A Fatal Grace: Chief Inspector Gamache, Book 2

Louise Penny's books appear in the guise of "cozies": charming eccentrics, a "family" of stock players, the clever, memorable sleuth, etc. However, they are so beautifully written, so full of poetry, empathy, and the appreciation of art, and so deep in their psychology (especially in the musings, not only of the detective Gamache, but of other characters as well) that you have to admit that these are really quite fine novels, as good as those of more "serious" writers. Wow.I can't wait to get to the next book.

In my review of Still Life I noted several areas in the first book of the Inspector Gamache series that left a bit to be desired. The writing was a little sophomoric and the characters seemed a little bland but the mystery itself was enjoyable enough and judging from reviews in the later books, Louise Penny's writing only improves so I wanted to continue on with the series. Having just finished A Fatal Grace, I wasn't disappointed. Rather than delve into the plot, which you can read amidst the other reviews, I'll give my overall impressions starting with the negative and ending with the positive.One of my complaints with Still life was the fact that Gamache's charisma seemed unbelievable. I didn't understand everyone's draw to him (even the readers!) and while this is improved quite a bit in A Fatal Grace, it's still a little over the top. I will add here, however, that we do get to peer a bit more into Gamache's personal life with this effort and I think that helped to bring some balance to this issue.Nichol reappears and that was frustrating for a few reasons; perhaps the greatest of these is because she was just so ridiculous in Still Life. Her role in A Fatal Grace is a bit more minor and not so unbelievably stupid. It also looks as though some of the plot elements she brings to the picture will be weaved into later books. She's a distraction, but I believe this will be redeemed as the overall story continues.Those items aside A Fatal Grace was a huge improvement in writing and storytelling. The characters are becoming much more real and the care that seems to go into the creation of the setting and mood is really showing here. Three Pines is coming to life as a real town with real people who have real issues and yet get along and enjoy each other all the same.Still Life saw the murder of the town's beloved Jane Neal. We never really got to meet her outside of the telling after her death. The difference with this mystery is we do get to meet CC and really get a taste of just how revolting she really is. I found this to be a great bonus feature of the story because it helped bring to life the reason for the reactions of those who were around her on a daily basis. On this note, it's also a bonus that Gamache isn't paraded about from the start. Instead, the Inspector doesn't make an appearance until a little further in, sort of in the manner that the old Columbo series did so well. Everyone wants to see him spring into action but some important pieces to the story need to be addressed first. It's tasteful and a little classy, not to mention subdued in a good way.Finally, there are plot elements that are being slowly introduced that are sure to span through the series. This is a great feature because it gives you more reason to continue the series and yet it's done in a way that doesn't leave you on the edge of your seat just because the author wants to set up the sequel. In that sense, there isn't a sequel so much, it's a series with characters that spring to life and have issues that span more than the 300 or so pages for this particular story. You don't feel cheated as much as you feel invited. My hope is that Louise has sorted these things out well enough that they don't have a bunch of inconsistencies when it's all said and done.Overall, book two of the Gamache series is a great read and if you're a fan of murder mysteries, I recommend it - especially because you get two murders to solve for the price of one! I'm really looking forward to book three, The Cruelest Month and plan to get that one started in the coming weeks.

I read "Still Life", which is the first in this series, a while back and really loved it. I was looking forward to reading this second installment and wasn't disappointed. It was a book that I savored from beginning to end and have purchased the next three books in the series - I am that convinced they will be good.The setting is Three Pines which is a small rural village near Montreal, but it's not found on any map. A bit of a throwback to a simpler time, the village is picturesque and the setting completely enchanting. A recent addition to the village, CC de Poitiers is fatally electrocuted during a curling competition right after the Christmas holiday. A woman who is disliked by everyone she met, there are plenty of people who are glad to see her meet her end. CC is trying to make a success of out of a spiritual guidance business called "Be Calm" however, she is anything but -- obnoxious, abrasive, and rude are the words that best describe our victim. While she only appeared in the village a year ago, could she have riled up emotions in this tiny hamlet enough to cause someone to wish her dead? Chief Inspector Armand Gamache arrives from Montreal (after solving the last murder here) and leads the investigation into how the crime was committed and who could have orchestrated such an undertaking. Suspects abound and their previous histories with CC unfold throughout the novel.A book full of interesting, quirky characters, beautiful writing describing a setting that will make you cold even in the middle of summer, and a murder with a plausible motive led me to enjoy this book from beginning to end. It's a well-written story that kept me turning pages long after I should have been doing something more productive (like lawn care). I am looking forward to the next one, but want to spread them out a bit versus consuming them too quickly.Bottom line: a great read and I think would be enjoyed by mystery fans as well as literary fiction readers. There is a lot of poetry and life philosophy sprinkled through these pages that elevates it to a level not often found in the mystery genre. To get the most out of it, go back to the first one since this one builds upon the foundation laid there.

Just finished this second book in the Armand Gamache series. Very well written. The characters are amazing. So many different types of people are part of this little village.The book is very well written and the mysteries are so gripping. The twists and turns of the plot really keep me glued to the book. I am really rooting for Inspector Gamache!Learning a little about the people of Quebec too!The only part I did not like was the awful language. Hopefully it won't always be like that.Looking forward to the next book in the series.Thanks for another great read!

I actually watched the televised version of this book before reading it. In fact I didn't know the shows were based on a series of novels until about the third or fourth episode. When I found out, I looked them up. I was VERY excited to find a good long series to jump into. I love a good atmospheric, cozy mystery and this series has it all.A Fatal Grace is all about how hurting people will invariably hurt people and Chief Inspector Armand Gamache (walking around in my head with his hands behind his back looking suspiciously like Alfred Molina) has to follow the clues to find out why 2 women are dead.Behind the clues and the questions lies a deeper and more personal mystery that's slowly unfolding about the Arnot case, one that irrevocably scarred our dear Chief Inspector. I can't wait to learn more about that.If you enjoy small communities, odd-ball characters, wonderfully crafted atmosphere and a hero with as much character and kindness as you can stand, you will fall in love with the world created within the borders of Three Pines, Quebec. I'm eager to return!

The second book I’ve read by Louise Penny and neither disappoint!! More than just another mystery. Full of love, emotion and joy.

Ottimo giallo di questa straordinaria autrice canadese. Come sempre il villaggio di Three Pines e i suoi abitanti sono al centro della narrazione e aiutano Gamache a risolvere il mistero. Splendide descrizioni dei paesaggi e grande introspezione psicologica dei vari personaggi.

Das ist jetzt der dritte Roman, den ich über Armand Gamache und seine Kriminalfälle lese. Ich kann es gar nicht erwarten, das nächste Buch über die interessanten Personen in Three Pines in die Hand zu nehmen und wieder viel Neues über Kanada zu erfahren. Toll geschrieben!

Love the characters, the town and the story line. Louise Penny is a wonderful writer. Looking forward to reading the entire series of books.