other books by the author of the cruelest month

Penny continues to develop Peter and Clara Morrow and Ruth Zardo. In one of the more exciting finishes of a mystery, the two plots collide at the old Hadley House as Gamache’s revelation of Madeleine’s murderer is interrupted with the revelation of those conspiring against Gamache.

About the time of a late winter storm in Three Pines, the storm breaks in the form of a series of news articles casting suspicions on Gamache and his children. Before his departure is good friend Michel Brebeuf warns him of the growing storm of the allies of Inspector Arnot, who Gamache pursued because of his corruption, violating the codes of loyalty in the Sûreté. And despite her attitudes and suspicion that she is part of the conspiracy to bring down Gamache, he takes her on his team. Gamache and his team are assigned the case. And gradually as the case unfolds, it emerges that all the above named had motive to wish her dead. Subsequent tests find a lethal dose of ephedra in her bloodstream. Apparently not everyone adored Madeleine. During the séance, there is a sudden thump, and when the light go on, Madeleine is dead with a look of terror on her face.

Really, just about everyone seemed to adore her, save Odile who is jealous of her husband’s attraction to her. Madeleine has only lived in Three Pines a few years, coming to stay with her schoolmate Hazel who always adored her after a divorce and a cancer diagnosis. Among those present are Odile Montmagny, Gilles Sandon, Monsieur Beliveau, Jeanne Chauvet, Hazel Smythe and her daughter Sophie, and Madeleine Favreau. Not much happens except that Monsieur Beliveau, the grocer, proposes doing a second séance at the old Hadley House, empty since the last murder associated with the house. She is a Wiccan and Gabri and Olivier convince her to hold a séance on Good Friday evening. Then Jeanne Chauvet arrives at Gabri and Olivier’s bed and breakfast. It seems that the greatest danger is getting between a mother bear and her cubs in the nearby woods. It’s April and Three Pines is coming to life. Summary: Gamache returns to Three Pines to solve a murder during a seance at the old Hadley House while forces within the Surete’ (and on his team) plot his downfall to avenge the Arnot case. The Cruelest Month (Chief Inspector Gamache #3), Louise Penny.

Other books by the author of the cruelest month