An excellent read set in the lovely sleepy Canadian village of Three Pines, as were her previous special books. I get the feeling this is a magical, happy place with a close-knit protective community who cannot understand why it is visited by evil, and hope that C.I. Gamache of the Quebec Surete will rescue them – which he does, so the village can go back to sleep again, almost like Brigadoon, until Louise Penny returns, hopefully with another fine novel.

Comparison: Ruth Rendell, Colin Dexter, Henning Mankell.

Synopsis

The third novel in our award-winning Canadian crime series featuring Chief Inspector Gamache of the Sûreté du Quebec and set in the picturesque village of Three Pines.

The novel takes place at Easter -- traditionally a time for death, and for spirits coming back from the dead... Gamache is called to Three Pines when a séance attended by locals goes horrifyingly wrong, and a woman is found on the floor, apparently scared to death. Something frightened Madeleine Favreau so much that it literally stopped her heart, but Gamache knows her killer is from this world, not the next.

Meanwhile, Gamache's own enemies high up within the Sûreté du Quebec are moving in for the kill, and the Inspector waits for the Judas within his own team to strike. But what exactly does the traitor want and, more importantly, how far will they go to ensure Gamache's downfall?

About the Author

Louise Penny has worked for many years for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, with expertise in hard news and current affairs. She lives in Quebec with her husband and their two golden retrievers. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation