Reviews
"Riveting...with characters of incredible depth who only add to the strength of the plot." - Library Journal (starred) "This complex novel deals with universal themes of compassion, weakness in the face of temptation, forgiveness, and the danger of falling into despair and cynicism over apparently insurmountable evils." - Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed) "A compelling mystery and a rich human drama in which no character is either entirely good or evil, and each is capable of inspiring empathy." - Booklist (starred) "A chilling story that's also filled with hope--a beloved Penny trademark." - Kirkus (starred) Additional Praise for Louise Penny and the Armand Gamache Mysteries "Penny sustains her high-wire act, creating characters of remarkable depth in an exhilarating whodunit." -- People "Louise Penny is unsurpassed at building a sense of heart-stopping urgency." -- The Charlotte Observer "Penny, who raises the bar with each entry in this superb series, has always mixed murder and corruption with issues of morality...[S]he does so with her accustomed talent for a gripping plot, rich characterizations, arresting prose and thought-provoking questions of mercy, malice and the contradictions of the human race." -- Richmond-Times Dispatch "This series dominates best-seller lists and award lists for a reason. Penny tells powerful stories of damage and healing in the human heart, leavened with affection, humor and - thank goodness - redemption." --Salem Macknee, Charlotte Observer "Penny writes with grace and intelligence about complex people struggling with complex emotions. But her great gift is her uncanny ability to describe what might seem indescribable - the play of light, the sound of celestial music, a quiet sense of peace." -- New York Times Book Review, #1 New York Times Bestseller #1 Globe and Mail Bestseller New York Times Book Review 10 Best Crime Novels of the Year The Washington Post Best Mystery Books and Thrillers of 2016 NPR's Best Books of 2016 Seattle Times 10 Best Mysteries of 2016 Kirkus Reviews Best Fiction 2016 Publishers Weekly Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2016 Winner of the 2016 BookBrowse Fiction Award LibraryReads "Favorite of Favorites" Top 10 Books of 2016 Goodreads Best Mystery & Thriller of 2016 finalist BookPage 10 Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2016 Audible's Best Mystery/Thriller of 2016 St. Louis Post-Dispatch 5 Favorite Audiobooks of 2016 BOLO Books Top Reads of 2016 "Deep and grand and altogether extraordinary....Miraculous." -- The Washington Post "Artful... powerful... magical." -- The New York Times Book Review "Suspenseful." -- O, the Oprah Magazine "Superb." -- People "Transcends the mystery genre." -- AARP, The Magazine "Luminous prose, complex but uncluttered plots, and profound compassion." -- Seattle Times "Addictive." -- Charlotte Observer "Satin prose... A splendid and moving novel." -- Richmond Times Dispatch " A Great Reckoning succeeds on every level." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch "Louise Penny [is] legendary... The magic of Penny's books lies in the details." -- BookPage "This complex novel deals with universal themes of compassion, weakness in the face of temptation, forgiveness, and the danger of falling into despair and cynicism over apparently insurmountable evils." -- Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed) "A compelling mystery and a rich human drama in which no character is either entirely good or evil, and each is capable of inspiring empathy." -- Booklist (starred) "A chilling story that's also filled with hope'a beloved Penny trademark." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred) "Riveting...with characters of incredible depth who only add to the strength of the plot." -- Library Journal (starred) "Smart and Satisfying." -- Salisbury Post "Delivers answers to perplexing puzzles...[with] engaging characters and richly layered plot." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune Additional Praise for Louise Penny and the Armand Gamache Mysteries "Penny sustains her high-wire act, creating characters of remarkable depth in an exhilarating whodunit." -- People "Louise Penny is unsurpassed at building a sense of heart-stopping urgency." -- The Charlotte Observer "Penny, who raises the bar with each entry in this superb series, has always mixed murder and corruption with issues of morality...