The Long Way Home is the 10th episode in the Armand Gamache/Three Pines series. These books are set in rural Quebec, in an area known as the Eastern Townships, which lie southeast of Montreal and just north of Vermont. Armand Gamache used to work for the Surete du Quebec, the provincial police force. The Surete's main office is based in Montreal, and Gamache was in the habit of investigating crimes that took place in or around the remote village of Three Pines.

Alas! Armand Gamache has retired from the Surete, after he cleaned up much of its administrative mess. He and Reine-Marie have moved to Three Pines, into Emilie Longpre's former home. Jean-Guy Beauvoir has married Annie Gamache, and they visit often from Montreal. Isabelle Lacoste has been promoted to Chief Inspector. Life seems brighter for many now, compared to what it was just one book ago.

Yet not for all. Clara Morrow is concerned that her estranged husband Peter has not returned after more than a year of agreed-upon separation. She asks Armand to find out what he can about Peter's whereabouts. He and Jean-Guy begin an informal investigation. They soon get research and speculation assistance from Clara, Myrna, Reine-Marie and even Ruth. Eventually Armand, Jean-Guy, Clara and Myrna embark on a road trip that leads first to the Charlevoix region of Quebec, northeast of Quebec City, and then even farther east along the St. Lawrence River. They hope to be following in Peter's footsteps. But how far behind him are they? Will they succeed in finding him? And if they do: Will he still be alive?

This missing-person search provides a bit of a respite from the usual homicide case. And it's only natural that members of Three Pines' inner circle get involved in helping their friend Clara. By now, we care deeply about these characters, and we obviously want only the best for them. We celebrate when they celebrate. We hurt when they hurt. And yet: we wouldn't be treated to such compelling stories if their lives were perfect and beautiful, all of the time.

As usual, with these books: the denouement comes right down to the last 10 pages, when the action suddenly changes, escalates and terrifies. Be sure to keep breathing. A satisfying ending will show up in the last few lines on the last page.

You may assume that since Gamache has retired, his daily life will settle down accordingly. But you should also know Gamache (and author Louise Penny) better by now. He'll always be a curious investigator. He's not the kind of person who can sit idly by when someone else is in trouble. More adventures and challenges lie ahead for the Chief Inspector, I assure you.

I always recommend reading the books in this wonderful series in order. The Long Way Home can be a stand-alone read; but I guarantee that (a) you'll want to know how Clara and Peter got to this point in their relationship, and (b) you'll want to keep interacting with this place and with these characters. These folks and their lives grow on you. So keep on going! There really is no choice but to read all of the episodes.