Louise Penny is my new favorite author (link)

[Lex]

5. Yes, just over the border

in a tiny village called "Three Pines" and there are some scenes in Montreal and Quebec.

Lots of casual information in the book about the long-standing tension between the French and English. Stuff I didn't know much about but have learned while reading the series. Interesting background information in each book that sets the mood for the main story. Not boring, complex characters, but not overly so to the point it's bogged down, and well written.