It's spring and Three Pines is reemerging after the harsh winter. As the villagers prepare for a special celebration, Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir find themselves increasingly worried. A young man and woman have reappeared in the Sûreté du Québec investigators' lives after many years. The two were young children when their mother was murdered. Now they've arrived in Three Pines. But to what end? As Chief Inspector Gamache works to uncover answers, there are hidden messages warning of mayhem and revenge and an old enemy is released in Armand Gamache's home.-- Back cover.