Another enjoyable story weaved by Louise Penny. The narration was delightful as it always is. The backdrop of the story takes place in Paris and the reader learns more of Armands backstory- which makes this novel feel like home. Imagine beingsnuggled up with your parents, friends, or loved ones and learning a bit of their past- this is what this book felt like. Thank you NetGalley for this audio book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC of this book. This book is a 5 star hit. It takes a bit of a different turn since it is set in Paris. The entire Gamache family is included but none of the Three Pines residents. It does not make it any less exciting. Loved every bit of it.

My first @louisepennyauthor book!

Finished it this morning, on my #birthday! I am recovering from the journey this book took me on (wiping away a few happy tears)...

Coincidentally, as I marked the book 📚 completed on my #goodreads account, I got a spray of confetti 🎉 (not because it’s my birthday 🎁), but because I reached my reading goal for the year, 150 books 📚, (on my birthday)! How fun!

I read the book and listened to the #audiobook, compliments of @NetGalley and @macmillan.audio in return for my honest review. I absolutely enjoyed every moment I spent reading and listening to #allthedevilsarehere and give it #5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I quote the author-“This is a book about love, about belonging. About family and friendship. It’s about how lives are shaped by our perceptions, by not just our memories, but how we remember things.
It’s about choices. And courage.” - Louise Penny

I am so proud to say I come from the same place as this amazing author, and proud of the way she paints our beautiful #Montreal and #Quebec! Merci @louisepennyauthor for this gift of a book 📚.
Narrator extraordinaire: @robert_bathurst
#burghersofcalais #jardinjosephmigneret #jardinluxembourg #gatesofhell #rodin #lemarais #resistance#inspectorgamache #threepines #louisepenny #paris #cityoflights

This is a charming, intricate mystery with a lovely sense of atmosphere in its Paris setting. This is my first Inspector Armand Gamache mystery, but that did not matter at all - I was able to immediately follow the plot and develop an affection for the characters. I also loved the narrator's voice right away - he has the perfect warm but slightly mysterious tone for this book, with an impeccable French accent that contributes to the lovely sense of atmosphere of the audiobook.

The book begins with a lovely gathering of friends in Paris which is interrupted by a seemingly intentional hit and run. Inspector Gamache, outside his jurisdiction of Quebec, has trouble convincing the Parisian police that this hit was intentional. This launches a complex and mysterious of events in this very intricately plotted mystery which is beautifully told.

I really enjoyed listening to this narrator, who is a perfect fit for the inspector, as well as all the other characters. I cannot emphasize enough how lovely the Paris setting is - if you love Paris as I do, this book will make you feel like you are right there. It's a long audiobook, but a true pleasure to listen to. It's a somewhat complex story so not the best one to listen to while you are doing other things - you will have to invest a little brain power into this mystery, but it's a completely enjoyable process.

I enjoyed this so much that I think I will go back and read this series from the start. A definite 5/5 audiobook!

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Louise Penny for the advance audiobook which is now available to all! I highly recommend the audiobook experience on this one, although I am sure the book is also lovely - the narrator really adds to the experience.

All hail Louise Penny, queen of the mystery novel! Whenever I am asked who my favorite author is, I never hesitate, I hope everyone gets the chance to read a Louise Penny novel.. After listening to All the Devils Are Here audiobook, I hope everyone starts with this one because you can not help but to fall head over heels for this book.

Here is what you are going to love, this is a mystery that feels so real and I kept being surprised by what happened next. This book is like an artistic masterpiece, I love how Louise introduces literature, history, art, and more in all of her books. Every time I read, I learn so much, but it is done in such a beautiful and interesting way. Most of all you will find yourself so close to the characters, they feel like real people who you have known all your life, close friends and family. As a reader, you will become invested in them and their lives and look forward to every new book for a chance to become close to them again.

If you are already familiar with Armand Gamache, his family, and friends, this is going to be your new favorite. The book is set in Paris, as opposed to our home away from home, Three Pines, so enjoy the chance to explore through Louise's magical lens. The book also focuses primarily on Armande Gamache's immediate family, which I was thrilled about, as we get a little more Rene-Marie than usual (love her!), and there was a lot of attention given to Daniel, Armand's estranged son.

