The Murder Stone

Louise Penny does it again creating an amazing Canadian murder mystery cozy. I love her writing style that goes deep into the heart of human nature with a prose that is poetic and lyric. This mystery is fraught with psychological motivations and a family in strife with each other with great misunderstandings and petty grievances down the years. This is a study of human emotions and what makes a person's emotions get out of check to have the capacity to lash out in evil when not "guarding one's heart." Gamache at one point speaks gravely to Peter about this very thing: "Be careful, Peter. You have a good spirit, but even good spirits stumble, and sometimes they fall. And sometimes they don't get up." All of her books in essence play on this theme to the point that you realize that we are all human and capable of great things and not so great things — all of us.

This is the first book by Louise Penny that I have read and while certain techniques and tidbits of information that Penny dropped here and there throughout the narrative kept me reading, the beginning was very slow (it took 100+ pages before the murder even occurred) and a few of the plot point were just plain implausible. Where Penny excels is her use of description, every person, location and plot point is described in fine detail.

Published in the USA under the title "A Rule against Murder"

This is an intricate mystery that gives us a new spin in the life and character of Inspector Gamache. Here we see a more personal side of him and his relationship with his wife Reine-Marie.

This old fashion story opens at the Manoir Bellechase, an isolated lodge by Lake Massawippi where the Inspector and Reine-Marie have enjoyed celebrating their wedding anniversary in the past. This year, they find themselves sharing this luxurious inn with a highly dysfunctional wealthy English family, who have come to pay tribute to their deceased father. Murder is suspected when a member of the family is found dead, a victim of unusual circumstances. Naturally, the charming Inspector Gamache gets involved, digging beneath the family bitterness to solve the devious crime.

Ms Penny is meticulous in her description of this very unpleasant family, all have secrets to hide and the narrative superbly captures the resulting emotions and tension. Humour is successfully added to portray this greedy, selfish family. True to her tradition she also gives us what we come expect: the usual attention to the domestic details, such as menu and gardening and other day to day activities of the Inn.

Although I enjoyed this novel, I admit it is not my favourite. I found it is slow in action, too centered on the family and a murder lacking plausibility.

I have read and enjoyed all Louise Penny's books. This novel was no different. Armand Gamache's character grows with every story and in this novel more of what makes this man is shared. The people of "Three Pines" make an appearance and Peter and Clara are intimately involved with the murder. I can't wait for her next book. Easy reading and hard to put down.