A subject no more

12/8/2014

After a lifetime as a subject of Her Britannic Majesty, I am at last a citizen.

In a very touching ceremony in the town library of Sainte Alvere, capital of the famous black truffles of the Perigord, I was made an honorary citizen of the town as 'ambassadeur de la truffe.' After a speech by the mayor, another one from me and then a smacking double kiss from the charming deputy mayoress, we all enjoyed a vin d'honneur in the courtyard of the mairie.

To my great delight, my eldest daughter Kate was there and took the photo as the mayor was speaking.

26 Comments

Barrington Salter

14/8/2014 04:05:06 pm

Congratulations! Love the new book, they get better and better. Please don't stop writing about Bruno, the food, the wine, truffles, Perigord. Fantastic, thank you very much for all the enjoyment you've given me.

Martin link

20/8/2014 10:57:07 pm

Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

Patrick

16/8/2014 04:27:51 am

Congrats, and well deserved!
BTW, i hear rumors about a Bruno movie... can you tell us something about that? Would be amazing, too!

Martin link

20/8/2014 11:47:24 pm

That would be wonderful, but I'm afraid it's just a rumour at present. There is a TV show underway in Germany, although I believe it's still in pre-production.

Angie Oakley link

16/8/2014 03:29:31 pm

Just finished a spell in France much enhanced by our addiction to the wonderful Bruno books, and felt obliged to offer an homage: "What Would Bruno Do?" Check it out on http://spryandretiring.wordpress.com

Martin link

20/8/2014 11:41:32 pm

Very impressed by your wordpress posting and touched by your kind remarks about the Bruno books. I'm delighted you had such a fine time at such a lovely place in Charente, which I visit from time to time because of friends who make their own Pineau de Charente and their own cognac (of dubious legality).

Perigordialement,

Martin

Ron

21/8/2014 12:49:58 am

Congratulations!

I'm a big fan of your books. Like most of your readers, I'm sure, I particularly enjoy the way you bring the Dordogne to life. I love that part of France and visit whenever possible (I live in the US so that isn't as often as I'd like).

I know you don't lack for plot points but I thought of you (and Bruno) as soon as I saw this: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11047435/British-couple-walled-into-French-home-by-neighbours-from-hell.html

Best regards.

Martin link

21/8/2014 10:02:50 pm

Thank you for your kind words and I'm delighted that you enjoy my Bruno tales.

That story of the nasty neighbours that you sent falls into the category of truth being much stranger than fiction. I could never get away with that in a novel...

Jessie

30/8/2014 10:31:29 am

I became acquainted with the Bruno tales early this summer and quickly read all of them. They've helped me get through some nasty health issues and have provided a wonderful escape! Now my husband and I are starting to plan a trip to the Dordogne next fall and will use your "Perfect Week in Perigord" as our guide. A new Bruno in 2015?

Martin link

9/10/2014 09:20:59 pm

Thank you for taking the time to comment - I'm delighted you've found some succour in Bruno. I write a book every year, and the publishers are currently editing, setting, and proofreading the next book for publication in 2015. And I'm already plotting the one after that...

Elsa Nystrom

5/10/2014 07:19:51 am

Very much pleasure gained from reading the Bruno series, and look forward to the next book. However, when I checked on Amazon, the synopsis for "The Children Return," coming out in 2015, is a paraphrase of the synopsis for "Children of War," the latest book. Am I reading it wrong? Keep up the good work. EN

Martin link

9/10/2014 09:23:21 pm

How strange! I'm afraid that appears to be an internal Amazon error, but I've alerted my publishers, who are far better informed about correcting such mistakes.

Thank you for flagging it.

Jim & Maddy Hanlon

5/10/2014 09:52:38 pm

We met last evening at Jim Haynes' dinner. I've looked for a way to send you a direct email but was unsuccessful. I would like to contact you eventually about visiting Sanibel Island (FL) for a speaking engagement. Perhaps you would contact me at the email address associated with this comment. Keep up the good work ... looking forward to the next Bruno.

