Fatal Pursuit

Written by Martin Walker

Narrated by Robert Ian Mackenzie

A pair of murders, a little romance, and rivals in pursuit of a long-lost vintage car of unfathomable value--Bruno, chief of police, is busy in another mystery set in the beautiful Dordogne. At an annual fete in St. Denis, Bruno's biggest worry is surviving in the rally race. The rally and a classic car parade are new to the festivities and draw a spate of outsiders with deep pockets, big-city egos, and, in the case of a young Englishman, an intriguing story. It's the tale of a Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic, lost somewhere in southern France during World War II. Among the most beautiful cars ever made, one of only four of its kind, it is worth untold millions and drives its pursuers mad with greed. As the parade begins, a local scholar turns up dead--and Bruno suspects unnatural causes. To complicate matters, a family squabble over land brings to St. Denis a comely Parisienne who turns Bruno's head. And: there's mounting evidence that the events in St. Denis are linked to international crime. As usual, Bruno's village life offers its challenges--but there is always time for a good bottle and a home-cooked meal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781501919329

Martin Walker

MARTIN WALKER is the author of 20 books of fiction and non-fiction, including seven novels featuring police chief Captain Bruno Courreges. He lives with his family in the southwest of France and Washington, DC. He is also senior director of the Global Business Policy Council as well as editor emeritus and international affairs columnist of United Press International, the global news agency. Visit Bruno online at www.brunochiefofpolice.com.

Reviews for Fatal Pursuit

[jamespurcell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bruno is introduced to auto rally by serving as a co-driver; not to become his favorite activity. Another lovely feminine comet also flashes into his bucolic life as well. But, a long-missing fabled Buggati is the main feature in this episode. International money laundering and two murders add spice and some mystery to this chapter of life in the Dordogne. A very good series continues nicely.

[cbl_tn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This series installment finds St. Denis’s chief of police, Bruno Courrèges, once again juggling multiple responsibilities. He is called to the scene of the unattended death of a researcher. The man was a heart attack waiting to happen, and his doctor would have no problem signing a death certificate to that effect. But Bruno has doubts, and since he’s been right and the doctor wrong before, Bruno is given time to follow up on his suspicions. The participants in a local car rally include a couple of men trying to trace a nearly priceless Bugatti that disappeared during the Vichy regime, last seen in the Périgord. Bruno also steps in to help a juvenile delinquent who is being bullied by a classmate. And somehow he finds time to start a new romance.I’m neither a racing fan nor a car enthusiast, so this novel’s setting didn’t have as much appeal for me as most of the other books in the series. Maybe that’s why I had a harder time suspending my disbelief when Bruno solved a decades-old mystery in just a few hours’ time.Just when I thought we’d seen the last of Isabelle, she’s back heading a Eurojust operation in Bruno’s territory. Of all the women that Bruno has been involved with in the course of the series, I like her the least. With time, distance, and a new relationship, it seems like Bruno is finally seeing the flaws in her character.Finally, a warning to readers new to the series. These novels usually include spoilers for earlier books in the series, although this one has fewer spoilers than most.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When a researcher dies and his report and other things that should have been present are missing, Bruno suspects murder in what appears to be death by natural causes. The autopsy confirms his suspicion. They discover he was researching a historic automobile that disappeared just before World War II. Bruno finds a new romantic interest. Is she involved in the murder? There's some theft by adolescents. One is underage, and Bruno finds him a job with Pamela at the stables. The other is the son of a store owner and continues his bad behavior because his mother thinks he hung the moon. He finds a dose of reality when he passes his sixteenth birthday and is eligible to be tried as an adult. As always the food descriptions and countryside descriptions are wonderful! I listened to the audiobook read by Robert Ian Mackenzie who does a great job.

[sandyamcpherson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A hunt for a 1936 Bugatti ~ what a genuine romance! There is mild romance between humans, too, but largely, this is a murder mystery with a mix of historical vignettes from pre-war France that bear on a contemporary mystery. Plotting and characterization is much better in this 9th installment of the Bruno Courrèges series.One tedious aspect is the newest romance between Bruno and a high-flyer career gal. However, the backstories, the tie-in to terrorist finances, and the even more compelling descriptions of community life in the commune of St. Denis carry the narrative well into lovely prose and a sense of rural survival in a overwhelmingly modern world. Highly recommended even as a standalone.

[leslie398 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this 9th book in the Bruno Courrèges series but it would be nice if the Brigadier and/or Isabelle were not involved in one of these books. They seem to be connected to each one of Bruno's cases!

[auntie0nanuuq · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bugatti: Fantastic Art Deco Sports Car: In this offering Bruno has coordinated a special road race for St Denis, the top two competitors will participate in the Nationals.By a stroke of fate, Bruno's friend Annette is driving & her Navigator drops out with a migraine, so Bruno reluctantly takes his place. One of the other drivers, Sylvestre, a rich local land owner (in midst of a family feud) is driving a Jaguar-E Type in the race.In the mix is the legend of a very rare Bugatti, one of 4 that disappeared locally during the resistance. One was demolished on train tracks in London, another was confiscated by the Nazis, a third is owned by Ralph Lauren, and the fourth disappeared in/around St Denis in 1944.A local historian is found murdered in his home, all of his research missing... He was on the trail of the fourth Bugatti, as are several members of the road race.Very interesting, riveting with likable characters, wonderful food & friendships.

