Summary

In Chapter 1, Clara Morrow watched as Armand Gamache, sitting on a bench overlooking the town of Three Pines, would read to a certain point in a book, and then close the book without finishing. She had noticed him doing the same thing several days in a row and wondered why.

Armand, who had served as the head of homicide in the Sûreté du Québec was enjoying his retirement with his wife, Reine-Marie, and his dog, Henri. The only thing that disturbed him was Clara’s visits while he was reading on the bench. He wondered why she kept visiting him every day.

Clara thought if she were to tell Gamache what she wanted, it would be unfair to him. She noticed that he had gained weight and that the wounds he had received in the line of duty seemed to hurt...