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A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
Genre: Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Length: 311 pages
First Published Year: 2006
Literary Awards: Agatha Award for Best Novel (2007)
ISBN: 9780312352561
Language: English
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Publisher’s Description Summary
Louise Penny’s second mystery novel featuring Armand Gamache takes readers back to the charming setting of Three Pines, a quaint village in Quebec.
This time, the story unfolds during the winter season as the villagers gear up for a traditional Christmas celebration.
However, the festive mood is disrupted by a shocking murder that leaves everyone baffled.
The victim, CC de Poitiers, was far from beloved in Three Pines. Her strained relationships with her family and the villagers set the stage for numerous potential motives and suspects.
CC’s death was as dramatic as her life; she was electrocuted on a frozen lake during the village’s annual curling tournament, with the whole community as unwitting witnesses.
Enter Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Quebec, known for his keen insight and compassionate approach to solving crimes. Gamache faces a complex challenge: unraveling a murder that seems impossible under the watchful eyes of an entire village.
The investigation reveals the darker undercurrents flowing beneath the village’s picturesque surface, exposing long-hidden secrets.
As Gamache delves deeper, the mystery extends beyond just the murder.
The serene beauty of a Quebec winter belies the deadly threats lurking within it and Gamache finds that the chilling winds herald not just the cold but also a menacing danger directed at him.
Penny’s narrative, awarded the 2007 Agatha Award for Best Novel, combines the elements of a traditional mystery with the profound exploration of human relationships and the shadows cast by the past.
Through the intriguing case of CC de Poitiers’ murder, Penny invites readers to ponder the complexities of community, secrecy and the quest for justice amidst the breathtaking but treacherous backdrop of a Canadian winter.
Quotes from A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
- When someone stabs you it’s not your fault that you feel pain.
- I was tired of seeing the Graces always depicted as beautiful young things. I think wisdom comes with age and life and pain. And knowing what matters.
- I often think we should have tattooed on the back of whatever hand we use to shoot or write, ‘I might be wrong.
- Don’t mistake dramatics for a conscience.
- Ring the bells that still can ring, Forget your perfect offering, There’s a crack in everything, That’s how the light gets in.
- He tried to let her know it would be all right. Eventually. Life wouldn’t always be this painful. The world wouldn’t always be this brutal. Give it time, little one. Give it another chance. Come back.
- Gabri and I follow the way of Häagen Das. It’s occasionally a rocky road.
About Louise Penny
Louise Penny a Canadian author is famous for her mystery novels featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. Initially a CBC radio broadcaster Penny turned to writing and has won numerous awards including the Agatha and Anthony Awards multiple times.
Her books published in 23 languages combine elements of British whodunits with Quebec settings.
Penny overcame personal challenges including alcoholism and was a caregiver to her husband until his passing.
She now resides in Knowlton, Quebec and has received significant Canadian honors for her cultural contributions.
You can visit the author’s website for more information.
