FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it important to read the books in order?
Well, it's not essential. Each book is written to be self-standing, and most newcomers to the series have no difficulty picking up on issues that are explored in more depth in past books. Indeed, it's vital to me that readers know the characters have pasts, and the particular book they're reading is part of a continuum - a glimpse at their lives at that moment. If anything from the past is important, I'll explain it. Otherwise, some issues are alluded to, but only as a means of showing the characters have lives.
Having said that, there is a strong, and growing, character development arc throughout the books. I think of the books as having two streams - one is the plot - the crime. The other is the personal life of the characters. The first will, for the most part, be contained in a single book. The character development, though, gets deeper and deeper across the series.
The short answer? It's not necessary to read previous books - but it is recommended.
What is the order of the books?
STILL LIFE
A FATAL GRACE / DEAD COLD
THE CRUELEST MONTH
A RULE AGAINST MURDER / THE MURDER STONE
THE BRUTAL TELLING
BURY YOUR DEAD
A TRICK OF THE LIGHT
THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY
HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN
THE LONG WAY HOME
THE NATURE OF THE BEAST
A GREAT RECKONING
GLASS HOUSES
KINGDOM OF THE BLIND
A BETTER MAN
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE
THE MADNESS OF CROWDS
STATE OF TERROR (co-written with Hillary Clinton)
A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES
THE GREY WOLF
THE BLACK WOLF
THE LAST MANDARIN (co-written with Mellissa Fung) (May 26)
MISS WOLCOTT’S GHOST (Oct 26)
As you can see, some books have different titles. The first listed is for the US, the second is for the UK and Commonwealth, including Canada.
Why do some books have different titles?
It's not ideal - that's for sure. The publishers in the US and UK felt, in some cases, that the title just wouldn't work for their readers. It wasn't done for extra money, or to annoy, or as any sort of scheme. It was done purely because they felt their title was better, for the book and the market. And titles, whether I like it or not, are quite important - especially for readers new to a series. It can turn people off, or draw them to a book.
Do you have bookclub questions for the Armand Gamache books?
We have some discussion questions that you might find helpful. Click to visit our book club page.
Do you have a Three Pines characters list
Here's a list of the repeating characters from the Three Pines series: -
Armand Gamache – Chief Inspector Surete du Quebec
Reine Marie Gamache – Armand’s wife
Jean-Guy Beauvoir – Armand’s #2 at the Surete du Quebec
Isabelle Lacoste – of the Surete du Quebec
Clara Morrow - Artist
Peter Morrow - Artist
Ruth – Poet
Myrna – Bookstore owner
Olivier – Bistro co-owner
Gabri – Olivier’s partner – runs the B&B
Monsieur Beliveau – Runs the General Store
Sarah – The baker – runs the Boulangerie
Henri - The Gamache’s German Shepherd
Rosa – Ruth’s duck
Do you have a pronunciation guide for the books?
Yes we do, for the first 5 books only. Links to follow*
STILL LIFE
A FATAL GRACE / DEAD COLD
THE CRUELEST MONTH
A RULE AGAINST MURDER / THE MURDER STONE
THE BRUTAL TELLING
In some of the books, Chief Inspector Gamache tells new agents the four sayings that can lead to wisdom - four sentences his own mentor taught him. What are they?
I was wrong
I'm sorry
I don't know
I need help
Is Bean a boy or a girl? (A RULE AGAINST MURDER / THE MURDER STONE)
I left it intentionally without an answer - leaving it up to you to decide. And underscoring that the most important question, and one the Morrows fail to ask is: Is Bean happy?.
Which book mentions Gamache's wedding prayer?
It's in Bury Your Dead.
Does Three Pines exist? Where can I find it?
Sorry to have to tell you that the village only exists on the page, and in your imagination. But it is inspired by the communities I know in Quebec's Eastern Townships. Knowlton, Sutton, North Hatley, Georgeville - to name a few.
Is Café Three Pines open in Knowlton Quebec?
Yes, it’s open. For more information, click to visit the official Louise Penny Café Three Pines.
Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays).
You can find out more at 3pinescafe.ca.
Do you have a Three Pines tour?
You can visit Louise’s local village of Knowlton, where guided tours of the places that inspired her writing run from May to October.
Here’s a link to the official Louise Penny approved tour.
Are there any tours available when visiting Quebec City?
Yes ther's a GAMACHE / BURY YOUR DEAD guided tour of Quebec City is now available exclusively through Marie Legroulx click here to visit her website - for further information contact her via email info@buryyourdeadtours.com
The good people of the Literary and Historical Society (Morrin Centre) are also onboard. Bon voyage et Vive Gamache!
Is Murder by the Book available for library fundraising?
Libraries have always meant a great deal to me, so I’m especially pleased to share this.
Murder by the Book, a library-set murder mystery play written by Laura Teasdale, is available through the Playwrights Guild of Canada. Laura very generously created this charming and witty piece, and I was delighted to sponsor it so that it could be offered free to libraries around the world for fundraising.
If your library is looking for something a little different, I hope this brings both laughter and support to your community.
where can I download it?
You can download the royalty-free script directly from the Playwrights Guild of Canada’s online library here.
newsletter - sign up
If you wish you can sign up to receive my monthly newsletter, where I share book news, reflections and a glimpse of my life behind the scenes. You can sign up using the links here, in either English or French.
