I’ve been reading in publication order: although I recommend that (for context/character development), I agree with velomont. 
ETA: So far, publication order is also chronological order.
All-righty! Oh boy, a new series to read! 
I’d recommend publication order. I started a little ways into the series after my wife recommended one of them to me, and I was a bit lost at the familiarity of the characters, etc. There is a sub-plot from the past surrounding the Native population and the Surete du Quebec (the Franceur/Arnot subplot in the show that I mentioned is running in the present), and several of the books do continue plot points from prior books, and the characters realistically age and develop relationships throughout the series.
You’re not meant to “figure out” the mysteries, really, though you will be given intriguing clues as the plot progresses. Oh, and the food! The show leaves out the food, but I often wondered how the characters were not all four hundred lbs from all the food they were described as eating
I rarely try to figure out mysteries. If I think I have figured out whodunnit, I lose interest. I like surprises.
I like the sound of that!
heh if I like the series like in blocks *burglar *series if im a few books in mystery usually ends up being not important as I just want to read about the people …
YES! Ha! 
Definitely read them in publication order. I read an early one and then a later one. If I had decided to read more from the middle, the later one had given away many major character development and plot points that would have lessened my enjoyment of those intervening books.
Just finished the show today, have never read the books, but we enjoyed it and were very pleased with the lead actor.
I have not read the books and don’t plan to. My mother did read them and recommended the series to me. I’m enjoying it well enough. Nothing special but Molina does elevate it.
I’ve watched the show and have not read the books. It’s one of the best things I’ve seen lately!
Highly recommended!!
I’m glad that people who haven’t read the books are able to enjoy the show! It’s nice to know that it isn’t just complete bias on my part.
I got caught up/finished S1 yesterday, and definitely plan to watch S2. (IMDb has a placeholder for S2, so I assume another one is in the works…?)
I did have one question. Gamache seems to be part of a regional investigation unit. Isn’t it completely unrealistic that he would spend so much time in one small town?
He’s actually the head of the Surete Quebec’s (SQ) homicide division. That would be equivalent to heading a state police’s homicide division. You’re sort of right but it’s really unrealistic that that small town has so many murders.
I haven’t read any of the books, but I watched the first two episodes, and liked them. In particular, Tantoo Cardinal, who I thought was wonderful.
Not only extremely unlikely, but also unlikely that he would bring his 2 most senior officers on these investigations as well… He’d probably at least leave them to handle the other murders…
Yes, in retrospect, I sort of misunderstood the original point of Loach’s question and, crazyjoe, you’re absolutely right. On an org chart I could only imagine a few layers of detective below Gamache and Beauvoir actually going to the crime scenes.
(bolding mine)
Just wanted to say, I started watching 19-2 based on this recommendation, and I’m really enjoying it! (I’m streaming it via Hoopla and my local library.) As an added bonus, it features two of the actors from Letterkenny.
Thanks for taking my recommendation! It’s a seriously heavy-duty show. Some Extremely Bad Shit goes on, so fasten your seatbelt. The focus is the growing respect between the two partners.
Adrian Holmes is not just drop-dead gorgeous, but riveting to watch.
I never heard of Letterkenny, but I just looked it up, and it sounds like it might be a kissing cousin of Corner Gas. I’ll check it out.
You will know if you like it or hate it immediately. It has a unique rhythm that you will either enjoy or never want to see again.
Three Pines was an unrelentingly bleak show (understandably) but still entertaining. I do hope there’s a second season.