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)

A Moment to Appreciate Ralph Cosham

I eagerly await the annual Louise Penny publication, and this novel befits this strong series. I continue to appreciate Ms. Penny's thorough research into each location and milieu. I have always enjoyed her interpretation of both the challenges of art making, and the perils of the career side of high art (it rings true from my experience). This was a great thriller. Shortly after I read it so voraciously, I saw that Ralph Cosham had passed away in September 2014. What a fantastic narrator, and how fortunate we have been to have him bring these characters to life. I hope he knew that, and his work will be here for others to enjoy for years to come.

Another keeper

As indicated in a previous review, I "discovered" Louise Penny by happenstance - and have been hooked ever since. The characters are well defined, plots are always interesting but it is her masterful prose that makes her novels vibrate. I listen and re-listen to chapters, not wanting the listening experience to end.
Ralph Cosham's narration is "spot on". I can't imagine listening to any Louise Penny work without him. Dynamite combination.
Looking forward to the next book.

Louise Pennys Inspector Gamache series is the best

If you could sum up A Trick of the Light in three words, what would they be?

Worth the wait

Any additional comments?

I found this author late , but I am delighted with her books !

Always awesome

Insightful, funny, sad, thought provoking. Love this series and this book! Highly recommend this to you.

Fun character development

It is fun to read the inspector Gamache Louise Penny series. I enjoy the character development and I enjoy the way the author describes the people in the books. Both intriguing and funny.

Great story

A story of love, hate and forgiveness intertwined with a murder mystery . a great read.

1 of my 3 Favorite authors

Andrew M. Greeley,
Diana Gabaldon.
Louise Penny,
for the book beyond the book and the meaning beyond the meaning...
and for the activities of daily living.

Suspensful

The story had much suspense, the ending even more. I have so many questions as to what will happen to some of the characters and relationships

John Wantz

In addition to a marvelous plot with carefully orchestrated details, Penny’s ‘A trick of light’ is a smorgasbord of insights about art and artists’ work that I haven’t seen explained any better. As a visual artist and former art teacher I can only imagine Louise Penny as an insightful artist in other media besides prose.

Story better than last one.

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

Plot and characters were more interesting than Penny's earlier title.

What does Ralph Cosham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Cosham delineates the characters well.

Any additional comments?

Good story and listen!