Review of "A Trick of the Light: A Chief Inspector Armand Gamache Mystery" by Louise Penny

 

In this 7th book in the 'Chief Inspector Armand Gamache' series, the detective investigates a murder at a barbeque. The book can be read as a standalone, but knowing the background of the characters is beneficial.



*****

There's excitement in the tiny Quebec town of Three Pines when long-time resident, artist Clara Morrow, is scheduled to have her first vernissage at the prestigious Musée D'art Contemporain de Montreal.



Clara has been painting away, unheralded, for years - and now her genius will finally be acknowledged.



One person who isn't happy about Clara's success is her husband, fellow artist Peter Morrow, who's jealous and resentful.....but trying to hide it.



The vernissage, a private showing with food and drink, attracts a wide variety of guests, including struggling (or failed) artists who come for the free refreshments.



There's a great deal of rivalry in the art world, and some unsuccessful artists - even ones who become art critics, or art gallery owners, or art dealers - engage in backstabbing, pettiness, and denigration of people more talented than themselves. This theme runs throughout the story, leading to scenes that are both humorous, cringeworthy, and infuriating. 😫



Clara's vernissage is followed by a barbecue at the Morrow home in Three Pines, to allow friends, neighbors, and art aficionados to continue celebrating Clara's success. One of the guests at both the vernissage and the barbeque is Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec, a good friend of the Morrows.



The mystery part of the book kicks in when Clara's triumph is marred by the discovery of a woman's body in the Morrows' backyard.



The woman, clad in a bright red dress, turns out to be Lillian Dyson - Clara's best friend from childhood. Clara and Lillian had been like sisters all the way through art school, when they had a huge falling out. It's now been decades since Clara clapped eyes on her former friend.

Everyone at the party - and all the people in Three Pines - are suspects, and Gamache gathers his team to investigate. This includes Inspector Jean-Guy Beauvoir and Agent Isabelle Lacoste, who proceed to examine the crime scene, analyze evidence, interview people, and so on.



I won't say any more about the inquiry because of spoilers.

The suspense part of the novel is accompanied by a deep dive into the private lives of the main characters, some of whom have life-changing experiences in this story. In fact, this book marks a turning point in the series (IMO). Readers familiar with the books will understand this best, but enough information is supplied for new readers to catch on.

For instance, both Gamache and Beauvoir were almost killed in a police action in a previous book, and Beauvoir now has a painkiller problem. Moreover, some miscreant put a video of the disastrous police action on the internet, for everyone to see.



Police supervisors think the culprit who uploaded the video was an unknown hacker, but Gamache and Beauvoir believe it was an inside job....and that something is rotten in the Sûreté. In fact Gamache thinks someone is trying to push him out of the police service.

In addition to the video brouhaha, the story highlights some romantic tumult; old resentments that continue to simmer; a situation involving Rosa the duck; Peter Morrow's guilty secrets; Clara Morrow's new insights; and more.

The recurring characters in Penny's books are highlights of the novels. In this story, we once again visit with Ruth - the grumpy, potty-mouthed poet;



Gabri and Olivier - the gay couple who run the local inn;



Marge - the former psychologist who now owns a bookstore;



Reine-Marie - Gamache's solicitous wife; and others.



I enjoyed the book, which has a well-wrought mystery and clues that are interesting to ponder. I had a suspect in mind from early on.....but I was wrong. 😏

I'd recommend the book to mystery lovers, especially fans of Armand Gamache.

Rating: 3.5 stars