A Better Man by Louise Penny

I have posted frequently about Louise Penny’s series of mysteries featuring Armand Gamache from the Quebec village of Three Pines. Her latest, just published this week, is titled A BETTER MAN and focuses on what is likely to be the last case shared by Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir due to the latter’s move to Paris. There are numerous references to past events in the series, especially concerning Gamache’s career and Clara’s progress as an artist, and it is a wonderful adventure to join familiar characters in the small Quebec village. That community once again holds together in the face of threatening natural disaster and psychological pummeling for its inhabitants.  Also tested are the professional relationships between Beauvoir (now commanding his former mentor), Gamache, Isabelle Lacoste, and others.  All of this is deftly developed and portrayed by Penny against the background of a case involving spousal abuse and the tragic death of a young, pregnant woman named Vivienne. As always, I am highly recommending this mystery series by an award-winning author.  Booklist, Library Journal and Publishers Weekly all gave A BETTER MAN starred reviews.