Returning in disgrace to lead his old homicide department, Armand Gamache faces media attacks, catastrophic flooding, and a father desperate to find his daughter, in this 15th novel in the series, the follow-up to Kingdom of the Blind and an Agatha Award finalist. The inspector feels profound empathy for the man, though as he races to save whole towns from disaster, he knows the search for Vivienne Godin should be abandoned. A body is discovered, but mistakes are made amid the chaos, and Gamache confronts a tragic turn of events with one burning question: What would you do if your child's killer walked free?

"Enchanting … one of his most ennobling missions."—NYTBR

"Penny explores the depths of human emotion, both horrifying and sublime. Her love for her characters and for the mystical village of Three Pines is apparent on every page."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)