[S]he does so with her accustomed talent for a gripping plot, rich characterizations, arresting prose and thought-provoking questions of mercy, malice and the contradictions of the human race." -- Richmond-Times Dispatch "This series dominates best-seller lists and award lists for a reason. Penny tells powerful stories of damage and healing in the human heart, leavened with affection, humor and - thank goodness - redemption." --Salem Macknee, Charlotte Observer "Penny writes with grace and intelligence about complex people struggling with complex emotions. But her great gift is her uncanny ability to describe what might seem indescribable - the play of light, the sound of celestial music, a quiet sense of peace." -- New York Times Book Review, "Riveting...with characters of incredible depth who only add to the strength of the plot." - Library Journal (starred) "This complex novel deals with universal themes of compassion, weakness in the face of temptation, forgiveness, and the danger of falling into despair and cynicism over apparently insurmountable evils." - Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed) "A compelling mystery and a rich human drama in which no character is either entirely good or evil, and each is capable of inspiring empathy." - Booklist (starred) "A chilling story that's also filled with hope--a beloved Penny trademark." - Kirkus (starred) "Luminous prose, complex but uncluttered plots, and profound compassion." - Seattle Times Additional Praise for Louise Penny and the Armand Gamache Mysteries "Penny sustains her high-wire act, creating characters of remarkable depth in an exhilarating whodunit." -- People "Louise Penny is unsurpassed at building a sense of heart-stopping urgency." -- The Charlotte Observer "Penny, who raises the bar with each entry in this superb series, has always mixed murder and corruption with issues of morality...[S]he does so with her accustomed talent for a gripping plot, rich characterizations, arresting prose and thought-provoking questions of mercy, malice and the contradictions of the human race." -- Richmond-Times Dispatch "This series dominates best-seller lists and award lists for a reason. Penny tells powerful stories of damage and healing in the human heart, leavened with affection, humor and - thank goodness - redemption." --Salem Macknee, Charlotte Observer "Penny writes with grace and intelligence about complex people struggling with complex emotions. But her great gift is her uncanny ability to describe what might seem indescribable - the play of light, the sound of celestial music, a quiet sense of peace." -- New York Times Book Review, #1 New York Times Bestseller #1 Globe and Mail Bestseller New York Times Book Review 10 Best Crime Novels of the Year The Washington Post Best Mystery Books and Thrillers of 2016 NPR's Best Books of 2016 Seattle Times 10 Best Mysteries of 2016 Kirkus Reviews Best Fiction 2016 Publishers Weekly Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2016 Winner of the 2016 BookBrowse Fiction Award LibraryReads "Favorite of Favorites" Top 10 Books of 2016 Goodreads Best Mystery & Thriller of 2016 finalist BookPage 10 Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2016 Audible's Best Mystery/Thriller of 2016 St. Louis Post-Dispatch 5 Favorite Audiobooks of 2016 BOLO Books Top Reads of 2016 "Deep and grand and altogether extraordinary....Miraculous." -- The Washington Post "Artful... powerful... magical." -- The New York Times Book Review "Suspenseful." -- O, the Oprah Magazine "Superb." -- People "Transcends the mystery genre." -- AARP, The Magazine "Luminous prose, complex but uncluttered plots, and profound compassion." -- Seattle Times "Addictive." -- Charlotte Observer "Satin prose... A splendid and moving novel." -- Richmond Times Dispatch " A Great Reckoning succeeds on every level." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch "Louise Penny [is] legendary... The magic of Penny's books lies in the details." -- BookPage "This complex novel deals with universal themes of compassion, weakness in the face of temptation, forgiveness, and the danger of falling into despair and cynicism over apparently insurmountable evils." -- Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed) "A compelling mystery and a rich human drama in which no character is either entirely good or evil, and each is capable of inspiring empathy." -- Booklist (starred) "A chilling story that's also filled with hope a beloved Penny trademark." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred) "Riveting...with characters of incredible depth who only add to the strength of the plot." -- Library Journal (starred) "Smart and Satisfying." -- Salisbury Post "Delivers answers to perplexing puzzles...[with] engaging characters and richly layered plot." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune Additional Praise for Louise Penny and the Armand Gamache Mysteries "Penny sustains her high-wire act, creating characters of remarkable depth in an exhilarating whodunit." -- People "Louise Penny is unsurpassed at building a sense of heart-stopping urgency." -- The Charlotte Observer "Penny, who raises the bar with each entry in this superb series, has always mixed murder and corruption with issues of morality...