• Knot of Shadows

  • A Penric & Desdemona Novella, Book 11
  • By: Lois McMaster Bujold
  • Narrated by: Grover Gardner
  • Length: 3 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (363 ratings)

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Knot of Shadows  By  cover art

Knot of Shadows

By: Lois McMaster Bujold
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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Publisher's summary

When a corpse found floating face-down in Vilnoc harbor is not quite as dead as it seems, Temple sorcerer Penric and his chaos demon Desdemona are drawn into the uncanny investigation. Pen’s keen questions will take him across the city of Vilnoc, and into far more profound mysteries, as his search for truths interlaces with tragedy.

©2021 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

What listeners say about Knot of Shadows

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Back to the beginning

I get people talking about how sad this story is, and there is definitely the moment when you realize what is happening, but overall it’s a beautiful story — one that is a call back to the beginning, all the way to the first moments of The Curse of Chalion.

I hope this isn’t the last Pen & Dez story, but if it is, coming full circle like this is a good way to go.

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A good and thoughtful tale

This is a good story but also goes more into how complicated souls are. It is more widely applicable than the usual fantasy.







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So poignant and heartfelt.

I’ve listened to this, and all the Penric and Desdemona stories, multiple times. Like sharing your favorite personal stories with friends and family, there’s laughter, and wisdom, and love, and sometimes, as in this story, tears. But always, there is love, and that is what I’m left with at the end of this story. My thanks to this gifted author.

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exceptional!

Lois McMaster Bujold and Grover Gardner never disappoint. I can't imagine a better performances of this novella, or indeed, any of the Penric and Des novellas. Such thoughtful writing and insight. Gently evocative and beautiful written. Love, love , love them all.

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mystery and theology

grover garder does a warm inviting narration. Pendric is getting wiser and with a growing family. I do wonder if we will see him as part of the demon in a 5 gods novel in a later time

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Enjoyable

As usual, very entertaining entry in the Penrik & Desdemona series. Excellently well written and read, just a joy to hear!

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Love these stories

My favorite part about Pen and Desdemona is the relationship between the demon and the human. They both have distinct and fun personalities that give perspective to any situation. I hope there are lots more coming.

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Detective Novella

Another excellent novella in this excellent series. Bujold writes characters as well as anyone in literature, and this is another example. More development of Penric's character furthered by a very good plot. Note that this is more of a detective story than an adventure story.

Series strongly recommended.

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Sad but sublime

Author never disappoints with this series. Not as long as the previous novel, alas, but brevity surely lends to consistently entertaining and thoughtful outings each time. Love this writer, and love the 5 god books the most.

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ghostbusters

I do wish we could get longer stories from the author but these smaller slices into Penric's life are satisfying.

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