Good Afternoon,
Just finished book number four in the series. Another classic. Set up in similar fashion to traditional murder mysteries by the likes of Agatha Christie, the conflict of the novel takes place at a 'manoir' in the wilderness of quebec. It could just as well be a country English manor, with the butler as the primary suspect.
We are afforded a rare glimpse into the background of Inspector Gamache, which then proves integral to the resolution of the mystery. It is refreshing that the story takes place somewhere besides the village of Three Pines. Because it is such a small settlement, the characters have all mostly been explored in the previous novels. The change in location allows Penny to introduce new people, with entirely new emotions, backgrounds, and motivations.
Once again, we dive into the psyches of the characters, eventually learning what ultimately lead to the murder that the conflict revolves around. Hope seems to be one of the central themes of Penny's work, often in the face of apparently insurmountable factors.
Her writing itself is hopeful, as is her protagonist, Inspector Gamache himself.
Anna is here visiting, and the second half of the US Women's National Team game against England is about to commence.
peace,
Graham