Finally, I highly recommend you have tissues nearby as you approach the end. I bawled my eyes out THREE TIMES! That is how emotionally invested you become in these characters. Beautifully written and impeccably narrated by Robert Bathurst.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Louise Penny has done it again! Just when I think her Inspector Gamache series can't get any better. I listened to the audio of this book, thanks to NegGalley, and Robert Bathurst does an amazing job reading. For who love Three Pines, you'll love being back and for those who have not discovered Three Pines, you need to visit!!!

All the Devils are Here
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #16

A perfect blend of fascinating characters, picturesque setting and a delightfully complicated and mesmerizing story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
On their first night in Paris, the Gamache family gathered for dinner at a bistro with Armand’s godfather, the billionaire Stephen Horowitz. Walking home together after the meal, they watch in horror as Stephen is hit by a car and critically injured in what Gamache believes is no accident, but a deliberate attempt on the elderly man’s life.  

When a strange key is found in Stephen’s possession it sends Armand, his wife Reine-Marie, and his former second-in-command at the Sûreté, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, knee deep in secrets Armand’s godfather has apparently kept for decades.  

A gruesome discovery in Stephen’s Paris apartment makes it clear that the danger is greater and more imminent, than they realized. Gamache will have to decide whether he can trust his friends, his colleagues, his instincts, or even his own family.

Hell is empty, and all the devils are here.”
William Shakespeare


REVIEW
This is only the fifth Louise Penny novel I have read. While I have been intrigued with her books I have not been truly in love with them, until now. This book made me want to start at the beginning of the series and read them all in order. I am now hooked. One of life’s pleasures is a book that comes to life in your hands as you read it. This book was real. I felt as if I was in Paris with the Gamache’s, staying at the Hotel Lutetia, touring the Eiffel Tower and tasting the delicious pastries from the boulangerie.

Penny’s writing is meticulously descriptive and and delightfully captivating. She hooks you with the tragic accident and the action doesn’t stop until you close the cover. It’s both exhilarating and emotionally exhausting following the activities of the entire Gamache family as they work together to search for the reason behind and the parties responsible for the attack on Stephen.

Combined this minding-bending search with the a plethora of subplots. Gamache’s daughter, Annie is expecting a baby at any moment, and revelations regarding the long held tensions between Armand and his son. lead the list,

My favorite part was how so many long held secrets come to light during the story and how the story unfolds one delicious morsel at a time. ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE is a perfect blend of fascinating characters, picturesque setting and a delightfully complicated and mesmerizing story. I loved the title, the literary references and the atmosphere of the story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur for an advance copy of the audio book for this title in exchange for an honest review. The narration and delivery by Robert Barthurst was absolutely superb.


Publisher Minotaur Books
Published September 1, 2020
Narrated Robert Barthurst
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

There was some confusion for me because I have not read any of the previous books in the series. So many characters to keep straight! Regardless, it was wonderfully told and the interactions of the characters made for rich relationships making the story that much more engaging.

Even though this is the 16th installment of the Chief Inspector Gamache (or affectionately known by most followers as the Three Pines) series, readers can still take comfort in the greatness of the characters that have continued to mystify and embrace our hearts and minds. In this newest tale, Armand and Reine Marie have arrived in Paris for the birth of their newest grandchild where Annie and Jean Guy have taken up residence for Jean Guy's new job. Armand is also hoping to spend time with his estranged son, Daniel, and his family who also live in Paris. Their celebrations include Stephen Horowitz, Armand's godfather who after a family dinner is ruthlessly rundown in what Armand knows was no accident. Determined to find out why Stephen was targeted, Armand with Jean Guy's help, plunge into a deadly plot which could have global repercussions if it is not thwarted. But what crime has driven someone to kill, where has Stephen hidden the evidence and what is it evidence of?

The story was phenomenal, woven so tightly that this reader was mesmerized. The manner in which the family and mystery were intertwined made it difficult to stop reading even late into the night. I also thoroughly enjoyed the family interactions and revelations of Armand's younger life and his children's relationship with him as a father. There were several times as well when we see the sense of humor of Armand and Reine Marie which only makes them seem more humans and not just characters on a page. I laughed out loud on several occasions.

I was fortunate enough to receive this book in audio version. The Narrator was very adept at changing voices so that the reader could just ride right on with the story, never having to wonder who was saying what..

