“Not everything needed to be brought into the light, he knew. Not every truth needed to be told. And he knew she was right. He’d seen their faces as she’d fled. She’d said too much. He didn’t understand it, couldn’t see it, but he knew something foul had just come to light, come to life.” – Louise Penny, A Rule Against Murder

When I referred to Penny’s novels as ‘cozy’ mysteries back in the April Line Up post, I didn’t realize that was an actual thing. Cozy mysteries are apparently mystery stories that are not too graphic or too dark, which is an apt description for this series. The main character is Inspector Gamache; head of the homicide team for the Surete du Quebec, Gamache is intelligent and a refined. The novels are set primarily in Quebec, usually alternating between Montreal and the tiny village of Three Pines. While Penny certainly creates intricate plots, her writing does not embrace many tropes of typical mystery series: there are lots of references to art and poetry and music in her books. The female characters are strong and savvy. But what I love most about Penny’s writing is the sense of atmosphere she is able to develop. There is a strong sense of place in her novels and she contextualizes the setting with smatterings of Quebec’s (and Canada’s) culture, history and politics without it overshadowing the story. These are the novels I come back to when I need a break and just want to settle in with characters who feel as familiar as friends.

A Rule Against Murder is set at a remote country manoir where Gamache and his wife are staying. The other guests are members of the Morrow family – wealthy, English and Québécois – all there for a reunion. The Morrows are a family fraught with malice and secrets and when one of them is murdered, it brings to the surface things that have been hidden for years.  The murder and subsequent investigation play out in ways that keep you guessing. One of Penny’s strengths is her ability to create characters that have depth and she uses this depth to add the intrigue in the plot.

I think that her writing really takes off after this book. While this is a good novel, the ones that come later in the series are stronger, in my opinion. I particularly like the later ones set in the village of Three Pines. If you like mysteries and haven’t picked up one of her novels, her fifth, The Brutal Telling might be a good place to start.

If you are reading something you love this spring, drop me a line and let me know. I love hearing other people talk about books they are passionate about. Until next week, happy reading!