A Trick of the Light (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #7)

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

A Trick of the Light (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #7)

4.26 of 5 stars 4.26 · rating details · 5,201 ratings · 820 reviews

A New York Times Notable Crime Book and Favorite Cozy for 2011
A Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller books for 2011
"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)

"Hearts are broken," Lillian Dyson carefully underlined in a book. "Sweet rela...more

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published August 30th 2011 by Minotaur Books (first published January 1st 2011)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Novels Of 2011

12th out of 292 books — 972 voters

A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin

What's the book you can't wait to read this summer?

146th out of 3,220 books — 6,361 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

May 09, 2012 Megan Baxter rated it 4 of 5 stars

I dabble in reading mysteries - I enjoy them, but I don't generally seek them out.

Louise Penny is an exception to this rule. These days, she's the one mystery author I will actively seek out, often borrowing copies of her books we've given to my mother or mother-in-law. Her books are always a pleasure to read, combining well-crafted mysteries with wonderful characters.

And this is where these books shine. In most mystery series, the recurring characters are the detective and maybe some subordina...more I dabble in reading mysteries - I enjoy them, but I don't generally seek them out.

Louise Penny is an exception to this rule. These days, she's the one mystery author I will actively seek out, often borrowing copies of her books we've given to my mother or mother-in-law. Her books are always a pleasure to read, combining well-crafted mysteries with wonderful characters.

And this is where these books shine. In most mystery series, the recurring characters are the detective and maybe some subordinates. That is true in this case as well. But these are the only books I've seen that all take place in the same location, in this case, the small Quebec town of Three Pines. And so not only are the police characters you get to know and love, so are the people who live in Three Pines, and are the suspects, witnesses and onlookers to various crimes. (So far, although one long-term character was arrested for committing the murder in one of the books, none of the victims have been people we know. I suspect that may be coming, and that it'll hurt.)

Penny has a deft hand at drawing characters who are lovable but deeply flawed, and often in pain. The Three Pines community in A Trick of the Light is still reeling from the arrest of one important character for murder two books ago, and its aftermath. Friendships have been strained, and some have been strengthened. Artist Clara Morrow, one of my favourite characters, has finally gotten a solo show in Montreal, and is poised for big success, but that might be more painful than she realizes. Her artist husband, Peter, is still eaten up by jealousy about the recognition she's getting for her work, and that finally comes to a head in this book.

And then, the morning after her show opening and celebratory party, a woman is found dead in her garden. A former friend, and former art critic who savaged her works as a young artist, along with the works of many other people just starting out.

A Trick of the Light is about the art community and the reactions to new artists, but it is also about Three Pines. And finally, it is about hope. If you like mysteries, this is a series well worth seeking out. In addition to everything I've said, the writing is also some of the best I've seen in mysteries. Using the same characters over and over allows for developments outside the mysteries (which are themselves excellent) that greatly enrich the experience. But start at the beginning of the series. They're all worth reading.

One final note - Ruth Zardo is one of my favourite characters of all time.(less)

13 likes · like · see review

Jun 26, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-mt-bookpile

The Inspector Gamache series just gets better and better!

In the past few books, the author has been doing more of the longer character arcs than in previous ones (sort of the way Elizabeth George has been doing with her Inspector Lynley/Barbara Havers series). Still, you can pick up any one of the books and not feel as though you *had* to read previous ones to understand what's going on.

We're still dealing with the aftermath of the factory raid, and Gamache's unfortunate arrest of Olivier, but...more

4 likes · like · see review

May 14, 2011 Kaye rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this. I keep using the word "stunning" for Ms. Penny's work time and time again. AND I keep saying "this one is the best one yet." Big sigh.

A Trick of the Light is STUNNING and yes, it is the best one yet. HOW does she keep doing this? And continually top her own work? I have no idea other than the fact that she must be one of those angels walking the earth we hear about from time to time.

