"A Rule Against Murder"

"A Rule Against Murder" is the 4th book, I believe, in Louise Penny's  Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mystery series.  Armand and his wife, Reine-Marie, are celebrating their wedding anniversary just like they do every year in an isolated but luxurious inn in the woods on a lake not far from the village of Three Pines (where Armand has investigated several murders and made several friends.) 

Their vacation starts out very restful while they observe the goings and comings of the Finney family who have come to the inn to celebrate their father.  There's mom and dad, 2 sisters,  a grandchild, a brother and his wife, and another brother and his wife on the way.  The Gamache's are in for a surprise when the last brother to arrive is a couple they know well from Three Pines.

Peripherally, there is the owner and staff of the inn and the interactions between and among themselves and with the guests making for some very interesting dynamics.  The peaceful setting (other than the squabbling which seems to be a constant among the Finney siblings) is disturbed when a murder occurs.  Armand's vacation is interrupted while his team arrives to assist in the investigation and Reine-Marie is sent off to Three Rivers where preparations are being made for Canada Day (their anniversary) and where Armand believes she will be safer.

This is an incredibly rich and complex book -- maybe one of my favorites yet of Penny's Gamache series.  and I'm looking forward to her next one which is already on its way. 

Truth gleaned from this book - Count your blessings every day!  pazt