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19/6/2014

I am back in the Perigord after a month of book tour in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and nearly two weeks of book tour in Canada.

It all started in Montreal, where in my role as honorary ambassador for the Perigord I took part in the visit of the Dordogne tourist board to Canada to help promote the traveling exhibition of the Lascaux cave, now on display at the Centre de Sciences in Montreal.

Then I was a guest speaker at Bloody Words, the Canadian crime writing festival in Toronto, before going on to give presentations at bookstores around Toronto and in Port Hope, Burlington and Etobicoke.

After a month promoting Bruno in German, it makes an interesting change to do the same in both French and English in bilingual Canada. And once back in Perigord, the first stop was the literary festival at Champcenivel, a pretty village near Perigueux.

49 Comments

Cal Hoerneman

23/6/2014 01:00:05 am

Just finished Children of War-- really enjoyed it! I have had to order your last two books through Amazon UK. I live in the US --what's going on with your US publisher?

Barry Draper

7/7/2014 03:26:34 am

I just finished Children of War as well. I have read all of the Bruno books and have really enjoyed how the characters have developed/evolved. Please continue Bruno's adventures, as I cannot wait to see what happens next in the Perigord.

Martin link

10/7/2014 05:36:10 am

I' glad you enjoy reading them, as I adore writing them and have no plans to stop. Thank you for the compliments!

Martin link

10/7/2014 05:35:15 am

They should be publishing at the rate of one book a year, although slightly behind the UK as they picked up the series when it was in its second year. Is that not what's happening in your local bookshop/on Amazon.com?

Eric Morin

24/9/2014 10:53:28 am

Martin,
First, your series is bloody brilliant. I lived in La Teste, not far from Arcachon, as a kid, and you bring the region to life every time out. My wife and I wait expectantly for each new installment and hope you'll continue to wow us for years to come. But please, no harm must come to Balzac--I couldn't handle another puppy's passing.
Do you have any idea when your Canadian publisher is planning to release Children of War? As of late September 2014, it's still not available in store here. Can always get it online but I do like to support local stores, wherever possible.
Thanks again for the hours of pleasure you've brought us through your extraordinary imagination.
All the best.

Martin link

10/10/2014 07:03:55 pm

It was one of the hardest things I've written. Poor Gigi.

I'm afraid CoW won't be out until early next year, as The Resistance Man was only published in January in Canada. But I'm glad to hear you're keen to support your local bookstore - I can't count the number of happy hours I've spent combing the stacks of bookshops around the world over the years.

Amy

20/8/2014 01:39:09 pm

Hi. I've thoroughly enjoyed the Bruno series so far and would love to read the latest 'Children of War', but as another reader noted, it's no yet available in the US, nor on Kindle where I've read the rest of the series.
Can you advise when Bruno's latest caper will be available on Kindle?

Martin link

20/8/2014 10:53:04 pm

It's currently available as an ebook on amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-War-Courr%C3%A8ges-Investigation-Police-ebook/dp/B00HVBK1B4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1408625520&sr=1-1&keywords=children+of+war

Amy

21/8/2014 03:16:55 am

Excellent - thank you!

Amy

21/8/2014 03:41:20 am

Unfortunately your fans in the US are not able to order the Kindle version from the UK site...
and Amazon can't give a date as to when it will be available for download on the .com site, saying it's up to the author.
I hope to be able to download it soon!

Martin link

21/8/2014 07:48:22 pm

That's a shame. I assume it's at the discretion of the publisher, as I've not had control over any of the other release dates.

susan philippson

8/9/2014 07:20:06 am

I have enjoyed all your books very much. It is like a old friend arriving for a visit when I sit down to read the latest caper. Is there a cookbook out ? or are the recipes just on the website?

Martin link

4/10/2014 08:45:48 pm

There is a cookbook coming out - the German version is being launched at the Frankfurt book fair, with an English-language version to follow shortly. I shall let you know when it's published!

susan philippson

5/10/2014 08:30:18 am

Thank you Martin, I will keep a eye out for it. Imagine it will hit the UK market first

Martin link

9/10/2014 09:52:06 pm

Yes, although I think there are plans afoot for an e-version, as e-cookbooks are said to be more popular than paper ones these days. Integrated video is all good and well, but I'd be worried about ruining the machine by dropping sauce on it...

Geraldine Rickett link

26/2/2019 08:39:42 am

Dear Martin,
Looking for the cookbook in English. Love the food references. Fois gras, pears and honey: oh my, swoon. Is there a full English title for the book?
Please advise. I’ve looked at all the sires available to me and cannot find that cookery book. Perhaps I’ll just have to make notes from all of Chief Bruno’s culinary exploits.
Thank you for his wonderful character.

Martin link

27/2/2019 03:14:12 am

I'm afraid it's still not available in English, despite our best efforts to the contrary!

