"The Brutal Telling"

"The Brutal Telling" by Louise Penny is the fifth book, I believe, in her Chief Inspector Gamache mystery series.  In the midst of a private conversation with his daughter, Annie, Gamache reluctantly leaves to investigate a murder in Three Pines.  He believed Annie had something troubling her that she wanted to share with him and regrets that his work often interrupts family moments.

It's nearing the end of the long Labor Day weekend when everyone's holidays are over and they return to town but a body has been discovered in the middle of Olivier and Gabri's bistro.  The first task is to identify the man because there is no identity on the body and no one seems to know who he is.  When lies are uncovered, Olivier seems to be the chief suspect.  Will his and Gabri's relationship survive the lies he's kept hidden from his partner as well as his friends in Three Pines?

This is another excellent tale woven by Louise Penny with characters that have so much depth that I feel like I live in Three Pines and they're all my friends.  I can see myself sitting in front of a fireplace in the bistro with a glass of wine and a plate of excellent food.  This is also a novel full of questions.....

Peter Morrow seems to have come to terms with his wife, Clara's about-to-be newfound fame.  However, Clara is faced with a dilemma.  Does she confront Roger Fortin, the man who can bring her fame and fortune, about his unkind and homophobic remarks about her friend, Gabri, and risk losing her chance to be discovered or does she keep quiet?

Ruth Zardo, one of the recurring characters in Three Pines mysteries -- and she is a character even if she is a renowned poet -- is still treating her duck, Rosa, like her child -- dressing her in coats and sweaters to prepare her for the winter ahead.  Will Rosa be willing to stay through the winter or will the call of the wild birds overhead heading south for the winter be too tempting for her?  Will Ruth be able to let her go and is Rosa willing to go?

There's a new family in town, too -- the Gilbert's -- who have totally made over the Hadley house and taken the scene of murders and added new life and light to it.  They plan to open an expensive bed and breakfast and spa.  Will they be accepted by the townspeople?  Do they have secrets to be revealed? 

Don't miss this (or any of the other novels in this series) - I tried to put it down but ended up reading through the night so allow yourself time to immerse yourself in the book and Three Pines when you pick it up. pazt