Reviving this thread because I am reading the eleventh in an extremely good detective series and thought
@Eclipse and others who like an the occasional crime treat may also enjoy.
Inspector Gamache and the Three Pines Series by
Louise Penny.The quiet village of Three Pines in rural Quebec has an interesting assortment of inhabitants including a poet, two artists, an antiques collector and a psychologist turned bookshop owner who meet in each other’s homes or the friendly local bistro to socialise, exchange gossip and enjoy good food. Strangely, for such a pleasant restful village, Three Pines does tend to have rather more murders than one would expect. Be assured this is not at all a Miss Marple village but neither is it Harry Bosch style crime fiction but a pretty good mid balance.
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, Head of Homicide for the Surete of Quebec, comes with his team to investigate in the first book,
Still Life. Thereafter he and the team return at frequent intervals, to solve new murders, while getting to know and understand the villagers more. This makes it hard when those they like are among the suspects. Sometimes the actual crimes occur in unusual locations elsewhere but there is always a link to Three Pines. Although the crimes are often brutal the violence is not dwelt upon, more the conventional step by step of crime solving,with false leads or interference from authority slowing the team down.
This series really should be read in order as many themes and storylines run parallel and develop throughout. There is an on-going sub-plot of corruption and betrayal in the highest eschelons of the Surete of Quebec which has huge consequences as it comes to a head. The personalities and dynamics of the Homicide Team are well portrayed and the lives of some villagers are also explored in detail. Over time we may become fond of or exasperated by them because there are thoughtful explorations of human strengths, weaknesses and dilemmas, but not written in a trite or mawkish way.
The final and extra pleasure of this series was all the general or detailed information about customs, history and locations in and around French speaking Quebec. These facts are worked in effortlessly but were fascinating.
I gladly recommend this series and so far have read/listened to and enjoyed all ten books, always waiting impatiently for the next one to come out.
http://www.louisepenny.com/
