 4th book but I didn't note any resolution of prior events, especially since one who looked to be gone for quite some time appears right off as well as another who may not have returned. However the prior book ended around the beginning of Spring and here we are all the way to Christmas so all kinds of things could have happened or been resolved. There is however a terrible incongruity in the story which makes this story impossible to set in the timeline. I picked this story up a couple years ago so I do hope the error was fixed at some point. I did note that a reader on Amazon had noted the big continuity error in 2013. I knocked a half star off for the glaring error.
I've yet to read a dud story here, but this one is pretty slight and syrupy sweet for those already familiar with the series. The fate of a character or two was left open at the end of the 4th book but I didn't note any resolution of prior events, especially since one who looked to be gone for quite some time appears right off as well as another who may not have returned. However the prior book ended around the beginning of Spring and here we are all the way to Christmas so all kinds of things could have happened or been resolved. There is however a terrible incongruity in the story which makes this story impossible to set in the timeline. I picked this story up a couple years ago so I do hope the error was fixed at some point. I did note that a reader on Amazon had noted the big continuity error in 2013. I knocked a half star off for the glaring error.
October 19, 2024
This is a short story that falls between the 5th and 6th book on the Bruno, Chief of Police series it is the last book in the series my library currently carries online. So the hunt begins to find the next box in the series.
It is Christmas time in St. Denis, and it's cold. Bruno is all ready to share the holiday with his friends in his wonderful village. They had carolers sing Christmas songs at the last farmers market. Bruno collected money for charity. Then the money is stolen, and Bruno is put on alert for a prisoner who has left his job and halfway house. The man is believed to be headed to the village to see his son. Bruno needs to find this escaped convict and quick. Holidays are mean for love and celebration. Bruno needs to protect the boy and his mother, in case the wanted man means harm. Can Bruno find the man? When the boy disappears from rugby practice that Bruno was coaching, Bruno needs to correct this situation quick.
I should not read short stories, especially ones that are in the mystery genre. I always feel like they are just slapped together and not very interesting. I love Bruno and the choices he makes even when they might not follow the letter of the law. I enjoyed reading anything he is featured in no matter the length, but these mysteries are better in a full-length story,
It is Christmas time in St. Denis, and it's cold. Bruno is all ready to share the holiday with his friends in his wonderful village. They had carolers sing Christmas songs at the last farmers market. Bruno collected money for charity. Then the money is stolen, and Bruno is put on alert for a prisoner who has left his job and halfway house. The man is believed to be headed to the village to see his son. Bruno needs to find this escaped convict and quick. Holidays are mean for love and celebration. Bruno needs to protect the boy and his mother, in case the wanted man means harm. Can Bruno find the man? When the boy disappears from rugby practice that Bruno was coaching, Bruno needs to correct this situation quick.
I should not read short stories, especially ones that are in the mystery genre. I always feel like they are just slapped together and not very interesting. I love Bruno and the choices he makes even when they might not follow the letter of the law. I enjoyed reading anything he is featured in no matter the length, but these mysteries are better in a full-length story,
December 31, 2019
Maybe it was my own fault. I hadnt 'researched' the book but because of its title I had put it to one side for a Christmas read and I thought that it might keep me going over the festive season.
After reading the Devils Cave and The Resistance Man last, I suspected that this was an earlier book with Pamela riding and mention of Gigi the bassett hound but I accepted all this as it was a stand alone Xmas story.
I read on an E-reader and suspected that this was going to be a short story as I saw the % read climbing rather quickly.
However to say that I was disappointed when at 41% this book ended - to be followed by an intro to The Devils Cave and then a holiday advert for the area- was an understatement. The latter may be very good if you are thinking of a visit to the area but I had already read it as an appendix to another book recently.
I enjoyed the microscopically short story which I would have thought could have been developed further either into a full story or even added into one of the others. At this stage I feel let down and was going to rate the experience as one of my very rare 1* but I accept some blame for not realizing that it was supposed to be a short story.
Dont let this put you off the series but ignore this one unless you have five minutes to pass.
After reading the Devils Cave and The Resistance Man last, I suspected that this was an earlier book with Pamela riding and mention of Gigi the bassett hound but I accepted all this as it was a stand alone Xmas story.
I read on an E-reader and suspected that this was going to be a short story as I saw the % read climbing rather quickly.
However to say that I was disappointed when at 41% this book ended - to be followed by an intro to The Devils Cave and then a holiday advert for the area- was an understatement. The latter may be very good if you are thinking of a visit to the area but I had already read it as an appendix to another book recently.
