Review of A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny

Greetings readers of inspirational suspense and mystery. Today I'm reviewing A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny, winner of the 2007 Agatha Award for Best Novel. 

One caveat before I begin...this book is not inspirational fiction, but it is a good, clean story filled with characters who fill the pages with human compassion. I don't think it will offend any of our beloved Suspense Sisters' readers, but if it does I apologize in advance. 

Here's what the publisher said about the story: 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.

Here's what I liked about A Fatal Grace: Louise Penny's portrayal of village life. After a bit of research, I learned that the village of Three Pines doesn't exist. The author created it as a composite of several villages around her hometown in the southern townships of Montreal. If it did exist, I would put my house up for sale and move there. Tomorrow. As a fellow resident of a small town, neighbors who truly care about each other are hard to find in today's fast-paced, me-oriented world.

Here's what I didn't like about the story: In my humble opinion, the author bounced around too much between characters' heads and subplots. Since I've never read a book in one sitting nor even close to one sitting, I often had to go back and reread parts to make sure I was in the right place/right time. Not all readers are patient enough to tolerate occasional confusion.

If this sounds like something you would enjoy, you can find A Fatal Grace at your local library.

Have a great week of reading! Mary Ellis, Suspense Sisters