The empathetic and astute Chief Inspector Armand GAMACHE is tasked with solving a number of mysterious and perplexing murders in the strange but beguiling village of Three Pines. Assisted by his trusted team, the combative and troubled Sargent Jean-Guy BEAUVOIR; the intelligent Indigenous working mum Sargent Isabelle LACOSTE; and the accident-prone rookie Agent Yvette NICHOL, the group are initially treated suspiciously by the village’s residents. Despite the cool welcome, Gamache can’t help but find himself oddly drawn to this unusual place and its eccentric residents – including the owners of the Bistro, GABRI and OLIVIER, artists PETER and CLARA, bookshop owner-cum-psychologist MYRNA, gallery owner BEA, and the irascible poet RUTH. The deeper Gamache delves into the secret lives of these people who have found sanctuary from the outside world in Three Pines, the more it affects him. Unbeknownst to Gamache, the village will open a portal into his soul, and force him to unearth something long-buried in his past. In addition, Gamache will come face-to-face with both the failings of the institution he represents and his own demons as he uncovers the dark truth behind 18-year-old Blue Two-Rivers’ troubling disappearance. Following a chance encounter with Blue’s anguished family, Gamache vows to help and makes it his mission to find Blue, but he is obstructed from the off by his superior – General Director Francoeur – who forbids him from getting involved. It’s politically sensitive as tension still exists between the Sûreté de Quebec and the Indigenous communities, but Gamache is a man of his word and – with the help of Lacoste – he continues his investigation discretely before bringing it to its terrible conclusion.