The Dark Vineyard Audiobook By Martin Walker cover art

The Dark Vineyard

A Mystery of the French Countryside

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The Dark Vineyard

By: Martin Walker
Narrated by: Robert Ian Mackenzie
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A prolific journalist, Martin Walker has crafted a mystery series that deftly blends the stylings of Peter Mayle and Alexander McCall Smith. Chief Bruno Courreges loves life in his small French village. One day his idyll is disturbed when a local research station for genetically modified crops is burned down. An enclave of environmentalists seems to be the most likely culprit, but soon Bruno uncovers evidence that makes the case infinitely more complicated.

©2009 Walker and Watson, Ltd. (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting Witty
Atmospheric Writing • Engaging Characters • Clever Plot Twists • Vivid Descriptions • Beautifully Paced Delivery
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I thoroughly enjoy this series. I note that some complain that the books are slow. Well. Yes. Not a constant edge-of-your-seat thrill. Tension builds in fits and starts.In the meantime, you spend time learning how rural French folks acquire truffles, cook from their gardens, appreciate wines, and keep their small town alive. Yes, there is a murder. The police chief is on the case despite interference from incompetents and danger from the criminals intent on thwarting him by whatever means they can. But mostly, I enjoy the sojourn in a part of France I don't know. The easiest kind of travel.

A visit to France

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These books are addictive! Once you get to know the characters you feel at home!

Story telling

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If you like a slow-paced story about a small-town cop, this is for you. First novel was at least interesting; this one not so much.

Not as good as the first novel

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Excellent twists and turns by well developed characters with logical consequences for the plot resolutions. Love Bruno and wish him was police chief in my town!

Love French Logic and Atmosphere

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This book is more about food and wine than murder and mayhem. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it thoroughly. It's refreshing to find a hero that's "gooder than good." And it's enjoyable to get to know the various characters in the village. A bit of love story, a bit of politics, quite a bit of food and wine, all wrapped around a mysterious fire and (maybe) a murder. Fun stuff!

Just barely a murder mystery

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Loved it. Couldn't wait for my next commute to work to continue the story. Terrific

Wonderful story in the French countryside

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Charming and interesting. Weaves the atmosphere of a small French life with a good story of deception.

Bruno is a perfect detective

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The narrator did a great job with so many characters, but I just couldn't get into the story. I've listened to many genres and while I do prefer non-fiction or fact-based fiction, I've delved into fiction previously without this issue. This was the only book that I've struggled to finish.

I wanted to love it...

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Ordered in error - I had already read it. Plot rather confused and left me with a lot of unanswered questions

Not Walker's best

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viticulture, oenology, France, local-law-enforcement, local-politics, romantic, rural, murder, murder-investigation, due-diligence, lies, secrets, rivalry, office-politics, small-town, small-business, audiobook, crime-fiction, suspense, relationship-issues, relationships, relatives, resentment, foodie, local-gossip, arson, arson-investigators, environmentalists*****

There are so many things happening in the first third of the book that it almost seems impossible that the disparate arms of the divisions in French law enforcement will get it together. It's also waiting to find out how some of the crimes, misdemeanors, and skullduggery will become a cohesive conclusion.
The plot moves along quickly and has some diabolical misdirections, but the malevolent twist at the end blew me away.
Voice actor Robert Ian MacKenzie is excellent and is great for pronunciations I don't know.

Excellent low key read

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