BELFAST — Left Bank Books, in downtown Belfast, invites the public to a free talk and book signing by internationally acclaimed author Martin Walker on Monday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m. The event will take place at the First Church in Belfast, which is located across Church Street from the bookshop.

Walker is visiting the U.S. from his home in the Dordogne region of France to celebrate the release, on September 24, of A Grave in the Woods, the 15th book in the Bruno, Chief of Police series. Walker’s books are bestsellers in Europe and the United States and have been translated into more than 15 languages.

“A Grave in the Woods is another entertaining and enlightening entry in the Bruno, Chief of Police series,” said a news release.

When an American archaeologist arrives in St. Denis on the heels of her divorce, she rapidly becomes involved in local intrigue when a World War II grave is discovered in the area. It turns out the grave contains the remains of two German women and an Italian submarine officer who had a big secret to hide. It’s up to Bruno, just recovered from a gunshot wound, to unravel the mystery.

As Bruno drills to the heart of the case, matters get even more complicated with the arrival of two men: Abby’s financially distressed ex-husband and a mysterious and dashing Italian naval officer. Once again, Bruno is left to serve the guilty their just rewards and his friends some sumptuous Perigordian cuisine.

The Bruno series takes place in the Perigord region in southwestern France, which is home to the prehistoric paintings of the Lascaux caves. As a country policeman and former soldier who was wounded during the siege of Sarajevo, Bruno hunts, cooks, tries never to arrest anyone, and loves Balzac, his basset hound, Hector, his horse, and a complicated array of firmly independent women.

Reservations for this free event may be made by calling Left Bank Books (207-338-9009) or emailing info@leftbankbookshop.com.

Advance copies of A Grave in the Woods may be purchased prior to the September 30 event.