The village of Three Pines is both a setting and a symbol. Three Pines is a symbol of community, quiet, and undercurrents of danger. For many villagers, Three Pines represents a new start. It is where people escape the stress of cities to find true happiness. It is a respite, a sanctuary. However, the village has its own stresses, such as the pressure to fit in with the tight-knit community. Three Pines is a neighborly place but can feel closed off to outsiders. The small size of the town both protects and endangers it. Crimes occur in and around Three Pines, exposing secrets. Because of this, the village is attached to Inspector Gamache, who has led a local homicide investigation more than once. The villagers are respectful of and welcoming to Gamache, as he is an honorary member of their community. Yet, Gamache is still an outsider in his own way.

In The Brutal Telling, the Hermit’s cabin is a symbol of isolation. Though within walking distance of Three Pines, it is safely ensconced in the depths of the forest, a private oasis for a man—Jakob—who is hiding from his own betrayal. The cabin is made in the