Although I have liked all books by this author, this one was not quite as good as the others. It was set in Paris and I missed the quirky characters of Three Pines and the feeling of Montreal.

The plot was good, but dragged a bit toward the end. Armand and Reine-Marie were in Paris waiting for the birth of their new granddaughter, the child of their daughter and Armand's former second in command (they used that term a lot. Is it a Canadian term?), Jean-Guy Beauvoir. Armand's relationship with his son, who is a banker in Paris, was still strained and Armand dod not know why. When a dinner with Armand's godfather, Stephen, ends with an intentional hit and run, Armand need to find out what is going on and who Stephen really was.

It was good, just not as good as I normally expect from this author. 4 1/2 stars.

I have read only one other book by author Louse Penny but I was so happy to have discovered her books again. All the Devils Are Here was full of the elements I remembered from the previous Louise Penny book I had read. I listened to the audio book narrated by Robert Bathurst and his voice was perfect for this story. It had just the right amount of intrigue and suspense. The characters were well developed and believable. It was comforting and familiar to spend time with the Gamache family. All the Devils Are Here was a fast paced and enjoyable book that kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more.

The Gamache family were all in Paris, France in All the Devils Are Here, rather than in Three Pines, where they reside. Annie, Jean-Guys and their young son were now living in Paris. Jean-Guys had accepted an offer for a new job. It was a safer job, away from the homicide division he was formally in. Jean-Guys was now working in the private sector. Annie was very pregnant and the birth of their daughter was imminent. Daniel, his wife and two daughters were also living in Paris. Daniel worked in a bank there. Armande and Reine-Marie came to Paris for the birth of their granddaughter and to see Armande's godfather, Stephen.

On the first night of their stay, the Gamache family met Stephen at one of their favorite restaurants for dinner. After a wonderful meal and a lot of catching up with one another, the Gamache family and Stephen proceeded to get ice cream at a favorite shop close to the restaurant. On the way, the family witnessed one of the most unimaginable things they ever expected to see. Stephen was deliberately hit by a truck. Armande's mind began to work at high speed. Who would want to hurt Stephen and why? Armande sought help from his good friend who was head of the Paris Police. Little by little, bit by bit, Armande and his family gathered clues to why Stephen had been targeted and who wanted him out of the way and why. Family bonds were tested and it was unclear to the family who their friends were and who were their enemies. They were cautious with everyone because of their uncertainty. The things they uncovered led to so many more questions and actions.

The descriptions of Paris and its many architectural sights will transport you and make you feel like you are there with the Gamache family. From the top of the Eiffel Tower, to the many beautiful hidden courtyards, to the Hotel Lutetia, to the archives and its secret doors and documents and to the questions of Stephen's involvement in the resistance in Paris during World War II, a colorful and realistic picture of the city will vividly come alive. The narrator, Robert Bathurst, was wonderful. He was easy to listen to and really brought the characters to life in an authentic way.

All the Devils Are Here was a masterfully written book by Louise Penny. I loved every minute of it. Elements of love, devotion, misunderstandings, courage, corruption, greed, and above all family were prominent. This was a fast paced book that kept me guessing . I even shed a few tears when I got close to the end of the book. I would highly recommend All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny and I will definitely look to read some of her prior books and books she plans to write in the future. This book is expected to be published on September 1, 2020.

I received a complimentary audio book copy of this book from Macmillan Audio through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Every time I find out that a new Three Pines novel is coming out, I get very excited and my expectations are always very high. I have never once been disappointed and All the Devils are Here was no exception. Gamache and his immediate family are all in Paris for the birth of his granddaughter. A tale of corporate deceit and family secrets, Louise Penny weaves a facsinating story that had me guessing until the end. Her use of language is impeccable and I found myself brought to tears at times as well as smiling in amusement.
While Robert Bathurst could never replace Ralph Cosham as narrator, he continues to bring his own style and interpretation to the role of Gamache. A wonderful listen as always!

