The Bench

The bench is a symbol of peace. The book begins with Gamache and Clara sitting together in this book, first searching for, and then enjoying peace.

Gamache’s Book

Gamache’s book is a symbol of the search for peace and healing. The book he reads a bit of each day is titled The Balm in Gilead. It was his father’s book. Gamache found it on his father’s nightstand the night he was killed in a car wreck. Gamache reads the book hoping to find peace and emotional healing after he intentionally killed a fellow police officer.

Weed Centerpiece

This weed centerpiece that Myrna notices is a symbol of perspective. Myrna is at first upset because she had told Reine-Marie multiple times that the flowers she has picked are weeds. After Reine-Marie points out how pretty the flowers are, Myrna looks at them...