This is episode n.7 in a fortunate series of mysteries created by Canadian author Louise Penny and whose protagonist is Chief Inspector Armand Gamache.
Funny enough, in Italy this is actually the first published mystery in the series. A mystery in the mystery, if you ask me.
The final liking of the book, in fact, depends also on some understanding of previous episodes referenced to. And on the evolution of Gamache and other characters that had been previously introduced.
This said, I was very curious to meet Louise Penny, who has been defined the heiress of Agatha Christie. Now, do not expect to find a Poirot 2.0 or a Canadian version of dear old Miss Marple. What you will find is a gentleman-like chief inspector, very refined and cultivated. One who collects facts and then connects the dots. One who studies people and their personalities as much as their relationship in order to get to the truth. The murder then happens in a close circle of people and the investigation itself takes mainly place in a small village, Three Pines, which reminds of older mysteries, in houses and holiday resorts, trains and river steamers. Only considering all the people together at a given moment and their past will lead to the real culprit.
When critics say Louise Penny is the novel Madame Christie they probably point at the type of mystery she chooses to write: the blood and the murders are there, but no morbid details are given. And the solution comes through logical thinking, after an attentive study of facts.
In fact, there are more culprits - but of different crimes. Some have already made amends, others are making amends..... Gamache - like his second in command Beauvoir - knows perfectly well the importance of shadows and lights, a leitmotif in the book and not only in the field of art.
When critics say Louise Penny is the novel Madame Christie they probably point at the type of mystery she chooses to write: the blood and the murders are there, but no morbid details are given. And the solution comes through logical thinking, after an attentive study of facts.
In fact, there are more culprits - but of different crimes. Some have already made amends, others are making amends..... Gamache - like his second in command Beauvoir - knows perfectly well the importance of shadows and lights, a leitmotif in the book and not only in the field of art.
Probably mirroring Gamache's personality, the pace of the book is quite slow, so much so that at about half of it I was starting to miss some action. But what is missed in terms of action is somehow counterbalanced by a good sense of humour, some romance and the dynamics between Gamache and Beauvoir.
When the end comes, and justice is served, the reader is left with many questions about what will come next. The only way to know is to read on.
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| PIEMME started publishing Louise Penny's mysteries with episode #7. |
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