I'm not going to try to do a review - I'll leave that for the revie...more

11 likes · like · see review

Oct 31, 2012 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery-thriller, audio

A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny
I have been waiting with anticipation for this book to come out as I have read every one of Penny’s “Three Pines Mysteries” set in the ‘snow globe community.’ Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec, his primary Inspector and close friend Jean Guy Beauvoir and the rest of the strong characters that are in this series are truly captivating. The murders are usual simple, though not easily solved, and the investigation with the interplay of charact...more A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny
I have been waiting with anticipation for this book to come out as I have read every one of Penny’s “Three Pines Mysteries” set in the ‘snow globe community.’ Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec, his primary Inspector and close friend Jean Guy Beauvoir and the rest of the strong characters that are in this series are truly captivating. The murders are usual simple, though not easily solved, and the investigation with the interplay of characters is the delight. Anyone reading Penny should start with “Still Life” and read the books in order as there are clues and hints that will perhaps dampen the story for the reader if read out of sequence for each story line builds upon the actions and findings of the previous books. However, if you cannot read them all, just pick one up and start having a lovely read.

Clara Morrow, whose husband Peter is also an artist, is being honored at an art show in Montreal. When they return to Three Pines they have a garden party to celebrate and suddenly there is the discovery of a murder of a very old and ‘long lost friend’ of Sara’s found in her garden. There is a trick of light, explored in the book. We wonder. How does it relate to the murder of Lillian Dyson, her childhood friend? Gamache’s investigations quickly reveal that Lillian was not a well-liked or well respected person or artist and there might be reasons for the separation between Clara, Lillian and Lillian’s family.

The dynamics of a small village, the losses and distances that can come in friendships and the usage of “AA” meetings are all touched up on in this story. Louise Penny has become one of my favorite mystery writers and her books are not diminished by being part of an ongoing saga of this lovely and quaint small village. They are just the thing for curling up by the fire, reading in your beach chair or listening to as you drive to work. Enjoy and do not miss the wonderful author.

(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 19, 2012 Lynda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: re-read

From Summer 2011: OHMYGOD, I just found out this is coming out August 30th and I seriously CANNOT wait!!! I absolutely love Louise Penny's books and if you like mysteries and you have not read any of her previous Three Pines / Inspector Gamache books, get thee to a bookstore IMMEDIATELY and buy and read them. The psychological elements and the insights into the best and worst of her character's innermost lives, will leave you breathless. Only 90 days to go!

March 2012:
Really enjoyed this book --...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 12, 2013 Barbara Bryant added it

I am ambling through Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series, set in and around the village of Three Pines. I read this a bit ago and didn't review it immediately, so I can't be really detailed in my review, but I would say I enjoyed it a bit more than the other Pennys I have read so far. It is not as laden with heavy backstories as some of the others are, so the mystery is one you can keep track of without spending a lot of time on Wikipedia or flipping back through the book. I enjoy most of Pe...more

like · see review

Apr 09, 2013 BetseaK rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: those who love the cozy mystery genre

Shelves: a-audiobooks, award-winners, cozy-mystery

Ah-hm... I'm not quite sure that it's fair of me to review this book. My attention to it was drawn by the numerous awards it won, but ... to tell you the truth... I chose it primarily because I wanted to escape the reality for a while. In that sense, this cozy mystery in the style of Agatha Christie, set in a picturesque village in French Canada, was a perfect place to go. There was a murder, of course, yet no blood and gore. What pulled me through the story were bits of humor in descriptions of...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 16, 2013 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

Clara Morrow is finally getting recognition for the brilliant artist she is. After a triumphant show in the city, she and her husband host a party in their village of Three Pines, attended by all their friends, and many luminaries of the art gallery world who want to sign Clara. What no one expects is a body in Clara's garden the next morning, particularly the body of an old friend-turned-enemy of Clara, whom she hadn't seen for years and had certainly not invited to or seen at her party. Inspec...more

