CHARGE: To discover who would crush a daughter to death with a statue of her father?

FACTS: A remote inn, an anniversary getaway, and a family reunion. What could go wrong? Chief Inspector Gamache, on a romantic anniversary trip with his wife, is actually on the scene of the murder of Julia Martin at the magnificent Manoir Bellechasse. /surrounded by her family, Julia Martin is killed by the force of a newly-dedicated statue of her father crushing her to death. Familiar characters Peter and Clara Morrow are there as members of the family reunion group. Who killed Julia? What was the motive? This is a brilliantly written store of love, hate, and intrigue.

VERDICT: Guilty, as charged. This book was magnificent. My favorite, by far, of this series.

CHARGE: To discover who would murder one of the nicest women in Three Pines.

FACTS: Madeline Favreau is a favorite in Three Pines When she dies mysteriously during a seance at the Hadley mansion. Chief Inspector Gamache is sent back to Three Pines. During the cruelest month of April, Inspector Gamache faces overturned chairs, salt, a dead bird, various suspects, and many questions. The story lags a bit when a lingering back story involving Gamache’s past threatens to overtake the true plot. Some prior characters reoccur and one starving artist may be a big break.

VERDICT: Guilty, as charged, but becomes rather bogged down.

CHARGE: To explore the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff on January 30, 1945

FACTS: This historical novel explores the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff during WWII. This was the deadliest disaster in maritime history, through most of us have never heard of it. Approximately 9,000 were killed. Told from the perspective of four different participants, and amazing and devastating story unravels. “Those who are gone are not necessarily lost.”

VERDICT: Guilty, as charged.

CHARGE: To explore the effects of WWI on a small English village

FACTS: As all the men of Chilbury are taken away by WWI, the women decide to defy the vicar’s wishes that the choir be disbanded and continue to sing. They reorganized as the Chibury Ladies’ Choir. We meet women from very different backgrounds as they come together to share all manners of life and death. The novel serves to show the true strength of the women left behind in times of war.

VERDICT: Guilty, as charged.

CHARGE: To discover how CC could be electrocuted in the midst of a curling match in Three Pines without anyone seeing a thing.

FACTS: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is called back to Three Pines to investigate a suspicious death on the day after Christmas. We are re-introduced to some familiar faces, as well as some new arrivals. Some of the facts uncovered are more brutal than the climate of a Canadian winter. What secrets lie hidden beneath seeming innocent facades?

VERDICT: Guilty, as charged.

CHARGE: To discover who killed Jane Neal.

FACTS: In this debut novel we are introduced to Chief Inspector Armand Gamache who is called to the scene of a suspicious death in the town of Three Pines. As Inspector Gamache investigates, he uncovers a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own personal history and possible motives. The Description of the beautiful Canadian setting and its inhabitants is very compelling.

VERDICT: Guilty, as charged. I’m excited tht that this is the first of a series.

CHARGE: To explore brokenness in spirit and i n a community.

FACTS: Virgil Wander experiences a personal crisis which alters his language and memories. As he recovers, he rediscovers his personal history along with the history of his broken town. As he connects in new ways with the town’s inhabitants, he realizes that their destinies are truly intertwined. It is a charming look at the life of a small town dreamer.

VERDICT: Guilty, as charged. This is a magical book.

CHARGE: To discover what happened to Sylvie Lee

FACTS: Amy Lee’s older sister, Sylvie, doesn’t return from a visit to her dying grandmother in the Netherlands. Amy is terrified yet determined as she travels to the lat place Sylvie was known to be. As Amy discovers realities about Sylvie, she learns even more about herself. This is an interesting look at issues of immigration, family dynamics, and the secretes we keep.

VERDICT: Guilty, as charged.

CHARGE: To discover whether constant surveillance, children who weren’t as they originally appeared, or a family that was more than it appeared, would be the motive for murder.

FACTS: Rowan Caine obtains a nanny position with false credentials. Events quickly unravel which lead to her incarceration. The book is made up of letters to her lawyer explaining what has happened. She says she’s not guilty, but who is? “I know what they saw- a crazed woman with a back story more full of holes than a bullet-pocked sign-post.” The plot twists and turns and will catch you unaware.

VERDICT: Guilty, as charged. This is a page-turner!

CHARGE (What was the author trying to say?): Does knowing the date you will die affect the way you live?

FACTS: Four children consult a gypsy known for predicting dates of death. Howwill this knowledge change their lives? Is she accurate or does their belief influence their life choices? I wanted to hatethis book. It is written from four different points of view. I normally prefer a story told chronologically. The opening character lives a life of blatant carnality that I find disturbing. I prefer my literature a little more Victorian. Despite myself, by the time I reached the third child’s story I could not put the book down. The unexpected twists and turns kept me reading. From characters that were not universally likable, I discovered a depth of character and richness that I had not expected. There is a lot to learn and experience from this book.

VERDICT (Was the author successful?): Guilty, as charged. I loved this book!