A Fatal Grace is the second installment of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, when he is called back to the small town of Three Pines to investigate another murder. This time the victim is someone everyone disliked, though the crime was almost impossible to pull off. So there were plenty of motives but not enough opportunities.
I thought the murder mystery was interesting enough, though the solution felt a little far-fetched, since a bunch of things had to have happened for the murderer to remain secret. I enjoyed being back at Three Pines, with its cozy neighborly feel, and some of the lovely characters from the first book make appearances in this one too. As a result, this is a series best read in order, since the reappearance of characters and their conversations do give hints about the outcome of previous books.
One thing I didn't like is the focus that someone is out to get Gamache, related to his previous Arnot case that had been briefly mentioned in the first book too. This story, murder investigation, and detectives are interesting enough to stand on their own. It comes across as rather forced to read about this other tangential issue, as if without a overarching nemesis, this series would fall apart. Also, the annoying and incredibly weird Agent Nichol is back, acting simultaneously slavish and petulant through every scene she is in. Ugh, I really wish she would either grow up or stop showing up in this series.
In general, I'm enjoying this series. I love the cozy backdrop of Three Pines, the interesting murders, and Gamache's thoughtfulness and intelligence. I just wish the other peripheral dramas would be kept to a minimum.
Readaroo Rating: 3 stars
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