This is the sixth mystery in theThree Pines series involving Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. It is set in the bitter winter of Quebec. This story involves four intertwined mysteries that Gamache has to unravel, one of which played out in Quebec’s distant past.
This book continues from the last book, The Brutal Telling , following Oliver’s conviction. Gamache is convinced Oliver is innocent, but there is no proof. Nor does Gabri, who sends Gamache daily letters: “Why would Oliver move the body?”
Now there are further events, a murder in a library, a mysterious archaeologist, and an officer is shot. Louise Penny drops clues of events to come starting with page one: with a police raid, [Gamache] had made a mistake.
Louis Penny has an extraordinary ability to tell a story, and in this book she takes the art to a new level. The stories interweave very naturally as Gamache works on all the issues and works his resources.
As usual, her characters are rich with histories, interests, and deep interactions with each other. She brings the town to life with its English-speaking culture within the Francophones of Quebec. She researches her information well and it shows in her details.
Gamache is exposed to us a little more with a chink in his armor. His relationship with is fellow officers and the community of Three Pines grows. There are some questions that still need answering. I’m looking forward to book 7.