Judith L. (jlautner) reviewed on 2/9/2022 + 105 more book reviews

Inspector Gamache gets to return to Three Pines. I wonder sometimes if he ever stays in the big city. Or maybe he only gets to work in the sticks.

A dead man is found in the bistro owned by Olivier Brule. Nobody is able to identify him, but we readers know that Olivier knows something about him. The man looks quite old but well-kept. His clothing is of good quality and is cared for if old. It turns out that he is only in his fifties but looks 20 years older. Gamache wonders what has gone on in the man's life to cause him to age so much - and to be murdered.

Olivier is part of the core group of friends who have met with and gotten to know Gamache over the years. He is a friend of Gamache's now as well. It is not beyond the inspector, though, to consider him as a suspect.

Of course nothing is simple. There is the old house up on the hill, where previously bodies have been found. It has been purchased by a couple who live there with the man's mother and who are converting it into a luxury hotel and spa. This competition does not sit well with Olivier, who fears his B&B will suffer as a result. There is antipathy between the two as a result.

Other suspects are added to the list as more is learned about the dead man and what he has been doing of late. Assisting the team is a young local policeman, who very much wants to become a homicide investigator eventually. Gamache's experience with subordinates has been good, with few exceptions. Will this be another find? Or a disaster? Jean-Guy suspects the latter.

The investigators prowl the woods as well as some homes before closing in on the presumed killer. The usual gang is very much present and we follow Clara Morrow as she prepares for a big showing of her art - with some unexpected results.

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