Glass Houses by Louise Penny

GLASS HOUSES by Louise Penny is another excellent mystery (following A Great Reckoning and The Nature of the Beast) featuring Armand Gamache, his wife Reine-Marie, son-in-law and colleague Jean-Guy, plus numerous village residents and members of the judiciary and police forces.  In this stellar addition, Penny divides the narrative between Judge Maureen Corriveau’s first homicide case in Montreal (where Gamache is testifying) and the Quebecois village of Three Pines where a murder occurred.  The deceased was wearing a black hood and robes, perhaps acting as a “debt collector,” or Conscience, of sorts. But who was the target? Someone from the village or one of the college friends making an annual visit to the B and B? As Gamache and his force try to solve the local murder, they are also battling widespread drug trafficking and powerful cartels. Consequently, GLASS HOUSES explores moral questions from several perspectives.  And, as always, Penny weaves a suspenseful tale, culminating in exciting, action-filled scenes. GLASS HOUSES received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, and Library Journal.  

This series is an absolute favorite and highly recommended. Not to be ignored is the Author’s Note with Penny’s comments about Three Pines: “The village does not exist physically.... Three Pines is a state of mind. When we choose tolerance over hate. Kindness over cruelty. Goodness over bullying. When we choose to be hopeful, not cynical.  Then we live in Three Pines.”