Autumn is returning to Three Pines and so is Inspector Gamache, redolent of sandalwood and possessed of keen insight and a beautiful French accent. All your favorite characters are still in the village, and are now trying to deal with the latest murder—that of a 9-year-old boy with a wild imagination and unbelievable tales of the forest. Louise Penny masterfully weaves a page-turning mystery involving old crimes and betrayals with the driving force of certain human behaviors. Her multi-layered plot peels away the emotional and psychological layers of her characters, endearing us to each and underlining the importance of relationships. I still think we need to plan a field trip to Montreal and Quebec during the autumn to see if we can find Three Pines. – Vivian Evans