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  • The Beautiful Mystery

  • Chief Inspector Gamache, Book 8
  • By: Louise Penny
  • Narrated by: Adam Sims
  • Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (91 ratings)

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The Beautiful Mystery

By: Louise Penny
Narrated by: Adam Sims
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Publisher's Summary

Winner of the Anthony Award for Best Crime Novel
Winner of the Macavity Award for Best Crime Novel
Winner of the Agatha Award for Best Crime Novel

'Penny's writing is intricate, beautiful and compelling' PETER JAMES

There is more to solving a crime than following the clues.
Welcome to Chief Inspector Gamache's world of facts and feelings.

Hidden deep in the wilderness are the cloisters of two dozen monks - men of prayer and music, famous the world over for their glorious voices. But a brutal death throws the monastery doors open to the world. And through them walks the only man who can shine light upon the dark deeds within: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache.

Who among the brothers has become an angel of death? As the peace of the monastery crumbles around him, Gamache finds clues in the divine, the human . . . and the cracks in between.

Millions of fans worldwide.
One inimitable Chief Inspector Gamache.

©2012 Three Pines Creations, Inc. (P)2012 Isis Publishing Ltd.

What listeners say about The Beautiful Mystery

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A slow burn!!

I cannot put into words how much I am enjoying Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache series, but I'll give it a go! The world Ms Penny has created is rich with depth of character, and excellent stories. You can have the best plot in the world, but if you don't care what happens to the characters there's no point. Adam Sims is the best narrator ever - period. This book was not my favourite of the series so far, but I loved the complexity of the story in such a small and somewhat limited setting. I have already started book 9, and with the continuing story arcs from The Beautiful Mystery, I am both excited and filled with dread! Bring it on!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Intriguing and beautiful

One of the best Louise Penny novels - IF it's possible to choose. The intelligent and emotional feeling she weaves between a well designed murder mystery is just pure brilliance. I hope Louise keeps writing for many many years.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful characters

While I love the murder story, the development of the main characters and the overarching story lines make this such a satisfying listen.

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1 person found this helpful

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The Beautiful Mystery

Another wonderful book in the Inspector Gamache series
Louise Penny is a masterful story teller who has excellent insight into the human condition.
This series is much more than detective stories.
The characters are vivid and vulnerable.
Each book unfolds smoothly

Even though this one was not set in 3 pines the new characters of the monks were expertly portrayed

I highly recommend this series of books

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gripping

This book fired the imagination, am left anxious and looking forward to the next story.

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Fascinating

I am reading all of the Gamache series, and absolutely loving it. This is indeed a fascinating insight into the background of the Gregorian Chant, whether one is a 'fan' of same or not... the Inquisition, and aspects of the Church in general. It took me as a reader into areas I would never in my lifetime have any experience of otherwise, and was truly fascinating. It did become increasingly sad, and frustrating, at times, but this, only through following an individual deterioration of human resilience in the face of brutality and spite, and certainly left me desperate to find out what happened next. A wonderfully unique veering off from the general mould of Gamache's experiences, into a completely different world, which works extremely well for me, and certainly safeguards against the risk of a potential for predictability. Ms Penny is absolutely a mistress of keeping me, for one, wanting more! I would certainly recommend to other readers to follow Gamache's story in chronological order, as much of the history is woven into subsequent tales, giving it great depth and a sense of wonderful familiarity with the characters that return many times over, and who are always very welcome (mostly).

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    3 out of 5 stars
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slow

an intriguing peek into the life of a closed monastery, but oh how slowly the plot progressed. I finished it, not so much as to find out who dunnit, but to ensure the music survived.

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