ILLEGAL USE OF NARCOTIC DRUGS, PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, AND THEIR ANALOGUES CAUSES HEALTH DAMAGE, THEIR ILLEGAL CIRCULATION IS PROHIBITED AND ENTAILS LIABILITY ESTABLISHED BY LAW. The novel "The Cruelest Month" continues the series of investigations by the brilliant Chief Inspector Armand Gamache - a new character created by Louise Penny, the world's only five-time Agatha Christie Award winner. "The Cruelest Month" - as the poet said about April. And to maintain its reputation, this month subjects Chief Inspector Armand Gamache to a severe test. Together with his team, Gamache returns to the village of Three Pines to investigate the mysterious death of a certain Madeleine Fauve. During a spiritual séance held by the locals in an old abandoned house, notorious for its bad reputation, Madeleine suddenly dies. Everyone believes she simply died of fright, as communication with the spirit world takes its toll on no one. However, Gamache suspects the matter is much more complicated than it seems at first glance. Starting the investigation, he unexpectedly becomes the target of fierce attacks in the press related to one of his past cases. Now he needs not only to solve the suspected murder but also to clear his name...