A Fatal Grace
Winner of the 2007 Agatha Award for Best Novel!
From the Dagger award winning author Louise Penny comes the second Armand Gamache mystery set in the stunning countryside of Quebec.
Welcome to winter in Three Pines, a picturesque village in Quebec, where the villagers are preparing for a traditional country Christmas, and someone is preparing for murder.
No one liked CC de Poitiers. Not her quiet husband, not her spineless lover, not her pathetic daughter―and certainly none of the residents of Three Pines. CC de Poitiers managed to alienate everyone, right up until the moment of her death.
When Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, of the Sûreté du Quebec, is called to investigate, he quickly realizes he's dealing with someone quite extraordinary. CC de Poitiers was electrocuted in the middle of a frozen lake, in front of the entire village, as she watched the annual curling tournament. And yet no one saw anything. Who could have been insane enough to try such a macabre method of murder―or brilliant enough to succeed?
With his trademark compassion and courage, Gamache digs beneath the idyllic surface of village life to find the dangerous secrets long buried there. For a Quebec winter is not only staggeringly beautiful but deadly, and the people of Three Pines know better than to reveal too much of themselves. But other dangers are becoming clear to Gamache. As a bitter wind blows into the village, something even more chilling is coming for Gamache himself.
Louise Penny
Louise Penny, born on July 1, 1958, is a distinguished author celebrated for her Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. With a #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling status, she has garnered a plethora of accolades, including multiple Agatha Awards and a CWA Dagger. A finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel, Penny resides in a quaint village located to the south of Montréal, bringing her stories to life in the enchanting backdrop of Quebec. Her captivating narratives and skillful storytelling have earned her a devoted following in the world of mystery fiction.
Chief Inspector Gamache
Chief Inspector Gamache is the compelling protagonist in Louise Penny's mystery series. Gamache, a thoughtful and empathetic police officer, heads the Homicide Division of the Sûreté du Québec in the picturesque village of Three Pines, Quebec. His character is multi-dimensional and relatable, and the series weaves together intriguing murder mysteries with character growth and a strong sense of community, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.
Chief Inspector Gamache consists of nineteen books — series is set to expand with the upcoming release of two more books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.