Reply To: How do the different locations in The Grey Wolf affect the tone of the novel?
I really enjoy when LP takes us out of Three Pines into different parts of the world, because I feel she never does it gratuitously; there is always a plot-driven reason for the characters to be where they are, and it always sets a different tone when our beloved characters become fish out of water, basically. In this instance, sending Isabelle to Europe and JG to the USA while having Armand going to various locations in Canada upped the ante for suspense and tested the characters individually regarding their resourcefulness and competency while also showcasing how well these three work together in a crisis. It shows that these people can hold their own and do amazing work not only in a smaller, quieter setting, but also on a global scale. It engaged me emotionally, raised the tension, and I wanted everyone to do well, be successful, and be safe. I absolutely love Three Pines and the villagers, and think they are essential to the stories, but I feel the stories are driven by Armand and his team most of all; they are the responders to, and solvers of, the crimes that occur that move the plots forward, and given the scope of their jobs, I do expect them to have cases that take them out into the larger world at times. I will gladly follow them there, and will also be comforted and uplifted when they return to Three Pines, to the people who help keep them sane in an often insane world.