What a powerful book. I'll confess straightaway that I prefer Gamache when his adversary is an individual murderer, not an entire corrupt/greedy system (which we learn early on is the case here). I like my battles of good and evil to be embodied in individuals rather than corporations or organizations. That said, this particular battle involves the people Gamache loves the most. And, even though it's a puzzle of who's on which side, it's also a gripping, mesmerizing story. Almost more of a thriller and yet still very cerebral. And we wonder about and worry about specific people throughout the book.

Also, the delving into the history between Gamache and his son Daniel was so satisfying in the end. I am generally a plot reader. I want a mystery. I want it to be solved. I want to like the main character. I don't love literary fiction and books where characterization trumps plot. The Gamache mysteries are mysteries. They are solved, and I love the main characters. But the characters also grow, and I learn so much about their deeply personal sides. This book (and series) is really a step above in quality than the mysteries I often read for escape. I wish there were more! I was so happy with the resolution to this book--to the mystery, to the family issues, to the geography questions...I can't wait to visit the Gamache clan in the next outing!

Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was unfortunately a DNF for me. I could not get used to the narrator. I tried changing the speed levels and it didn’t help. I have read a couple of books from this series and enjoyed them so I hope to read the print version of this one as well. My rating has nothing to do with the story, just the narration. Future review to follow once I read the book.

Over the years I've been a devoted fan of Louise Penny's Three Pines series. I loved the quirky village residents, the obscure Northern location and the intricate, well-plotted mysteries. I also liked Gamache as a main character and always found his solidity comforting. On occasion, I would even imagine moving to a place like Three Pines and opening a little bookstore, just like Myrna Landers.

It's hard to keep a series fresh for so long and Penny has done an admirable job. No doubt her latest addition – All the Devils Are Here – will keep readers coming back for more. Though the book didn't really work for me, it has many exciting twists and further develops the relationships in the Gamache clan. The 16th installment is set in Paris, where Gamache's children now reside, and it's more thriller than mystery. Gamache's son-in-law, friend and former protege, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, has also relocated to the city and is working for a private engineering company. Add to the mix Gamache's wife Reine-Marie, his billionaire godfather Stephen Horowitz and a sprinkling of grandkids (including one on the way). Gamache's relationship with his son Daniel has always been difficult and this book takes on that conflict while catapulting readers into a tale of global intrigue. The action begins when the elderly Horowitz is hospitalized after a car deliberately hits him. Not long afterward, a body turns up in Stephen's apartment and Gamache takes on the case himself, in part because he's not sure he can trust the local police. From there, the action accelerates until the entire family is caught up in a sprawling web of greed, murder and corruption.

I listened to this as an audio book and thought Robert Bathurst was perfect as Gamache. He also made it easy to follow the complicated plot and to differentiate between the many characters. Part of the reason the story fell short for me was that I expected a tighter, more character-driven mystery, similar to her earlier books, and this is not that type of novel. I'm not sure when I lost interest in Gamache and even started to become a little bored with him, but I felt that almost from the beginning in All the Devils Are Here. Maybe he's just too good for my liking, as I tend to gravitate toward darker characters who change from book to book. The same goes for the rest of the group. Even the conflict between Gamache and Daniel fell flat for me. It was always the other residents of Three Pines who intrigued me most and their absence left me oddly unfulfilled. As for the mystery itself, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had gone into it expecting a high-octane tale rather than a whodunit.

Thankfully, I'm an outlier on this one. Aside from Bathurst's narration I did thoroughly enjoy the setting and the historical background for some of the action. And Louise Penny is still Louise Penny, which means the writing is good and the plot is well executed. So if you're a fan of the series, you will probably like All the Devils Are Here.

Much thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't realize when I selected this book it was part of a long series (book 16 actually!!). With that said, the book can still be read as a stand alone. I didn't feel like I was lost or anything like that regarding the characters or story line. It was however a slow burn read. I felt like the story line took too long to get anywhere. This was my first book by the author as well and I have mixed feelings whether I'd want to invest in such a long series if they are all written in this pace.

The narrator, Robert Bathurst, did well. His accent really helped me feel like I was in England sipping tea while I was listening.

Everyone seems to be loving this one, but I found it to be way too long. It might be due to the fact that this is my first Louise Penny novel, but I found it to be boring for the first 20% of the novel. I assume that I am missing a big connection with past characters. I do believe that this can be read as a stand-alone, as intended to read it, but the reader will have to fight through past build-up in the beginning.

