A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny, 389 pgs.
Armand Gamache has his work cut out for him as the newest commander of the Canadian Surete Academy--especially since his appointment directly followed the exposure of a vast system of corruption which reached even the institution's highest levels. Even those closest to Commander Gamache doubt him and his plans to attack a problem so deeply systemic, particularly after he makes some questionable decisions. Doubts surrounding his plans come to a head when a murder occurs on the Academy campus, under his watch. Does Commander Gamache have everything under control? Has he taken on more than he can handle?
This twelfth book in the Three Pines mystery series has one of the most interesting secondary plots (i.e. the non-murder plot). While the murder and its solving are very important and interesting in their own right, what compelled me most about this book was the fight Gamache wages against corruption through an attempt to build a strong foundation in learning agents. Additionally, readers get to experience beloved characters like Gamache and Beauvoir as teachers rather than agents, in a school rather than a case, which is an interesting change. This one gets really dark and takes some big leaps, but it is definitely worth it as one of the best books in the series so far.
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