I’ve been looking for the paperback version of this book in the library, but after a few failed attempts, I caved and borrowed the hardback (I’m one of those weirdos who prefer the paperback versions because they are a lot more convenient). And you know what? I didn’t even notice that this was an unwieldy hardback because I finished this book in a day!

How The Light Gets In takes all the subplots of the previous few books and finally brings it to a conclusion. I didn’t dare to say much about it because it was the B plot and it took me a while to understand what was going on, but this is what’s happening at the start of the book (spoilers for the other books):

Inspector Gamache’s division is slowly being destroyed. All his officers are either transferred out or have requested to leave, while new and insolent ones are brought in. Jean Guy, his protege and young friend, is addicted to painkillers (again!) and hates Gamache. But even as he, Inspector Lacoste, and two friends work to find out what’s happening, a murder is calling: Myrna’s friend has been found dead. No one knows that she is the last of the world-famous Oullet Quintuplets, five quintuplets born naturally, without IVF.

This was such a thrilling tale. I was introduced to the Inspector Gamache series as this inspector brought to the quiet village of Three Pines, but here were are, as far away as possible from the first book as we can get. I never thought I’d see the day where the original team was so fractured.

Through it all, Gamache remains a hero – dedicated to upholding his ideals and finding out the truth. And yet, he never becomes a Gary Sue; he’s far too emotional for that. The enemy knows his weakness and they constantly push him. But they forgot that Gamache is just as clever and he is just as determined.

As for Jean Guy, I thought I would hate him in this book, but I didn’t. He’s clearly in a lot of pain, and Louise Penny manages to make him a sympathetic character, despite his betrayal of his mentor.

There’s also another character – Agent Nichol, who makes an appearance. I won’t say much because it might spoil things, but I’ll say that although I didn’t like her in the beginning, I found that she wasn’t too bad here.

In fact, one good thing about Jean Guy taking an antagonistic role in this book is that it allowed other characters like Nichol and Lacoste to finally have some space. I did know who Lacoste was, but I didn’t have a clear a sense of character for her until this book. Previously, I pretty much remembered the inhabitants of Three Pines, Inspector Gamache, and Jean Guy.

The entire book moves along at a fast pace, culminating in a very tense and satisfying showdown. I actually thought that this would be the last book in the series – it definitely felt like it – but I checked Goodreads and there are more books. I’m not sure how I feel about this. On one hand, the ending of this book was just so good and it’s a great place to close the curtain. On the other hand, there will always be crime and there will always be a need for men like Armand Gamache.