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    The Patriarch
    The Patriarch
    The Patriarch
    Audiobook10 hours

    The Patriarch

    Written by Martin Walker

    Narrated by Robert Ian Mackenzie

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    A beloved village, a complicated family, a suspicious death-it's the latest adventure in the Dordogne for police chief Bruno. Martin Walker is a senior fellow of the Global Business Policy Council, a private think tank for CEOs of major corporations, based in Washington, D.C. He is also editor-in-chief emeritus and international affairs columnist at United Press International. His previous novels in the Bruno series are Bruno, Chief of Police; The Dark Vineyard; Black Diamond; The Crowded Grave; The Devil's Cave; The Resistance Man, and The Children Return, all international best sellers. He lives in Washington, D.C., and the Dordogne.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateAug 11, 2015
    ISBN9781490691824
    The Patriarch
    Author

    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.

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    Reviews for The Patriarch

    4/5

    128 ratings14 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Honoring a 90 yr old hero from WW2 uncovers many secrets. Mix in current politics, inheritances with unknown heirs. some Russian connections and Bruno has many mysteries to resolve. Another very good entry in this always-interesting series. When all else fails; there are intriguing wines and recipes to ponder.
    • 4/5
      St. Denis town policeman Bruno Courrèges is thrilled with an opportunity to meet his childhood hero, a World War II pilot known as “The Patriarch”. The Red Countess has asked him to be her escort for The Patriarch’s party, probably because he’ll look good while handling her wheelchair. When one of the guests is found dead the next morning, Bruno is called in to take part in a cursory investigation. A doctor quickly rules the death as due to natural causes, but Bruno has a kernel of doubt that keeps growing as the story progresses. Meanwhile, an eccentric local with too many deer on her property finds herself in trouble after one of her deer causes a tragic accident. Per usual for the series, cases that seem completely unrelated share common actors.I’ve come to enjoy this series as a pleasant diversion from day-to-day life, with its idyllic setting and Bruno’s close-knit circle of friends. I try to overlook most of the flaws, but I found it hard to swallow that, after more than a decade as the town policeman, Bruno had not met any of The Patriarch’s family previously. There was a point in the book when I was searching for something, anything, to throw at Bruno. Despite his suspicion of The Patriarch’s daughter-in-law, Madeleine, he didn’t put up any resistance to her seduction, even though it was obvious she was playing him. And Pamela voiced what all readers have been thinking when she observed that, although he says he wants a wife and children, he is attracted to women who don’t want that.Readers new to the series should be aware that this book contains lengthy spoilers for earlier books in the series. The spoilers and Bruno’s constantly evolving love life are reasons to start this series from the beginning and read it in order.
    • 4/5
      Bruno attends a celebration for a war hero known as the Patriarch. A man dies during the party. Most people attribute the death to the man's alcoholism, but the rapidity of disposing of the man's body leaves Bruno feeling there might be more to the story. He manages to collect evidence needed and build a case for murder. We also see the end of Bruno and Pamela's dating relationship in this one but see Bruno showing interest in another woman. The series' setting and the luscious food descriptions make these a joy to read. I listened to the audiobook read by Robert Ian Mackenzie.
    • 3/5
      A very disappointing storyline. Implausible (out of character) behaviour of the main protagonist (Bruno), considering Walker's first 7 stories in this series. The conclusion was so unsatisfying, when the author could have been so much more eloquent in wrapping up the saga. This particular episode is an easy book to skip without affecting the following stories.
    • 4/5
      When Bruno is invited to the birthday party of a much admired wartime hero known as the Patriarch he is surprised and thrilled. Unfortunately a long time friend of the Patriarch dies during the celebration. It is assumed many years of excessive drinking has caused the untimely death. Everyone that knew Gilbert thinks that, but Bruno didn't know him and has niggling doubts. Doubts that will almost lead to his death. I always enjoy the books in this series and I think the mysteries have gotten much better over time. As usual there are recurring characters but new characters as well, friends we know gathering around a table of good food and the lovely French countryside. This was also published under the title [The Dying Season] and I don't find a touchstone for [The Patriarch].
    • 4/5
