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)

Good story - well told.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I enjoyed trying to figure out who done it and why before reaching the end of the book. I was wrong... but it was a possibility.

Love this series.

I hate to give one book after another five stars, but this series is just awesome. I have yet to be disappointed. The characters are realistic, complex and interesting, the plot is not predictable at all, and I appreciate an author who isn't afraid of adding a touch of bittersweet reality to counter balance big drama. And Cosham is the perfect - absolutely perfect - voice for Gamache. This man could read a phone book and keep me riveted.

Treat yourself read the Louise Penny.

I would have liked a list of characters. It was difficult to understand the French.

Intelligent, Entertaining Mystery--Best Narrator!

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

The narration by Ralph Cosham is first rate! This is one of the few audiobooks I've listened to where the narration is seamless--effective and not at all disruptive. After listening to about half of it, I was telling a friend about the audiobook and I couldn't even remember if Cosham was acting out the characters or doing a straight reading of the story! (He does act them out, but so unobtrusively, that the listener isn't distracted by strange or bizarre sounding voices, such as an older woman attempting to sound like a young man.)

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Trick of the Light?

There were too many to choose one--but I can't reveal more than that!

Which character – as performed by Ralph Cosham – was your favorite?

Clara is probably my favorite because she is just so genuine and likeable. However, Penny goes deeply into the mind of her main character, Chief Inspector Gamache, to share his thoughts and insights. It adds another dimension to a well-plotted narrative, and raises these books to a level above most mystery novels.

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

No, but just because I wanted to take my time and savor it.

Any additional comments?

All of the Louise Penny

Sorrow and beauty

Incredible. These last couple books in the series, with the element of sorrow to them—the writing and human insight is beautiful to witness.

A Trick of the Light

Another great read in the Inspector Gamache series. I just love Louise Penny's characters and their would be tranquil village of Three Pines.

Another Gamache tale Impossible to set aside!

Louise Penny has once again woven a story so enthralling as to make the reader unable to stop listening. The complexity of the characters draws you in, while the storyline twists and turns to make it difficult to determine where the ending will take you. The characters personalities are so intimately unfolded and endearing that it makes the reader feel as if they know them personally. I myself want to move to the village of three Pines! Ms. Penny writes in such a way that those unfamiliar with her work are not alienated by the references to past events, but also those who have followed the careers and lives of the main characters are not put off by the revisiting of these referenced events either. The performance is spot on and actually adds to the experience of living this story as it plays out. While I typically enjoy holding a book and turning the pages, this performer adds a depth and emotion beyond what can be experienced by reading alone. Kudos to Ms. Penny for another excellent read!

Gripping

Cosham increasingly makes me believe in the art of his narration. Clara becomes more of a person with each book. Penny is masterful as a storyteller. Jean-Guy becomes more endearing as a character. Armand Gamache remains a masterpiece of a person. A Trick of the Light is irresistible.

When I think I can't love this series more....

Inspector Gamache develops and unfolds and is so beautifully written. This story is the best of the series thus far. Just outstanding.

NOTE: Read the series in order.

Well read and welldone

One of Louise Penny's best. An array of suspects, and she fooled me again.
I love the writing and will go on to Penny's next 3 Pines mystery.