The latest from Bruno

In Martin Walker's latest Bruno, Chief of Police novel, terrorism takes the stage. Although this series is ostensibly mysteries, it is also about life in France, in a small town. Bruno although a police chief, has to navigate political complexities and loves to cook. There are mouth watering descriptions of food and a deep appreciation of wine. There are several novels in the Bruno series, but they also can be read as a stand alone. In this latest of the series, The Children Return, Bruno Courrèges, the St. Denis a police chief, is sickened by the burnt, tortured corpse he discovers and later identifies as Rafiq, an undercover operative investigating extremist infiltration at a nearby mosque. Soon afterward, Bruno learns that local youth Sami Belloumi, an autistic savant, is being transported home from Afghanistan, where he has been forced by jihadists (whom he met through the mosque's school) to engineer lethal terrorist bombs. Sami's return puts St. Denis in the middle of a media firestorm; experts converge to determine his legal treatment even as Rafiq's killers try to silence Sami and Bruno. Exciting! ML