Something that I did enjoy was the characters. I found them all lovable, interesting, and complex.

Lastly, I loved the narrator. I could hear him perfectly, and I enjoyed all of his voices.

Last you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a free audiobook in exchange for a review.

I was a little doubtful, this novel set in Paris and not in my beloved Three Pines? Still, all our main characters, albeit not the quirky ones, together awaiting the arrival of Annie's and Jean-Guys new daughter, and having dinner with Stephen, Armand's Godfather. Ruth dies make an appearance in an unusual but amusing way. So this is where is starts, leaving the restaurant Stephen is hit by a car with murderous intent. Now, in a coma, Ganache has every intention of getting to the bottom of this horrific occurrence. It starts, and doesn't stop. More bodies of course, a twisted plot of men in power and corporations and others who look the other way for profit. Could this be true? Yeah right like it isn't happening everyday and not just in novels.

Along the way, we learn the background, questioned by some, of Stephen. We are treated to the Gamaches and their relationships as a family. We experience the happiness of a birth and a reconciliation. I held my breath at one of the scenes, thinking, or shouting in my mind, no, no. This was a non stop ride in a half. Terrific as was the narration if Robert Bathurst. At books end a song came to mind which I will put in spoilers since it night be too good a clue to discerning mind. <Spoiler> Who says you can't go home by Bon Jovi<spoiler>.

Motto: Never distrust a story by a favored author, especially one as talented as Louise Penny.

ARC by Netgalley.

This is the first time I have read a book in this series. I love it! The reader has done a great job of bring the listener into the story. I can't wait to start the series from the beginning. I think I will be able to really follow the characters properly. One should start at the beginning of the series but started at the end for me wasn't bad. I was able to follow along. The description of Paris and how the relations between the French and the Canadians was interesting. Some of the characters you wanted to smack due to their attitude and snarkiness which made the story very interesting as to see how things changed towards the end with them. Highly recommended mystery and author.

All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny is the 16th novel in the Armand Gamache series. Early on we are told 'Goodness Exists' and it is important yet increasingly difficult to remember as Gamache uncovers deception, corruption, and secrets in Paris involving his godfather Stephen Horowitz and his own family. It is an exquisite novel of suspense, mystery, and adventure reminiscent of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. Gamache and Reine-Marie join their children, grandchildren, and Stephen Horowitz in Paris for this caper. We meet new complicated characters such as Claude De So, a prefect in Paris, who is in charge of the case as Gamache is not in his jurisdiction. Even as the title comes from Shakespeare's words, the saying is still relevant we soon find Shakespearean complicated family relationships also still exist and sometimes help grow misunderstandings and shape futures. The race to the end is a nail biter and the explosive ending is masterfully crafted and might take a bit to digest. Although this takes place in Paris, Canada's Three Pines does play a part in this novel. This will be satisfying to old fans of Gamache and will cause new readers to go back and read previous adventures. Highly recommend for fans of noir mystery.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy of this audiobook any options expressed here are my own.

Okay, so I somehow missed the fact that All The Devils Are Here by Louise Penny is the SIXTEENTH in a series when I requested the audiobook! Oops!!

I’m not going to info dump in this review, as there are plenty with more knowledge than me who can do that. I just want to say, as someone who hasn’t read this author or series ever previously I enjoyed the book. There were no glaring omissions that left me wondering who or what was going on. There was enough detail that I could enjoy the family dynamics as a completely new reader. The storyline was interesting and kept me guessing.

Overall a very enjoyable read with a 3.75 star rating, though I can see why readers more familiar with this work would mark it higher.

I am a big fan of Louise Penney’s books. This is the first one that I have listened to rather than read. The narrator was very good, and it really was an enjoyable experience. This book takes place in Paris instead of Three Pines. Gamache is there with his entire family for the birth of his grandchild. They are immediately drawn into a complicated mystery involving a murder and an accident. Not knowing who to trust, the Gamaches end up in some tense situations fighting for their lives. #16 in the series, Louise Penney is at the top of her game.

Thank you Netgalley and macmillionaudio for the free audio copy.

