A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny
Sit back, get comfortable and prepare to spend a few days in the beautiful village of Three Pines. There's been a murder, but Gamache is ready to solve it.
I don’t like to promote Amazon, but it was thanks to them that I discovered Louise Penny. Watching Alfred Molina as Chief Inspector Gamache in the Prime adaptation started my hunt for the books.
After starting with Still Life, Penny’s debut, I planned to read the rest of the series in order. But living in the UK, that was easier said than done. Penny’s books weren’t in my local libraries and they’re a rare find in charity shops. However, while staying in a holiday cottage last year, I found a Penny novel on the bookshelf, A Trick of the Light*, so I scrapped my reading plan and devoured the story.
The seventh book in the series, it opens with Clara Morrow’s solo art show and introduces several characters from the art world. After the events of previous books, it’s wonderful to see Clara finally getting the recognition her art deserves.
But the celebration soon turns into a murder investigation when a body is discovered in Three Pines. Assisted by Jean Guy Beauvoir and Isabelle Lacoste, Gamache is soon on the case.
And of course, the other residents of Three Pines are on hand to provide a familiar feel to the story. Olivier and Gabri are busy at the bistro. Myrna provides sage advice and a listening ear to all who need it. Peter is there alongside Clara. And Ruth is her usual acerbic, eccentric self.
The novel also gives a fascinating glimpse into the art world as the detectives track down leads. That was an enjoyable part of the story, as it’s not an area I know at all.
Content warning: Be aware that the story does reveal some of the plot points from the previous two books: The Brutal Telling and Bury Your Dead. But I guess it’s hard to write a series without having some story arcs that span several books.
What’s more, it was a tough act to follow on the exceptional Bury Your Dead, but Penny has managed it. A Trick of the Light* is another excellent mystery. Sit back, get comfortable and prepare to spend a few days in the beautiful village of Three Pines.
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