This is the work of a creative genius who effortlessly is able to combine crime,history,philosophy and a deep sense of community in one deceptively simple novel.I love how multi-layered these books are.For the 20th time readers are returned to the little hidden village of Three Pines in Quebec where Armand Gamache,Head of homicide for the whole region lives. For loyal fans ( including myself) there is a long awaited reunion with the now familiar villagers and I smiled at the subtle references to her earlier books,although it can easily be read as a standalone story,.The crime at the centre of the plot is devastating, made all the more so by how plausible it could be. The ending left me reeling and feeling that I really needed to go to the bistro to recover! I would give this 10 stars if I could- A tremendous read,thank you!

With many thanks to Hodder and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

<b>4.5</b> Folks familiar with the Gamache story so far will know that sometimes the books are bigger than a murder to solve. This is one of those stories. Yes, there’s a murder but it’s far, far, bigger this time. Our story takes us across Québec, to the Vatican, and even to rural France with little time being spent in Three Pines itself. The plot is ambitious, complex, and brings in some familiar faces and threads from previous books while introducing new ones (including a timely climate breakdown theme). In ways, it reminded me of a previous Gamache adventure, How the Light Gets In, and, more recently, Louise Penny's collaboration with Hillary Clinton, State of Terror. Louise’s writing is on top form with a slow burn start and a heart-racing ending.

Personally, I didn’t feel like our beloved Armand was on top form in this instalment, and in some of the action scenes, he’s channelling some major Nathan Drake vibes (IYKYK). As the series goes on, it requires more suspension of disbelief but Louise Penny acknowledges this point subtly and beautifully in the book.

I enjoyed the time I spent with this book and felt the usual emptiness when I finished! I’m sure that fellow Three Pines enthusiasts will enjoy the latest instalment too. While this book could work as a standalone, I would recommend readers start a bit earlier as folks new to Three Pines would be missing some vital context and wonderful characters and story arcs if they jump in here. Geez, after 19 stories, even I could do with re-reading the series to refresh my memory on some of the nuance!

The cover art for this book is truly <I>magnifique</I>.

I can’t wait to receive my Canadian edition of the book and read it again with you all upon release! As long as Louise Penny keeps writing books, I’ll be reading and championing them!

Hodder & Stoughton, you made my week with this ARC - thank you so, so much!

A superb addition to the series. There is corruption, threats to the community, characters and places are revisited (so, whilst not essential as each book is complete in itself, it is better to read the books in order). Gamache, Beauvoir and Lacoste investigate a crime brought to them by a biologist who has broken into Gamache's apartment, and the story develops from there. Who does one trust? And the title is explained.

I thoroughly recommend this to anyone enjoying a good, well-written novel.

With thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC.

Excellent! Another beautifully written and plotted book by Louise Penny. I shall be enthusiastically encouraging all to read this book.