A Trick of the Light (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #7)

by Louise Penny

“There was a murder in Clara’s village, Three Pines—” “Yes, Dad has mentioned that. Seems like a cottage industry there.”

Armand Gamache knew no good ever came from putting up walls. What people mistook for safety was in fact captivity. And few things thrived in captivity.

“Nothing huge,” said Gamache. “It never is. Most of us are brought down by a bunch of tiny transgressions. Little things that add up until we collapse under them. It’s fairly easy to avoid doing the big bad things, but it’s the hundred mean little things that’ll get you eventually. If you listen to people long enough you realize it’s not the slap or the punch, but the whispered gossip, the dismissive look. The turned back. That’s what people with any conscience are ashamed of. That’s what they drink to forget.”

Sobriety isn’t for cowards, Chief Inspector. Whatever you might think of an alcoholic, to get sober, really sober demands great honesty, and that demands great courage. Stopping drinking’s the easy part. Then we have to face ourselves. Our demons. How many people are willing to do that?”

Never underestimate the power of greed, Chief Inspector. Or ego.” “I’ll make a note of that, merci.” Gamache smiled

There were worse things than not meeting God. Meeting Him, for instance.