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

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

A treat in every way

These books are both amazingly different and deeply familiar to read, like being told the stories in one’s own family. A treat.

Louise penny is great!!

I have loved all these books!! The narration is perfect. Bringing to life amazing characters.

The best book in Gamache series so far

Wow! I always listen to books doing something else (running, driving). But last hour of this installment was the first which forced me to switch off the lights and just listen to it sitting in a chair. You have to know all previous books to fully appreciate the characters development. But it is worth it. I think the story is funny, captivating, clever, serious, touching, surreal and many things more. And I love Ralph’s voice! Well done Louise Penny! I hope one day someone will make another TV series using all these books. Current one is not able to capture all the poetics present here and it is modified to much. The only sad thing is, that this is last good 3 Pines book for me. Author switched to autopilot after this and Ralph died shortly after recording next installment. So, please, treasure these first 9 books with Ralph’s voice for next generations!

Excellent development of the different plots!

There was a lot happening in “How the Light Gets In!” Multiple plots were intertwined, and I loved how they were developed and held a grip on your wanting to solve the mysteries and multiple murders! So happy that the 40+ year old crime ring of the Chief Superintendent was finally brought down!

the characters are dimensional and believable.

I have grown to love the interpretation of the reader and feel he has become the character of Armand Gamache

Welcome Home!

There are so many glowing reviews of this book that I wasn't going to write one, but I just can't help it: I have to write it. I so LOVE this book and this series. I love Armand Gamache and his wife Reine Marie and their wonderful understanding relationship. I love the village of Three Pines and its wonderful, flawed, loving residents.

When you begin an Inspector Gamache novel, you are drawn into his world. And when the story moves to Three Pines, the village embraces you like a huge, loving, comforting hug from Myrna, bookseller extraordinaire.

To my mind, How the Light Gets In is one of the best of the Gamache series, and is a welcome return to Three Pines. While investigating the death of a character clearly based on the Dionne quintuplets, Gamache is also preparing, with the few allies he has left, for a decisive confrontation with his enemies in the Force. As a result, the reader gets a healthy dose of all that's wonderful about Three Pines and its denizens, along with a suspense which grows steadily and inexorably toward the confrontation. Many questions are answered and many puzzles are solved while Gamache maintains his courage and integrity.

Ralph Cosham's narration brings it all to sparkling life, with never the slightest waver or misstep. I particularly enjoyed the conversation between Penny and Cosham at the end of the recording.

I agree with previous reviewers that the Gamache books should be read in order, beginning with Still Life. While you might enjoy the story without the previous details, Louise Penny's characters are so like real people, who have grown, made mistakes, learned things, and hopefully improved as people, that you will miss the full emotional richness if you don't have all that background.

Another amazing story!

Would you listen to How the Light Gets In again? Why?

I would absolutely listen to this book again. Not only do I love the narrator, but I never feel that I catch every nuance in Louise Penny's writing the first time through.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character? What a hard choice, but I would have to say Ruth Zardo. She makes me laugh every time she speaks. She says what we all wants to say. You can't help but find her interactions with Armand Gamache fun and often telling.

Which character – as performed by Ralph Cosham – was your favorite?

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and no because when I am finished I always hate saying good-bye to the characters Ms. Penny has created.

Any additional comments?

I fell in love with these characters nine books ago and have laughed and cried with them. They feel like part of my family. Thank you, Louise Penny, for giving us the wonderful village of Three Pines.

A MUST-READ

If you are unfamiliar with this series, stop NOW and start with the first book "Still Life." You must read these books in order.

The Chief Inspector Gamache novels are police mysteries that take place in or near a small village in Quebec. (There is a bit of French tossed in, but knowledge of the French language is absolutely not required.) A murder will be solved by the end of the book, and I always enjoy the "mystery" aspect of these books.

But the characters and the complex plots are just as important.

Louise Penny has created a world with characters I know well and care deeply about. She has developed a main character (Armand Gamache) who has quickly become one of my favorites, ever, and I am a life-long reader. And she has woven the intricacies of storyline from book one to book nine (book 10 is about to be released) in such a way that I have to believe she saw the entire tapestry right from the beginning.

Add to these accolades the perfect narrator (Ralph Cosham), and you can see why this series is so special.

These books have EVERYTHING! Excellent writing, humor, drama, fascinating characters, mystery ... Start this series today.

I want to move to Three Pines

Like all of these books, this one was greater than the sum of its parts.

Best ever!

So much happens and is resolved in this I couldn’t stop listening. 10 Stars fur book and reading.