like · see review

Dec 05, 2012 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-loan, fiction

An enjoyable return to Three Pines... or rather an enjoyable return to Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, Beauvoir and Lacoste. In many ways, my fondness for this series surprises me as the denizens of notoriously not on the map Three Pines, the prickly poet Ruth aside, are really not that appealing or interesting. This book centres on Clara Morrow as an artist and for the first time in the series, Louise Penny really brings that work to life and makes me believe in its power. Yet I still find Clar...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 19, 2012 Marleen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After years of painting and dreaming Clara Morrow at last has the one thing she never really believed she could achieve: a solo exhibition of her work in Montreal. And the show is a huge success. The happy atmosphere is short lived though. The morning after the party the body of a woman is found in Clara’s garden. The woman has been strangled and Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team soon arrive to investigate. Initially nobody seems to know who the woman is. But once her identity is uncov...more After years of painting and dreaming Clara Morrow at last has the one thing she never really believed she could achieve: a solo exhibition of her work in Montreal. And the show is a huge success. The happy atmosphere is short lived though. The morning after the party the body of a woman is found in Clara’s garden. The woman has been strangled and Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team soon arrive to investigate. Initially nobody seems to know who the woman is. But once her identity is uncovered it becomes clear that she was in fact known to several people who had been at the party, including Clara and her husband Peter. The woman, Lillian Dyson, had spent years as an art critic destroying the emerging careers of young artists. And more than twenty years ago, one of those young artists had been Clara. And for her the betrayal had been enormous because Lillian had been her best friend when they were young, before Lillian turned selfish and vindictive. It soon emerges though that Clara wasn’t the only one at the party with reasons to resent the woman. A lot of quests had been hurt by her. So why was Lillian at the party and who among those present hated her enough to strangle her in Clara’s garden?
This will be an investigation with more than enough leads and suspects to keep our investigators busy. But Gamache and his second in command Jean Guy Beauvoir have a lot more on their minds. They are still recuperating after the events in the last book, and especially Beauvoir isn’t dealing with his memories and emotions very well. And the investigators are not the only ones with personal issues; quite a few inhabitants in Three Pines find themselves in emotional minefields.

Boy do I love these books by Louise Penny. Her writing is so beautiful and fluent that she paints pictures with her words. Her characters and the surroundings they live in are all described in such detail that they come alive.
These mysteries are fascinating and the plotting is sound. Penny always provides enough information for the reader to work the mystery out for themselves if they are playing close attention. She doesn’t rely on clever cliff-hanger endings to her chapters – although she doesn’t always share all information immediately – yet delivers a book that is a true page-turner. Be it the investigation or the interactions between characters in general, there is a constant urge to read on, find out more, to discover exactly what is going on and most of all, how it will end.

The author obviously loves her characters and through her descriptions shares that affection with her readers. This means that the story is as much about the relationships between the various characters as it is about the mystery that needs to be solved. Because Louise Penny sets most of her mysteries in Three Pines her readers have the opportunity to really get to know the people living there, their quirks, their thoughts, their feelings and their most inner secrets. This familiarity means that I feel as if I’m visiting with old friends whenever I open the next book in this series. I find myself eager to discover what they are up to now, if things are still the same or have undergone subtle changes.

The mysteries in this series of books can all be read as stand-alones. However in order to really get a feel for the characters, the setting, the whole of the story you really need to read these book in order, from the start. Yes, the mysteries (in all but one of the books) are created, investigated and solved in the individual books. But the characters move from book to book, grow and change while non-mystery parts of the stories are carried over from one book to the next. And that is part of the magic with this series. With every book you get to know the characters and their lives better. Each new book brings back memories of previous titles because events and actions from earlier stories have a follow up in the sequels. I can only hope that Louise Penny will continue writing this series for a long time yet. I can’t quite imagine my reading life with out Armand Garmache and Three Pines anymore
(less)

like · see review

Sep 06, 2012 Sandie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

A further indulgence in summer mystery reading.

Louise Penny's light shines again in this book about the art world in Montreal and Three Pines. Her detective Armand Gamache is so very likeable, even though he makes mistakes. There are many references to previous books in this one, so it is best to read it in sequence.

This book starts with Clara's successful solo show at the Musee in Montreal, and the subsequent party in Three Pines, during which a body is found in the garden. Of course Gamache...more

like · see review

Aug 21, 2012 Deborah Mantle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reviews, both fair and unfair, play a central role in Louise Penny’s ‘A Trick of the Light’ and, thus, make me more mindful when writing this one.

It is the morning after a party to celebrate the first solo show of Clara Morrow’s paintings. In Three Pines, a small village south of Montreal, a woman is found dead in the Morrow’s garden. Chief Inspector Gamache and his agents, already familiar with Three Pines and its residents, are brought in to investigate.

