73.
Author: Louise Penny
Title: A Trick of the Light
publication: Hardcover
Pages
Genre: Mystery
Acquisition:
Date: September 14, 2011
Rating: *****

A Trick of the Light is quietly elegant, yet delves deep into the baseness that makes up human nature. The mystery revolves around the death of an art critic who once took particular joy in destroying the budding careers of artists; as a result, the pool of suspects encompasses almost all of the local art world, and Gamache and his elite team find themselves working with some especially neurotic individuals. What comes to light is the true ugliness that people can keep inside, and the resulting novel is as philosophical as it is mysterious. One of the things I appreciate about Penny's mysteries is that she does not fall into the easy trap of insanity: not all murderers hear voices or are otherwise insane. Some are just simply horrible people, doing horrible things. In the end I was pleased not only with the resolution of the murder, but with the fate of a certain detestable character. This book is yet another treat for fans of Three Pines.