Armand Gamache mysteries by Louise Penny
I like these books so much I’ve bought the last two in hardcover. Didn’t want to wait for the paperback or a library hold. Worth every penny – HA. Pun INTENDED.
A friend of mine and I have talked about how Three Pines (the fictional Quebecois town where the mysteries take place) is a place we just want to be. And I’m so grateful every time I get to revisit. I think all the fans must feel the same. And the characters are so likable, I am just happy they exist. I’m reminded of when I first read the Narnia books. Narnia was so enchanting I couldn’t wait to go back. I had a longing for it that would never go away.
Is there a German or Japanese word for “the longing to go home to a fictional place”?
This book is set in Paris. So not Three Pines. But I’m not going to be mad at Paris.
The Gamache books are murder mysteries, pretty traditional in style, with a police officer for a detective, suspense, danger, red herrings, twisty plots and satisfying conclusions. These are bestselling mysteries.
But what stands out about this series is that it is emotional. The books often hinge on the characters being able to express their love for each other. This seems very unusual in a detective book. Gamache is not a damaged, lonely cynic – he’s a loving husband and father and friend. We are in Gamache’s head a lot – and he is doing a lot of emoting and a lot of thinking. I love every bit of it. The books also reference art a lot. There are poets and painters among Gamache’s circle and their art is often woven into the books. The excerpts of poetry and the descriptions of paintings add so much richness. So much life.
Ultimately – and this is a quality of all my favorite books – this book is about relationships. Every thing comes back to the relationships between the characters. That is what matters.
And – this is Paris after all – lots of excellent food.
Vive Gamache!