      I love this series so much. Although they are murder mysteries, there is so much love, life and laughter in them at the same time. They are such a wonderful release from the real world. The only parts I don't like are when animals get killed. That is very hard for me.
    • 3/5
      I continue to love the setting and ambience of these books but felt that the solution to this mystery was pretty obvious.
    • 4/5
      Up until the rushed and rather unbelievable ending, this book was a solid 5 stars. Even so, I loved it, as I love all the Police Chief Bruno mysteries. These books always have an historical background which usually takes the reader back to WWII, and this one was no exception. Bruno isinvited to the 90 birthday party of his childhood hero - the patriarch in this story who was one of France's most popular fighter pilots in WWII. A guest at the party is found dead after the party is over, and so begins Bruno's hunt for a killer. Along the way, he discovers a family with many secrets, and he also discovers a lot about Russian/French espionage before and after the war. Things get murky, and Bruno almost gets lost in his personal issues, but, in the end, the modus operandi and the motive to the murder were pretty simple. With much risk to himself, Bruno apprehends the killer and all is well again in the village of St. Denis. Bruno's ego is damaged and his self-esteem at a new low, but we all who love him know he will be back again.
    • 4/5
      Bruno is forced to examine his loyalty and admiration of a national hero. Temptations are strong, and his relationship with one woman is waning. I'm sorry for this lousy review, but I guess I forgot to review the book at the time of reading, so this is my memory of it. The atmosphere of the local scene, food, wine and characters remains strong and attractive. I'll do a better job here when I read it again, which I intend to do with all of the Bruno mysteries.
    • 4/5
      Loved it, as I love all MW's Bruno books...read in one sitting, also normal for me for this series...a real treat, well researched, good subplots and of course the food and relationships are key!
    • 3/5
      A BookCrossing friend of mine loved this series, and since she lived in Canada, I always expect the setting to be there, not France. Reading a Bruno book is as much reading about food and country life as it is about the mystery involved. Amazing meals and food prep, but very French.
    • 5/5
      Another 5 star review and ‘thumbs up’ to Martin Walker for his latest book, THE PATRIARCH: A BRUNO, CHIEF OF POLICE NOVEL.The series weaves together historical figures, places and events of Walker’s beloved Dordogne region of France, the fictional town of St. Denis, Bruno, interesting characters, culture, regional foods, wines and social niceties with quite good mysteries. I am a big fan. I like the personal aspects of the characters - What drives them? Why do they ‘do’ the things they do? Feel the way they do? The characters are quite real to me and I enjoy Bruno’s musings about his fellow man (or woman).As always, I learn a bit (a lot) sometimes about French culture, food and wine. But I particularly like the ‘regionalness’ (if that is a word) of the mysteries. Walker presents a beautiful picture of the Dordogne. He should get a commission or citation from the local tourist board!I highly recommend this series and this particular title.
    • 4/5
      First off, yes, "The Dying Season" (Uk Edition) is the same book as "The Patriarch" (U.S. Edition) which is to be published August 11, 2015. I'm such a Bruno nut that I had to get the U.K. edition which came out July 2, 2015. The UK and US publishers are now getting much closer in terms of publishing times as it used to be a year's wait for the next Bruno, but now it is only a month and a bit.In this case, the U.S. edition actually has the edge as the title and the cover art are much more appropriate to the theme of the book rather than the generic title and cover art of the U.K. edition, but hopefully Bruno fans do not get confused."The Patriarch/The Dying Season" has the feel of a transitional book as Bruno seems to be a bit off his game in this one and actually makes a questionable decision along the way. He can be forgiven some of that as he is forced to move on in his romantic life and is understandably off balance somewhat. This time the main case involves the extended family (you might want to do a crib sheet of all the relations at the front end to help you along) of a World War II French air force hero who also flew for the Soviet Union on the Eastern European Front vs. the Nazis. The 2nd more domestic case involves a local wildlife preservationist who runs into conflicts with the local community. As usual, Bruno prepares several meals along the way and much wine is served! It all seems to wrap up too quickly, but that is always the way with those things you enjoy the most. I'm already looking forward to the next one. Bon appétit et à votre santé! (A hearty appetite and to your health!)
    • 3/5
      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.