[S]he does so with her accustomed talent for a gripping plot, rich characterizations, arresting prose and thought-provoking questions of mercy, malice and the contradictions of the human race." -- Richmond-Times Dispatch "This series dominates best-seller lists and award lists for a reason. Penny tells powerful stories of damage and healing in the human heart, leavened with affection, humor and - thank goodness - redemption." --Salem Macknee, Charlotte Observer "Penny writes with grace and intelligence about complex people struggling with complex emotions. But her great gift is her uncanny ability to describe what might seem indescribable - the play of light, the sound of celestial music, a quiet sense of peace." -- New York Times Book Review, "Superb" - People "Riveting...with characters of incredible depth who only add to the strength of the plot." - Library Journal (starred) "This complex novel deals with universal themes of compassion, weakness in the face of temptation, forgiveness, and the danger of falling into despair and cynicism over apparently insurmountable evils." - Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed) "A compelling mystery and a rich human drama in which no character is either entirely good or evil, and each is capable of inspiring empathy." - Booklist (starred) "A chilling story that's also filled with hope--a beloved Penny trademark." - Kirkus (starred) "Luminous prose, complex but uncluttered plots, and profound compassion." - Seattle Times Additional Praise for Louise Penny and the Armand Gamache Mysteries "Penny sustains her high-wire act, creating characters of remarkable depth in an exhilarating whodunit." -- People "Louise Penny is unsurpassed at building a sense of heart-stopping urgency." -- The Charlotte Observer "Penny, who raises the bar with each entry in this superb series, has always mixed murder and corruption with issues of morality...[S]he does so with her accustomed talent for a gripping plot, rich characterizations, arresting prose and thought-provoking questions of mercy, malice and the contradictions of the human race." -- Richmond-Times Dispatch "This series dominates best-seller lists and award lists for a reason. Penny tells powerful stories of damage and healing in the human heart, leavened with affection, humor and - thank goodness - redemption." --Salem Macknee, Charlotte Observer "Penny writes with grace and intelligence about complex people struggling with complex emotions. But her great gift is her uncanny ability to describe what might seem indescribable - the play of light, the sound of celestial music, a quiet sense of peace." -- New York Times Book Review, "This complex novel deals with universal themes of compassion, weakness in the face of temptation, forgiveness, and the danger of falling into despair and cynicism over apparently insurmountable evils." - Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed) "A compelling mystery and a rich human drama in which no character is either entirely good or evil, and each is capable of inspiring empathy." - Booklist (starred) "A chilling story that's also filled with hope--a beloved Penny trademark." - Kirkus (starred) "Penny sustains her high-wire act, creating characters of remarkable depth in an exhilarating whodunit." -- People "Louise Penny is unsurpassed at building a sense of heart-stopping urgency." -- The Charlotte Observer "Penny, who raises the bar with each entry in this superb series, has always mixed murder and corruption with issues of morality...[S]he does so with her accustomed talent for a gripping plot, rich characterizations, arresting prose and thought-provoking questions of mercy, malice and the contradictions of the human race." -- Richmond-Times Dispatch "This series dominates best-seller lists and award lists for a reason. Penny tells powerful stories of damage and healing in the human heart, leavened with affection, humor and - thank goodness - redemption." --Salem Macknee, Charlotte Observer "Penny writes with grace and intelligence about complex people struggling with complex emotions. But her great gift is her uncanny ability to describe what might seem indescribable - the play of light, the sound of celestial music, a quiet sense of peace." -- New York Times Book Review, "Deep and grand and altogether extraordinary....Miraculous." -- The Washington Post "Artful... powerful... magical." -- The New York Times Book Review "Suspenseful." -- O, the Oprah Magazine "Superb." -- People "Transcends the mystery genre." -- AARP, The Magazine "Luminous prose, complex but uncluttered plots, and profound compassion." -- Seattle Times "Addictive." -- Charlotte Observer "Satin prose... A splendid and moving novel." -- Richmond Times Dispatch " A Great Reckoning succeeds on every level." