The Long Way Home

Chief Inspector Gamache, Book 10

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Happily retired in the village of Three Pines, Armand Gamache, former Chief Inspector of Homicide with the Sûreté du Québec, has found a peace he'd only imagined possible. On warm summer mornings he sits on a bench holding a small book, The Balm in Gilead, in his large hands. "There is a balm in Gilead," his neighbor Clara Morrow reads from the dust jacket, "to make the wounded whole."

While Gamache doesn't talk about his wounds and his balm, Clara tells him about hers. Peter, her artist husband, has failed to come home. Failed to show up as promised on the first anniversary of their separation. She wants Gamache's help to find him. Having finally found sanctuary, Gamache feels a near revulsion at the thought of leaving Three Pines. "There’s power enough in Heaven," he finishes the quote as he contemplates the quiet village, "to cure a sin-sick soul." And then he gets up. And joins her.

Together with his former second-in-command, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, and Myrna Landers, they journey deeper and deeper into Québec. And deeper and deeper into the soul of Peter Morrow. A man so desperate to recapture his fame as an artist, he would sell that soul. And may have. The journey takes them further and further from Three Pines, to the very mouth of the great St. Lawrence river. To an area so desolate, so damned, the first mariners called it The land God gave to Cain. And there they discover the terrible damage done by a sin-sick soul.

©2014 Three Pines Creations, Inc. (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

I wanted to love it.

I've thoroughly enjoyed all of Louise Penny's books and really looked forward to this, the newest one. I had the pleasure of seeing her in person while she was on her book tour and couldn't wait to dig in.

It's hard to say what I didn't like without a spoiler, and I won't do that. Suffice it to say, the book took a departure from the usual pattern and the way the characters participate in the plots. Gamache has some big shoes to fill, and no one else can really do that.

Penny really took all of the conventions and flipped them 180°. Just like the upside down cover on the book. Interesting, yes. But I hope she knows we rely on her for a certain amount of predictability.

One other note ... if you've never listened to any of the books of this series, you're in for a treat with Ralph Cosham. He's perfect. But don't start with this book. Go back to the beginning and start with the earlier ones. While each one can stand alone, they are best in sequence.

Excellent but a Bittersweet Experience

I was mid-way through this book when I learned of the narrator, Ralph Cosham's death. What a sad loss to audio book fans. It is hard to imagine Armand Gamache's portrayal by any other person, as well as all the other unique Three Pines characters. My condolences to Mr. Cosham's family and close friends. His voice will be missed by those of us who enjoy audio books, especially those written by Louise Penny.

This was one of my favorite of the series. Not a cliff hanger such as the last one but still an adventure that any audio fan will be glad to join. I felt like I was part of the search that felt the joy of every good clue and the disappointment when one avenue did not pan out.

In addition to the compelling love story in this book, it also focuses on the power of friendship and healing. Clara takes on a more assertive persona, which quite suits her. Ruth is still quite the curmudgeon and it is a delight to get to know Garmache's wife, Reine-Marie, a bit better.

Louise Penny's ability to weave visions of beautiful, remote Canadian landscapes will place the reader/listener in the locations where the story takes place.

As one other reviewer said, this book does not stand alone. To completely appreciate it, the earlier books should be read/listened to in order to get the full benefit of this wonderful story. And now I am anxious to find out what will happen next. Surely this is not Ms. Penny's last Three Pines novel.

Highly recommended and looking forward to more.

Different

In a way this disappointed me, because the mystery was much different. The writing and the moral story was so strong though, that overall I loved it. The ending really shocked me.

A good read.

Even retired, Gamache can’t help but find a mystery with which to occupy himself. A search for a missing husband and many false turns later, there is a bittersweet ending to the tale. Louise Penny writes in such a way that you must pay attention or be forever lost. But, when you do pay attention, the golden nuggets found in each and every one of her characters provokes both thought and emotion. 4.5 stars.

I can't be timid about any Louise Penny review

I know Louise's characters as if they were living next door to me, or better yet, as if I too resided in Three Pines. I seriously consider moving there and then realize again that there is no such place.

There is subtext to her books that is greater than the surface "facts." She tells stories of human development that are weighty and pressure me to think of my own situation and take action to fix it. I care so much about her characters that I do not want her to be untrue to any of them.

Her narrator is the best possible Gamache. I can't imagine how he could change. And, of course, he does all of the other characters so well, but he IS Gamache.

She's done it again

They just keep getting better and better. It's so nice to revisit characters you have come to need as a touchstone of calm and consistency in this Trumpian hellscape.

A very satisfying read

Always a pleasure to read Penny's allegorical novels, so rich in character and illuminating comments about art.

Odd story--not one of the best in the series

The characters are wonderful, but the plot for this mystery was very weak. The story was well told, but the reason for the crime and the method were not credible.

Love Three Pines!

Every Louise Penny trip to Three Pines is a gift to all of us readers.

One of my favorite in this series!

Great narration as always. This story leaves Three Pines without leaving it. I enjoyed the reunion of Jean Guy and Gamache and Clara's search for Peter. Just enough Ruth for comic relief. The storyline was not predictable and kept me guessing. A very good listen.