Gamache ignores his superior's orders and investigates the disappearance of Blue Two-Rivers. As punishment, he's dispatched to the remote village of Three Pines to solve the murder of a wealthy socialite with no shortage of suspects.

Gamache conducts a re-enactment of the boxing day curling match to understand the riddle of the murder.

When resident Marc Fortier suddenly goes missing, Gamache returns to Three Pines and discovers the village's dark past with St Anthony's; Lacoste finds out the truth about an important piece of evidence in Blue's disappearance.

The villagers are forced to deal with the truth of their past as Gamache makes a breakthrough. Lacoste finds another clue about Blue's disappearance that could name a key suspect.

Gamache's anniversary celebrations at the Manoir Belleforet hotel are cut short by the discovery of a body. Gamache pulls in his team, and together they investigate the case, which focuses on the hotel's owners, the dysfunctional Morrow family.

Gamache is certain he is closing in on solving the mystery of Julia's murder. Kevin and Lacoste have a tense encounter as Lacoste tries to defend himself, saying he was framed for murder.