A Trick of the Light” is a mystery novel by Louise Penny,

A Trick of the Light” is a mystery novel by Louise Penny, first published in 2011. It is the seventh book in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, set in the fictional Quebec village of Three Pines.

🕵️‍♂️ Summary

The story opens with Clara Morrow, an artist who has finally achieved success—her work is being celebrated at a solo exhibition in Montréal. After the big event, she and her husband Peter host a party at their home in Three Pines. The celebration, however, turns dark the next morning when the body of a woman is found in their garden.

The victim is revealed to be Lillian Dyson, a former friend of Clara’s whom she hasn’t seen in years. Lillian was once part of the art world but became known for her cruel, cutting reviews that ruined many reputations—including Clara’s. Her sudden reappearance and mysterious death lead Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team, including Jean-Guy Beauvoir, to investigate.

As the detectives dig deeper, they uncover the complex relationships within the art community—envy, resentment, betrayal, and the fine line between creativity and destruction. The investigation also tests Gamache’s compassion and understanding of human weakness, as he tries to separate illusion from truth—literally, the “trick of the light.”

🎨 Themes

Perception vs. Reality: The title refers to how light can deceive the eye, just as people’s perceptions of others—and themselves—can be misleading.

Forgiveness and Redemption: Both Clara and Lillian’s stories revolve around the possibility (and difficulty) of forgiveness.

Jealousy and Artistic Ego: The art world is portrayed as competitive and filled with hidden bitterness.

Healing and Recovery: Gamache and Beauvoir are still dealing with trauma from earlier cases, adding emotional depth.

🧩 Characters

Armand Gamache – Chief Inspector of the Sûreté du Québec, thoughtful and wise.

Jean-Guy Beauvoir – Gamache’s loyal second-in-command, struggling with personal demons.

Clara Morrow – The artist whose success and friendship are at the center of the mystery.

Peter Morrow – Clara’s husband, also an artist, envious of his wife’s rising fame.

Lillian Dyson – The murder victim, a critic and former friend with a troubled past.

💡 Tone and Style

Louise Penny blends psychological insight with literary prose and classic detective structure. The novel balances a cozy village setting with deep emotional and moral complexity—an examination of how people see and misjudge one another.