Louise Penny’s mystery series set in the tiny Quebec village of Three Pines, features Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. This is the second instalment and though it is not essential to read the books in order, I am doing that, because it has been recommended. The characters do develop throughout the series and being able to follow that is as entertaining as solving the murder mysteries. I enjoyed this one more that the first (Still Life), only because I was returning to this village and to these characters and that familiarity added pleasure to the reading for me. Penny’s website is very beautifully done, has some interesting information about the inspiration for the village and the inspector, and even has a FAQ section. Maybe you love FAQ sections as much as I do!
It’s early days for me with this series. I’m looking forward to more. I’ve heard the series just gets better and better and has met with huge worldwide success. I will share this quote from the author because it demonstrates how her mysteries are a literary cut above in my opinion. As she says herself in the candid interview I’ve included below with CBCs Wendy Mesley, the books are not about murder, they have murder in them.
“My books are about terror. That brooding terror curled deep down inside us. But more than that, more than murder, more than all the rancid emotions and actions, my books are about goodness. And kindness. About choice. About friendship and belonging. And love. Enduring love. If you take only one thing away form any of my books I’d like it to be this: Goodness exists.”
Joanne's Reading Blog 
The second in the Gamache series is more complex, surprising and intriguing than the first. There are some new characters that we are introduced to – all of whom are interesting- but there are a few who are almost more vicious and detestable than one can imagine. After seeing the interview with Wendy Mesley, I had a better understanding of how this soft spoken elegant woman came to create the stories and characters of Three Pines. Thank you Joanne for recommending reading the series in order. BTW I did buy it as The Fatal Grace.
Thanks for your comment Karen, and you are so right. The characters and overall story line really do develop nicely as the series goes on. I think the author really grew in her writing as she wrote more instalments as well. And yes, it’s so confusing and annoying when book publishers give the same book different names!