The Grey Wolf

A Novel (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, Book 19)

De: Louise Penny

Narrado por: Jean Brassard

"Brassard's accents—whether French Canadian, Italian, or continental French—create indelible characters. His performance lets us feel Reine Marie's warmth and Armand's affectionate nature, and he adds an additional layer to surly Ruth and her potty-mouthed duck. Exciting and entertaining."—AudioFile (Earphones Award winner)

The 19th mystery in the #1 New York Times-bestselling Armand Gamache series.

Relentless phone calls interrupt the peace of a warm August morning in Three Pines. Though the tiny Québec village is impossible to find on any map, someone has managed to track down Armand Gamache, head of homicide at the Sûreté, as he sits with his wife in their back garden. Reine-Marie watches with increasing unease as her husband refuses to pick up, though he clearly knows who is on the other end. When he finally answers, his rage shatters the calm of their quiet Sunday morning.

That's only the first in a sequence of strange events that begin THE GREY WOLF, the nineteenth novel in Louise Penny's #1 New York Times-bestselling series. A missing coat, an intruder alarm, a note for Gamache reading "this might interest you", a puzzling scrap of paper with a mysterious list—and then a murder. All propel Chief Inspector Gamache and his team toward a terrible realization. Something much more sinister than any one murder or any one case is fast approaching.

Armand Gamache, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, his son-in-law and second in command, and Inspector Isabelle Lacoste can only trust each other, as old friends begin to act like enemies, and long-time enemies appear to be friends. Determined to track down the threat before it becomes a reality, their pursuit takes them across Québec and across borders. Their hunt grows increasingly desperate, even frantic, as the enormity of the creature they’re chasing becomes clear. If they fail the devastating consequences would reach into the largest of cities and the smallest of villages.

Including Three Pines.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.

©2024 Louise Penny (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Narrator Disappoints - Characters are Lost

I’ve listened to every Three Pines book multiple times and this is the 3rd narrator and to me the least enjoyable. Maybe if I was from the region it would be better but I have lost all of the wonderful village characters. They are one voice now instead of the rich characters I have come to love. Ruth may be the most disappointing. RIP Ralph Cosham the one true Three Pines voice. As always the story itself was enjoyable and maybe I will read a physical copy so I can have my characters back in my imagination.

Bring back Bathurst!

Having a hard time listening to the new guy!
Hard to distinguish between characters. Gamache is missing his characteristic warmth. I give him credit for his French pronunciation, but nothing else. I remember when Bathurst took over from his predecessor. He was different, but outstanding in his own right. Not so much this new guy.

Great, but…

I’ll never disparage Louise Penny. This Gamache story seemed a little drawn out. And I’m devastated by the narration. I’m still hooked on Three Pines but this one was a battle to stay committed to in certain chapters.

I like best the Author's books that are set in Three Pines. The characters there are so interesting and amusing.

I didn't care much for the time the book spends in the monastery. I had guessed what the disaster would be almost at the beginning. I'd rather be surprised.

Hard to follow due to narration

I’m struggling to review the story because the narrator blends the voices - little to no distinction between them so I have listen in a different way and often lose track. Plus his interpretation of the characters is very different than prior narrators, which throws me off. It’s so disappointing. I LOVED every one of Penny’s audiobooks.

old voice

Do not care for new narrator . Story too convoluted. Too far out. Best ones are the ones in 3 pines not far flung crazy stuff

Was it just me?

I am a true Inspector Gamache fan but this latest book was my least favorite of all 19 books. I was curious if it was ‘just me’ but learned others felt the same about the new narrator and overwrought plot that seemed lo lack the charm + vitality of our favorite Three Pines peeps.

Now What?

This latest Gamache ends in a cliffhanger, unexpected and unwelcome.
I have listened to this entire series from the beginning and the new narrator falls short.

Twisty!

This book is going to take more than one pass through. All the threads weren't untangled, but maybe after the second time the details will sort themselves.

Tired of big conspiracies

I miss the small moments and character study that we know and love. Too grand and conspiratorial - all about suspense and not about story.