The Long Way Home

Perhaps starting in the middle of a series is not the best way to read a novel. This was my first Louise Penny, and although I liked it, it didn't live up to the expectations I had based on the love my friends have for Louise Penny novels. Armand Gamache is newly retired after some traumatic event that is only alluded to, and his friends and family eye him anxiously to make sure he is okay. When one of the residents of Three Pines, the village Gamache and his wife are living in, confides her worry about her missing husband, though, he is drawn back into the life of a detective.

For all that it constantly refers to the hard and dangerous life of a detective, this book is wrapped in coziness. There are characters whose sole function is “lovable crank” or “supportive friend.” The characters spend evenings eating communal meals which are described with detail a foodie would appreciate. When it comes to detection, Gamache often gleans information from small details that the reader is not privy to until much later, which I find annoying.

This story takes place among a community of artists, and deals with artistic inspiration, authenticity, and risk taking. The subject matter was interesting, and I liked the setting of Quebec, but I was not bowled over by this book. I think I will read the first in the series before I give up on Louise Penny, though.