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)

The beam broadens...

A Trick of the Light...the beam is broader now that I have read this again, I believe for my third time. The character development writing skill of the author is the star, the setting a ray of light, and the plot is still superb, despite the attention to character growth. As a continued track on the pivotal raid that wounded so many a couple books back, the story grows with pathos and enormous interest. I was thinking that now I place Louise Penny with Dorothy Sayers as the most intelligent mystery writers I have had the fortune to encounter, with Louise surpassing Dorothy in character building at its finest. Note: another re-reading in 2024, and the story is just incredible in myriad ways.

Wonderful narration--the entire series, both narrators.

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 ;)

Another Stellar Performance

What did you love best about A Trick of the Light?

It is complicated and approachable all at the same time. Her stories are are written on multiple levels and keep you fully engrossed.

What about Ralph Cosham???s performance did you like?

His performance is clear and without being exaggerated, very exciting. His presentation of the French makes it clear even to me - a non-French speaker.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, because Penny makes you want to know more and more. Instead it is wonderful to dole it out in smaller bits and make it last longer.

Any additional comments?

I can hardly wait for her next book - especially because she left so many loose ends (which I don't think she did in previous stories)

Is life a trick of the light or a miracle?

The story as engrossing as Louise Penny always promises, read so well that I enjoy listening repeatedly. The gems are in Penny's insights about relationships and the miracles which our journeys can be.

Another great one!

The story is excellent and the narration is fabulous. I use Whispersync to both read and listen depending on location. I hear the narrator's voice in my head now as I am reading.