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A Trick of the Light
A Trick of the Light: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel | Louise Penny
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 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 Muse in Montreal. Chief Inspector Gamache, the head of homicide at the Sret du Qubec, 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.
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CoffeeNBooks
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Eggs Love this series! 4w
54 likes1 comment
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Karisimo
Trick of the Light | Louise Penny
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Eggs Love Gamache💙💙 4w
26 likes1 comment
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TheSpineView
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💙🖤💙 4w
Eggs Love Gamache 💙💙💙 4w
55 likes3 comments
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Gleefulreader
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Pickpick

Just finished the 7th book in the Gamache series and I have to say I am finding these books better the further I go along. It absolutely required a suspension of belief that no one can find this village, that there are this many murders per person and that one man can be *this* good. And yet, I enjoyed the dive into the art world, the continued character development, and the examination of the many ways we hurt, and heal, others.

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

This one was enjoyable enough! I liked the story happening between Gamache and Beauvoir. It‘s something how murders keep occurring in the village of Three Pines 😂. I went through this one fairly quickly. Features a lot of artists which isn‘t a topic I‘m interested in per se, but it was still really good. It doesn‘t have the tension that Book 6 has which was almost disappointing. I‘m eager to continue the series!

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LeslieO
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Not a bad showing for my #SeriesLove2023. I will continue in 2024, great way to prioritize neglected series.

TheSpineView Well done! Glad to have you in 2024. 11mo
30 likes1 comment
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Gissy
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#Scarathlon photo challenge Day 29
#Trick

Another series I need to start. But I‘m collecting the books 😂

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TheSpineView
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kspenmoll
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Pickpick

I am rereading this series & loving it. This book is about contrasts. How there is light & darkness in all of us. How we manage that & the emotions that come with this contrast can open different pathways for our lives. The characters are going through change & challenges within themselves & with their relationships- family, friends, community.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Does rereading a series count for #serieslove2023 ?

Andrew65 I love this series, and yes re-reading a series definitely counts for #SeriesLove2023 1y
TheSpineView Fantastic! 1y
TiredLibrarian My favorite series! 1y
See All 13 Comments
CatLass007 This may be the best book series I‘ve ever read. I started it because it was a mystery series. But it‘s so much more than that. It‘s some of the most beautiful language. I really need to get caught up on this series. I‘ve listened to the first fourteen books and I‘ve already bought the rest. I just got a little sidetracked. Has anyone got an opinion about the Amazon Prime Video series Three Pines? I‘ve barely turned on TV lately. 1y
robinb Ugh...I keep meaning to get back to this series! I've only read the first one, but it's definitely one I want to continue with. 1y
kspenmoll @CatLass007 I totally agree with you, that‘s why i am rereading! I saw the series- it‘s a mix of some material from some books & an added plot line about the indigenous people & their fate once Western civilization intruded upon them. Despite some flaws, I was sad when it was cancelled. The actors were good as well. 1y
kspenmoll @robinb Try to! The characters grow & chance some much over time/books. 1y
Andrew65 @robinb Too many series too little time Robin. 1y
robinb @Andrew65 I think you‘ve found my epitaph, Andrew! 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1y
robinb @kspenmoll The next one is going on my July BookSpin to get it out in front of me. 😂👍 1y
CatLass007 @kspenmoll There are several small side stories about Indigenous peoples in the books. I know the actor who portrayed Gamache is well respected and has had a long career. I just can‘t see Doctor Octopus as Gamache. I‘m going to get the rest of the book series finished and then I‘ll think about the TV series. Thanks for the review. 1y
Andrew65 @robinb 🤣😂🤣 For all us bookaholics. 1y
64 likes13 comments
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staci.reads
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Pickpick

I found this one a little slower than previous books, especially after reading Bury Your Dead. I still loved reading it and revisiting all my favorite characters, but it wasn't as "unputdownable" as some of the others. Still a solid pick, though.

