This is the second volume in the Inspector Gamache/Three Pines series. I am still in awe of the intriguing Gamache. After the spectacular ending in the debut volume we pick up the story a few months later. C.C. de Poitiers has been murdered in the village of Three Pines. Or more specifically in the mansion at the top of the hill. She and her family had moved in the vacant mansion and managed to alienate everyone there. No one was all that upset about her murder. C.C. left behind a daughter named Crie (say it out loud and you will get the hurtfulness of the name) and a burgeoning empire. But when the police begin to delve into C.C.'s past, it turns out not all is on the up and up.
So again Gamache must approach the village and begin to dig into their lives. Penny has some fun with the clues in this book. I can't give specifics because it would ruin the surprise but here's a hint: know your French history. We meet more of the villagers in this volume and learn more of the Quebecois history. Once again Agent Nicole is present and even more rude than the last volume. You begin to wonder if there is a purpose to why Gamache puts up with her insolence. More of Gamache's past is revealed and the viper's nest that is the Surete hierarchy hurts Gamache where it counts the most. Was totally thrown by the big reveal at the end - bet you won't see it coming either.
Just a note: if you are interested in reading this series, I would seriously recommend trying the audio books. Ralph Cosham who reads the entire series is beyond awesome. He has the reassurance of Gamache, the over eagerness of Jean Guy Beauvoir, and the pettiness of Nicole. The French phrases trip off his tongue so beautifully. I am amazed by this man. Probably why I am so fond of Gamache.
Six degrees of reading: Hunting Shadows (Ian Rutledge) by Charles Todd, To Dwell in Darkness ( Duncan Kincaid/Gemma Jones) by Deborah Crombie, Blood on the Water (William Monk) by Anne Perry.
No comments:
Post a Comment