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The Patriarch (aka The Dying Season) (Bruno, Chief of Police, Bk 8)
The Patriarch - aka The Dying Season - Bruno, Chief of Police, Bk 8
Author: Martin Walker
A beloved village, a renowned family, a suspicious deathit’s the latest adventure in the Dordogne for police chief Bruno. — When Bruno is invited to the lavish birthday celebration of World War II flying ace and national icon Marco “the Patriarch” Desaix, it’s the fulfillment of a boyhood dream. But wh...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780385354172
ISBN-10: 0385354177
Publication Date: 8/11/2015
Pages: 336
Rating:
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 2

3.3 stars, based on 2 ratings
Publisher: Knopf
Book Type: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

cathyskye avatar reviewed The Patriarch (aka The Dying Season) (Bruno, Chief of Police, Bk 8) on + 2259 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I've been passionate about Martin Walker's Bruno Chief of Police series since its inception. Each new book has been eagerly awaited and lovingly read. Walker is a master of portraying the history, culture, and food of the Dordogne in France. When I finish reading each book, it's a miracle that I don't speak with a French accent. I. Love. This. Series.

If you felt that the above paragraph was leading toward a "but," you would be correct. I've been noticing a trend in the last two or three books. A waning of authorial interest perhaps? For me The Patriarch felt rather lackluster.

Walker usually enlightens readers about a little known segment of French World War II history that I normally find fascinating, but this time the plot thread involving a French flying ace in Russia and another character's Cold War spy shenanigans seemed hurriedly resolved and just didn't drum up much interest in me. The subplot with the animal rights activist and the hunters wasn't really resolved at all, although Walker did illuminate the entire situation and its repercussions well.

Bruno has to face disillusionment on more than one front in this book. Once again he's at a romantic crossroads, but this time he didn't seem very interested in his own love life. Even the scenes filled with wine and food seemed perfunctory.

Don't get me wrong. I haven't gone off this series by any means. What I perceive to be Walker's "lackluster" novel is still much better than many other writers' "very good" ones. If anything, it's a reminder of how difficult it must be for writers to maintain not only interest but quality in a long-running series. But when I pick up the next Bruno book, there will be a hesitation and a bit of skepticism that wasn't there before.
Read All 1 Book Reviews of "The Patriarch aka The Dying Season Bruno Chief of Police Bk 8"


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