I love a good mystery novel. What I me...more

like · see review

Aug 17, 2012 Mysterious Ed rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, law-enforcement

#7 in the Armand Gamache series. This novel joins the unbroken line of award winning or short-listed titles in the Gamache series. A theme of the novel is Humpty Dumpty, with characters broken by circumstances and put together successfully, or not, - to fail again, or not. The action takes place in the art world, after recurring character Clara Morrow's breakout solo exhibit. The obvious victim, the woman killed, was at one time a vicious art critic, with such vitriol as the often quoted line "H...more

like · see review

May 26, 2012 Anne Mowat rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mysteries

What Louise Penny does is create a small, intimate world, while creating a sense of place so pervasive you feel you know it. Canada is rarely featured in best-selling books, and to have it so celebrated is wonderful. It is Quebec, to be sure, but the Quebec of Anglo-culture, and so, it is the Canadian Quebec.

Most powerful, for me, is the way she builds quiet characters of amazing strength and depth. These are not cartoon-brilliant people. They are, for the most part, fully-fleshed out, but rath...more

1 like · like · see review

May 17, 2012 Literary Feline rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just about everyone I know who reads mysteries and has read Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache's series loves and recommends it. I actually have the first book in the series in my TBR collection. Several books into the series later, I'm finally reading one of her books--just not that first book in the series. I was a big stickler for reading series books in order until I began blogging. I am not sure what's happened to me. Of course, in this instance, I didn't have time to play catch up with...more Just about everyone I know who reads mysteries and has read Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache's series loves and recommends it. I actually have the first book in the series in my TBR collection. Several books into the series later, I'm finally reading one of her books--just not that first book in the series. I was a big stickler for reading series books in order until I began blogging. I am not sure what's happened to me. Of course, in this instance, I didn't have time to play catch up with the series--seven books total. A Trick of the Light was short-listed for an Independent Literary Award and so I was under a deadline to read it.

No matter. Like with a lot of mystery series, the book stands well on its own. In this case, however, I really do wish I had read the previous books as I have a feeling many of the characters have made appearances before, all tied to another mystery. And that other mystery, well, could it be from another book that is now spoiled? Spoiled in the sense of my knowing the outcome as opposed to being ruined, I mean. There's also the characters' personal stories, which take place over the course of the books--there is so much I feel I missed out on. Yet, the author did a good job of putting enough of the pieces together in this one novel to make it okay that I didn't start with the first book in the series. I just wish I did.

Anyhow, I went into Louise Penny's novel with high expectations. Not only was it a nominee for an award but it also came so highly recommended. Fortunately, I wasn't disappointed. I loved just about everything in this book: from the depth of the characters, including many of the minor ones; the easy and sometimes comical banter between the characters; the serious and sensitive handling of the crime and the issues surrounding it; the atmospheric setting; and the superb writing.

I am not well versed in the art world. My mother-in-law paints beautiful landscapes and my husband can put together a lovely sketch, but I'm a stick figure woman all the way. Stick figures with big heads. So, the setting was one that was a bit foreign to me (besides being set in Canada). I felt right at home in Three Pines, however. It sounds like a place I wouldn't mind living.

There was one scene in particular that was difficult for me to read, the one where the detectives have to tell the parents of the victim that she's dead. It was heart breaking. All I could think about was how horrible it would be to be in their shoes and how I hope I (or you) never have to experience anything like that in our lives. I have read and seen lots of scenes like this over the years, but having just had a child of my own, I am a little more sensitive to it right now, I think.

The other aspect that of the novel that really got to me was the focus on addiction, particularly alcoholism. It is a problem that touches many of us in one way or another. For me it was in living with an alcoholic parent. The author approached the topic in a very hands on way, offering different perspectives through the various characters, many of which were in different stages of addiction. I don't think it's a major spoiler to mention this--although I won't get more specific.

I really appreciated how the author presented the characters--how she used the theme of light and dark in drawing them out. Everyone, including the main protagonist, Inspector Gamache, had many shades to him. On one hand he was near perfect, admired by just about all; on the other, he had his share of secrets and doubt.

Will I read another Louise Penny novel? Absolutely! I will never get caught up with all the series I want to read if I keep this up!(less)

like · see review

Mar 26, 2012 Tracey rated it 2 of 5 stars

My 2nd experience with this author's Gamache series. Dissatisfied, again.

