Three Pines

Last night I watched the first two episodes of Three Pines, a television series based on the novels by Louise Penny. The first two episodes were based on the second novel in the series, A Fatal Grace also published under the title Dead Cold.

When C C de Poitiers is murdered at Three Pines, Chief Inspector Gamache and his team discover that she has many enemies as they investigate her murder. Set in Quebec in Canada in the middle of winter the two TV episodes that tell the story also investigate the fate of a young indigenous girl who has disappeared. The episode gradually introduces the viewers to some of the main characters in the books including Armand Gamache, Jean Guy Beauvoir, Isabelle Lacoste, Ruth and the other characters that inhabit the village of Three Pines. No doubt we shall see more of them in coming episodes.

Three Pines puts a darker lens on Louise Penny Series - Crime Reads

Episodes 3 and 4 are based on The Cruellest Month, the third novel in the Armand Gamache Mystery series by Louise Penny. Armand Gamache and his team investigate the disappearance of a man last seen in the former home for indigenous children in Three Pines. They eventually locate his body hidden in the basement of the former school. The history of mistreatment of children attending the school is uncovered as police investigate the murder. Armand and Isabelle continue their investigations (from the previous episodes) into the disappearance of an another girl.

Episodes 5 and 6 are based on A Rule Against Murder, the fourth novel in the Armand Gamanche Mystery series. Armand Nad his wife are celebrating their wedding anniversary at a hotel when a body is found. The hotel is owned by members of the Morrow family. Meanwhile investigations continue into the disappearance of the missing indigenous girl, Blue. The young man who has been helping Isabelle Lacoste with the enquiries is found dead.

Episodes 7 and 8 are entitled The Hangman. A man visiting the village is found hanged in the nearby forest. He had previously accused residents of Three Pines of hiding a secret. When the bodies of two young people are found in the forrest, Armand and his team discover police involvement in their deaths.

Three Pines was a gripping series to watch however the portrayal of the residents of Three Pines, a focal point of the novels, was missing from the television series. Aspects from plots of the early novels were included with the running story of the mistreatment of indigenous Canadians - a plotline created for the television series. The series was worth watching but to fully appreciate the atmosphere of the community of Three Pines you need to read the novels.