The only unfortunate thing about this book, is that we will have to wait again to hear from the Gamache family.

Something about this book didn't quite click with me. I didn't know that this book was the 16th in a series (though I did think it could be read on its own). As a person who values characters over plot, writing, and world building, this book wasn't a perfect fit for me. I think that the writing of this book is done very well, and the plot is compelling enough, but the characters are a bit flat. Overall, I liked the overall story, maybe I would have enjoyed this book more had I read the previous books in this series. I couldn't truly build a connection with the characters and empathize with them.

Dare I say that this is the best book Louise Penny has written yet? I know, I know, I say that every time. This one was next-level amazing though. Set almost entirely in Paris, this was a definite change to not have glimpses of Quebec and Three Pines but fortunately the plot and character development here made me forget momentarily about my beloved Three Pines characters. This book was quite a page-turner too, and I could NOT put it down which was exactly what my quarantine reading life needed.

If you are a fan of this series, be on the lookout for this book's release in September. If you haven't read it yet, start with Still Life!!!

Note about the audiobook: I LOVE Robert Bathurst's narration...he is SO good. I could not listen to this book fast enough despite already knowing the outcome from reading it first. AHHH so good.

Louise Penny has done it again! I'm always a little sad when the story doesn't take place in Three Pines, even though I completely understand that they can't all take place there. However, she tied it up so well in the end by including Three Pines and all the characters that live there.

All the Devils are Here is a departure in this long-running series, taking place in Paris, rather than Quebec or the much-loved village of Three Pines. Armand Gamache and his wife, Reine-Marie, are in Paris for the birth of their granddaughter. The parents are their daughter, Annie, and son-in-law, Jean-Guy Beauvoir. Jean-Guy was Gamache's second-in-command at the Surete de Quebec. They have recently moved to Paris because Jean-Guy had taken a job in private industry. The person responsible for the job change, billionaire and Gamache's godfather, Stephen Horowitz, is also awaiting the birth of the baby. Gamache's son, Daniel, a banker, and his family have lived in Paris for years. The family is leaving a favorite bistro and crossing a busy street when the 93-year-old Stephen is struck down by a van and left grievously injured. It was clearly no accident. Gamache calls in his old friend, Prefect of the Paris Police, Claude Dussault, to investigate. Still, Dussault seems strangely uneager and even reminds Gamache that he has no standing in Paris.

What follows is a breakneck thriller, centered around immense corporate malfeasance by the very firm where Jean-Guy works and a sinister security firm staffed by former commandos. Stephen Horowitz has plunged them all into a situation that will be deadly unless the family can cooperate using their various abilities. The clock is ticking, both for the baby's birth and their only chance to thwart the corporate plot, thereby saving countless lives. Family, as always, plays an integral part in All the Devils are Here. Daniel Gamache has only been mentioned previously, so it comes as a surprise that he and Armand have had a stressful relationship for years. Daniel's long-held resentments might keep him from playing a part and are fully exposed in the course of the story. Success comes with a high price tag but many benefits.

The City of Paris is vividly described and almost a character itself. I did miss Twin Pines, but the quirky, much-loved inhabitants are there in spirit. Everything comes full circle with a satisfactory ending for all. The audiobook form for this series has always been my preferred format, so I was delighted to get an advance copy via NetGalley. Robert Bathurst does his usual stellar narration. Thanks so much! The opinions are my own.

Louise Penny’s latest novel finds Chief inspector Armand Gamache tangled in a web of murder, attempted murder, possible dirty cops, cover ups from an engineering company and much more. This was actually my first Penny novel. I found it thrilling, while also nicely touching on family issues as well as celebrations. From a fractured father son relationship to the birth of a grandchild (and a few near death experiences along the way) the book encompassed just about every human emotion. The audio narrator was fantastic. I did, however, find the switching between the use of characters first and last names to be distracting and slightly annoying. It could have been just because I listened to the audio version. Overall a good read!
*Huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC

I love this series and while I know a change of scenery is necessary in such a long series, I truly missed the cast of characters I've grown to love in Three Pines.

That being said, Ms. Penny does a wonderful job of spinning a web of mystery and delving into characters relationships. Some of the more emotional scenes of this book are between Armand and his son, Daniel.

