Chief
Inspector Gamache Series
by Louise Penny
– Audio Version
I don’t
often choose books that deal with contemporary issues. I’m not a ‘ripped from the headlines’
reader. If I wanted to read about those
issues, I would read them in the newspaper.
I’m finding, however, if I get vested in the characters and the author
doesn’t dwell too heavily on the dark themes, I can get involved in the
books. If the author creates characters
that are relatable and I can connect with them, I will stick with them. I don’t like a main protagonist that is
darker than the story its self. Don’t
give me a divorced, alcoholic, drug dazed protagonist.
I hesitantly
began the Chief Inspector Gamache novels by Louise Penny. The stories often take place or involve the
residents of the small, hidden community of Three Pines located an hour outside
Montreal. If I could, I would move to
this fictional community. I would love
to sit in front of the fire at the Bistro and have Gabri or Olivier bring me a
cocktail while I read a book I picked up at Myrna’s used bookstore. To overhear
the conversation at the next table between Ruth and Clara and try not laugh out
loud when Ruth loudly renders her opinion.
Then we
have the Chief Inspector of the Suerté-du-Quebec himself, Armand Gamache. Calm, steady and quick with the wit, he is a
rock to his team. His second in command,
Jean-Guy (pronounced Sean-Gee) Beauvoir
who is quick to emotion but would follow Armand into the fire if
necessary. Also key to these novels are
Armand’s wife, Reine-Marie (pronounced Ren-Marie),
and their adult children. Throughout
there are other characters that you will follow through the natural progression
of rising through the ranks at the Suerté-du-Quebec.
Ralph
Cosham has been the primary narrator of the audios of this series. He brings Gamache’s calm presence and dry wit
to the surface. Each character is given a distinctive personality and you have
no problem with conversations between them.
This talent has allowed me to become vested in the characters. The added plus is an authentic pronunciation
of the French names of people and places.
In an
interview, Penny stated she didn’t see her series as cozy mysteries. Granted, cozy mysteries, as a rule, don’t
have so much meat within their pages. I
have to agree and disagree with her. The
cozy mysteries I read and continue to the next installment are ones that I’m reading
because of the author and the characters.
Her themes are gritty and deal with nasty people but I continue to read
them because I feel as if I am catching up with old friends.
Penny is one
of those authors who is not afraid to throw her characters into the fray. After completing one such novel, I had to
call a friend who had read the books and scream and rant for a quarter of an
hour just to get over the ending of that one.
There have been scenes that drew me to tears. Not because of a terrible scene but because
it was so sweet.
Pick up a
couple or better yet, listen to the audios.
I don’t think you will be disappointed.
Books Published by Minotaur
Audios Produced by Macmillan Audio
1. Still Life (2005)
2. Dead Cold aka A Fatal Grace (2006)
3. The Crueliest Month (2007)
4. The Murder Stone aka A Rule Against Murder (2008)
5. The Brutal Telling (2009)
6. Bury Your Dead (2010)
7. A Trick of the Light (2011)
8. The Beautiful Mystery (2012)
9. How the Light Gets In (2013)
10. The Long Way Home (2014)
11. The Nature of the Beast (2015)
12. A Great Reckoning (2016)
13. Glass Houses (2017)
14. Kingdom of the Blind (2018)
