The Brutal Telling

Louise Penny is a beloved Canadian author whose Inspector Gamache mystery series has been a worldwide sensation for decades—starting with the publication of Still Life in 2007. Penny has published 18 mystery novels centered on Sûreté Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, a character inspired by her late husband. The setting of Three Pines is inspired by the small town of Sutton in Quebec, Canada, over the border from northern Vermont. Still Life was well received, and in 2022, Amazon Prime premiered a miniseries based on Inspector Gamache and Three Pines called Three Pines.

The Inspector Gamache mystery series follows the mysteries and developments of characters in the Sûreté and village of Three Pines outside of Montreal. Three Pines is characterized by its peace and quiet—but also its rampant crimes. Because the village is so secluded from city life, it can hide secrets, which makes it a prime setting for mystery and intrigue. Three Pines is characterized by its community, as the villagers are close-knit and generous with one another. It is an idyllic setting that attracts people who want a reprieve from the consumerist mentality of the 21st century.

Inspector Gamache is the hero of the series.