This is the 16th outing with Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, and we meet him and his family in Paris, instead of their adopted hometown of Three Pines, Québec. All of his children, children-in-law, and grandchildren now live in Paris. Armand and Rein-Marie are enjoying their time together in the city where they were engaged, and that includes spending a lot of time with Armand’s billionaire godfather, Stephen Horowitz.
After dinner one night, Stephen is injured in a hit-and-run, and in trying to solve that crime, Gamache discovers a huge coverup that includes several family members and friends. The mystery is thrilling and cinematic, and I definitely want to go to Paris once travel is safe again.
This is the first Gamache novel that I’ve read instead of listening to, and it was a wonderful way to reconnect with the whole gang. After listening to 15 audiobooks (which are delightfully read by Ralph Cosham), the pattern of each mystery was losing some of its excitement. Reading the words on my own at my own pace reacquainted me with the characters and their world. It refreshed the excitement, and it highlighted just how great some of the characters are.
I just might go back and read the other 15…
