I picked up" Bury Your Dead" not knowing there was a previous book, "The Brutal Telling" - not really a good idea! It is well written, carefully plotted, moves patiently to its conclusion, but refers constantly to events from "The Brutal Telling" "Bury Your Dead" stands well on its own, if one is patient and willing to have the two plots revealed slowly and alternately.

Two murders are being investigated, one by Chief Inspector Armand Gamache in Quebec City, the other by his assistant Beauvoir in the village of Three Pines. Descriptions of Quebec in the deep snowy winter backgrounding the thoughts of the two men are marvelous.

Readers of Louise Penny's series will find this a very satisfying forward step in the Gamache books. Readers like myself, with no background,will be intrigued and mystified.

We are treated to three themes in The Lovers;the widow reflecting on her life,husband and children,The woman alone in a strange culture, and descriptions of the exotic place in Turkey that she visits. The beautiful scenery and luxurious house are combined with her feeling of isolation. The story is gripping, although slightly marred by examples of "fine writing"

AS Byatt must read and research very thoroughly! This book has British history, the Edwardians ,early Socialism in England ,pottery making, The layout of the Victoria & Albert museum in the 1800s, and a great story about people who become very real. If you like nice long heavy books, as I do, you'll love it.