All the Devils are Here by Louise Penny #jaylammreviews

Inspector Gamache is back..but this time he is in Paris visiting his children and their families. Armand is also hoping to spend some time with his Godfather Stephen while he is in town. Tragedy strikes when Stephen and the Gamaches are walking home from a dinner together and Stephen is struck by a car in the street. With Stephen fighting for his life, Armand is set to find out what happened and why. He believes this was an intentional hit and run.

Another great Gamache mystery. I usually dislike when the stories take place somewhere other than Three Pines but I really enjoyed this one. It really le the Gamache family shine...Although I did miss the characters in Three Pines. The audio as always were exceptional. Robert Bathurst took over the Gamache series on book 11. I loved the original narrator but he has brought a new life to the series. He has such a rich voice that is the perfect touch to these cozy mysteries.

This one felt so personal. People in Gamache's family are threatened and he will not stand for that. Reine-Marie plays a much bigger role in this book. She does her own detective work and makes her voice heard. It was fun to see her side by side with Gamache. The relationship between Armand and his son Daniel is another centerpoint in this novel. We have known about their strained relationship for years but we finally get some insight into Daniel's feelings. 

The only bad part about reading this, is that I will now need to wait another year before the next one...

Audiobook Review: All the Devils Are Here (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #16) by Louise Penny, Robert Bathurst (Narrator)
(Published by Macmillan Audio, September, 1, 2020)

5.0 Stars!

Excellent audiobook production and presentation.

And Mr. Robert Bathurst! As the warm, mellow voice of Cambridge-educated, French Canadian Armand Gamache, he lends so much depth and authenticity to the character. Such a gift to the author and her readers!

Bon!

- - - - -

“Hell is empty, and all the devils are here!” - Ariel, Act 1, The Tempest by William Shakespeare

In what I believe is her most enthralling endeavor yet, Louise Penny weaves the magic of her prose and poetry, her brains-over-brawn, prowess-over-bullets sûreté thriller across the pond, to the City of Light, the ancient Lutetia Parisiorum of Caesar and the Romans (among those interesting tidbits from the author's excellent research).

"This is the Brigade Criminelle de Paris, monsieur, not the Sûreté du Québec. They respond quickly to us. They know if we ask, it must be serious..."

And sure enough, that legendary charm is turned on for the full Parisien experience!

With the subtlety of the signature "Three Pines" civility she created, the author deftly straddles cross-genres to complement the Gamache brand's forte as a detective and police thriller.

Neodymium and sci-fi; boardroom intrigue and betrayal; market manipulation and ultra high finance in a financial thriller; espionage, subterfuge, international trade and politics.

And, not least, a touching Gamache family life event, and numerous symbolisms that unveil the author's core beliefs.

Definitely a Must Read!

Review based on an Audiobook ARC from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley.

I love this book!  I did not want it to end as I did not want to bid farewell to Gamache and the other characters for at least another year. 


I'll start by commenting on the audio.  The book was extremely well and engagingly narrated.  I was constantly stealing time to listen to just a bit more.  The narrator's tone is just right and he captures each character's voice in a unique way.


The story itself will be very welcomed by series readers although new readers could also enjoy it.  Readers learn so much backstory about Armand Gamache including SPOILER? the loss of his parents and the roles of his grandmother and godfather in his life.


The setting for this title is a fully realized Paris where the Gamaches are visiting their son, daughter and their spouses and children, all of whom now live there.  Armand also spends time with his godfather.  I loved the opening scene at the Rodin Museum.  Having visited there, I enjoyed my virtual return.


Just who is Stephen Horowitz?  What has he done?  Who wanted to harm him?  What does it mean to be in a family? What are the responsibilities of corporations? What does loyalty mean?  Can we protect those we love?  These questions and more are raised in this thoughtful, deeply moving mystery.