Ashley E

12/9/2014 12:49:02 am

I also had to order "Children of War" from a UK supplier since it doesn't seem to be available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble in the US. My first suspicion was that Bruno was a casualty of the Amazon/Hachette war currently going on (Vintage, the US publisher of the Bruno books seems to be a Hachette house). On the other hand, it's not available at B&N either, so I don't know what the problem is at this point. I believe it came out in June in the UK. If I were B&N I'd be chomping at the bit to get it in my stores as a nice little coup against Amazon...

Martin link

4/10/2014 08:51:07 pm

I know that the publication dates are different in the US and the UK, but not that different. I'm sorry you've had such trouble getting hold of a copy!

Eric Morin

5/10/2014 02:53:57 am

Martin,
We won't let the publishing wars stop us from getting our Bruno fix! This is not your fault. Just keep regaling us with your delightful stories and we'll find a way to read them.

Martin link

10/10/2014 06:59:18 pm

I'm charmed by your loyalty to Bruno!

Deborah Laing

5/10/2014 05:58:02 am

I am reading Children of War at the moment after having read all your previous novels about Bruno. It is as good as all the others but I would like to ask a question. My husband has read the first two Bruno books in French, can you please tell me is any more have been published in French and where I can purchase them. Incidentally we had an excellent tapas lunch at the Vieux Logis least week.

Martin link

10/10/2014 06:57:53 pm

Another Vieux Logis convert! Wonderful restaurant.

I'm afraid the French were quite late to the Bruno party, so they're behind in the series, but Noirs Diamants is coming out in French at the end of this month. The 29th, I believe...

Eric Morin

11/10/2014 02:51:21 am

Martin,
Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to all the posts. It's Thanksgiving in Canada and one of the things for which we're profoundly grateful is your charming French policeman and his idiosyncratic, eclectic band of friends.

Martin link

11/10/2014 06:50:54 pm

How lovely! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving - does poutine feature, or is the meal more classically roast bird and trimmings?

Eric Morin

12/10/2014 05:35:02 am

Poutine! A dish we French Canadians invented for English-Canadian and American tourists; only, it backfired and we now love it. If you have the chance, best poutine is typically found in the Quebec City area, made with white cheese curds from the Beauce region and thick gravy. Artery-hardening bit of self-indulgent heaven.
We'll be sticking to the stuffed bird and my brilliant (he said, modestly) garlic mashed potatoes. As we are transplants to Alberta, we will share with two other similarly expatriate families and enjoy a potluck feast.
One of these days I'm going to dig into the Bruno cookbook and, when I do, will send along feedback and photos.
Again, many thanks for your contributions to our literary pleasure. My wife recently finished the Caves of Perigord and insists I read it, so that's now on my list.
All the best,
Eric

Linda Powell

19/10/2014 12:13:02 am

I love the Bruno books since I read the first one as part of The Poisoned Pen's First Mystery book club. I am addicted! I see that Children of War is not available in the US as noted by several people above. I did see a release date in 2015 for a book entitled The Children Return. Is that in fact the same book with just a different US title?

Ron

16/3/2015 07:50:28 am

I noticed that The Children of War and The Children Return seem to be the same book with different titles. Can you explain why?
Thank you,
Ron

Martin link

19/3/2015 10:33:47 pm

That's because the American publishers thought a change of title would make the book more sellable in the US. I'm not sure why they thought that, but I have to go along with their decisions in such matters.

Eric Morin

21/3/2015 08:08:35 am

Martin,
Interested to see that you did a tour of central Canada--Montreal-Toronto corridor.
Any chance you'll ever come out west to the frosty Edmonton? It's quite pleasant in summer and, contrary to what you might have heard, there are some nice places to eat and drink.
Cheers

Martin link

24/3/2015 08:19:44 pm

I'm afraid the book tours are always arranged by the publishers with the bookshops and we writers simply go where we are sent, or where the bookshops ask the publishers to send us.

Eric Morin

25/3/2015 02:20:21 am

In other words, you can do as you please so long as your publisher agrees. Who would have thought of marriage as good preparation for a career as an acclaimed author? Good to know. And thanks for the response, as always, Martin. Your books continue to delight. Your wellspring of inspiration is truly remarkable. Cheers

Roger Dowdy

1/5/2015 03:25:16 am

Martin: I've just discovered the most recent "Bruno" (The Children of War), and the release notice for the next two: "The Children Return" and "The Dying Season". My wife I both love and devour each of the Bruno stories as they come available - but too slowly here in the US.
So I am supporting both Goldsborough (London), and FOYLES (UK) to pre-order the first editions as they come out. Please keep providing the signed editions to either of both of those UK sources so our ' Bruno signed collection' can keep growing.
PS: so hoping we can make a trip across 'the pond" and to the Perigord in the next year or so. Regards. Roger & Janie Dowdy

Martin link

30/5/2015 10:52:02 pm

How wonderful that you're such a fan! I must warn you, however, that The Children Return is not a new title, but the US edition of the Children of War! If you are able to cancel, please do to avoid disappointment!

