An Enthralling, Elegant Crime Novel

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Gregorian chant has inspired and soothed both practitioners and listeners for at least 1,000 years, most recently in New Age and World Music revivals through the recordings of various French, Spanish and Austrian monastic orders.

Though some credit an increase in alpha waves in the brain, the precise method by which the monophonic liturgical chants seem to tame the savage beast remains ineffable, long deemed "a beautiful mystery."

The sharp contrast between this heavenly musical balm and very earthly murder forms the crux of Quebec author Louise Penny's eighth literary whodunit starring Sªrete Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. And it's a fascinating, memorable …