The Three Pines characters are well-worn stereotypes, the usual tokens found in the write-your-own-mystery-novel game; Ruth, the caustic and outspoken senior with the sledgehammer wit, caring Myrna and her psychobabble, Gabri the out-loud-and-proud and of course sarcastic bistro owner, Peter the tormented artist. Clara as an artistic genious is difficult to reconcile with the bumbling idiot who doesn't manage to say or do...more

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 16, 2012 Gloria Feit rated it 5 of 5 stars

As with Miss Marple, or the folks who live in the environs of the protagonist in “Murder She Wrote,” and as a couple of the residents of Three Pines say, “there must be something in the water,” almost “a cottage industry.” And to quote the author, “this little village produced bodies and gourmet meals in equal proportion.” For shortly after Louise Penny’s newest Chief Inspector Gamache book opens, a celebratory party held in that bucolic Quebec village just south of Montreal is dampened when a d...more

like · see review

Jan 17, 2012 Jann Barber rated it 3 of 5 stars

I "stole" this book during a Christmas book swap. I thought I had read some of Louise Penny's books before, but none seem to make any bells ring in my brain.

I enjoyed this book, although I kept wondering if the book before this one in the series covered the horrible incident that was referred to over and over in which Gamache and some of his agents were caught in a gun fight, several were killed and others badly wounded, including Gamache. I might have to check the library to see if this was par...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 15, 2012 Kandice rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2012, mystery

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Louise Penny’s genius lies not only in creating mysteries which are complex and not easily solved, but also in the depth and complexity of characters she creates. In fact, I’d say that is what keeps her readers returning to every Three Pines mystery – not the actual mystery but wanting to know what is occurring with the characters inhabiting Three Pines, as well as the crime team investigating each death.

In this Three Pines mystery, Clara finally has a solo show of her artwork only to have the j...more

like · see review

Jan 08, 2012 Amy Corwin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

Louise Penny is such a wonderful writer, I hardly know where to begin. Her writing is so smooth and gracious, and yet not the often pretentious prose you see in literary works. Her writing is warm with the occasional witty line and it makes you absolutely fall in love with the characters. One of the things that impressed me the most about this story was the sense of meeting old friends and the underlying love and understanding of art. Not that the characters are perfect, or that the paintings th...more Louise Penny is such a wonderful writer, I hardly know where to begin. Her writing is so smooth and gracious, and yet not the often pretentious prose you see in literary works. Her writing is warm with the occasional witty line and it makes you absolutely fall in love with the characters. One of the things that impressed me the most about this story was the sense of meeting old friends and the underlying love and understanding of art. Not that the characters are perfect, or that the paintings they produce are perfect, but that they are real, flawed, and yet immensely loveable.

In this story, Inspector Gamache and his team are called when a body is found in the garden of an artist, celebrating her first solo show. It turns out that the body is that of a woman (Lillian) who was friends with the artist (Clara) many years ago. But Lillian and Clara parted ways a number of years ago after Lillian wrote a scathing review of Clara's art. Lillian became an art critic who enjoyed making artists believe she loved their work and then destroying that flicker of hope with a scathing reviews.

It's no wonder that Lillian is dead. The only question is who, out of all the artists she destroyed over the years, may have killed her. Personally, I'll admit that I was surprised at "who did it" although really, as you're reading, the mystery becomes almost a minor element. The more interesting facet is not that someone murdered Lillian, but her life and what her life reveals. Because she was no longer the vitrolic art critic. She'd lapsed into drinking and was now trying to pull herself out of her misery and drinking through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). She was trying to change. In fact, people said she had changed.

The real element is the people and the exploration of their many sides, their relationships, and broader questions of "can a person change?" It was the exploration of the characters that drew you in and kept you reading. None of the characters was flat. All were multi-dimensional with complex hopes and issues. Gamache is still trying to come to terms with the horrific shootout that left him and Beauvior wounded and nearly dead. Beauvoir, in particular, is having difficulties coping with the aftermath and it is interesting to see his struggles revealed as he works with Gamache on this murder.