kspenmoll I just finished this as a reread. It was a slower pace but what engrossed me was all the change,or the denial of needed change, some of the characters went through. 1y
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kspenmoll
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Morning coffee. Short respite before we go to tailgate ( brunch) for afternoon soccer game. Bringing egg strata. I was in the mood last night to start rereading tagged book-so far I don‘t remember a thing- just character story lines, not so much plot. I read it when it was published. #coffeebooks #porchlife #hcfc #npsl

LaraReads Lovely! 💙 1y
TiredLibrarian I love Louise Penny and my memory works the same way. It's great; you know it's a great read but the details will seem fresh. Enjoy! 1y
Tamra Me too, we‘re fortunate to be able to reread! 😄 1y
72 likes3 comments
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LeslieO
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#MarchRecap
#BookSpin ✔️
#DoubleSpin✔️
#SeriesLove2023✔️
#Nonfiction2023 - didn‘t finish yet
5⭐️ We All Want Impossible Things and The Bullet that Missed, 4⭐️all the rest

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Magpiegem
Trick of the Light | Louise Penny
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Pickpick

9/23 listened to this doing PTA jobs! This is probably in my top three of the three pines series I have read so far. I felt the balance of character and crime was very good in this one and also the balance of new and old. This is the first time in my life I‘ve felt compelled to carry on with a series past the first few books. And I know I‘m not alone in my love of these books! Trying to pace myself and not jump straight into book 8! 4⭐️

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TheSpineView
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48 likes1 stack add
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TheSpineView
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 🤍💙 2y
Eggs My choice too😊 2y
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fredamans Also mine 💙 2y
TheSpineView @fredamans Great minds 2y
53 likes6 comments
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fredamans
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Eggs My choice too 2y
21 likes1 comment
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Eggs
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fredamans Great minds! 2y
Eggs @fredamans 🙌🏻🙌🏻 2y
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elkeOriginal
Trick of the Light | Louise Penny
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Pickpick

Book 7 in the #Gamache series is back in #ThreePines when a dead body appears literally in Clara‘s backyard. This installment focusses on the Montreal art scene - which is quite dramatic! Fallout in the characters‘ personal lives from events in the previous 2 books continue and connect to the current mystery. Addiction and forgiveness are both dealt with in interesting ways. Another excellent Gamache book! And onto the next…
#whodunnit

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

I loved this installment of the Gamache series! Happy to be back in Three Pines and I loved the art world tie-in. So great seeing Clara come into her own. This is the 7th in the series and honestly, it just gets better and better! Even though there may be a bit of a formula, they are so good, I don‘t care! And I want a happy ending for Beauvoir so badly! I need to get my hands on the next one 😄 #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

JamieArc Have you seen that she just released the cover of the newest installment, out in October, I think? 2y
Julsmarshall @JamieArc I haven‘t ! I‘ll have to check it out. 2y
kspenmoll Love her books!!! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
54 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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CogsOfEncouragement
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Pickpick

The seventh in the series, another clever murder mystery set in Three Pines.

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Eggs
Trick of the Light | Louise Penny
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Yes #CoverLove - it‘s the first element of attraction for me! These are some of my favorites

#SundaySoapbox @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

TheSpineView Thanks for the tag Sherri! 😘 3y
Eggs @TheSpineView Welcome 🙏🏻 3y
eeclayton Thanks for the tag! I'm late but will catch up! ☺️ 3y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty 💛📚 3y
Eggs @eeclayton Welcome🙏🏻 3y
58 likes6 comments
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Librarybelle
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Pickpick

Another amazing entry in the Three Pines/Inspector Gamache series!

Penny‘s ability to suck in the reader into not only the narrative but also the underlying currents is astounding. For this one, forgiveness plays such a vital role - going beyond to forgive of not to forgive to examine thoughts and feelings and actions about a horrible situation and the energy it would take to forgive someone. Such a great read!

