A Trick of the Light

A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

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)

Wonderful as always

It's like stopping in at Olivier and Gabri's bistro on a chill winter evening for something warm and delicious. These characters are by now my old friends, and yet the books have too much depth, are too intelligently written to be considered a Cosy. Each book reveals more layers to the people of Three Pines, as well as Inspector Gamache, Jean-guy and the rest. And I don't think I would ever be able to read Louise Penny's books as long as I can listen to the wonderful Ralph Cosham narrate, since he IS Inspector Gamache!

Is it possible to forgive the unforgivable?

Could you, have you, will you let go of - forgive the unforgivable? What is unforgivable? What will happen if you can not or will not forgive? As usual, we discover that any one of us could do murder, sufficiently provoked, and that pain is an inevitable part of a human condition but suffering is optional. A brilliant, thought provoking book and you'll never guess "who done it" before the end.

Three Pines murders...redux

Inspector Gamache is a compelling figure, and this series invites the reader into his world.
After a few books in, you develop a relationship with this town, with these characters, and any murder
draws you in closer.

The art world is the centerpiece of this book, and it's not a pretty place.. but with Gamache? it works out.

Another great tale from Louise Penny

Loved it. Great characters developed further. You must read the series in order to appreciate this. Narrator is perfect in every way.

I am such a fan!

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

I have enjoyed all of Louise Penny's book, and this one is my favorite. The character development, suspense, humor and wit.

The narrator brings her wonderful writing to life.

Another Great Mystery.

Terrific performance! great story. I have fallen in love with the characters and Three Pines

Wonderful writing

Louise Penny brings you so fully into the lives of her characters. Love getting to know them and look forward to seeing them again in the next book(s).

another good twist

I continue to enjoy the stories and the twist that keep me thinking. I look forward to more in the series.

I loved this whole series.

Fell in love with the series. All of the books kept up with my expectations. Louise is consistantly enertaining. Bury your dead was the least of my favorites. But the rest of the series became adictive. I read them all in four weeks. Sorry to see the end. Hope for more

loved it!

Have read all, but listened to this one. All of the 3 Pines books are wonderful.