How a Montreal Massacre survivor became a character in a Louise Penny detective novel

Yesterday was the sad anniversary of the mass murder of fourteen young women at École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989.

World of Curiosities is the 18th novel in Penny's bestselling mystery novel series that revolves around protagonist Armand Gamache, a chief inspector with the Sûreté du Québec.

The newest book reveals that Gamache was a young paramedic when the Montreal Massacre happened, and that he treated a fictionalized version of Provost at the scene.

That traumatic memory inspired Gamache to become a staunch advocate for gun reform — much like Provost in real life.

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