PageShifter Sounds interesting! 3y
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BookBosomed1
Trick of the Light | Louise Penny
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Thanks for the tag @SamanthaMarie
1. I don‘t even know what that means? What does that mean? 2. Bookmarks, a tea cup & saucer, or my leg warmers. I love bookmarks! 3. Tagged. I love the Detective Gamache series and Three Pines. @Lemons7 you want to play? #thoughtfulthursday @MoonWitch94

SamanthaMarie I've only read the first two Detective Gamache books, I need to get the third and keep going! 3y
BookBosomed1 @SamanthaMarie Yes! I tend to pick up the books when I‘m in a reading slump or I don‘t know what to read 3y
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Eggs
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50 likes2 comments
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canbku
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Mehso-so

This was my least favorite inspector Gamache take so far. I loved being back in Three Pines, of course, bit I thought some things were far-fetched and unbelievable -even for this type of fantasy. I also guessed the ending, which is something I'm not very good at, so.... And I like narrator, but he does this weird hum before everything Gamache said, which I think makes him sound pretentious

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ImperfectCJ
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Pickpick

This one is all about change and choosing what or whether to forgive. Penny does give her characters a chance to change, which keeps a series of potentially formulaic mysteries more fresh (although I am getting a little fatigued by the Christie-style dramatic group reveal). At one point Gamache says something like, "the theme of this murder is..." which felt a little too "breaking the fourth wall" to me, but other than that, I enjoyed this one.

Clwojick I‘ve heard good things about this author, but I‘ve still never read anything from her yet. 3y
43 likes2 comments
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canbku
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New audio! Haven't tried any of the Louise penny as audio. Will see if I like the narrator!

46 likes1 stack add
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PuddleJumper
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Pickpick

I've enjoyed all the books in this series so far and I'm looking forward to the rest of them

This one pondered on forgiveness and people's ability to change which I think were important themes to explore after the last book

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BookBosomed1
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Trying to listen to audiobooks on my hour long daily walks. I get distracted fairly easily on these walks (look, squirrel!) so it‘s a challenge but trying just the same.

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BookBosomed1
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Happy Day 5 #LitsySummerCamp hosted by @ImperfectCJ. I am new to 🎧 📚 while hiking or walking. I usually prefer to listen to nature or a podcast. However, I‘m giving audiobooks a try for my daily walks with the doggo! Happy walking.

DivineDiana I love everything about this photo! 3y
BookBosomed1 @DivineDiana thank you! We love visiting the grasspuppies 🐄 down the road. 3y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm Such a good doggo! ❤️ 3y
22 likes4 comments
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Singout
Mehso-so

I didn‘t enjoy this as much as I usually do Louise Penny; possibly because it delves into the world of art dealership and I had a hard time keeping track of all the different characters. Now I‘m looking forward to the next one!

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Jaimelire
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Pickpick

I always love coming back to the village of Three Pines and visiting with all the wonderful characters in Louise Penny‘s novels. Once again, this book did not disappoint. It did take me a bit longer than usual to read because my mind keeps wandering (Covid always in the forefront), but last night I managed a nice long stretch of reading and finished this great novel.

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anored
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“Light is every bit as challenging as dark. We can discover a great deal about ourselves by looking at beauty.”
~ A Trick of the Light
#louisepenny #Gamache

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mom2bugnbee
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December stats are always a bit down because Christmas. ☺

An Impartial Witness ⭐⭐⭐
A Trick of the Light ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Hostile Hospital ⭐⭐⭐
A Share in Death ⭐⭐⭐
A Bitter Truth ⭐⭐⭐⭐

20 likes1 stack add
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ShelleyBooksie
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Pickpick

I love this series. The characters feel like family and the mysteries are compelling. This book felt like a breath of fresh air after her previous book which was not set in Three Pines. The village and its occupants truly make the story.

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Mshookquilts
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Pickpick

Clara finally gets her solo show but at the after party in her own yard an old enemy is murdered. While Gamache searches for the murderer, he tries to solve/resolve other issues in his life.

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JulAnna
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Pickpick

Another entry in the Chief Inspector Gamache series. I enjoy how these books are more than murder mysteries. Each book gives more insight into the personalities of the characters. Such a well-developed series!

