Just when I thought this series could not get better, I was proven very, very wrong. In the twelfth installment of this compelling series, Armand Gamache has taken the roll as Commander of the Sûreté Academy. Much to the dismay of everyone, Gamache kept on two higher level officers known for their corruption. One of the corrupt agents, Leduc, is murdered with one bullet to the temple in his room. This murder brings doubts by many. Why did Gamache keep these corrupt agents at the academy? Who killed Leduc? Did Gamache pull the trigger? And who is the pierced and tattooed agent Gamache accepted to the academy?

As always, Penny's writing is spot on. For someone who puts out a book every 12-18 months, her writing never falters. Beautiful descriptions of scenery, the food (oh the food), and the emotions of the characters is what sets this series apart from many others. I do not feel that anything is ever overdone. I find that each word, paragraph, and page have a purpose to that scene or he overall plot. I am dreading reading book 13. Not because it won't be amazing, which I know it will, but then I have to finally wait for the next book.