In this 5th book in the 'Chief Inspector Armand Gamache' series, the homicide detective investigates an especially murky killing in Three Pines. The book can be read as a standalone, but knowledge of the characters is a plus.
*****
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, head of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec, has solved many murders in the beautiful village of Three Pines. (In fact Three Pines is a hotbed of homicide. Beautiful or not, I'd think twice about moving there. 😏)
As a result of his many inquiries, Gamache has become friendly with the residents of Three Pines, including B&B owners Gabri and Olivier. The partners run the combination inn and bistro together, and their rapport with Gamache makes it tricky to investigate when the B&B is the site of a crime.
Gabri and Olivier's bistro is a popular dining destination, and the townsfolk are shocked when the body of a murdered man is found there one morning.
Gamache and his homicide squad - which consists of Agent Jean-Guy Beauvoir and Agent Isabelle Lacoste - arrive in Three Pines to investigate, and arrange to remain in town during their inquiries.
The homicide team sets up an situation room, examines the bistro, sends out evidence to be analyzed, and interviews the residents of Three Pines. The detectives learn that the victim had no identification on him, and no one admits to recognizing him. Gabri and Olivier claim they have no idea how the body came to be in their establishment, but acknowledge that the key to the bistro is right outside, available to everyone.
In time, the detectives assemble a handful of clues:
The victim was murdered elsewhere, then moved to the bistro.
The victim was killed with a blunt instrument and has tallow in the wound.
The victim looks like he's seventy, but is in fact fiftyish.
A local Czech man saw a stranger lurking in the woods near his home.
A couple that plans to open a spa/restaurant in Three Pines have contentious relations Gabri and Olivier.
When the detectives eventually discover the cabin where the victim was killed, they find that it contains an unimaginable treasure trove of artworks, gorgeous pottery, rare books, crystal goblets, silver goods, objects from the Amber Room looted by the Nazis, valuable carvings, cash, and much more.....a bonanza worth MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
In addition, the cabin contains what appear to be clues written in cypher - such as a carving with the word WOO - which the homicide investigators and other experts try to decipher.
In the course of the investigation, Gamache even hops a plane to British Columbia, to speak to people who may have a connection with the victim. To say more about the plot would be a spoiler.
An ancillary storyline involves Clara and Peter Morrow, married artists who live in Three Pines. Until now, Peter has been the big success in the family.....
......and he's jealous that Clara, who's about to have her first solo show, is on the cusp of becoming famous. Peter even considers sabotaging his wife. (Can you imagine? 😝)
Of course, no Armand Gamache novel is complete without the eccentric old poet Ruth and her duck Rosa, who puts on something of a fashion show in her hand-me-down toddler clothes.
This is a good mystery with the author's usual twists and turns, but too many surprises to be believable (in my view). Nevertheless, I'd recommend the book to readers who like mysteries, especially fans of Louise Penny.
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