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch "Louise Penny [is] legendary... The magic of Penny's books lies in the details." -- BookPage "This complex novel deals with universal themes of compassion, weakness in the face of temptation, forgiveness, and the danger of falling into despair and cynicism over apparently insurmountable evils." -- Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed) "A compelling mystery and a rich human drama in which no character is either entirely good or evil, and each is capable of inspiring empathy." -- Booklist (starred) "A chilling story that's also filled with hope'a beloved Penny trademark." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred) "Riveting...with characters of incredible depth who only add to the strength of the plot." -- Library Journal (starred) Additional Praise for Louise Penny and the Armand Gamache Mysteries "Penny sustains her high-wire act, creating characters of remarkable depth in an exhilarating whodunit." -- People "Louise Penny is unsurpassed at building a sense of heart-stopping urgency." -- The Charlotte Observer "Penny, who raises the bar with each entry in this superb series, has always mixed murder and corruption with issues of morality...[S]he does so with her accustomed talent for a gripping plot, rich characterizations, arresting prose and thought-provoking questions of mercy, malice and the contradictions of the human race." -- Richmond-Times Dispatch "This series dominates best-seller lists and award lists for a reason. Penny tells powerful stories of damage and healing in the human heart, leavened with affection, humor and - thank goodness - redemption." --Salem Macknee, Charlotte Observer "Penny writes with grace and intelligence about complex people struggling with complex emotions. But her great gift is her uncanny ability to describe what might seem indescribable - the play of light, the sound of celestial music, a quiet sense of peace." -- New York Times Book Review, "Riveting...with characters of incredible depth who only add to the strength of the plot." - Library Journal (starred) "This complex novel deals with universal themes of compassion, weakness in the face of temptation, forgiveness, and the danger of falling into despair and cynicism over apparently insurmountable evils." - Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed) "A compelling mystery and a rich human drama in which no character is either entirely good or evil, and each is capable of inspiring empathy." - Booklist (starred) "A chilling story that's also filled with hope--a beloved Penny trademark." - Kirkus (starred) "Penny sustains her high-wire act, creating characters of remarkable depth in an exhilarating whodunit." -- People "Louise Penny is unsurpassed at building a sense of heart-stopping urgency." -- The Charlotte Observer "Penny, who raises the bar with each entry in this superb series, has always mixed murder and corruption with issues of morality...[S]he does so with her accustomed talent for a gripping plot, rich characterizations, arresting prose and thought-provoking questions of mercy, malice and the contradictions of the human race." -- Richmond-Times Dispatch "This series dominates best-seller lists and award lists for a reason. Penny tells powerful stories of damage and healing in the human heart, leavened with affection, humor and - thank goodness - redemption." --Salem Macknee, Charlotte Observer "Penny writes with grace and intelligence about complex people struggling with complex emotions. But her great gift is her uncanny ability to describe what might seem indescribable - the play of light, the sound of celestial music, a quiet sense of peace." -- New York Times Book Review, "Deep and grand and altogether extraordinary....Miraculous." -- The Washington Post "Artful... powerful... magical." -- The New York Times Book Review "Suspenseful." -- O, the Oprah Magazine "Superb." -- People "Transcends the mystery genre." -- AARP, The Magazine "Luminous prose, complex but uncluttered plots, and profound compassion." -- Seattle Times "Addictive." -- Charlotte Observer "Satin prose... A splendid and moving novel." -- Richmond Times Dispatch " A Great Reckoning succeeds on every level." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch "Louise Penny [is] legendary... The magic of Penny's books lies in the details." -- BookPage "This complex novel deals with universal themes of compassion, weakness in the face of temptation, forgiveness, and the danger of falling into despair and cynicism over apparently insurmountable evils." -- Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed) "A compelling mystery and a rich human drama in which no character is either entirely good or evil, and each is capable of inspiring empathy." -- Booklist (starred) "A chilling story that's also filled with hope'a beloved Penny trademark." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred) "Riveting...with characters of incredible depth who only add to the strength of the plot." -- Library Journal (starred) "Smart and Satisfying." -- Salisbury Post "Delivers answers to perplexing puzzles...[with] engaging characters and richly layered plot." