• The Beautiful Mystery

  • A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel
  • By: Louise Penny
  • Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
  • Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (6,655 ratings)

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The Beautiful Mystery  By  cover art

The Beautiful Mystery

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

Audie Award Nominee, Mystery, 2013

The brilliant new novel in the New York Times best-selling series by Louise Penny, one of the most acclaimed crime writers of our time

No outsiders are ever admitted to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, hidden deep in the wilderness of Quebec, where two dozen cloistered monks live in peace and prayer. They grow vegetables, they tend chickens, they make chocolate. And they sing. Ironically, for a community that has taken a vow of silence, the monks have become world-famous for their glorious voices, raised in ancient chants whose effect on both singer and listener is so profound it is known as “the beautiful mystery.”

But when the renowned choir director is murdered, the lock on the monastery’s massive wooden door is drawn back to admit Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir of the Sûreté du Québec. There they discover disquiet beneath the silence, discord in the apparent harmony. One of the brothers, in this life of prayer and contemplation, has been contemplating murder. As the peace of the monastery crumbles, Gamache is forced to confront some of his own demons, as well as those roaming the remote corridors. Before finding the killer, before restoring peace, the Chief must first consider the divine, the human, and the cracks in between.

©2012 Three Pines Creations, Inc. (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Featured Article: Best Mystery Series—Listens That'll Take You Right to the Crime Scene


While a standalone mystery is great when you're in the mood for a one-and-done, sometimes you want to feed your craving with an entire mystery series—knowing there's a world and characters you can keep coming back to for the satisfaction of solving crimes. With audiobooks, you get the added bonus of sinking deeper into the setting, clues, and suspects as the story is performed for you, so you'll feel like you're alongside detectives, ready to bust a case.

What listeners say about The Beautiful Mystery

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    4,748
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Classic Penny!

Even though it doesn’t take place in Three Pines, the plot is good and allows for the further development of Gamache’s and Beauvoir’s relationship.

My only complaint is with the music ised in the intro and closing. While it’s very nice, it’s not Gregorian chant! Otherwise, the narrator does a good job.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Summer Reading!

This is the 7th Inspector Gamache story I've read. I have enjoyed them all. I love recurring characters that you feel like you've come to know. with that comes a sense if disappointment when one of them strays off their usual path. I feel like the character of Inspector Beauvois did that in this book and I'm not a fan of where he's going. Also the character of Chief Superintendent Francoeur would never get away with what he does in this book, in my humble opinion. still enjoyed it and would recommend!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Narration

This story is the best one yet; however, the pace of the narration was fast. Exhausting.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The cleverest yet

This is the smartest of the Gamache novels. (To this point.) However, it's not set in Three Pines. As a result, it's missing part of its heart. Gamache himself is here, of course, and Beauvoir. But they're it. And they're not quite enough. Still wonderful, though.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Best Yet in the Gamache Series!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I loved the complexity and many-layered study of human behavior.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Somehow, Louise Penny manages to keep the reader deeply engrossed in both wondering who was culpable for the murder and in hoping like crazy that the main characters would find their humanity. I worried for my favorite characters (Gamache and Beauvoir) and puzzled over the clues and innuendos provided in the beautiful mystery. Wonderful book! Outstanding performance.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Most excellent story and the reader is fine.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, but try to read in order.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Beautiful Mystery?

Lots of things to learn in Louise Penny's books

Have you listened to any of Ralph Cosham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, he is a new reader to me, but fine.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

Any additional comments?

I'm looking forward to listening to others.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Story

Most excellent story and as always well performed. It can stand on it's own or in series with the other books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Favorite

I believe this was one of my favorites so far. So much emotion in it. And the setting was astounding. I am so grateful to have found a series of books. Thank you Louise Penny wherever you are.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Too sad

Such a sad storyline. Now I have to read the next! What will happen next between Jean Guy and the Gamaches?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another masterpiece!

The storylines continue with brilliance and stamina. I love the context for this one - always something new to learn.

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