The Black Wolf

A Novel

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Jean Brassard

The 20th mystery in the #1 New York Times-bestselling Armand Gamache series.

Somewhere out there, in the darkness, a black wolf is feeding.

Several weeks ago, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and his team uncovered and stopped a domestic terrorist attack in Montréal, arresting the person behind it. A man they called the Black Wolf.

But their relief is short-lived. In a sickening turn of events, Gamache has realized that plot, as horrific as it was, was just the beginning. Perhaps even a deliberate misdirection. One he fell into. Something deeper and darker, more damaging, is planned. Did he in fact arrest the Black Wolf, or are they still out there? Armand is appalled to think his mistake has allowed their conspiracy to grow, to gather supporters. To spread lies, manufacture enemies, and feed hatred and division.

Still recovering from wounds received in stopping the first attack, Armand is confined to the village of Three Pines, leading a covert investigation from there. He must be careful not to let the Black Wolf know he has recognized his mistake. In a quiet church basement, he and his senior agents Beauvoir and Lacoste, pore over what little evidence they have. Two notebooks. A few mysterious numbers on a tattered map of Québec. And a phrase repeated by the person they had called the Grey Wolf. A warning…

In a dry and parched land where there is no water.

Gamache and his small team of supporters realize that for the Black Wolf to have gotten this far, they must have powerful allies, in law enforcement, in industry, in organized crime, in the halls of government.

From the apparent peace of his little village, Gamache finds himself playing a lethal game of cat and mouse with an invisible foe who is gathering forces and preparing to strike.

"This Three Pines audiobook is narrated by Jean Brassard, whose exquisite Québécois accent nails the characters in Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache series...this is an impressive--and, happily, not final--addition to Penny's long-running Three Pines series." —AudioFile

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books

Critic reviews

“Penny’s talent for nail-biting suspense and quiet character moments fuse with surprisingly topical subject matter to deliver an unputdownable installment of an ever reliable series. Readers will cheer.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Penny is one hell of a writer: her novels... are tightly plotted and beautifully written. An absolute must read."—Booklist

"Uncannily prophetic..."—Kirkus Reviews

Way to political

I’ve always loved these books but I have to say with all the news and social media nonstop I was very disappointed that I was listening to more in the story. This is my time to dive into your stories and relax. I won’t continue to listen if this is where the story goes.

Narrator just doesn’t get the characters.

Penny such a fantastic writer. There are so many great quotes from this novel, in addition to it being an exciting story. and while Jean Brassard does a decent job, I miss Ralph Cosham. Especially the character of Ruth Bradsard doesn’t get her at all whereas Cosham captured her perfectly. I honestly don’t know why they changed. It’s so disappointing.

Missing Three Pines of old.

Too dark. We’re living in the darkest times of my 7 1/2 decade lifetime. The Three Pines of old would help me get through it. Not helping to be reading fictionalized versions of horrendous reality. Still love Louise but not sure I can read more for awhile.

Talented Author

The author has such original ideas and poetic turns of phrase . Thought provoking (and fear inducing) plots.

Good but a stretch

Let's start with- I'm not a fan of this narrator. His "impeccable" accent too often feels like 'look, my accent is impeccable'. That's just my opinion and I did, mostly get over it.
The story is good, not as good as previous works, again, my opinion. This story feels stretched, if still scary. The story of the black wolf and the grey wolf doesn't draw me in the same way as the Burghers of Calais or Cortez's burned ships which grounded previous works.
Gamache seems less grounded, or maybe more insecure. He could be more aware of his weaknesses and have that translate as wisdom, but it doesn't.
So, if you like Louise Penny and Gamache, enjoy it. It's decent read.