“What happened here last night isn’t allowed,” said Madame Dubois. It was such an extraordinary thing to say it stopped the ravenous Inspector Beauvoir from taking another bite of his roast beef on baguette. “You have a rule against murder?” he asked. “I do. When my husband and I bought the Bellechasse we made a pact….Everything that stepped foot on this land would be safe.” It is the height … land would be safe.”
It is the height of summer, and Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache are celebrating their wedding anniversary at Manoir Bellechasse, 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.
The beautiful Manoir Bellechasse might be surrounded by nature, but there is something unnatural looming. As the heat rises and the humidity closes in, some surprising guests turn up at the family reunion, and a terrible summer storm leaves behind a dead body. It is up to Chief Inspector Gamache to unearth secrets long buried 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.
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A great mystery novel that transcends the genre. Louise Penny is my favorite mystery author and ‘A Rule Against Murder’ is one of her best. The scene that takes place atop the roof ranks as one of the finest things I have ever read.
Louise Penny is my favorite author and this book is one in her Three Pines/Gamache series. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed an author or book series as much as this one. It is so much more than just a book….just a story. The continuing characters become your friends and you wish you lived in Three Pines.
Louise Penny is the best author! Her Inspector Gamache series is award winning, her characters become your dear friends, the settings become part of the story. These books are mysteries but so much more! Start reading the series (in order) today!!
Louise Penny and her Three Pines characters are the best!
Any books by Louise Penny are wonderfully written and hard to put down. I picked just one but having read them all their have been none that disappoint. She is a gifted writer and I can’t wait for her next book which comes out, I think, soon.
Did not like it as much as others in series, probably because the 3 Pines residents were not the center of the action.
I love this series.
Louise Penny is one of my favorite authors and I’ll read anything of hers I can get my hands on. I savor her books. I love her writing and her characters and what I learn about the quebecois culture. I got the biggest kick out of visiting Montreal and Quebec City—seeing Gamache’s stomping grounds.