Warmest regards,

Martin

Julia

8/5/2015 11:06:17 am

Was The Dying Season published earlier under another title or is it a brand new book?

Martin link

9/5/2015 12:32:28 am

It's the UK title of the book being published in the US as 'The Patriarch', and is the 8th in the Bruno series.

Gerald Miller

8/5/2015 01:03:41 pm

I am absolutely captivated by Bruno's adventures. Martin, you got me once again! I just finished "The Children Return" in three days and have already placed myself upon the list for Bruno's next experience. I have recently visited twice and know several of the areas that Bruno frequents. Could "Domme" be a part of his future? I am totally taken with this wonderful area, its people and its ambiance. Thanks to Rick Steves, I stay with a wonderful couple in Monfort.
L'Ombriere is where I will continue to reside when within the area of Monfort. Your books are absolutely wonderful and continue to keep me reading at a very fast pace. Thank you so much for keeping my "remembrances" of a exceptional part of life. I will return this September.
Gerald Miller

Martin link

9/5/2015 12:34:47 am

September is a glorious time to be in this part of the world, and Domme is a particularly lovely town. I'm so pleased to hear you share my Perigord passion - it's amazing how quickly the region and its inhabitants can get under your skin, isn't it?

Nikki Shetty

6/7/2015 04:09:30 am

Hello Martin, thank you for writing such a great series. I have been introducing your books to all my customers at our local bookstore and they've all loved them! I was wondering when do you expect book 8 The Patriarch to be released in Canada?

Merci!f

Martin link

20/7/2015 08:07:13 pm

I'm so glad you enjoy them! I would imagine in April 2016, as Bruno #7 came out in late April this year in Canada, and they tend to get released annually.

Tracy Saltzman

16/10/2015 10:57:47 am

Dear Martin-

I really cannot tell you how much I enjoy your Bruno books! I am a chef, and I absolutely love the food that Bruno eats and prepares - I love mystery novels as well, so it really is the best of both worlds! i found out about your books from the NY Times Food Blog - Sam Sifton mentioned your books in a post and I was hooked. I am just about to start The Children Return - I listen to the Audio Books and Robert MacKenzie is just wonderful - can't wait. Thank you so much - keep writing...! PS, Gigi's death was one of the saddest things ever....

Martin link

23/10/2015 12:50:55 pm

I'm so glad you like them - to tantalise a chef's tastebuds in print is high praise indeed!

Sue Janssen

20/2/2016 03:16:46 pm

i love the Bruno series but have become very frustrated with the "issue" of different titles of the same story: The Children Return/The Children of War; The Patriarch/The Dying Season. Normalement this would be indicated on the cover.... Doesn't seem such a very nice thing to do to devoted readers.

Martin link

22/2/2016 12:53:23 am

I'm very sorry about this - it's an issue I find as infuriating as everyone else, as it's something that gets me as a reader too. I've asked my publishers on both sides of the Atlantic to indicate where the title has been changed, even with just a sticker, but am not making headway.

To try and combat the problem, the left-hand menu column on this site indicates where books have been published under two titles - just hover your mouse over the 'reviews' section and the sub-menu displays the full list.

Eric Morin

22/2/2016 11:50:06 am

Not your fault, Martin. It's the notion that North American readers need things "dumbed down" for us because, of course, we must be illiterate and ignorant of all things European. Which, sadly, is not an unwarranted assumption. On the flip side, anyone reading your fabulous books obviously enjoys fine books, good wine, and France's epicurean delights, so why would we need the titles to be Americanised? Ah well...First World problems, all things considered. Keep feeding us Bruno et al.!

Martin link

23/2/2016 03:15:25 am

I'm not sure it's anything more complex than the profit motive - I've had the same with American books published under different titles and with different covers in the UK.

Eric Morin

23/2/2016 08:04:07 am

Fair enough...I guess the publishers do their market analyses in the hope of "thinking outside the box" creating titles that will "resonate" and "create traction."
Probably a few other clichés available but I can't think of any.

Sue Janssen

22/2/2016 02:59:46 pm

I too appreciate that you reply to your readers. I do not believe, however, that the "duplicate title" issue is a case of assessing anyone's level of intelligence, regardless of which coast of the pond they inhabit. The problem in my view has become financial - not the author, the publishers. I live in rural Vermont. Our librarian initially found this series for me and was so pleased this past weekend that she had obtained two "new" books for me to read. She spent her frugal budget money on two books that she had no way to know she had already purchased.That deception from the publisher just doesn't seem right.

Martin link

23/2/2016 01:40:33 am

At the very least they should sticker it saying 'previously published as' or include a subtitle (on the cover) showing that more than one title exists.

I find the practice annoying, but understandable. The issue is how easy it is to resolve, yet publishers persist in doing it. I often find myself stuck on planes with novels I've read before under other titles.

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