The Brutal Telling

A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

"Ralph Cosham delivers a delightful accent for Gamache and invests all the characters with small-town likability." —AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner

The wise and beleaguered Chief Inspector Armand Gamache returns to Three Pines The Brutal Telling, the fifth book in Louise Penny's #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Chaos is coming, old son.

With those words the peace of Three Pines is shattered. Everybody goes to Olivier's Bistro—including a stranger whose murdered body is found on the floor. When Chief Inspector Gamache is called to investigate, he is dismayed to discover that Olivier's story is full of holes. Why are his fingerprints all over the cabin that's uncovered deep in the wilderness, with priceless antiques and the dead man's blood? And what other secrets and layers of lies are buried in the seemingly idyllic village?

Gamache follows a trail of clues and treasures—from first editions of Charlotte's Web and Jane Eyre to a spiderweb with a word mysteriously woven in it—into the woods and across the continent, before returning to Three Pines to confront the truth and the final, brutal telling.

Love Louise Penny!

The series is wonderful, and I'm learning some French! Great story telling. I love the twists and turns. I love the character development. Excellent read.

outstanding

the book get better and better. enjoy the details, complexity so that its not easy to figure out.

twist and turns

This story is filled with lots of detail. Lots of intrigue, I really enjoyed the story.

a good listen

I wondered about a couple of plot turns, but the tapestry became richer as the story went on. Very engaging with believable and human characters.

The Series keeps getting better

This novel in the Gamache series was so beautifully written and complex; so thoughtful and detailed. It was one that caused me to be sorry that my daily commute was over and one that I’d continue once I was home. Never one for a predictable ending, Penny gets to the “whys” of the murders act. The characters are multi-dimensional as my feelings grew towards them. This is a book to be enjoyed surrounded by nature, a warm sweater, and a cup of your favorite hot beverage.

Wow.

All I can say is I loved this book.
Great character development, mystery and twists. Humanity and human frailties. Woo. High praise for the last sentences. Well done author, well done.

Multi sensory, and very enjoyable experience

My husband and I have listened to each book in the series. The books have been enjoyable to listen to and thoughtful. While they deal with murder, you learn about a community of people and watch them evolve. You enjoy good food and beautiful scenery, as well as listen to poetry is a multi sensory experience.

One of Penny’s best

The revelations of human nature in The Brutal Telling make this so much more than a murder mystery. Penny understands people and unveils us in poetic prose. Do not miss the pleasures of listening to this audiobook AND of reading the original.

Riveting characters and storylines

I felt like I was walking in the story with the characters as I listened. The weaving together of mystery and drama, past and present is masterful. Perfect narration - enhances and brings to life the characters with such nuance. Loved it.

A Wonderful Unfolding

I enjoy the quirky and complex Three Pines characters. I really appreciate that I cannot predict the outcome of Louise Penny's stories.