I really enjoyed the audio book narrator, Robert Bathurst. He has been a wonderful replacement for the late Ralph Cosham and I hope he continues to capture the spirit of these beloved characters.

Thanks, #netgalley @macmillanaudio for a complimentary audio ALC of #allthedevilsarehere …. All opinions in this review are completely my own.

All the Devils Are Here, #16 in the Inspector Gamache Series, is set in Paris. The death of Armand Gamache’s godfather is made to look like an accident, but Gamache and his family suspect it is a deliberate murder. Soon the entire family is involved with searching for the truth, unraveling a web of lies and deceit, and facing danger from many directions. Can Gamache trust his beloved godfather? His son? His instincts? His past?

Are you a fan of Inspector Armand Gamache and Three Pines?

We can depend on Louise Penny for a fast-paced, complicated, thoughtful, and intriguing plot. If you appreciate well-told stories of powerful and corrupt corporations, you might be especially captivated by this story! In addition to the mystery and detective work, there are subplots involving the birth of Jean-Guy and Annie’s baby and unresolved father/son tension. One reason I love the Inspector Gamache series and have read them all is that the books are a perfect balance of plot-driven and character-driven. Penny writes intense, “heart-stopping” action but doesn’t neglect the complicated character of Armand Gamache. This delicate balance of a dedicated family man and loyal friend and fast-paced action represents my ideal reading experience. Without giving spoilers, the ending is one of the more satisfying in the entire series! I could write a whole post about it!

Some of us might be disappointed that All the Devils Are Here is not set in our beloved Three Pines. However, isn’t the glamorous City of Lights an acceptable alternative?! And, after all, how many murders can actually happen in that small Three Pines community?! Louise Penny’s vivid and detailed descriptions of Paris, the delicious pastries, and points of interest make me feel like I am right there walking the streets with the family. Penny’s writing is atmospheric and creates a strong sense of place.

We might not be with the quirky and interesting characters of Three Pines for All the Devils Are Here, but we are with the entire Gamache family. In the previous fifteen books, we haven’t learned that much about Daniel, Gamache’s son. Penny has waited for book sixteen to fill us in on the strained father/son relationship. I love stories with complicated family drama themes! Even though the mystery is compelling, I think the family dynamics drive the story and are intriguing and heartfelt. We see loyalty, sibling rivalry, jealousy, misunderstandings, protectiveness, sacrifice, forgiveness, trust, and reconciliation. Now that’s a great story in my opinion!

Louise Penny doesn’t skimp on thoughtful themes! All the Devils Are Here includes father/son misunderstandings, sibling relationships, grief, family loyalty, childhood trauma, workplace intrigue, trust, friendship, sacrifice, healing, belonging, coming home, and the treasure of family.

The title references a line from the work of William Shakespeare: “Hell is empty, and all the devils are here.”

I enthusiastically recommend the entire Inspector Gamache (Three Pines) series for readers who are fans of mysteries, for those who appreciate a mature and wise detective who also has the highest morals and is a dedicated family man, and for readers who love thoughtful and smart writing. Others have said, and I agree that, Louise Penny hits her stride with book #4 (book #3 is my least favorite). However, the earlier ones are important in character development and introducing an overarching story line. I have a few favorites in the series (#7, #9, and #13) and All the Devils Are Here is among them because of the father/son storyline and heartfelt ending.

Read the Series in order! Although you might be tempted to jump into the series with book #16 (and it is possible to read this as a stand-alone), you would be missing a great deal of character development that happens from story to story. Read in order starting with Still Life for the best reading experience!

