A Rule Against Murder

A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

From New York Times best-selling author Louise Penny comes a riveting new audiobook.

"What happened here last night isn't allowed," said Madame Dubois.
It was such an extraordinary thing to say it stopped the ravenous Inspector Beauvoir from taking another bite of his roast beef on baguette.
"You have a rule against murder?" he asked.
"I do. When my husband and I bought the Bellechasse we made a pact.... Everything that stepped foot on this land would be safe."

It is the height of summer, and Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache are celebrating their wedding anniversary at Manoir Bellechasse, an isolated, luxurious inn not far from the village of Three Pines. But they're not alone. The Finney family - rich, cultured, and respectable - has also arrived for a celebration of their own.

The beautiful Manoir Bellechasse might be surrounded by nature, but there is something unnatural looming. As the heat rises and the humidity closes in, some surprising guests turn up at the family reunion, and a terrible summer storm leaves behind a dead body. It is up to Chief Inspector Gamache to unearth secrets long buried and hatreds hidden behind polite smiles. The chase takes him to Three Pines, into the dark corners of his own life, and finally to a harrowing climax in A Rule Against Murder.

Grab your headphones and dive into the latest thrilling audiobook from Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache series.

©2008 Louise Penny (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Celebrated British narrator and actor Ralph Cosham brings this wonderful murder mystery to life and draws in listeners with his charisma...Cosham's characters are refreshingly original and never overplayed, and the Old World quality of his voice invokes radio murder mysteries from decades past, creating an endlessly entertaining listening experience." ( Publishers Weekly)

I enjoy Louise Penny's writing

What did you love best about A Rule Against Murder?

I've read all of Louise Penny's books. She is a wonderful and gifted writer. When I saw her books on Audible I started listening to the books. I have enjoyed the retelling of each story. The voice of Ralph Cosham is so soothing. Just like I would imagine Inspector Gamache sounding if he were a real person.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I enjoy Inspector Gamache so much. His relationship with each of the people he works with is so soundly developed. His relationship with his wife is so soothing and mature.

What about Ralph Cosham’s performance did you like?

As I stated before Mr. Cosham sounds as though he could be a Inspector Gamache if there was such a person in reality. So charming and mature.

Cozy whodunnit with gentle humor

These books just keep getting better to me. I have to admit, I only bought them because Ralph Cosham narrates them, and he helps me sleep, so it can take quite awhile to get through a book with all of that morning rewinding. But now that I'm getting to know the characters better, I want to listen all day. My chores get done. I do my Pilates. I don't mind the commute. I've got the whole set and I'm looking forward to the next ones! As cozy mysteries, I get the whodunnit suspense without the gore, Penny endows her characters with a gentle sense of humor, and then there are those life lessons we need to be reminded of, so all around, these Inspector Gamache books are worthwhile listens!

Good but the ending

I love the narration, the humor, the mystery but this one I did not like the ending. I appreciate a twist this time it was both too obvious AND out of nowhere t the same time. Clues that were not shared so that the reader had no chance to come to the same conclusion.

Another great story

The character development continues to get better and better. Such likable people even when they do unlikeable things! And Ralph Cosham is the perfect narrator. A perfect blend of French and English in a rich and alluring voice. I get lost in the moment every time I "pick the book back up"!

A bit lacking in characters

Good book but it lacked the interactions with the characters we have grown to know and love. No Ruth. Good story though

Comfort reading

I started reading the Gamache novels beginning mid-series and have started reading in order of publication.

There's a huge comfort reading these novels because the narrator's voice is filled with kindness. The world of Three Pines is cozy (despite what will eventually be a surprising large body count). Who doesn't want to spend time at The Bistro surrounded by affable, interesting individuals? So one returns to these novels.

This one is set at an auberge only 1 hour out of Three Pines. Yet another delightful setting to find our hero, Armand, situated, a place of impeccable food and drink, wonderful service and comfort.

Of course, there's the inconvenience of the murder, but it is handily solved. The only problem for me- once we knew who done it and why done it, the murder still made no sense.

But the novel ends with order restored, our faith in Gamache unshaken and a sense that all will be well.

It's a comfort.

fave

my favorite Gamache to-date. looking forward to the next one. interesting change as it is not set in 3 Pines. loved it, love Gamache.

You're going to have fun trying to solve this one!

Take a vacation from Three Pines, and follow Gamache and handful of your other favorites to a new setting and another unique murder. You're going to have fun trying to solve this one! If you're like me, you'll be shouting your guesses at the narrator and then second guessing yourself with each new chapter.

Full of picturesque descriptions, you'll feel like you, too, are having a lovely lakeside retreat. And you're going to LOVE how this story connects to those you know and love from Three Pines. Just wait until you meet this family!

Another good story

Has tones of Agatha Christie’s books

Love a good mystery, theses books are for you

One of Penny’s best!

Where to start in my praise of Louise Penny and reader Ralph Cosham?
In glorious (and typical) Penny fashion, a story is woven from the lives of engaging characters that culminates in a supremely elegant, simple, and satisfying resolve. Penny is a master of pacing. The characters are deeply explored and compelling. Ralph Cosham is an outstanding reader. He doesn’t try to invent a variety of voices, which often sound forced and distract from the story, yet there is depth to his reading technique. It’s a bonus that the French language flows delightfully from him. This is one of Penny’s most enjoyable novels. Highly recommended!