A Trick of the Light

A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times Notable Crime Book and Favorite Cozy for 2011
A Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller books for 2011

With A Trick of the Light, Louise Penny takes us back to the deceptively peaceful village of Three Pines in this brilliant novel in her award-winning, New York Times bestselling series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache.

"Hearts are broken," Lillian Dyson carefully underlined in a book. "Sweet relationships are dead."

But now Lillian herself is dead. Found among the bleeding hearts and lilacs of Clara Morrow's garden in Three Pines, shattering the celebrations of Clara's solo show at the famed Musée in Montreal. Chief Inspector Gamache, the head of homicide at the Sûreté du Québec, is called to the tiny Quebec village and there he finds the art world gathered, and with it a world of shading and nuance, a world of shadow and light. Where nothing is as it seems. Behind every smile there lurks a sneer. Inside every sweet relationship there hides a broken heart.

And even when facts are slowly exposed, it is no longer clear to Gamache and his team if what they've found is the truth, or simply a trick of the light.

"Penny has been compared to Agatha Christie [but] it sells her short. Her characters are too rich, her grasp of nuance and human psychology too firm...." --Booklist (starred review)

©2011 Three Pines Creations, Inc. (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“The superbly gifted Louise Penny is on my secret shortlist of must-read authors, and A TRICK OF THE LIGHT proves why. Artist Clara Morrow is about to have a prestigious show of her paintings when her childhood friend is found murdered, and the finger of suspicion points to Clara. Chief Inspector Gamache is called to investigate, and using his trademark powers of deduction and his intuitive knack for the right question at the right time, he exposes the darkness that underlies the bright stars of Montreal's art world, where competition between friends, and even between husband and wife, can turn lethal. Ultimately, of course, it's Louise Penny who steals the show, and A TRICK OF THE LIGHT will not only keep you engrossed from start to finish, it will teach you something new about love, truth, and the human heart.” —Lisa Scottoline

“Penny, elevating herself to the pantheon that houses P.D. James, Ruth Rendell and Minette Walters, demonstrates an exquisite touch with characterization, plotting and artistic sensitivity. And there could be no better explanation of A.A. than you will find here.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Outstanding….With her usual subtle touch and timely injections of humor, Penny effectively employs the recurring motif of the chiaroscuro, the interplay of light and dark, which distinguishes Morrow's artwork and which resonates symbolically in the souls of the author's characters.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Welcome Back to 3 Pines

I eagerly await each new book in the 3 Pines series. Ms Penny has created a cast of characters that feel as comfortable as family. There is mystery and intrigue, but integrity and a moral as well. Ralph Gosham is the voice of these characters, especially Gamache and it would be unthinkable to ever make a change in narrator.

Nailed it again!

Love these books. So well written & narrated. I couldn’t be more happy to HIGHLY recommend the ENTIRE series of the Inspector G series!

So relaxing pretend-living in 3 Pines

Complex and sensitive treatment of human condition. Was unable to decide who the killer was until the end. So was successful as a mystery as well as moody psychological story.

A beautiful mystery

A Trick of the Light (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #7)

I have no idea why I keep reading this series. It has become quite formulaic and the characters are all the same. The murders always center around the people of a quaint village in Canada. For such a small town, it is really riddled with violent deaths. The only reason why it is known at all is for its murders. And I appreciate the author not pretending that isn’t a bit strange. It’s often commented on with the pages.

“Olivier confirmed. Murdered. There was a long pause after the word. ‘Must be something in the water,’ muttered Ruth, who paused neither for life nor death.”

Louise Penny's characters are very realistic and complex. Sometimes heartbreaking so. They are characters you wish you knew. Someone you would like to sit down with at the bistro, in front of a fire, share a meal and a drink with, some conversation.

A Trick of Light weaves a tale of art, friendship, marriage and more in the brilliance of light and the brooding of its lack. However it crossed into an uncomfortable territory of abuse and addictions. The author said it was the novel she always wanted to write and it was very hard for her. I do not know the reason but it is obvious the addiction theme meant a lot to her. Without a doubt, this is the best book I've read so far in this series.

I just enjoy going back to Three Pines

A comfortable place, good friends, good food, a great book (being read to while knitting), a hot milky drink, a little perfectly pronounced French thrown in. Ah, Bliss... Ms Penny and Mr Cosham just keep raising the bar. Very difficult to stop and go to bed. I loved this book! (but A Case Against Murder is still the favorite of the series). Sit back and enjoy the experience.

ANOTHER GREAT CHIEF INSPECTOR GAMACHE NOVEL

All the stories in this series are well-written and believable. The residents of Three Pines now seem like neighbors and friends. And so it is alarming that Clara Marrow the local artist who has just found recognition should find an old enemy murdered in her garden. Inspector Gamache and his team work tirelessly to find the culprit.

I love this series

I love the murder mystery. It keeps me guessing until the end. But it's the beautiful and descriptive writing that's so wonderful. I can picture the village, the food sounds delicious and I care and feel like I know the people. The best part is listening to the fabulous narrator that smoothly goes from one to another character. And hearing the beautiful French names and words spoken is a treat.

The best so far

Loved the entire story especially details about the art world. Never had a clue who dunnit, even to the end. Love Gamache more every book. The last scene just warmed my heart. Can’t wait to hear next book. Love the small grins the author puts into the story. Just wonderful.

Clara's Fame

excellent and a great story. highly recommend this series. can hardly wait to start the next one.

Awesome!!

Love ..... the characters, the food, the narrator, the quirks. Just wish 3 Pines wasn't so dangerous. Lots of deaths in this little village ;)