I enjoyed the microscopically short story which I would have thought could have been developed further either into a full story or even added into one of the others. At this stage I feel let down and was going to rate the experience as one of my very rare 1* but I accept some blame for not realizing that it was supposed to be a short story.
Dont let this put you off the series but ignore this one unless you have five minutes to pass.
September 26, 2022
This adventure is a short story rather than a whole novel about Bruno’s latest criminal case, and it brings a tender Christmas spirit to the series and to the character of Bruno Correges (whom we already knew has a warm humanitarian soul). The story takes place just before the fourth novel in the series The Crowded Grave (Bruno’s dog Gigi is still with us). It is Christmas Eve, and Bruno is enjoying the local choir’s rendition of holiday music, when he learns that parolee from the Paris area has escaped from a work program and shown up in St. Denis because he wants to visit his small son. The young father, Jean-Pierre, is apprehended, but instead of being immediately jailed, he ends up in Bruno’s house helping him stuff a goose with prunes other succulent ingredients. Not only does Bruno include Jean-Pierre in Christmas Eve dinner with friends, but he also invites the divorced wife and young son. “After all, a boy should have a father,” Bruno says. (Bruno, orphaned from birth, never did). I chuckled at the story's end because Bruno has a clever solution for wrapping up the parolee's adventure and still maintaining his own fondness for enjoying some holiday wine.
November 5, 2019
I should have realized, when Kindle offered me this book for free, that it was a come on. It’s really a short story. It’s probably a pretty good introduction to the Bruno series, because it shows the main character’s most un-policeman like propensity toward compassion rather than strict enforcement of the law. I suppose that’s justified by the fact that it’s Christmas, and a feel-good story is in order. I did learn one useful thing, though. I have read a couple other Bruno novels, and never quite knew what Bruno‘s relationship is to the other law-enforcement personnel he interacts with. In the story, he explains to someone that he is not a gendarme, But rather a local policeman who is hired and paid by the mayor. This does quite a bit to explain his tendency to put loyalty to the community above strict enforcement of the law.
November 29, 2019
Great Story, Disappointed Reader
I took the time to review this book because Of my profound disappointment. The story was good enough that I wanted it to go on and of course it did not. It seemed like all of a sudden the story ended, I couldn't figure out what was going on. I do not believe it was the author's fault I believe it was the editor and/or publisher For the purpose of sales. I love Martin Walker's work , I have several of his books and enjoyed them very much. After reading the comments I realized that this was just a snippet, Not even a real book. S far as the majority of the book was a travel guide. The travel guide was interesting. It should have been sold separately. I will still read Martin Walker But this book was not worth 99 cents. Save your money, save Your time.
I took the time to review this book because Of my profound disappointment. The story was good enough that I wanted it to go on and of course it did not. It seemed like all of a sudden the story ended, I couldn't figure out what was going on. I do not believe it was the author's fault I believe it was the editor and/or publisher For the purpose of sales. I love Martin Walker's work , I have several of his books and enjoyed them very much. After reading the comments I realized that this was just a snippet, Not even a real book. S far as the majority of the book was a travel guide. The travel guide was interesting. It should have been sold separately. I will still read Martin Walker But this book was not worth 99 cents. Save your money, save Your time.
May 15, 2021
A poignant and heart~warming Christmas story. When a divorced Christian Muslim convicted of smuggling and drug trafficking skipped his parole during the December holidays barely four months before completing his three~year sentence, there Must be a reason... and indeed there was. Because Bruno, whose mother left him as an infant in front of a church orphanage and then later on was dutifully assimilated into a relative's already overflowing with children household, knew very well the plight of an orphan... he understood Bonneval's desire to bond with his son. And so Bruno did what needs to be done within the law to enable the reunion of father and son. As he aptly put it, "a boy should have a father" given that he never knew his.
June 22, 2021
A short story and I've read it out of season since it's June, but it has been much too long since I visited the darling Bruno and St. Denis. Bruno, as usual, is trying to save the world, keep his town safe and decent. He receives word that a prisoner has escaped his work parole in Paris and is probably headed toward to St. Denis to find his estranged wife and son. When the son goes missing after Bruno's rugby practice, he knows the convict is in town and has kidnapped the boy. With care and deduction, he figures out where the father has taken his son. All is not lost for the family--after all it is Christmas!--and Bruno, with the help of a kind parole officer, gives everyone a happy ending. With the delicious foods described with such mouth-watering care, I wish I had read this at Christmas. Again, Bruno doesn't disappoint. I still love the time I spend following him around!