I recommend this title most highly.  I now plan to go back and read or listen to all of the books again.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Status
August 10, 2020 – Finished Reading (Audible Audio Edition)

Review Gamache is back, not in Three Pines but this time in Paris. Traveling to the city of light with his wife for the imminent arrival of their fourth grandchild, Armand Gamache is thrust into an intrigue that involves a hit and run that fells his beloved godfather, an elderly billionaire with a clouded past. Son-in-law Jean Guy Beauvoir is also on the scene as an executive in an engineering firm where he finds himself a bit over his head in a job that relates to the accident. Unresolved tensions arise between Gamache and his son Daniel who works as a banker in Paris drawn into a mystery that becomes increasingly more complex. The loving but challenging relationships of the Gamache family are woven into a story that take the reader at breakneck speed around Paris from the Musee Rodin to the Hotel Georges Cinq, and round the Place de la Concorde all in pursuit of a killer. Particularly satisfying is a much stronger role for Reine Marie exhibiting her fabulous skills as a librarian able to plumb the depths of the National Archives. The audio edition of this book performed by Robert Bathurst is pitch perfect in its delivery.
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Two of my favorite things came together thanks to #NetGalley: audiobooks and the newest Louise Penny Gamache novel. Even after reading all the Guamache books, I can’t quite put a finger on why they are so good. But they are and #AlltheDevilsAreHere is no exception. Although It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Armand Gamache’s family, I did miss all the characters from Three Pines. Of course, Paris is no slouch of a location. The story line kept me guessing until the end and wrapped up nicely. Warning if you’re listening on audio - leave 3 to 5 hours open for the end of the book, because it’s really hard to stop listening . At least I got a lot of chores done! The only disappointment is how long I’ll have to wait until the next book!

Thanks to #NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.

This is quite a departure for this series. The Gamache's have taken a holiday before (and coincidentally ended up spending most of it with Clara and Peter), but this time they're visiting Paris and their two children and their families. We learn a lot more about Daniel and Gamache's childhood and why he's so connected to Stephen. Some of it really seem to come out of the blue, but it's well developed enough I didn't think it was unbelievable.

The story was quite involved and complicated and kept me interested, but it wasn't so complicated I felt at a disadvantage listening to it on audio. But, I have read all of the previous books so I am fairly familiar with the characters. I have also listened to one other in the series in audio so I was accustomed to and liked the narrator.

My only quibbles are that the author can be a little heavy handed occasionally in the praise of the characters, there are elements of the big finale that are a little unbelievable, including the almost very ending, yet I was glad it ended as it did (but come on!!!). Then the absolute very ending was a bit cliffhangerish. I wanted to witness what was coming next. A half page would have done it, a paragraph even.

I was very happy to get one of my favorite series in audio from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. 4.5/5.0.

Some authors settle into a formulaic rhythm in a book series. The overall arc is identical, but the specific details are altered for each successive contribution. There can be a draw to that -- a comfortable expectation -- but it gives an author an easy way out from having to stretch themselves or their characters into innovative scenarios or altered structures. This predictability is not the case for the Inspector Gamache series, where new settings and challenges abound. I can trust Louise Penny to take me on a journey filled with nuanced characters and a thoughtful story.

In All the Devils Are Here, we find Gamache and his wife in Paris, awaiting the birth of a grandchild. His grown children now both live in Paris with their respective families. Through the lens of Gamache's relationship with his godfather, we are introduced to questions of who we are and how our past influences our present. The professional lives of his son and son-in-law come into play and intersect as they investigate the attempted murder of a loved one and how their employers may have had a hand in events.

We can trust Gamache to act nobly and navigate events thoughtfully, and his connections with friends and family are soothing to read. Penny has created a character we would all value as a trusted, valuable friend. He is not without fault, and we can relate to tension in relationships, but that humanity, coming from a place of seeking truth, makes him feel all the more real and unusual.

I look forward to each release in the series. It is clear that Penny's strengths are characterization and plot devices. I don't often find myself captivated by a specific line artfully written, but I am drawn into the overall story and invested in how it plays out.

I tend to be critical of narrators, as I admit when I'm listening to audiobooks, I'm often multitasking, so I need a highly effective reader to captivate me. However, Louise Penny titles are expertly narrated. The first ten were done so effectively by Ralph Cosham, and upon his passing, Robert Bathurst continues the tradition of top-rate narration. This series is one that I will pre-order the audiobook in advance, and they never disappoint.

(I received a digital ALC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)