• How the Light Gets In

  • A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, Book 9
  • By: Louise Penny
  • Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
  • Length: 15 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (6,376 ratings)

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How the Light Gets In  By  cover art

How the Light Gets In

By: Louise Penny
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
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Publisher's summary

How the Light Gets In is the ninth Chief Inspector Gamache Novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny.

"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." —
Leonard Cohen

Christmas is approaching, and in Québec it's a time of dazzling snowfalls, bright lights, and gatherings with friends in front of blazing hearths. But shadows are falling on the usually festive season for Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. Most of his best agents have left the Homicide Department, his old friend and lieutenant Jean-Guy Beauvoir hasn't spoken to him in months, and hostile forces are lining up against him. When Gamache receives a message from Myrna Landers that a longtime friend has failed to arrive for Christmas in the village of Three Pines, he welcomes the chance to get away from the city. Mystified by Myrna's reluctance to reveal her friend's name, Gamache soon discovers the missing woman was once one of the most famous people not just in North America, but in the world, and now goes unrecognized by virtually everyone except the mad, brilliant poet Ruth Zardo.

As events come to a head, Gamache is drawn ever deeper into the world of Three Pines. Increasingly, he is not only investigating the disappearance of Myrna's friend but also seeking a safe place for himself and his still-loyal colleagues. Is there peace to be found even in Three Pines, and at what cost to Gamache and the people he holds dear?

One of Publishers Weekly's Best Mystery/Thriller Books of 2013
One of
The Washington Post's Top 10 Books of the Year
An NPR Best Book of 2013

©2013 Three Pines Creations, Inc. (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Louise Penny's Three Pines mysteries are eminently satisfying due to their imaginative variety. The stories include scenes of Montreal sophistication and gritty crime contrasted with the idyllic setting of Three Pines. There's also literary appeal, quirky humor, and – let's not forget – murder.” —AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award Winner

“Penny writes engagingly whether you're reading her books or listening to them. An argument for the latter is that her characters – not the least being Gamache, the gentle, brilliant, introspective and beleaguered head of the Surete division – are enriched beyond description through the distinctive voice of reader Ralph Cosham” —The Star-Ledger

"Narrator Ralph Cosham moves seamlessly from character to character, adding depth to each; his narration, coupled with a suspenseful writing style, make for edge-of-your-seat listening. Highly recommended for series devotees or fans of literary mysteries.” —Library Journal, starred review

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What listeners say about How the Light Gets In

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One of my favorite Gamache books

I love the whole series, yet this tale in particular touched me deeply. The characters are unforgettable and richly detailed.

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So good

Couldn’t stop listening to the last four hours. My favorite book in the series so far.

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How the Light Gets In—Best Yet

I was captivated. On the edge of my seat the whole way. Often moved to tears.

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Loved It but Very Intense

Oh my I was so wrapped up in this one. Great and very intense. Love these characters so much, they are all friends I look forward to being with. On to the next. I walk while listening so they motivate me every day to get outside and walk.

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The first Gamache book to keep me on tenterhooks

This one was actually good and opened an interesting window into hacking. I was really hoping that meant good things for the next book in the series, but it’s the dullest so far. This one had an interesting connection between the two storylines.

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A dish best served cold!

If you like closure, this one’s for you. When one door closes, another opens.

Mr. Cosham’s characters are in prime form. This guy is really good.

Stay for the Cosham’s-Penny interview.

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Great read, once again!

There are always surprise turns in this series, snd you won’t be disappointed again here. Relaxing, enjoyable, addictive series.

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How the Light Gets in

Definitely the best book in the Gamache Series so far!!!!
I could not stop listening!!!

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My favorite of the series so far! So much emotion!

This was an intense book on many levels. I love how it is all coming together with the characters.

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My favorite book in the series so far. Loved it!

Loved it all! Enjoyed the ending and can’t wait to see where the characters go next.

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