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune Additional Praise for Louise Penny and the Armand Gamache Mysteries "Penny sustains her high-wire act, creating characters of remarkable depth in an exhilarating whodunit." -- People "Louise Penny is unsurpassed at building a sense of heart-stopping urgency." -- The Charlotte Observer "Penny, who raises the bar with each entry in this superb series, has always mixed murder and corruption with issues of morality...[S]he does so with her accustomed talent for a gripping plot, rich characterizations, arresting prose and thought-provoking questions of mercy, malice and the contradictions of the human race." -- Richmond-Times Dispatch "This series dominates best-seller lists and award lists for a reason. Penny tells powerful stories of damage and healing in the human heart, leavened with affection, humor and - thank goodness - redemption." --Salem Macknee, Charlotte Observer "Penny writes with grace and intelligence about complex people struggling with complex emotions. But her great gift is her uncanny ability to describe what might seem indescribable - the play of light, the sound of celestial music, a quiet sense of peace." -- New York Times Book Review, "The superbly gifted Louise Penny is on my secret shortlist of must-read authors, and A TRICK OF THE LIGHT proves why. Artist Clara Morrow is about to have a prestigious show of her paintings when her childhood friend is found murdered, and the finger of suspicion points to Clara. Chief Inspector Gamache is called to investigate, and using his trademark powers of deduction and his intuitive knack for the right question at the right time, he exposes the darkness that underlies the bright stars of Montreal's art world, where competition between friends, and even between husband and wife, can turn lethal. Ultimately, of course, it's Louise Penny who steals the show, and A TRICK OF THE LIGHT will not only keep you engrossed from start to finish, it will teach you something new about love, truth, and the human heart." -- Lisa Scottoline, "Penny sustains her high-wire act, creating characters of remarkable depth in an exhilarating whodunit." -- People "Louise Penny is unsurpassed at building a sense of heart-stopping urgency." -- The Charlotte Observer "Penny, who raises the bar with each entry in this superb series, has always mixed murder and corruption with issues of morality...[S]he does so with her accustomed talent for a gripping plot, rich characterizations, arresting prose and thought-provoking questions of mercy, malice and the contradictions of the human race." -- Richmond-Times Dispatch "This series dominates best-seller lists and award lists for a reason. Penny tells powerful stories of damage and healing in the human heart, leavened with affection, humor and - thank goodness - redemption." --Salem Macknee, Charlotte Observer "Penny writes with grace and intelligence about complex people struggling with complex emotions. But her great gift is her uncanny ability to describe what might seem indescribable - the play of light, the sound of celestial music, a quiet sense of peace." -- New York Times Book Review, Praise for Louise Penny "Riveting...with characters of incredible depth who only add to the strength of the plot." - Library Journal (starred) "This complex novel deals with universal themes of compassion, weakness in the face of temptation, forgiveness, and the danger of falling into despair and cynicism over apparently insurmountable evils." - Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed) "A compelling mystery and a rich human drama in which no character is either entirely good or evil, and each is capable of inspiring empathy." - Booklist (starred) "A chilling story that's also filled with hope--a beloved Penny trademark." - Kirkus (starred) "Penny sustains her high-wire act, creating characters of remarkable depth in an exhilarating whodunit." -- People "Louise Penny is unsurpassed at building a sense of heart-stopping urgency." -- The Charlotte Observer "Penny, who raises the bar with each entry in this superb series, has always mixed murder and corruption with issues of morality...[S]he does so with her accustomed talent for a gripping plot, rich characterizations, arresting prose and thought-provoking questions of mercy, malice and the contradictions of the human race." -- Richmond-Times Dispatch "This series dominates best-seller lists and award lists for a reason. Penny tells powerful stories of damage and healing in the human heart, leavened with affection, humor and - thank goodness - redemption." --Salem Macknee, Charlotte Observer "Penny writes with grace and intelligence about complex people struggling with complex emotions. But her great gift is her uncanny ability to describe what might seem indescribable - the play of light, the sound of celestial music, a quiet sense of peace." -- New York Times Book Review
