A Rule Against Murder

Read the series that inspired Three Pines on Prime Video.

A Rule Against Murder, the fourth book in Louise Penny's award-winning and critical revered mystery series features the wise and beleaguered Inspector Armand Gamache.

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.

“With its small-town hominess, the Canadian village of Three Pines draws the reader into its quaint traditions.Who wouldn't be charmed by the dramas of a community where Easter egg hunts and socials at the bed and breakfast are the most exciting events? Yet it is Penny's fastidious, cultured, and smart Inspector Gamache who makes [ The Cruelest Month ] impossible to put down.”

"Louise Penny applies her magic touch to A RULE AGAINST MURDER, giving the village mystery an elegance and depth not often seen in this traditional genre. Although Penny is no slouch at constructing a whodunit puzzle, her great skill is her ability to create a charming mise-en-scene and inhabit it with complex characters."
--Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review

"Reminiscent of classic Christie... This latest treat in the series will keep fans salivating in anticipation, savoring each delectable morsel and yearning for more."
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Readers who haven't discovered Louise Penny and her Armand Gamache series yet are in for a treat... Not only are we treated to Penny's usual rich characterizations, but the atmospheric and beautiful language will make you want to take your next vacation at the manoir....One of the best traditional mystery series currently being published."
--Booklist (starred review)

"Penny has garnered numerous awards for her elegant literary mysteries... Penny's engaging, well-crafted mystery probes the dynamics of a severely dysfunctional family and the festering wounds that lead to its ultimate destruction. Her psychological acumen, excellent prose, and ingenious plotting make this essential reading for mystery lovers and admirers of superb literary fiction."
--Library Journal (starred review)

"Seamless, often lyrical prose artfully reveals the characters' flaws,
dreams and blessings."
--Publishers Weekly

"MURDER is a fine read, as Penny illuminates her characters in subtle strokes."
--Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Once again, Penny concocts an intricate and intriguing plot and peoples it with credible characters and the continually fascinating Gamache... and her writing is lovely, powerful and uniquely imaginative, prose that approaches the poetic... No murder would be complete, of course, without death. But in Penny's caring hands, the focus in A RULE AGAINST MURDER - as it is in all of this profoundly humane series - is on life, and on life made richer by the author's deep sense of decency."
--Richmond Times-Dispatch

"An ingenious, impossible crime puzzle for the reader..."
--Denver Post

"At least two people are waiting very impatiently for this review to be done so I can pass the new Louise Penny along to them. With just her fourth book, she already has that kind of (well-deserved) following..."
--Charlotte Observer (4 out of 4 stars)

"Gamache is an undemonstrative poetry-loving detective in the tradition of Agatha Christie's Poirot and Ruth Rendell's Wexford. Because of a dark spot in his own family's history, Gamache understands that 'spreading pain around doesn't lessen your own.' Surprisingly, no murder occurs until 90 pages into this mystery, but in Penny's skilled literary hands, it doesn't matter."
--Minneapolis Star Tribune

"What a delight to have Inspector Gamache back on the scene. Penny does a superb job of gradually leading readers into the story... If you haven't read the preceding books,
terrific stories await!"
--RT Book Magazine (4 1/2 stars)

"If anyone can make even the most detailed investigation exciting and compelling, it's this talented author. And so for those who love that kind of thing, this is one of the best."
--New Mystery Reader

"I can't recommend this series highly enough."
--Kingston Observer

Louise Penny applies her magic touch to A RULE AGAINST MURDER, giving the village mystery an elegance and depth not often seen in this traditional genre. Although Penny is no slouch at constructing a whodunit puzzle, her great skill is her ability to create a charming mise-en-scene and inhabit it with complex characters.
Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review

Reminiscent of classic Christie This latest treat in the series will keep fans salivating in anticipation, savoring each delectable morsel and yearning for more.
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Readers who haven t discovered Louise Penny and her Armand Gamache series yet are in for a treat Not only are we treated to Penny s usual rich characterizations, but the atmospheric and beautiful language will make you want to take your next vacation at the manoir .One of the best traditional mystery series currently being published.
Booklist (starred review)

