Armand Gamache is physically and mentally recovering from a shootout in a warehouse that killed four of his officers, and wounded several others, inclArmand Gamache is physically and mentally recovering from a shootout in a warehouse that killed four of his officers, and wounded several others, including Jean-Guy Beauvoir and Gamache himself. He's in Quebec with his old mentor, and has found a small local English library - the Literary and Historical Society - and is doing research on the Battle of Quebec that was won by the Engish. When a fanatical searcher for the body of Champlain is found murdered in the basement of the Lit and His, Gamache can't help but get involved. The story alternates between the flashbacks of the warehouse and the current investigation into the Lit and His murder.
My former library didn't have this on audio, so it got skipped as I was reading the series in order, but it explains a lot of what happens in later books. Another great story....more
Armand is still on suspension as head of the Surete, for his "handling" of the drug problem in the province. He's recovered almost all of them, but onArmand is still on suspension as head of the Surete, for his "handling" of the drug problem in the province. He's recovered almost all of them, but one shipment is still on the loose and he knows he's in a race to recover it before it hits the streets. He, Myrna and a young man have also been named as the administrators of the will of someone they've never met. As he works with the family on the will, one of the three adult children is murdered. Between tracking the drugs, and trying to figure out who's behind the murder, he's kept busy. Surprising twist at the end with Beauvoir resigning to take a job in Paris, and Armand being relieved of his post despite locating the drugs in time (with the help of an unusual cadet from the academy....more
Louise Penny writes a great story. I found myself sitting in the car far longer than necessary to find out what happened next. Gamache is now head of Louise Penny writes a great story. I found myself sitting in the car far longer than necessary to find out what happened next. Gamache is now head of the entire Surete and has been for a year, but it looks like he's lost his touch. Crime is on the rise - especially the drug trafficking - and the Surete doesn't seem to be doing much about it. That's what Gamache wants people to think so that he can lull the bad guys into making a mistake, and of course that's what happens. The town and people you've grown to love all make an appearance in this latest addition to the series....more
Another good episode in the continuing story of Armand Gamache. I wasn't sure where Penny would take him in his "retirement", but this is a good storyAnother good episode in the continuing story of Armand Gamache. I wasn't sure where Penny would take him in his "retirement", but this is a good story....more
Gamache is happily retired to the village of Three Pines as he recovers physically and emotionally. When Clara Morrow approaches him about her estrangGamache is happily retired to the village of Three Pines as he recovers physically and emotionally. When Clara Morrow approaches him about her estranged husband Peter, he reluctantly starts a search. They track him through Europe and back to Toronto. Eventually they head into remote areas of the St. Lawrence where they do indeed discover murder and a murderer... just a few minutes too late.
Another well done story about Quebec, the art world and murder. Penny knows her locale. ...more
Christmas is coming, but Gamache isn't very jolly. Almost all of his department's agents have been transferred out, Jean-Guy is once again addicted toChristmas is coming, but Gamache isn't very jolly. Almost all of his department's agents have been transferred out, Jean-Guy is once again addicted to pain killers, and Armand's enemies appear to be winning. When Three Pines resident, Myrna Landers contacts him about the non-appearance of her friend Constance, he begins the investigation.
The picture appears bleak but several unrelated incidents start to complete the picture. He's smarter and his agents more loyal that it seems at first. I cheered at the ending, even though he ends up retiring, because good triumphs over evil....more
Inspectors Gamache and Beauvoir are the first outsiders to be admitted to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, hidden deep in the wildernesInspectors Gamache and Beauvoir are the first outsiders to be admitted to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, hidden deep in the wilderness of Quebec. 24 monks have lived there, hidden from most of the world for hundreds of years. Known for a single recording of their Gregorian chants, that recording has split the monastery and the Prior has been murdered. They solve the mystery, but Gamache loses Jean-Guy to his addictions, thanks to the arrival of Francoeur - his nemesis.
One of the few of the series not set in Three Pines....more
It's Easter and the residents of Three Pines are celebrating. Taking advantage of a visitor, they decide to hold a séance in the Old Hadley House, wheIt's Easter and the residents of Three Pines are celebrating. Taking advantage of a visitor, they decide to hold a séance in the Old Hadley House, where one of the participants dies of fright. Gamache is brought in to solve the mystery, but someone else is trying ruin Gamache's life - years after he was responsible for bringing the head of the Surete to justice. Just as Gamache is about to reveal the killer, his nemesis also arrives and tries to get rid of him, but a surprise ally and opponent are revealed....more
It's Christmas time and the residents of Three Pines are enjoying the holiday season. They're NOT enjoying newcomer CC dePoitiers. When she's murderedIt's Christmas time and the residents of Three Pines are enjoying the holiday season. They're NOT enjoying newcomer CC dePoitiers. When she's murdered in the middle of the lake during a curling match, Inspector Gamache is called back to the quaint town. There are connections to the death of another woman in Montreal and hints of other secrets yet to be revealed.
Lillian Dyson, an artist, and former art critic who alienated many with her reviews, is found strangled in Clara Morrow's garden the night of Clara's Lillian Dyson, an artist, and former art critic who alienated many with her reviews, is found strangled in Clara Morrow's garden the night of Clara's vernissage at Musee d'Art Contemporain. Gamache and his team are brought in to solve the crime. Penny, as usual, educates on the art world, AA, and in murder solving.
I read this out of order, and obviously missed some important back story about Jean-Guy, Gamache's chief assistant. Definitely need to read these in order!...more
Just after the celebration of Canadian Labor Day, a body is found in Olivier's bistro. Shocked, Olivier doesn't tell anyone that he's known the dead mJust after the celebration of Canadian Labor Day, a body is found in Olivier's bistro. Shocked, Olivier doesn't tell anyone that he's known the dead man, a wealthy hermit, for years. Armand Gamache and his team are called once again to Three Pines for the murder investigation. All kinds of secrets are uncovered as the tangled webs start to unravel during the investigation, resulting in a surprise arrest. Another good story by Penny....more
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is head of homicide for the Surete du Quebec. His team is called to the small town of Three Pines to investigate the apChief Inspector Armand Gamache is head of homicide for the Surete du Quebec. His team is called to the small town of Three Pines to investigate the apparently accidental death of Jane Neal. Jane was the former village school teacher and an artist. The key to her death and another's is in her art. With the help of many of the villagers, especially neighbor Clara, Gamache solves the murder - and you come to love the little town....more
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his wife Reine-Marie have been celebrating their July 1st anniversary at Quebec's isolated, lake front Manoir BelleChief Inspector Armand Gamache and his wife Reine-Marie have been celebrating their July 1st anniversary at Quebec's isolated, lake front Manoir Bellechasse for 35 years. They idyll is interrupted this year by the other residents - the Finney/Morrow family. Matriarch Irene Finney and her quiet 2nd husband Bert, have gathered to install a statue of her long dead first husband. The dysfunctional family includes arrogant Thomas and his wife Sandra, never married Marianna and her 10 yr. old unknown sex child Bean, Julia, newly separated from her jailed financier husband, and artists Peter and Clara - friends of the Gamache's.
One is killed, but the statue, and Gamache spends his holiday figuring out who did it and why, exposing family secrets, and his own past along the way.
Well done- lots of French, so good to listen to....more