[romonko · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Whenever i feel like I need a little pick-me-up in my reading, I pick up a Police Chief Bruno book, and I escape to the beautiful Dordogne region in France, and the good folks of St. Denis. This book is all about classic cars and rally racing and it was a lot of fun It all starts when an elderly research scholar is found dead in his home. He has long-term heart issues and it looks like a natural death, but to Bruno, something is not right. So off he goes and finds a number of mysterious and questionable threads that all seem to lead back to the elderly researcher. And as usual Bruno and his friends continue to eat wonderful food, and drink marvellous wines as they live their idyllic lives. Bruno even may have found a new love interest, but he seems to go for the wrong type of woman for settling down. He is drawn to smart, ambitious and driven career women. Women that aren't looking for a long term relationship. This is a remarkable series, and I love it. When I need another escape I will read the next in the series.

[yhgail · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoy this series and I enjoyed this new one in the same genre. I debated as to the score - 3 versus 4 stars as this book repeats many themes of previous novels. This can be a good thing or not. In this one, it occasionally seemed a bit tired. It seems that there are changes coming for St Denis and for Bruno in the coming book in the series - so it will be interesting if the hinted changes occur and if these are successful in bringing the series forward.

For me, a 4 star read as I always enjoy reading about St Denis and the Périgueux.

[kerns222 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

sweet, nice, boooooring--unless you are into details of french food, horses, and idealized French village life. Reminds me of a French, older-version Leave it to Beaver--everything, everyone (almost) turn out OK. Good for when you feel rotten and want a simple, easy to read, no surprises, happy-face book

[mrslee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bruno is drawn into the vintage car world and introduced to the rare and obscenely expensive Bugatti Atlantic, of which only four were ever made; one owned by Ralph Lauren, one in a museum, one destroyed in a crash and one is missing. This provides the frame for us to visit the Périgord region of France once again. To taste the food, sip the wines and visit with the local characters whom we love.The mystery of the car takes precedence over the mystery of the murders in this book. It is beguiling and haunting. What if? Do you suppose? Where? Lovely questions to ponder, and their answers will make all the difference in the world to our friends in Bruno's world. Or will they?My only dissatisfaction with this story is the love life of our Bruno. He really is brain damaged when it comes to women, and his fascination with Isabel is beyond my ken. Ah well, his community is what I keep returning to.

[diana.hauser · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

FATAL PURSUIT: A BRUNO, CHIEF OF POLICE NOVEL by author Martin Walker.I love the weaving together of the different threads of regional culture and history, mystery, strong characters, common-sense and diligent policing, good food and drink into a tapestry of excellent, enjoyable reading.I feel so comfortable with this small town of St. Denis, its inhabitants and customs.I have read all nine ‘Bruno’ books and each one builds on the last and is stronger and better. Each title imparts interesting cultural and historical facts about the Perigord region of France.I like the map views of St. Denis.I like that the rally car racing and the ‘lost’ Bugatti tie-in with the Interior Ministry case, the property dispute, the French Resistance activity in the area during WW II, two troublesome teenagers (each case handled expertly by Bruno) and nursing home pensioners.I can’t wait to read another Bruno book. (I do wish him better luck with women though!)

[jfe16 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this, the ninth Bruno, chief of police novel, Bruno Courrèges finds himself serving as navigator in a rally car race; the accompanying classic car parade has attracted many tourists, including two men searching for a rare Bugatti that vanished near St. Denis during the Second World War. In addition, Bruno finds himself mediating a family feud and overseeing the rehabilitation of a young man, Félix, who was caught shoplifting. But the auto aficionados’ interest in the missing Bugatti, one of only four ever built, takes a dark turn when a local historical researcher is murdered. This pleasant tale, complete with several twists and turns and challenges for Bruno, is well-written, intriguing, and entertaining. Along with the mystery surrounding the murder, there’s plenty of wine, good food, and a lovely lady or two. Well-developed characters, a strong sense of place, and a mystery with links to the past keep the pages turning; a narrative that pulls readers into pleasures of daily life in a rural French village creates a story certain to enchant its readers.Recommended.

[cathyskye · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Long one of my favorite series, Martin Walker's Bruno, Chief of Police mysteries could be guaranteed to make me speak with a French accent while hungering for the meals so lovingly prepared in the village of St. Denis. Unfortunately some of the sparkle is wearing off this series. Bruno is becoming a bit stale and formulaic. There will be a current crime that ties into a bit of French World War II history. Bruno will go out riding with his basset hound following along. Bruno will long for a committed relationship and often find a pretty woman to turn his head. There will be food. There will be wine.While interesting, the scenes involving the car rally and the Bugatti really didn't grab my imagination-- and I love old classic cars. It really is time for Bruno to settle down because it's come to the point where I have to refrain from rolling my eyes whenever a new woman is introduced. Old flame Isabelle, busy with her high octane career, even has time to pay a visit, and she spends most of it being catty about any woman Bruno happens to look at. (Don't like it, Isabelle? Then you should've stayed.)I have to admit that the most interesting part of the book for me was Bruno's helping young Felix who's being hounded by Tristan the bully. This subplot ties into the main thing that has made this series so good. Bruno shows over and over again that the best crime prevention involves knowing the people who live in your jurisdiction, being involved in community events like celebrations and sports clubs, and working with government officials to make the village a good place to live. It's a model that works well for Bruno and St. Denis, and it's a model that would work well anywhere.Fatal Pursuit is a good, solid book. It's just not got the joie de vivre of the earlier ones. I'm hoping that Walker can shake things up a bit next time.