Wow!  An outstanding post-pandemic book.  The author wrote a profoundly human story involving legal, moral, and emotional elements of how society cares for our most vulnerable people.  It was difficult for me to have the book end.

Not my favorite of the series

So we're back in Three Pines post-Covid, which is a bold move on Louise Penny's part, as this little corner of the world seems to be ahead of the real world in recovery. The plot revolves around a statistics professor, Abigail Robinson, who has come up with a plan for economic recovery and for minimising damage from any further pandemics - but it is a plan abhorrent to many, and has public opinion divided. Inspector Gamache is asked to provide security for one of her events.
Once again, murder and mayhem ensues, with Three Pines at the centre. (I do like the way Ms Penny gently pokes fun at herself over the number of murders in such a tiny village). Ghosts from the past are woken, and feelings become very personal for both Gamache and Beauvoir, as well as for the suspects. As usual, the characterisation is superb, with new faces as well as the old and familiar ones, and the plot is intricate and interesting, with numerous twists and turns before the denouement.
I have read all of the Inspector Gamache novels this year, and I'm now a bit lost, having to wait a year for the next one! 
With thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the e-ARC of this book.