Madness of the Crowd

Louise Penny, the famous author of detective stories featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, raises tough and uncomfortable questions in her new novel. What has civilized society lost and what has it gained after the pandemic of the twenty-first century, which involuntarily made us recall the dark collisions of the Middle Ages? Is it true that a frightened, bewildered crowd is ready to follow a new leader who proclaims: “Everything will be fine”? Fine, but not for everyone... The epidemic has receded. On the eve of the New Year, a lecturer, Professor Abigail Robinson, arrives in Quebec at the invitation of the university’s honorary rector. The topic of her speech causes unprecedented excitement, and the rector personally asks Chief Inspector Gamache to ensure order in the hall. The charming Robinson holds the audience's attention beautifully, despite sharp disagreements among the listeners. And suddenly, gunshots ring out... Panic ensues. Fortunately, Abigail is not even injured, but Gamache has to take all necessary measures for her further protection, although... the professor's position causes him (and not only him) extreme rejection. The presence of this woman sows discord even in such a quiet place as the village of Three Pines. And despite all the efforts of the Quebec police, on New Year's Eve, under the thundering fireworks, a brutal murder occurs just a few steps away from the festive turmoil... During the investigation, Gamache intuitively grabs onto an unlikely version, and this thread leads him to the past, to a horrific crime against humanity committed here, in a civilized country.