The fourth installment of the Inspector Gamache series mixes it up with a new locale, the Manoir Bellechasse, were Armand and Reine-Marie are celebrating their wedding anniversary. Joined at the lodge by a tense & petulant family reunion, Gamache’s vacation is interrupted by the discovery of a dead body on the grounds the morning after a violent storm. He resumes his role as the Chief Inspector of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec and begins to uncover what happened. 

Though I love the original setting of Three Pines from the first three books, it was refreshing to have a new spot with the occasional incorporation of past characters. As always, Gamache is a calm, measured, observant presence amongst mystery and distrust. The Finney family added a Succession-esque element to the whole thing with a classic murder mystery vibe. Finally, despite being a murder site, the Bellechasse sounded utterly divine as a spot and made me particularly sad to have missed our annual summer trip to Canada.