Penny has garnered numerous awards for her elegant literary mysteries Penny s engaging, well-crafted mystery probes the dynamics of a severely dysfunctional family and the festering wounds that lead to its ultimate destruction. Her psychological acumen, excellent prose, and ingenious plotting make this essential reading for mystery lovers and admirers of superb literary fiction.
Library Journal (starred review)

Seamless, often lyrical prose artfully reveals the characters flaws,
dreams and blessings.
Publishers Weekly

MURDER is a fine read, as Penny illuminates her characters in subtle strokes.
Cleveland Plain Dealer

Once again, Penny concocts an intricate and intriguing plot and peoples it with credible characters and the continually fascinating Gamache and her writing is lovely, powerful and uniquely imaginative, prose that approaches the poetic No murder would be complete, of course, without death. But in Penny s caring hands, the focus in A RULE AGAINST MURDER as it is in all of this profoundly humane series is on life, and on life made richer by the author s deep sense of decency.
Richmond Times-Dispatch

An ingenious, impossible crime puzzle for the reader...
Denver Post

At least two people are waiting very impatiently for this review to be done so I can pass the new Louise Penny along to them. With just her fourth book, she already has that kind of (well-deserved) following...
Charlotte Observer (4 out of 4 stars)

Gamache is an undemonstrative poetry-loving detective in the tradition of Agatha Christie's Poirot and Ruth Rendell's Wexford. Because of a dark spot in his own family's history, Gamache understands that spreading pain around doesn't lessen your own. Surprisingly, no murder occurs until 90 pages into this mystery, but in Penny's skilled literary hands, it doesn't matter.
Minneapolis Star Tribune

What a delight to have Inspector Gamache back on the scene. Penny does a superb job of gradually leading readers into the story If you haven t read the preceding books,
terrific stories await!
RT Book Magazine (4 1/2 stars)

If anyone can make even the most detailed investigation exciting and compelling, it s this talented author. And so for those who love that kind of thing, this is one of the best.
New Mystery Reader

I can t recommend this series highly enough.
Kingston Observer

Louise Penny applies her magic touch to A RULE AGAINST MURDER, giving the village mystery an elegance and depth not often seen in this traditional genre. Although Penny is no slouch at constructing a whodunit puzzle, her great skill is her ability to create a charming mise-en-scene and inhabit it with complex characters.
Marilyn Stasio, "The New York Times Book Review"

Reminiscent of classic Christie This latest treat in the series will keep fans salivating in anticipation, savoring each delectable morsel and yearning for more.
" Kirkus Reviews "(starred review)

Readers who haven t discovered Louise Penny and her Armand Gamache series yet are in for a treat Not only are we treated to Penny s usual rich characterizations, but the atmospheric and beautiful language will make you want to take your next vacation at the manoir .One of the best traditional mystery series currently being published.
" Booklist" (starred review)

Penny has garnered numerous awards for her elegant literary mysteries Penny s engaging, well-crafted mystery probes the dynamics of a severely dysfunctional family and the festering wounds that lead to its ultimate destruction. Her psychological acumen, excellent prose, and ingenious plotting make this essential reading for mystery lovers and admirers of superb literary fiction.
" Library Journal" (starred review)

Seamless, often lyrical prose artfully reveals the characters flaws,
dreams and blessings.
"Publishers Weekly"

MURDER is a fine read, as Penny illuminates her characters in subtle strokes.
"Cleveland Plain Dealer"

Once again, Penny concocts an intricate and intriguing plot and peoples it with credible characters and the continually fascinating Gamache and her writing is lovely, powerful and uniquely imaginative, prose that approaches the poetic No murder would be complete, of course, without death. But in Penny s caring hands, the focus in A RULE AGAINST MURDER as it is in all of this profoundly humane series is on life, and on life made richer by the author s deep sense of decency.
"Richmond"" Times-Dispatch"