I'm not doing justice to the book with this review, but I'm always afraid of revealing too much. And this book is different from most mysteries as it focuses more on the characters. I'm afraid I'll scare readers away when I say that, but it draws you into a warm, complex world that explores the various facets we all have.(less)

like · see review

Jan 02, 2012 Kerry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Working my way one by one through Louise Penny's wonderful mysteries. Meant to read them or listen to them in order but the library is not co-operating. Loved this latest one. The background of artists/art dealers and the play on how a change in light can affect how we see things was great. Over and over the characters pose the question, "Can people actually change (for the better or worse) or do they try then revert to character, marked this mystery. It is a question that is largely left unansw...more

like · see review

Dec 15, 2011 Helen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: canadian, fiction, modern-mystery

I can't decide whether these are cosy mysteries or not, they probably are. Clara has wanted a solo art show for years and now she has one, but her husband has to work hard to enjoy it because it lifts her out of his level forever. He is 'an excellent draftsman' and his pictures are selling well but Clara's will be in museums and collections all over the world. This is the only part that confused me because they keep quoting reviews of her work and even if she had shared a show she would still ha...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 04, 2011 Marlyn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, mystery, police

For a tiny village that's not on any maps, Three Pines has more than its share of murders. Even the residents and the police voice that opinion. Luckily, the head of the Murder Squad at the Sûreté du Québec knows the village and its denizens well.

Artist Clara Morrow, who lives in Three Pines, has finally been "discovered" and is having her first solo show at the Montréal Musée d'Art Contemporain. After the show, her husband Peter has organized a party/barbecue in the garden of their home in Thre...more For a tiny village that's not on any maps, Three Pines has more than its share of murders. Even the residents and the police voice that opinion. Luckily, the head of the Murder Squad at the Sûreté du Québec knows the village and its denizens well.

Artist Clara Morrow, who lives in Three Pines, has finally been "discovered" and is having her first solo show at the Montréal Musée d'Art Contemporain. After the show, her husband Peter has organized a party/barbecue in the garden of their home in Three Pines, with dozens of guests, some invited by other guests.

The next day, returning with a pile of newspapers that reviewed Clara's exhibit, Peter finds a body in the back yard. Hidden the night before in a flower bed in a remote corner of the garden, it's quite noticeable in the morning sunshine, due to its bright red dress.

The body is that of a childhood friend of Clara's, with whom she hasn't had contact in many years. Lillian Dyson, unable to succeed as an artist herself, had become a critic known for her cruelty to burgeoning artists. What she was doing at the Morrow's party was a mystery; she had no idea where Clara lived and none of guests admitted seeing her. Because Lillian was so good at alienating people, there is no shortage of suspects for the crime.

Gamache and his second in command, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, once again move their homicide team to the old railroad station in Three Pines in order to investigate. Gamache and Beauvoir are still not completely recovered from the injuries they received in a warehouse raid many months earlier, though Gamache is in much better shape than his deputy. Somehow, though, the two men manage to make use of their inner demons as they solve the puzzle of Lillian Dyson's death in Three Pines.

Each of Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache novels has been outstanding, and each has seemed better than its predecessor. A Trick of the Light is no exception. As she has in the six earlier books, Ms. Penny draws us into the world of Gamache and Beauvoir and their team, and the isolated community of Three Pines. The policemen's relationship with the villagers doesn't hinder them from being objective, and all concerned are aware of this.

The characters are deftly created, as well. Few of them are one-dimensional; Ms. Penny is able to portray even the most minor characters as multi-dimensional.

There are a couple of problems with the book, however. It is necessary to have read the previous books in the series to have a proper understanding of this one (though perhaps reading the six books in the series for the first time is not really a problem). Secondly (and truly sadly), the reader eventually reaches the last page, the last sentence, the last word of the book with the realization that there will be a wait of many months for the next.
(less)

like · see review

Dec 04, 2011 Marlene rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I drove to South Carolina last week in the urbane company of Chief Inspector Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec. My trip to Collection Development Mini-Conference in Columbia was the perfect opportunity to listen to the latest unfortunate incident in Three Pines, Québec, where murder seems to be a cottage industry.

A Trick of the Light is the most recent book in Louise Penny's series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. For some reason, an awful lot of murders seem to occur in the rather small...more I drove to South Carolina last week in the urbane company of Chief Inspector Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec. My trip to Collection Development Mini-Conference in Columbia was the perfect opportunity to listen to the latest unfortunate incident in Three Pines, Québec, where murder seems to be a cottage industry.

A Trick of the Light is the most recent book in Louise Penny's series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. For some reason, an awful lot of murders seem to occur in the rather small village of Three Pines, in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. So many murders that Gamache and his team have become friends with some of the local residents--even the ones they've investigated as suspects.

