Book Review: A Fatal Grace

Reviewed By: Shirley - RAM

A Fatal Grace     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Louise Penny
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Cozy
Series: Three Pines Mysteries # 2
Minotaur Books

If Canada weren’t so cold, I would want to live in Three Pines. Getting to know the residents is like pealing back the layers of an onion. The characters have the most entertaining, erudite, fun conversations you will find anywhere in a book. The people here know each other’s faults and love each in spite of it.

C. C. dePoitiers has bought the old Halley House in Three Pines. The large Victorian mansion was going for a bargain price due to its unfortunate history. C. C. cashed in everything to buy it sight unseen. Her ambition was to be the next Martha Stewart. She has a husband, sadly henpecked, and a daughter with talent but not a mother’s love.

C. C. seems to have a knack for mistreating others, to the extent that no one is surprised when she dies and it turns out to be murder. Gamache again investigates. He is having his own problems following the Arnot case, which seriously embarrasses the Surete du Quebec.

If there is a flaw in the book it is in the extraordinarily complicated method of murder. Penney’s murderers do not use simple means. But for those who love puzzles, this may not be a bad thing.

Shirley - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Shirley - RAM

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