An ingenious, impossible crime puzzle for the reader...
"Denver"" Post"

At least two people are waiting very impatiently for this review to be done so I can pass the new Louise Penny along to them. With just her fourth book, she already has that kind of (well-deserved) following...
"Charlotte Observer" (4 out of 4 stars)

Gamache is an undemonstrative poetry-loving detective in the tradition of Agatha Christie's Poirot and Ruth Rendell's Wexford. Because of a dark spot in his own family's history, Gamache understands that spreading pain around doesn't lessen your own. Surprisingly, no murder occurs until 90 pages into this mystery, but in Penny's skilled literary hands, it doesn't matter.
"Minneapolis"" Star Tribune"

What a delight to have Inspector Gamache back on the scene. Penny does a superb job of gradually leading readers into the story If you haven t read the preceding books,
terrific stories await!
"RT Book Magazine" (4 1/2 stars)

If anyone can make even the most detailed investigation exciting and compelling, it s this talented author. And so for those who love that kind of thing, this is one of the best.
"New Mystery Reader"

I can t recommend this series highly enough.
" Kingston Observer""

If you don't give your heart to Gamache, you may have no heart to give. "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"

With its small-town hominess, the Canadian village of Three Pines draws the reader into its quaint traditions.Who wouldn't be charmed by the dramas of a community where Easter egg hunts and socials at the bed and breakfast are the most exciting events? Yet it is Penny's fastidious, cultured, and smart Inspector Gamache who makes ["The Cruelest Month"] impossible to put down. "People"

The cozy mystery has a graceful practitioner in Louise Penny. "The New York Times Book Review"

Expertly plotted Arthur Ellis Award--winner Penny paints a vivid picture of the French-Canadian village, its inhabitants, and a determined detective who will strike many Agatha Christie fans as a twenty-first-century version of Hercule Poirot. "Publishers Weekly (starred review)"

Mystery readers who want more than puzzles and thrills look for serious purpose and literary value, and Canadian writer Louise Penny provides both in spades--and hearts. "Richmond Times-Dispatch"

Penny's plotting has been compared to Agatha Christie's...in these wonderful books full of poetry and weather and a brooding manor house, and people who read and think and laugh and eat a lot of really excellent food. Move over, Mitford. "The Charlotte Observer""

Acclaim for the Award-Winning Chief Inspector Gamache Mysteries
"If you don't give your heart to Gamache, you may have no heart to give." --"Kirkus Reviews "(starred review)
"With its small-town hominess, the Canadian village of Three Pines draws the reader into its quaint traditions.Who wouldn't be charmed by the dramas of a community where Easter egg hunts and socials at the bed and breakfast are the most exciting events? Yet it is Penny's fastidious, cultured, and smart Inspector Gamache who makes ["The Cruelest Month"] impossible to put down." --"People"
"The cozy mystery has a graceful practitioner in Louise Penny." --"The New York Times Book Review"

"Expertly plotted... Arthur Ellis Award--winner Penny paints a vivid picture of the French-Canadian village, its inhabitants, and a determined detective who will strike many Agatha Christie fans as a twenty-first-century version of Hercule Poirot." --"Publishers Weekly" (starred review)

"Mystery readers who want more than puzzles and thrills look for serious purpose and literary value, and Canadian writer Louise Penny provides both in spades--and hearts." -"-Richmond Times-Dispatch
""Penny's plotting has been compared to Agatha Christie's...in these wonderful books full of poetry and weather and a brooding manor house, and people who read and think and laugh and eat a lot of really excellent food. Move over, Mitford." "--The Charlotte Observer"

LOUISE PENNY is the author of the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling series of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. She has won numerous awards, including a CWA Dagger and the Agatha Award (six times), and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. In 2017, she received the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian culture. Louise lives in a small village south of Montréal.

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