A fatal grace

Quebec Surete Inspector Armand Gamache, who made his debut in Still Life (2006), returns in this enjoyable follow-up. An almost universally disliked, even hated, woman is murdered. Naturally, the pool of potential murderers is deep, ranging from the victim's lover to her friends (well, acquaintances) to various others in the small Canadian community of Three Pines. Gamache, a smart and likable investigator--think Columbo with an accent, or perhaps a modern-day Poirot--systematically wades his way through the pool, coming upon a few surprises along the way. Penny is a careful writer, taking time to establish character and scene, playing around with a large cast, distracting us so we won't see the final twists coming until they're upon us. This is a fine mystery in the classic Agatha Christie style, and it is sure to leave mainstream fans wanting more. --David Pitt Copyright 2007 Booklist

When sadistic socialite CC de Poitiers is fatally electrocuted at a Christmas curling competition in the tiny Quebecois village of Three Pines, only the arcane method of the murder is a surprise in Penny's artful but overwritten sophomore effort (after her highly praised 2006 debut, Still Life). CC had cobbled together a spiritual guidance business based on eliminating emotion, but the feelings she inspired in others were anything but serene. Everyone around the cartoonish victim-from a daughter cowed by lifelong abuse to the local spiritual teacher whose business she threatens to ruin-has a motive, and the crime also links to a vagrant's recent murder as well as to the pasts of several beloved village residents. The calm but quirky Chief Insp. Armand Gamache, who arrives in Three Pines from Montreal to head the investigation, is appealing as the series' focus. Though Penny gorgeously evokes the smalltown Christmas mood, the novel is oddly steeped in holiday atmosphere for a May release, and the plot's dependence on lengthy backstory slows the momentum. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

In this second of the series by Dagger and Arthur Ellis Award winner Penny (Still Life), the Quebec inspector finds an entire village suspect. Penny lives in Montreal. Five-city tour. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A frozen Quebec lake, a curling competition and two recently published books form a prelude to murder. Before she was electrocuted on a frozen pond in front of a crowd who saw nothing because they were all intent on the annual Christmas curling contest, CC de Poitiers was a recent arrival in Three Pines who was heartily disliked by everyone, including her cowed husband and overweight, constantly belittled daughter. By contrast, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache finds the village enchanting and is familiar with many of the off-the-beaten-track artistic types. In addition to his usual assistants, Gamache is assigned local Sûret Agent Robert Lemieux, who's pleased to sit at the feet of his idol, and lumbered with Agent Yvette Nichol, who almost ruined his last investigation (Still Life, 2006). He's also working the death of a bag lady in Montreal, a case with surprising ties to Three Pines. As his minions collect evidence, Gamache ponders the implications of a murder that involves philosophical conflicts, psychologically damaged people and secrets from the past. His own career is jeopardized by an old case involving crooked police officers. Dangerous possibilities hover in the background as he tries to plumb the mind of the murderer. Remarkably, Penny manages to top her outstanding debut. Gamache is a prodigiously complicated and engaging hero, destined to become one of the classic detectives. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Quebec Surete Inspector Armand Gamache, who made his debut in Still Life (2006), returns in this enjoyable follow-up. An almost universally disliked, even hated, woman is murdered. Naturally, the pool of potential murderers is deep, ranging from the victim's lover to her friends (well, acquaintances) to various others in the small Canadian community of Three Pines. Gamache, a smart and likable investigator--think Columbo with an accent, or perhaps a modern-day Poirot--systematically wades his way through the pool, coming upon a few surprises along the way. Penny is a careful writer, taking time to establish character and scene, playing around with a large cast, distracting us so we won't see the final twists coming until they're upon us. This is a fine mystery in the classic Agatha Christie style, and it is sure to leave mainstream fans wanting more. ((Reviewed March 15, 2007)) Copyright 2007 Booklist Reviews.

In this second of the series by Dagger and Arthur Ellis Award winner Penny (Still Life), the Quebec inspector finds an entire village suspect. Penny lives in Montreal. Five-city tour. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

In this follow-up to Penny's acclaimed debut, Still Life , Qubec Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his thoughtful team of sleuths from the Sret du Qubec tackle the murder of Martha Stewart wannabe CC de Poitiers. Electrocuted as she watched a neighborhood curling match in the tiny village of Three Pines, the diva of the emerging "Be Calm" lifestyle empire was nobody's favorite. Suspects abound: her long-suffering husband, her opportunist lover, her dysfunctional daughter, and pretty much everyone else in the village who encountered the self-absorbed CC. But why work so hard to kill her? Mourning is minimal. Gamache and his team are thoroughly perplexed. As the investigation proceeds, a strangely manufactured life is revealed, and CC is linked to yet another unsolved murder. By the story's end, Gamache is provided an excellent opportunity for mentoring, he makes peace with his prickly boss, and readers get a traditional and highly intelligent mystery. Still Life ws a Debut Dagger honor book in Britain, and Penny's new title is sure to create great reader demand for more stories featuring civilized and articulate Chief Inspector Gamache. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 1/07.]—Susan Clifford Braun, Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA

When sadistic socialite CC de Poitiers is fatally electrocuted at a Christmas curling competition in the tiny Qubecois village of Three Pines, only the arcane method of the murder is a surprise in Penny's artful but overwritten sophomore effort (after her highly praised 2006 debut, Still Life ). CC had cobbled together a spiritual guidance business based on eliminating emotion, but the feelings she inspired in others were anything but serene. Everyone around the cartoonish victim—from a daughter cowed by lifelong abuse to the local spiritual teacher whose business she threatens to ruin—has a motive, and the crime also links to a vagrant's recent murder as well as to the pasts of several beloved village residents. The calm but quirky Chief Insp. Armand Gamache, who arrives in Three Pines from Montreal to head the investigation, is appealing as the series' focus. Though Penny gorgeously evokes the smalltown Christmas mood, the novel is oddly steeped in holiday atmosphere for a May release, and the plot's dependence on lengthy backstory slows the momentum. (May)