Jim Hanlon

Flora-Lee Wagner

30/4/2015 06:04:40 am

I was first introduced to ‘Bruno Chief of Police’ on November 28, 2014. Since then I have read each book in order. One or two from my local library and if not available on a inter library loan.
Then I pre-ordered ‘The Children Return’ from Amazon. Two days later I finished reading the book.

In the last chapter page 307, why did Bruno answer Sami’s questions honestly? If anyone knew Sami, besides his adopted family it was Bruno, the Bruno that should of realized that the answer he gave would, literally send Sami over the wall. That is exactly what happened. The love I had for Bruno from the first book until this last has gone. He is nothing but a cop!

Martin link

1/5/2015 08:43:54 pm

I am sorry you feel that way, and I am touched that Bruno's character and the story became so alive for you that you react so strongly.

Bruno, as I wrote, was distracted by the drama of the scene before him as Sami posed his questions. And Bruno's relationship with Sami was such that he answered Sami's questions honestly. Bruno did charge forward to try to save Sami, but grabbed the wrong leg.
I understand how you feel that Bruno was somehow to blame for Sami's anger and that, yes, in the final analysis Bruno is a cop.

But he is never 'nothing but a cop' and if you think that is the case, it's my fault as the author. Thank you for reading the books so carefully and I'm glad that at least the earlier ones gave you much pleasure.

Karen Murphy

11/9/2016 07:12:27 am

Dear Martin Walker
I love the Bruno books. They bring my partner and me such joy. I would like to contac you via email re a question about my work and possible relevance to you in France. Best, Karen

Elaine Beaushene

18/10/2016 06:13:14 am

Just a reminder to a fellow dog lover....in The Resistance Man, page 214, Bruno prepares a recipe for dog biscuits that included garlic as an ingredient. Neither garlic nor any other members of the onion family should ever be given to dogs. Check with your vet. Love your books. Thanks.

Martin link

20/10/2016 07:00:14 am

Thank you for this. These biscuits do not seem to have harmed my own dog so far but I'll leave out the garlic in future. And I'm delighted you enjoy the Bruno books.

Pietro G. Poggi

7/10/2017 02:10:44 am

I love the Bruno books and have them all. Is there any chance of getting a hardcover book of the short stories that at this point are Kindle only? I would even go for a slim paperback of two or three stories. I cannot put Kindle stories in my bookcase.

Martin link

7/10/2017 06:56:19 pm

Sorry, not yet in print. When I have written enough short stories, we will collect them in print.

Pietro G. Poggi

7/10/2017 09:46:43 pm

Thanks so much for responding and the info. I look forward to your first collection of short stories.

Flint Evans

9/1/2018 07:29:53 pm

Thank you for your suggested Perfect Week in Perigord. We are taking you up on it. After reading many of your books, I am sold. We have emailed for over a week to Auberge Medievale in Audrix. They are not responsive. What would you suggest?

Martin link

11/1/2018 04:25:23 am

The Auberge is currently closed for its annual repainting and for making the preserves and confits the kitchen will serve in the season.
They usually re-open in March.

You may be able to reach them by phone at +33.553.072.402.

Elyn Arscott

13/1/2018 08:45:58 pm

I’m a big fan of the Bruno books (despite the brutal death of Gigi!)
I was wondering if the following quote is a real one attributed to someone, or one written simply for the books (Google is no help!)
“MAN DOES WHAT HE CAN, CHANCE DOES WHAT IT WILL.”

Martin link

14/1/2018 09:34:13 am

It is engraved over the door of Chateau de Losse, near Montignac.

L'homme fait que peut
Fortune fait que veut.'

It is attributed to Jean de Losse, who rebuilt the chateau.

He was a renowned solider who served King Francis I as a page and then served each of his sons when they became Kings, and was also tutor to Henri IV, the best French king of them all.

He was a friend of Montaigne, to whom the sentiment is often attributed .

Elyn

14/1/2018 10:09:13 am

Thank you so much!

A subject no more

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