The "trick of the light" referred to in the title refers to a painting. One of the Three Pines residents, Clara Morrow, is an artist. So is her husband Peter. But it is Clara who has been "discovered" after working in obscurity for almost 30 years. Her one-woman show at the famed Musée in Montreal is a rousing success. But the after-party at her home in Three Pines is ruined by a dead body in the garden. Even worse, the corpse belongs to an old friend turned enemy of Clara's from childhood.

And the corpse was everyone's enemy. The dead woman was an art critic. A particularly venomous one. And she was especially good at being venomous--a deadly combination for any budding artist's career. There was no difficulty in figuring out who wanted to kill the woman. Everyone at the party had a motive. Including the caterers.

Escape Rating: A+ It was an 8 hour trip and an 11 hour book. I kept finding excuses to finish listening to the book. The central mystery is all about the art world, and I did get fooled, so points for that. And, and, and, there is a whole lot of neat, weird, sad and truly angst-ridden stuff going on with the continuing characters and I want to know where that is leading now. Now and not next year, dammit, or whenever the next book will be. I'm really worried about Jean-Guy. And if you've read the series, you know exactly what I mean.

In other news, Bury Your Dead, the previous book in the series, was recognized this past weekend with some more well-deserved awards. Mystery Readers International awarded Bury Your Dead their Macavity Award for Best Mystery Novel for 2010. And, at Bouchercon 2011, the World Mystery Convention in St. Louis on September 17, Bury Your Dead also won the Anthony Award for Best Novel. In 2010, the previous Inspector Gamache book, The Brutal Telling, won the award.

Also, again, thank you to the person on the Letters of Mary group (Sherlock Holmes/Mary Russell) for recommending this series. Which only emphasizes the importance of recommending books to people. I'd never have found the Chief Inspector but for her.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 08, 2011 Lesismore rated it 4 of 5 stars

What I love about Louise Penney is her well-rounded, believable characters and that each book references and deals with the events of the past books. I can't wait for the next book to find out if Peter and Clara can work out their troubled marriage. Will Jean Guy get over his addiction and be able to tell Annie of his love? I also enjoy the "truths" that Penney expounds upon in her story telling. This is not just another unbelievable, violent murder mystery, but a rather a community of people an...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 28, 2011 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Well, this was my first Louise Penny book, and it was pretty good. Maybe the reason why I liked it was because her main character, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, reminds me so much of another one of my favorite main characters, Hercule Poirot. With the various French words thrown in and the faithful sidekick (although Jean Guy Beauvoir is a far cry from Capt Hastings) and the end scene where everyone is gathered for the reveal, I felt like I was reading a new Agatha Christie book! There was jus...more

like · see review

Oct 25, 2011 Jeannie and Louis Rigod rated it 5 of 5 stars

Chief Inspector Gamache returns to Three Pines when a tragedy befalls Clara Morrow's celebration dinner for her solo show at the famed Musee in Montreal, Canada.

