This is the first book of a mystery series featuring Chief Inspector Gamache, a Canadian investigator. The book is set in Three Pines, a small community where everyone believes they know everyone's stories. The story starts with a murder, a retired school teacher, Jane Neal, is found dead in the woods. Chief Inspector Gamache is brought in to solve the case.
Penny gives us a world of eccentric, small town people. There are plenty of motivations swirling around on who could have killed Jane Neal. Gamache is established as an investigator who takes pride in his work, who expects excellence from his staff, who wants to be a mentor, who, as a city person brought in for this case, wants to understand these people. It was a geniuinely fun read, and I am officially committed to this series. I want to continue to follow Gamache.
