The Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny

During the opening credits of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, a snowflake drifts through the clear night sky.

Inside the snowflake is a visual representation of Whoville: mountains with snow peaks, cheerful villagers, thriving together as one loveable family unit.

Like Whoville, Three Pines is both majestic and sacred - a place where kindness and friends - however dysfunctional - radiate like fireflies at dusk. 

A town nestled an hour outside of Montreal, kilometres from the Vermont border, and surrounded by mountains.

An unforgettable and unknown paradise.

“The leaves had fallen from the trees and lay crisp and crackling beneath his feet. Picking one up he marvelled, not for the first time, at the perfection of nature where leaves were most beautiful at the very end of their lives.”

Louise Penny builds The Gamache Series around the culture, townspeople, and overall vibe of Three Pines. The town holds many secrets and becomes a home away from home for Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team of outsiders. 

And the residents of Three Pines are so addictive!

Let me explain:

Every character is a suspect at some point, or was a suspect now working alongside the investigators to catch the real killer.

Each carries a different story - some rooted in innocence, others clouded by accusations. But one misstep means losing the town's trust and being declared guilty.

(With some quality investigating mixed in of course). 

I love hearing Gabri and Olivier's banter, what art piece Clara and Peter are working on, and what ridiculous nonsense Ruth is up to after having an extra Scotch and wandering the streets.

“Ruth appeared at Beauvoir’s chair, a scowl on her deeply wrinkled face. Her cropped white hair lay flat on her head, looking like exposed skull. She was tall and stooped and walked with a cane. The only good news was that she wasn’t in her nightgown."

The characters are relatable, loveable, and darkly funny.

Crafted with such care, the books compel you to keep reading, completely immersed in every accomplishment and failure.

“Gabri had decided not to wear his frilly pink apron, the one he put on just to annoy Olivier, who still wanted to pass as straight.” 

Chief Inspector Gamache understands the value of listening and studying every individual. His presence commands respect, and he radiates visceral power and awareness.

It's freakin' awesome!

Every book has a murder… or two.

No graphic violence, sex, or bad language - aside from the odd, appropriately placed f-bomb - it's all one big cozy mystery.

“It was hard to see the old Hadley house as just another place in Three Pines. For one thing, it never seemed to belong to the village. It seemed the accusation, the voyeur on the hill. That looked down on them. Judged them. Preyed on them. And sometimes, took one of the villagers and killed them.” 

The crime investigation is a smooth progression, and the book flows from each scene with ease. Not to be confused with a dull read, but one that picks apart every small detail until the killer is unmasked.

(Similar to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple Series).

Though the criminal is caught by the end of each book, many questions remain about how the town will recover.

(And I’m picking up the next book in a frenzy to see the overall impact!)

The Chief Inspector Gamache Series has 20 books.

I have read books 1 through 6 and look forward to enjoying the next 14.

This series is like catching up with an old friend, hearing about their small wins, and feeling so full - like a warm book hug. 

Until next time, 

Sheila