The Madness of Crowds

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, first published in 1841 by Charles Mackay, is a collection of essays investigating why groups of people can believe ridiculous and sometimes dangerous things. The book is mentioned several times in the novel as well as providing the novel's title. Considering some of the events and theories expounded in the world recently, much of Mackay's book would appear to remain relevant.

It is winter in Three Pines between Christmas and New Year and Chief Inspector Armand Gamache receives an unusual request to arrange security for a speaker at the local university. He becomes concerned when he realises that the speaker is Professor Abigail Robinson, a statitician who has examined the effects of COVID-19 on the country's economy and has come up with a solution that is not only immoral but threatens to divide the country.

Armand wants to have the lecture cancelled without success and part way through Professor Robinson's talk there is a distraction in the crowd followed by an attempt to murder the speaker. Days later, on New Year's Eve, when the members of the Three Pines community are celebrating, a body is found in the woods. Armand, Jean-Guy Beauvoir and Isabelle Lacoste investigate. 

Investigating this crime proves far from easy especially as more is revealed about the past lives of the most obvious suspects. The detectives are not just solving a crime. To do so, they need to try to understand why people become involved in horrendous deeds then attempt to justify their actions through subsequent good deeds. They also need to explore their own beliefs and feelings and yet  rationally investigate the crimes laid before them. There is also the need to unravel the thin line between free speech and hate speech.

In each new book it is good to meet the members of the Three Pines community once more as they support each other through joyous or difficult times.The books in this series are not just crime novels. They are a study of individuals living and supporting each other in a close community. There are also snippits of poetry, philosopy, art and politics scattered throughout the novel futher providing readers with a three dimensional understanding of the characters. This book is another addition to a great series.