Review of A RULE AGAINST MURDER by Louise Penny

 3 Stars

The fourth Armand Gamache book takes place at the Manoir Bellechasse rather than in Three Pines. 

Armand and his wife Reine-Marie are staying at the exclusive resort to celebrate their wedding anniversary.  The other guests are the Finney family; they have gathered for a family reunion.  As expected, one of the Finneys is killed so Gamache and his team investigate.  The story has the feel of a locked-room mystery because the murderer is certainly one of the guests or staff.  What is particularly unusual is the method used to kill; it is even more of a mystery than the identity and motive of the killer.

In some ways it was a relief to have the book set outside of Three Pines because after the first three books, it felt like Cabot Cove.  For those missing the idyllic village, there is a visit where some of the residents make an appearance.  Clara and Peter Morrow once again are central figures.  The character of Peter has always troubled me to some extent, especially his jealousy, and this book does go a long way to explaining the reasons for his personality. 

There is a truly dysfunctional family in this book.  There is little to like about the Finneys; they are totally obnoxious, always making nasty comments to each other.  They hold grudges and resentments.  Behaviours that they adopted as children, as they competed for their father’s love and attention, continue into adulthood.  There are some attempts to show some positive qualities, but I found them unconvincing.  A loving father would be angry with his daughter when some graffiti defames and degrades her?  Why wouldn’t Irene Finney tell her adult children about her chronic pain that made even touch painful?  Surely saying something loving wouldn’t increase that pain?  And Marianne Finney is so intelligent and creative and successful, but names her child Bean so a grandmother won’t know her grandchild’s gender? 

There are other weak justifications for behaviour.  The killer’s motive is unconvincing since the victim is totally innocent and merely an expedient scapegoat.  And the method of murder takes days to execute so is it supposed to be a premeditated crime or a crime of passion?  And as in A Fatal Grace, there are so many variables that the killer could not control (like ensuring that the victim would be in a particular spot during a storm) so had to have a great deal of luck. 

Readers of Penny’s novels will find it easy to find the usual Penny touches.  There’s the detailed description of food, an overweight character, and the Agatha Christie gathering at the end.  I did find the tea party before the killer is taken into custody a bit over-the-top.  Gamache, again, is almost sanctified.  The climactic scene which also equates him as a Burgher of Calais willing to sacrifice himself for others is a bit much.  Attempts to give him flaws are weak because he always recognizes and admits his errors. 

Everything – except Bean’s gender – is tied up nicely at the end.  Since this book explains much about Peter Morrow, I am wondering whether further books in the series will delve into the backstories of other Three Pines characters.  I think other village residents probably have interesting histories as well.