26 - DEAD COLD or A FATAL GRACE : LOUISE PENNY

From Booklist

Quebec Surete Inspector Armand Gamache, who made his debut in Still Life (2006), returns in this enjoyable follow-up. An almost universally disliked, even hated, woman is murdered. Naturally, the pool of potential murderers is deep, ranging from the victim's lover to her friends (well, acquaintances) to various others in the small Canadian community of Three Pines. Gamache, a smart and likable investigator--think Columbo with an accent, or perhaps a modern-day Poirot--systematically wades his way through the pool, coming upon a few surprises along the way. Penny is a careful writer, taking time to establish character and scene, playing around with a large cast, distracting us so we won't see the final twists coming until they're upon us. This is a fine mystery in the classic Agatha Christie style, and it is sure to leave mainstream fans wanting more.

It's confusing when a book has 2 titles depending on edition..I think Dead Cold suits the story best. Part of me wishes I hadn't read the latest book first. There would be more mystery in watching the characters develop and there would be no foreknowledge of certain events but I wouldn't have wanted to miss finding this series. On to the next one.