How the Light Gets In

A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, Book 9

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Length: 15 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

How the Light Gets In is the ninth Chief Inspector Gamache Novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny.

"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." —Leonard Cohen

Christmas is approaching, and in Québec it's a time of dazzling snowfalls, bright lights, and gatherings with friends in front of blazing hearths. But shadows are falling on the usually festive season for Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. Most of his best agents have left the Homicide Department, his old friend and lieutenant Jean-Guy Beauvoir hasn't spoken to him in months, and hostile forces are lining up against him. When Gamache receives a message from Myrna Landers that a longtime friend has failed to arrive for Christmas in the village of Three Pines, he welcomes the chance to get away from the city. Mystified by Myrna's reluctance to reveal her friend's name, Gamache soon discovers the missing woman was once one of the most famous people not just in North America, but in the world, and now goes unrecognized by virtually everyone except the mad, brilliant poet Ruth Zardo.

As events come to a head, Gamache is drawn ever deeper into the world of Three Pines. Increasingly, he is not only investigating the disappearance of Myrna's friend but also seeking a safe place for himself and his still-loyal colleagues. Is there peace to be found even in Three Pines, and at what cost to Gamache and the people he holds dear?

One of Publishers Weekly's Best Mystery/Thriller Books of 2013
One of The Washington Post's Top 10 Books of the Year
An NPR Best Book of 2013

©2013 Three Pines Creations, Inc. (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Louise Penny's Three Pines mysteries are eminently satisfying due to their imaginative variety. The stories include scenes of Montreal sophistication and gritty crime contrasted with the idyllic setting of Three Pines. There's also literary appeal, quirky humor, and – let's not forget – murder.” —AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award Winner

“Penny writes engagingly whether you're reading her books or listening to them. An argument for the latter is that her characters – not the least being Gamache, the gentle, brilliant, introspective and beleaguered head of the Surete division – are enriched beyond description through the distinctive voice of reader Ralph Cosham” —The Star-Ledger

"Narrator Ralph Cosham moves seamlessly from character to character, adding depth to each; his narration, coupled with a suspenseful writing style, make for edge-of-your-seat listening. Highly recommended for series devotees or fans of literary mysteries.” —Library Journal, starred review

I never want Louise Penny's books to end!

If you could sum up How the Light Gets In in three words, what would they be?

You'll laugh and cry and want to move to Three Pines.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Louise Penny has the remarkable gift of intertwining a true mystery (and in this case two mysteries) with real characters whom she allows you to know deeply. I don't know how she does it, but instead of being an observer you feel as though you are there with them. You feel the brutal cold and smell the acrid sweat and taste the café au lait.
I absolutely love her writing style and cannot get enough.

Which character – as performed by Ralph Cosham – was your favorite?

Can't help myself - as much as I adore Gamache, Three Pines would be incomplete without the demented poet, Ruth.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found myself laughing out loud during the very first chapter, and was deeply moved by the love Gamache feels for his agents - especially rude Nicole (whom I suspect is partially autistic)

Any additional comments?

Please give us more.

Author Penney and Narrator Cosham--perfect pair!

I was not overwhelmed by the last Inspector Gamache book (took place in the monastery), but whatever that one may have lacked, this made up for in spades! This was simply a blockbuster!

This book involves a complicated plot in which Gamache is apparently (and seriously) working on a tragic case involving the last of the famed Ouellet quintuplets (obviously modeled on the Dionne quints of Canadian history), seeking an answer to the murder of the last surviving of them. This is a compelling and poignant part of the book, in itself.

But Gamache is also simultaneously quietly working on a far bigger case: keeping intact the integrity of the entire Quebec Sûreté and preventing a huge disaster from happening. He knows that he is in personal danger as well--from his superiors that want him gone. By any means. He is never sure whom he can trust, and is always racing against time.