January 25, 2020
A short Bruno, Chief if Police story. Listed as 5.5 in the chronology, it should be 4.5.
Bruno arranges some outdoor carol singing to cheer up a homesick Pamela and gets embroiled in a police matter involving a woman with a young son and her ex-husband.
I’m not a big fan of “redemption of the ex-husband” stories, unless they’re handled very carefully and while Walker treats his characters sensitively, I wasn’t particularly convinced. Especially since Bruno’s motivation comes down to, “because Christmas.”
Bruno arranges some outdoor carol singing to cheer up a homesick Pamela and gets embroiled in a police matter involving a woman with a young son and her ex-husband.
I’m not a big fan of “redemption of the ex-husband” stories, unless they’re handled very carefully and while Walker treats his characters sensitively, I wasn’t particularly convinced. Especially since Bruno’s motivation comes down to, “because Christmas.”
December 27, 2021
This is a short story with a Christmas theme set in the village of St. Denis so the town and characters will be familiar to anyone who has read any of the Bruno, Chief of Police books. It's probably not going to become as famous as A Christmas Carol but it's pretty good and leaves the reader with the same warm feelings about the essential goodness humans can show if they're living life with open hearts and spirits of generosity.
It's a short read -- maybe an hour, give or take and, along with A Christmas Carol and Frederick Forsythe's 'The Shepherd' it may become a staple of my Christmas reading (or listening). Every year the CBC plays Alan Maitland's reading of 'The Shepherd' and I try not to miss it, even though I've got a recording of it. Just as I try not to miss the Alastair Sim version of A Christmas Carol, I think I may add this story to those things that make me feel less cynical at this time of year.
It's a short read -- maybe an hour, give or take and, along with A Christmas Carol and Frederick Forsythe's 'The Shepherd' it may become a staple of my Christmas reading (or listening). Every year the CBC plays Alan Maitland's reading of 'The Shepherd' and I try not to miss it, even though I've got a recording of it. Just as I try not to miss the Alastair Sim version of A Christmas Carol, I think I may add this story to those things that make me feel less cynical at this time of year.
April 26, 2018
Cute little story of a nice small town helping to turn around a convict making some poor choices. Unfortunately there's a lot of French words dropped into the story, and that always makes me shy away. I also got distracted by wondering why the mom refused to let the guy see his son, especially since he was apparently in prison because he refused to turn on her brothers. I was left seeing her as an obvious villain.
December 3, 2022
Zero depth to the story, I was expecting it to be short but not a 10 minute read.
I also couldn't stand Bruno in this story. His personal feelings and preoccupation with mulled wine distract him from looking out for a kid in his town who ends up getting kidnapped by his dad who is on the lam.
The dad might be a good man in a hard time who made a bad choice but do we get to explore any of that? Nope. Instead Bruno bullies the man's estranged wife to spend Christmas with him.
Just bad.
I also couldn't stand Bruno in this story. His personal feelings and preoccupation with mulled wine distract him from looking out for a kid in his town who ends up getting kidnapped by his dad who is on the lam.
The dad might be a good man in a hard time who made a bad choice but do we get to explore any of that? Nope. Instead Bruno bullies the man's estranged wife to spend Christmas with him.
Just bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2023
Short story about trust and redemption at Christmas
Even in fiction there aren't many police officers like Bruno. When a prisoner on a kind of work release leaves his job to see his son at Christmas, Bruno wants to make things right for father and son. As always throughout this series, the descriptions of food and drink make me envious. This novella is as warming as Bruno's mulled wine.
Even in fiction there aren't many police officers like Bruno. When a prisoner on a kind of work release leaves his job to see his son at Christmas, Bruno wants to make things right for father and son. As always throughout this series, the descriptions of food and drink make me envious. This novella is as warming as Bruno's mulled wine.
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April 13, 2025This book is out of order as 5.5. It should probably be 3.5 as GiGi appears, which was very disconcerting after the events of The Crowded Grave. Bruno does an excellent job of community policing when he gives a man a second chance at Christmastime.
May 15, 2018
This is a novella in the Bruno series set in a small French town where Bruno is the town policeman. These books are always enoyable and this one particularly so as Bruno apprehends an escaped prisoner and keeps him safe over Christmas. The outcome is very appealing and the reader gets clear idea of Bruno's personality and values.
August 4, 2020
When this series first started I loved the local nature of the stories with the colourful characters, description of the countryside and traditions and cooking. I feel that some of that was lost in later outings as the crimes and themes became ever grander. This short story is a return to form and all the more enjoyable for being simple and relatable.
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