Three Pines is a murder mystery series by Louise Penny. These books have now been turned into a TV series. I haven’t seen the entire series, as it is coming out in sections. But I have seen the first four episodes of Three Pines, which seems to cover two books. 

I feel I should take a moment to make a disclaimer: I read one book in this series and it was not the first book. So I don’t know anything about Three Pines or Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his detective team. I don’t know how accurate the TV episodes are to the book series. I can say that I like what I am currently watching. The series takes place in Quebec, in a small town outside of Montreal. Since the main character is part of the police, he speaks French. Recognizing the largely English audience, most of the dialogue is in English – but not all. They still switch to French on a regular basis – which I find helps to reinforce the characters and world building. Also the French is subtitled so I can actually follow what is being said. Oftentimes these are background comments being made that enhance the flavour but not the plot. For instance, the assistant constable calls for additional support from Headquarters when a body is found in French at the end of a scene. Even if you don’t read the subtitles, you are not missing out on important information. 

The current pattern as each mystery requiring two episodes to solve. However, in the background, there is another case that the detectives are slowly working on. I think this is to provide an overreaching narrative to the series. Interestingly, they have decided to tackle the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women. Infact, the creators have leaned in heavily to the conflict between colonists and First Nation People in Canada. I don’t know how much is true to the books and how much is being added to reflect current times, but it is interesting to see discussion about residential schools and the lasting harm they caused brought into more mainstream TV. I cannot speak for anyone but myself, however, it seems they are presenting these issues in a meaningful and thoughtful manner. It certainly adds the feeling of relevance to the series that I don’t get with most cop shows on TV – which are generally pure escapism from reality. 

The acting is good. There is certainly a range of colourful characters existing in the small village of Three Pines. Though much like Midsommer (England), it is not a place I want to live for there are far too many murders! 🙂  I do like the show and happily give it 4.5 stars out of 5. For a cop drama, I think it is just different enough to make it interesting and just similar enough to make it fun to watch.