Linda's Reviews > The Beautiful Mystery

The Beautiful Mystery is a locked room or rather a locked monastery mystery: the prior and musical director of a remote, 24 member monastery in rural Quebec in murdered. The question is, which one is the killer? Although the plot line sounds familiar, the book’s strength lies in its rich historical detail. The monastery is renowned for its Gregorian chants, which become the focal point of the mystery. Louise Penny skillfully intertwines the history of chants, their relation to the history of music, Catholic spirituality, and the role of religion in the Quebecois's lives. She also uses the remote setting as a place where the ongoing series characters Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir confront their demons. The intricate plotting, historical detail, and character study make for a satisfying read and a much-needed escape.