The show is an overwhelming sucess for Clara, but it doesn't carry the joy it should. Peter, Clara's husband just can't be happy for her at the cost of his personal feelings, a former gallery owner appears but is not wanting to sign Clara for the reasons he should, and to cap off the party, a former friend, who showed herself to be a vin...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 24, 2011 Mary Lou rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Oct 07, 2011 Dee rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Another Penny mystery to love! Again, the residents of Three Pines are the focus. This time it is Clara Morrow who has a solo show at the prestigous Musee in Montreal. It is a success. Peter Morrow is jealous of her success, and hates himself because of it. The barrows have a celebratory party at their home after the opening, and Lillian's body is discovered in their garden the next morning by Peter. Clara reveals to Inspector Gamache that Lillian was her best friend from childhood, until as you...more Another Penny mystery to love! Again, the residents of Three Pines are the focus. This time it is Clara Morrow who has a solo show at the prestigous Musee in Montreal. It is a success. Peter Morrow is jealous of her success, and hates himself because of it. The barrows have a celebratory party at their home after the opening, and Lillian's body is discovered in their garden the next morning by Peter. Clara reveals to Inspector Gamache that Lillian was her best friend from childhood, until as young adults, she wrote a killing review of Clara's first show. AFter that, both women acknowledged hating each other. Turns out this is Lillian's way of working: she becomes "best friends" with an artist, promises a wonderful review in La Presse, gets a photo of the artist with one of the paintings, then writes a devastating review. Several artists that are at the Morrow's party had been victims of her attacks. Some had stopped painting because of it. Gamache and Bouvoir find out that Lillian had entered AA 8 months ago. She had begun making amends to those artists for the cruel reviews. The suspects: Sharon -- her sponsor in AA, who was the recepient of the most famous of the cruel reviews "She is a natural artist --- her works come out of her like a bodily function." The judge, Tierry P., who has a granddaughter who was killed by a drunk, two art gallery dealers, Forten, who stopped painting because of Lillian's review, and DeCaug (sp) a drunk who is about to lose his biggest account. A third art deal, Masier, also wants to "take Clara and Peter under his wing" to guide their careers (as a last act in a long career.) Gamache discovers that Lillian has become a great painter with a unique style. Meanwhile the reader realizes that Beauvoir has become addicted to pain killers, and to watching the vidio of raid where four of their officers were killed (last book). He realizes that Gamache, after caring for him when he was shot, kissed him on the forehead and left him! He accuses G. of caring only for himself. As a conswquence of the raid, and almost dyingB. has also separated from his wife, Enid, after awaking to Annie's face at his bedside. He realizes he loves her. In this book, her marriage is also breaking apart. Clara and Peter also must face their demons --- hers that she always puts herself and her art behind and below Peter. He that she is the greater talent. At the end, she tells Peter he must leave for a year so that they can find who they are. Gamache is realizing that, his old enemy, a superior in the Surete was responsible for releasing the vidio to the media to destroy him. Lots of strands to pick up in the next book! (less)

like · see review

Oct 06, 2011 Randi Reisfeld rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is an Inspector Gamache mystery (not sure how many there are), the second one I've read and kinda loved. Takes place in Montreal and the tiny town of Three Pines, an idyllic place--except for the slate of murders that seem to occur there. This one is about an art critic found dead in the garden of an artist named Clara Morrow, finally reaching fame in her 50s. Said dead art critic, BTW, used to be Clara's bff, then turned into a harsh harridan who buried careers and egos with a single swipe...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Contest to win a free copy from user "Marin"	1	10	Sep 07, 2012 10:51am
The Mystery, Crim...: Book Giveaway - Hardcover Edition of "A Trick of the Light" by Louise Penny!	1	13	Apr 19, 2012 05:58pm

combine
Other Editions (15)

More editions...

Genres

Mystery

365 users

Cultural > Canada

33 users

Mystery > Crime

24 users

Thriller > Mystery Thriller

17 users

Adult Fiction

9 users

Mystery > Cozy Mystery

7 users

Adult

7 users

Art

5 users

Thriller

5 users

Mystery > Murder Mystery

4 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Louise Penny

Many of Louise Penny's books are published under different titles by UK/Canada and US publishers.
She lives with her husband, Michael, and a golden retriever named Trudy, in a small village south of Montreal.

Her first Armand Gamache novel, "Still Life" won the New Blood Dagger, Arthur Ellis, Barry, Anthony and Dilys Awards.

Awards:
* Agatha Award: Best Novel
o 2007 – A Fatal Grace – Winner
o 2008 –...more

More about Louise Penny...

Books by Louise Penny

Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #1)

Bury Your Dead (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #6)

The Brutal Telling (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #5)

A Fatal Grace (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #2)

A Rule Against Murder (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #4)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About A Trick of the Light

1 trivia question

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from A Trick of the Light

“Despite himself, Beauvoir laughed. "There is strong shadow where there is much light."

...

But most he loved a happy human face.” — 3 people liked it

“Books were everywhere in their large apartment. Histories, biographies, novels, studies on Quebec antiques, poetry. Placed in orderly bookcases. Just about every table had at least one book on it, and oftern several magazines. And the weekend newspapers were scattered on the coffee table in the living room, in front of the fireplace. If a visitor was the observant type, and made it further into the apartment to Gamache's study, he might see the story the books in there told.” — 1 person liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: A Trick of the Light
avg rating	preview: A Trick of the Light Goodreads rating: 4.26 (5201 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10680329-a-trick-of-the-light?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327900478l/10680329.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10680329-a-trick-of-the-light?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny[/url]

A Trick of the Light (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #7)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website