Kingdom of the Blind & A Better Man

A Better Man. Louise Penny. 2019.

The latest in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series is coming out later this month.  Amazon has told me this for weeks and in pre-ordering the book, I somehow became aware of the fact that I had missed the last two books in the series.  I have had a delightful week, addicted to these two marvelous stories of the provincial community of Three Pines in Quebec, where there is spotty cell service and a host of delightful and quirky neighbors.  This is one of my all time favorite series.  Recommended initially by my friend Mina, I have loved every one of them

Kingdom of the Blind. Louise Penny. 2018.

Both of these weave who-done-it murder mysteries in with other story lines in complex, yet believable ways.  I can't say enough about the character and story development.  The writing is rich, but not pretentious.  I am so excited for the newest one to release.  Reading two in a row is reminiscent of the delight you find when you discovery the first books in a new series that resonates with you.  

Also, I have adapted to the new narrator after one of my all-time favorite narrators died in the middle of this series.

I highly recommend this entire series and if you like these, you might also consider the Detective Kate Martinelli by Lori King, which is my other favorite murder-mystery, detective series, also initially recommended by the same Mina.

A side note: Kingdom of the Blind has some trans characters who are not presented in a favorable light, nor developed as full characters. They are presented a sex workers and addicts and offensive language is used to refer to them.  In general their treatment is not inconsistent with the negative way in which law enforcement in Canada and the US  are notorious for treating trans-feminine people living on the margins.  From such a talented author, this was a disappointment.

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