Armand Gamache

Armand Gamache is the main character and principle protagonist in Louise Penny's novel "The Beautiful Mystery". In his late fifties, Gamache is a Chief Inspector with the Surete du Quebec, and is married to Reine-Marie, and their daughter is Annie. Gamache is a kind and courageous man, whose adherence to honesty, justice, and principle stands above all else. Though he believes in God and in Jesus Christ, Gamache is not a regular church goer, yet he finds tremendous peace and solitude when he goes to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert to investigate the murder of Brother Mathieu. Gamache is deeply moved by the beautiful Gregorian chants the brothers sing.

Gamache, working with his partner, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, ultimately track down the killer monk, a young religious zealot named Luc. At the same time, Gamache's own worst enemy, Superintendent Francoeur, arrives to sow dissension between Gamache and Beauvoir. Gamache confronts...