All of the qualites (race against time, the angst of feeling the raw hatred being expressed toward Gamache, the sense of trust and distrust, connections among the Three Pines residents, even the freezing cold of wintry Quebec) are so well characterized that, while my stomach was in a clench for much of the book, I could also almost feel the cold snow that provided the background, and even the fear and kindness that appeared among the characters--keeping the village of Three Pines the central anchor of the whole book.

A very important aspect of the story, is the relationship between Inspector Gamache and his beloved Jean-Guy Beauvoir, from whom he is estranged after a tragedy in a previous book. This theme is interspersed throughout the book, and evokes such emotional feelings in imagining the enormous disaster that has encompassed their closeness, that I found myself almost as concerned about this as the more prominent plot lines in the book.

Louise Penney is just an amazing writer. She has the ability to combine so many elements--of mystery, character development, spirituality, atmosphere, historical interest...I wish I had her ability to use words to praise her work!

And Ralph Cosham! Words fail again to try to describe the magnificent job of narration that he performs. His voice alone evokes the atmosphere of all the books. I've never read one in print--so if the narrator were changed, I would feel the entire work was injured. There is no Inspector Gamache (and for that matter, all the other characters) except that given us by Cosham! I wish I could offer more stars than 5 for his contributions. Penney and Chosham are a perfect team. Highly, highly, highly recommend this book!

You will not be disappointed

If you have followed Louise Penny's series, you will not be disappointed in listening to this one. I have started to love Ruth and the duck -- the duck has made her a kinder, more gentle person. In each book she seems to focus on different characters and I will be waiting to see who's next. The interview between the author and the writer at the end of the story was good and I enjoyed listening to the reader's thoughts.

The best Penny yet.

What made the experience of listening to How the Light Gets In the most enjoyable?

The entire story was well woven and the mystery remained a mystery for a long time.
The characters were people I knew from Louise Penny's previous books and altogether, this was a fabulous listen.

What other book might you compare How the Light Gets In to and why?

I had no books to compare this other than Louise Penny's previous books, as her writing style and material are uniquely Canadian. I found this the best listen yet of her books, though I loved the one about the monks.

Which scene was your favorite?

I hate picking favourite scenes- just buy the book and listen.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I actually relished coming back to it over and over again.

Any additional comments?

This author is very talented and I am hooked on her! Inspector Gamache is someone I feel I know. I love Rosa the duck and crazy Ruth.

Great series

I have enjoyed this series very much. The characters are well drawn, the mystery is taut, and the narration is excellent. Can't wait for the next one. These people feel like my friends!

Louise Penny's Best Chief Inspector Gamache Book

I have not liked all the books in this series but I found this book a joy to read. All the characters from the previous books make an appearance in this book and Ruth is an unexpected delight. The tension mounts as the story progresses and I stayed up late to finish the book.

So much love for this audiobook!

This ninth book in the Three Pines/Chief Inspector Gamache series is arguably one of the best, but I cannot stress strongly enough how much better it is for having listened to all the preceding books first. Sure, they’re all meant to stand on their own, but it would be a disservice to all the wonderful characters and the intriguing storylines to start anywhere but with Still Life. And yes, the narration gets better every time. Next to Harry Potter, my favorite audiobook series.

This was the best!

Oh my! Down to the very end...I was on the edge of my seat! What a ride! I highly recommend you listen to the books in order to feel the full effect! If this was the last one, I would be so happy because there’s closure to all the storylines....but I’m looking forward to more!

New favorite book

Would you listen to How the Light Gets In again? Why?

This is my most favorite Louise Penny book! Love the characters, nail biting tension and wonderful dialogue. She might be a "penny" but she is worth a fortune to readers/listeners.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, I have no finger nails left!

Which scene was your favorite?

The final battle scenes in Three Pines.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I have read all her books, this is her best.

First L. Penny Book<br />

Loved the interesting characters. All so unique with distinctive personalities
Plot and execution captured my attention and held it, which can be difficult. Narrator was very good. I learned some French while listening. Bottom line... love it!