The Beautiful Mystery

A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins

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

Wow! Absolutely Loved it!

Amazing how the over all theme is coming together woven with this tale of the monks! Can't wait for the next book! Fantastic ❤️

ok

not one of my favorites out of the series. It does not take place in three Pines. it is difficult to follow at times

Keep the faith, Penny delivers!

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

I would recommend this book to any friend who loved mystery stories and/or character studies. The book is equally enthralling on both counts.

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

As other reviewers have pointed out, the plot does not take place in Three Pines as most of the series has done. It also initially lacks the suspense of some of the earlier works, so I would not characterize it as keeping one on the edge of their seats. However, by the end of the story one is left not only on the edge of their seat, but on the edge of a cliff.

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

I have heard all of Ralph Cosham's Inspector Gamache renditions, and this one is just as great as the previous one.

Any additional comments?

Many follower's of this series may be initially disappointed with this book. My advice is to stick with it. Your efforts will be rewarded and you will be hungering for the next installment.

I love everything about this book!

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

The point when Beauvoir is watching the video, the monks are chanting and the whole story seems to be coming together in a perfect storm. Powerful!

Any additional comments?

I love listening to Ralph Cosham read the Gamache series.

Captivating

Another great Louise Penny, she is a great wordsmith and keeps you on the edge of your seat with her plots. Only thing I didn't like was the hanging ending, usually she gives you a clear ending but this time she catches you and makes you yearn for the next book in the series. Miss Penny has the ability to make you feel like the characters are real and you become invested in their lives.

Terrific!!

Would you listen to The Beautiful Mystery again? Why?

Probably not - but I don't' think I've ever listened to a mystery more than once

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

Absolutely

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

Gamache, of course.

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

I found the history of Gregorian chants fascinating (I am assuming that the author did her homework).

Any additional comments?

If I had it to do over again, I would have started with the first book of the series and read them sequentially. Characters develop from one book to the next.

Another. Good Gamache

I missed Three Pines but I enjoyed the twists and turns and the characters in this book. It dragged a bit at times but overall, I was mesmerized by Mr Cosham's narration which could make the phone book a good listening experience.

An Enjoyable Mystery

The concept was unique and intriguing. The characters real and interesting. The intro and exit music added a beautiful extra touch. All in all a very enjoyable experience!

a bit different

did not have all the usual characters for a Chief Inspector Gamache novel , but I found it very engrossing and certainly, well narrated, as usual, by Mr. Cosham. Also, very interesting story about the culture of religious monks and their music/chanting.

excellent

love the way she writes. can't wait for the next in the series. just started reading these books.