The Devil's Cave: A Bruno Courreges Investigation by Martin Walker
| The Devil's Cave: A Bruno Courreges Investigation by Martin Walker | |
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| Category: Crime | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: An enjoyable police procedural set in the Dordogne and which makes the most of the location. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 352 | Date: August 2012 |
| Publisher: Quercus | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1780870670 | |
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Easter was just two weeks away when Satanism came to St Denis. The naked body of a woman was spotted in an old punt drifting down the river. There looked to be a tattoo of a pentagram on her body and there were black candles at each end of the punt – but there was nothing to indicate the identity of the woman or where she had come from. Bruno Courreges, the Chief of Police had enough on his plate without this: he'd had an anonymous letter about some domestic abuse which had to be looked into and the town held a development proposal which seemed just too good to be true – even though it might mean that Bruno got the sports hall which he'd been after for quite a while.
It's the fifth book in the Bruno Courreges series and the second I've read. They've both worked well as standalone books but there are hints about what has gone on in earlier episodes. If a police procedural set in the Dordogne appeals – particularly if you're a lover of good food – then you might be better off starting at the beginning with Bruno, Chief of Police and working your way through. On the other hand, if you're looking for some engaging entertainment as a beach read or for a wet afternoon then you're unlikely to go far wrong. I read The Devil's Cave in one sitting when the weather was more like January than July.
Satanism as a subject doesn't appeal to me but here it supports the story rather than dominates it. The background research is excellent and in the story I found the subject interesting when I didn't expect to. More interesting, though, was the way that business – large and small – was prepared to take advantage of what had happened and to make some money out of it. My natural cynicism was gently fanned into flame. The story all ties very neatly together and comes to a most satisfying conclusion. It wasn't entirely unexpected – but it was enjoyable as was the setting in the Dordogne, which really comes to life.
Bruno Courreges makes a good central character, with a background in the army and a certain weakness where women are concerned. Bruno isn't just the star of the book – he is the book, coming off the page fully clothed. Women are more two-dimensional figures – even those who are centre stage in the story – but it's a book to be read as a good story rather than as great literature.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
We've also enjoyed Black Diamond in the same series.
Martin Walker's Commissar Bruno Courreges Mysteries in Chronological Order
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Devil's Cave: A Bruno Courreges Investigation by Martin Walker at Amazon.com.
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