"The outskirts of Three Pines might be surrounded by nature, but there is something unnatural looming. .."""
It is the height of summer, and Armand Gamache and his wife are celebrating their wedding anniversary at an isolated, luxurious inn not far from the village of Three Pines. But they're not alone. The Finney family--rich, cultured, and respectable--has also arrived for a celebration of their own...
"A RULE AGAINST MURDER"
As the heat rises and the humidity closes in, some surprising guests turn up at the Finney reunion...and a terrible summer storm leaves behind a dead body. Now it's up to Chief Inspector Gamache to unearth long-buried secrets and hatreds hidden behind polite smiles. The chase takes him to Three Pines--into the dark corners of his own life, and finally to a harrowing climax.
"If you don't give your heart to Gamache, you may have no heart to give." --"Kirkus Reviews "(starred review)
"A fine read...in true Christie-like fashion."--"Cleveland Plain Dealer"
"Penny tweaks the rules of Golden Age Detective Fiction in a way that is thoroughly modern."--"Los Angeles Times"