Crazeedi I agree with your assessment, I totally enjoyed this series 5y
33 likes1 stack add1 comment
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JulAnna
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#KeepLitsyActive #detective

Chief Inspector Gamache
Well developed character, flawed yet admirable
@ljuliel

RaimeyGallant And that duck! 5y
ljuliel Great picture and post ! Thank you. I must be missing something , as I‘ve been trying to play Where‘s Waldo , but looking for a duck 🦆 ? 5y
29 likes2 comments
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Jnnlb
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Pickpick

Louise Penny books are some of my favorites. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I highly recommend this series #louisepenny #trickofthelight #gamache

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Louise
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Pickpick

This #audiobook examines the scars that run deep and can influence a person‘s life over decades. It looks at what it takes to move beyond those scars in a real way. It explores themes of artistic and personal development. It‘s a quiet book and a solid addition to this excellent series.

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TrishB
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Pickpick

A lovely Sunday with one of my favourite detectives 😁 good read and I just guessed in time!
Sunday sads now though....been off for just over a week and really would like to be off a bit longer!

Cathythoughts We need more time off ... I‘m a believer in the 4 day working week. It‘s enough... 5y
squirrelbrain Oh no, Sunday grumps are the worst 😞 😘 5y
kspenmoll Love Louise Penny! I agree; one week never feels like enough! 5y
See All 9 Comments
TrishB @Cathythoughts agreed 😘 5y
TrishB @squirrelbrain I‘m definitely doing the first class grumps today! 5y
TrishB @kspenmoll work comes round very quickly ☹️ 5y
Sresendez12 I‘ve always heard good things about Louise Penny! I really want to start reading her stuff! 5y
TrishB @Sresendez12 it‘s a great series 👍🏻 5y
Zelma @Sresendez12 I‘m not a mystery fan at all but I love Louise Penny. Definitely give her a try if you have even a little interest. 5y
125 likes2 stack adds9 comments
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HollyBahling
This post contains spoilers
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Pickpick

Another great read by Louise Penny! I must admit... I spent the entire book expecting the culprit to be peter but was 100% shocked by who really did it! I know and I mean KNOW Peter has to be the perpetrator at some point. I feel like it such a tease he hasn‘t killed anyone yet. He more than once has seemed to have the motive. Anyone agree with me!?

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ferskner
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I'm kind of bummed that I didn't get as much reading in as I wanted this #24in48, but I should be able to hit twelve hours by midnight. It's such a pleasure to be back in Three Pines. #cozyinthesun

@Librarybelle @24in48

EKonrad Just started my first Louise Penny last night. Do you recommend the whole series? 😊 5y
Sweettartlaura @EKonrad I sure do 🙋🏻‍♀️. It‘s one of my favorite series. If you like the first one, it just gets better - enjoy! 5y
Librarybelle Love Three Pines. And, @EKonrad ...I highly recommend the series. It gets better, as Penny develops the characters. 5y
ferskner @EKonrad I would absolutely recommend the whole series! It really builds on itself in satisfying ways. How lucky you are to be reading Louise Penny for the first time! 5y
82 likes5 comments
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Christyco125
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Pickpick

They just keep getting better. I wish the library queue wasn‘t so long for the rest.

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Ncostell
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Pickpick

Is it just me or do Louise Penny‘s books in the Inspector Gamache series just keep getting better and better? In this seventh book in the series, a murdered woman is found in Clara Morrow‘s garden the night after her first art exhibit at a prominent Montreal museum. As usual the mystery is interesting, but the evolution of the main characters‘ relationships really elevates this series to another level.

CarolynM I agree. I've recently read the 9th in the series and it's still getting better. 6y
Ncostell @CarolynM. That‘s good to hear! I‘m glad that I still have more in the series to look forward to reading. 6y
kspenmoll They get better each year! I am awaiting her new one being released in November I think. I have the one before that yet to read. I am envious that you have more to read but I can always reread!!! 6y
Ncostell @kspenmoll Yes, I know that feeling of wanting to read something that you really enjoy but don‘t want to reach the end either! 6y
60 likes4 comments