All The Devils Are Here (Chief Inspector Armande Gamache series #16) by Louise Penny
Publication date: 1-Sep-2020 That is TODAY!
If you are a lover of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series and a loyal library patron, skip the long hold list and buy the book. You won’t want to wait to read this 16th and newest installment of the series. You will probably want to read it again. I know I will. This story has a different feel to it in all the best ways. It is set almost completely in Paris, from the Musée Rodin and its Gates of Hell to underground archives, making it even more atmospheric then the beloved Three Pines. We find Chief Inspector Gamache and his family gathering with his Godfather in celebration of their soon to arrive newest granddaughter. This book delves more into his troubled relationship with his son, Daniel, and reveals much of his personal history. The best part of the story for me is that the action is all current. The change in action sets a great pace for the story. Rather than looking back to piece together a murder mystery, Penny takes us on a race to solve a current mystery with potentially global ramifications. At the heart of it all is family, the known, misunderstood, and newly discovered. It concludes with a mystery solved, disasters prevented, and for the Gamache family, ALL THE BEST FEELS! This story is beautifully written and had some heartwarming and tear inducing surprises. Fear not, Three Pines lovers, their beloved community plays a role. I found that the change in setting and focus on family adds depth not only to this book but to the series. Read it!
I listened to audio version of the book published by #macmillanaudio. The narrator is excellent and added to my reading experience.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book in exchange for my review.
#AlltheDevilsAreHere #NetGalley #LouisePenny #macmillanaudio #minotaurbooks #inspecstorarmandgamache

All the Devils are Here is Penny’s 16 th entry for the Inspector Gamache Series with the title taken from Shakespeare’s Tempest quote: “ Hell is empty, and all the Devils are here”. And they certainly are! The entire Gamache family has now gathered in Paris awaiting the arrival of Annie’s baby. After an evening dinner celebration Armand’s Godfather Stephen is struck by a hit and run. The mystery circles around why someone would try and kill the elderly billionaire. Highly recommended for all of Penny’s many fans.

As usual, after reading a Chief Inspector Gamache book, I say this one is the best! I wasn’t expecting to like a book set in Paris nearly as well as one set in Quebec City and Three Pines, but what won my love was the getting to know so much more about Gamache’s family. Having them play such important roles in this book. Hurray for Reine Marie and the other librarians who show how important libraries are! Learning so much more about Gamache’s son, Daniel, was also a big part of my love for this book. Of course, its emotional. I needed Kleenex several times to wipe the tears away. I am so glad it ended up back in Three Pines. Of the fiction places I most want to visit, Three Pines is at the top of my list. Be warned though: If you listen to the audio version, and you are halfway through the book, close the door and put a sign up that gives the phone number for pizza delivery. You won’t want to be interrupted for mundane things like preparing for dinner. I only meant to listen for an hour but ended up listening for three and a half hours. That is what a good narrator does. They so totally immerse you in the book, the rest of the world goes away.

Louise Penny is one of my favorite fiction authors at this point. I can’t think of another author that has managed to keep my attention 16 books into a series. I am been reading far too few fiction books lately. There are many reasons for that, but I do believe that fiction is essential. It is how we understand parts of the world that are not our own as well, giving words to help us make sense of the elements of the world that are our own. I was thrilled that Netgalley has started offering audiobook to review. I was desperate for a change of pace, and while a crime thriller isn’t what I would call relaxing, it was the change of pace I needed. I finished the 14-hour audiobook in three days. I would not recommend jumping into the 16th book in the series; there are too many details that you will miss.

Armand Gamache and his wife Reine-Marie are visiting their two children and their families, both of whom now live in Paris. Armand inherited a small apartment from the woman that raised him after his parents died when he was 9. And his godfather, recently introduced in the past couple books, also has an apartment here. His godfather is now a mostly retired 95-year-old billionaire who was once an impoverished German teen who reportedly worked with the French underground during WWII. Through his excellent business sense and a sense of justice, Stephen Horowitz brought down companies and became wealthy.

Walking home from a family dinner, celebrating being together as a family and impending birth, Gamache sees, but cannot stop, a hit and run accident that Gamache believes intentionally targeted Horowitz. That starts a series of events that are not only personal because of his relationship to Horowitz, but events that seem to be deliberately targeting his gathered family.

Louise Penny writes mysteries that are intentionally psychological. These are about what is happening inside Gamache and others. The books attempt to see the darkness that lies inside all of us, but also explores what character means. These are not mysteries that you try to figure out; although there are plenty of clues dropped, a number of them are false ones.

This is a series that I have mostly listened to on audiobook. The original narrator, Ralph Cosham, passed away between the 10th and 11th books, and Robert Bathurst, I think, has done an excellent job coming into the series late into the game. I continue to believe these books are as good now as the early books, which is unusual in my mind for a long series. And my only real complaint is that I think the crimes tend to be too big and the bigness of them can be distracting at times.