The Grey Wolf is the latest in the ‘Armand Gamache’ series of novels.

Two murders have been reported to the homicide division of the Sûreté du Québec: a woman in the Saguenay region who worked for Canada Post, and a male teacher on the Magdalen Islands. Both victims seem to be law-abiding citizens, unknown to each other.

A research assistant at a not-for-profit organisation requests an appointment with Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, head of homicide. As the assistant leaves the meeting, he’s knocked down and killed by a hit-and-run driver. The driver of the stolen van involved is later found murdered.

Gamache needs to decipher the puzzling information received from the research assistant. The subsequent investigation uncovers political corruption, and a group that is exasperated with the restrictions of democracy.

Humour creeps in now and again but the emphasis is on suspense, especially when Gamache realises there’s a serious threat to the citizens of Québec and has only a limited time to prevent its happening.

The homicide team face danger at every turn … while their families back at home in the village of Three Pines, just north of the United States border, worry and overeat at Olivier’s bistro.

The Grey Wolf is a thriller and, as such, I was happy to accept implausible situations, suspend my disbelief in common sense, and allow credibility to fly out the window. I was not, however, expecting to sit through many tiresome discussions in which the facts are rehashed and the plot does not progress.

A forceful editor with a vigorous red pen was needed before the book went to press.

Reviewed by Clive Hodges

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I live outside a small village south of Montreal, quite close to the American border. My husband Michael and I have long had dogs, all golden retrievers. Bonnie, Maggie, Seamus, Trudy and now Bishop. Some came as puppies, some were adopted as adults. All beloved.

Michael and I were together for 22 years and married for 20. He was the inspiration for Armand Gamache. Kindly, thoughtful, generous, a man of courage and integrity, who both loved and accepted love.

He developed dementia, and died peacefully at home in September 2016, surrounded by the love he’d put into the world for his 83 years.

So now it’s Bishop and me. But we’re far from alone. We have the village, and all our friends including My Assistant Lise, and the indomitable, happy spirit of Michael. And, of course, the company of Armand, Clara, Ruth, Gabri and Olivier et al.

I came to writing later in life. I was well into my 40’s before STILL LIFE, the first ‘Gamache’ novel, was published. I am deeply aware of how lucky I am to be writing, and published, and enjoying success. And believe me, I am enjoying it. It would be such a shame not to appreciate such a gift.

Before being published I was a journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. But Michael’s support allowed me to quit work to write.

He was not only the inspiration for the books, but he made them possible.

If you’d like to know more about our lives, and the life of the books, you can go to the archive of monthly newsletters.

I’m so glad you’ve discovered Three Pines. I’m so glad I did.

Visit Louise Penny’s website