The 16th novel by #1 bestselling author Louise Penny finds Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Quebec investigating a sinister plot in the City of LightOn their first night in Paris, the Gamaches gather as a family for a bistro dinner with Armand’s godfather, the billionaire Stephen Horowitz. Walking home together after the meal, they watch in horror as Stephen is knocked down and … knocked down and critically injured in what Gamache knows 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, from the top of the Tour d’Eiffel, to the bowels of the Paris Archives, from luxury hotels to odd, coded, works of art.
It sends them deep into the secrets Armand’s godfather has kept for decades.
A gruesome discovery in Stephen’s Paris apartment makes it clear the secrets are more rancid, the danger far greater and more imminent, than they realized.
Soon the whole family is caught up in a web of lies and deceit. In order to find the truth, Gamache will have to decide whether he can trust his friends, his colleagues, his instincts, his own past. His own family.
For even the City of Light casts long shadows. And in that darkness devils hide.
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My Review of All The Devils Are Here: A Novel (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #16) by Louise Penny; published by Minotaur Publishing
Wow! All The Devils Are Here: A Novel (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #16) by Louise Penny is my first Gamache novel and boy was I hooked. I am not a fan of reading series out of order, however; this novel has the Gamache family all together in a new setting, Paris. It seemed a great opportunity to jump in and I’m glad I did as it’s a great crime thriller. I was initially listening to the audiobook, but became so enthralled I had to just sit with my hard copy and read uninterrupted. Louise crafted an unbelievably twisted mystery that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. All The Devils Are Here: A Novel (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #16) by Louise Penny is an excellent book I highly recommend.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. All thoughts are my own.
#louisepenny
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Love Louise Penny. Love the series.
As an unabashed fan of Louise Penny’s work, what can I say that’s original? Even though this is Penny’s first book set outside of the fictional Three Pines, Quebec, her exceptional world-building and well developed characters easily translate to another continent.
I loved learning more about Inspector Armand Gamache’s life as a boy, as well as his courtship with wife, Reine-Marie, both of which take place in Paris. While I’m very glad the family (and the author) return to Three Pines, the setting I love, All the Devils Are Here, was a lovely break and spot on as a contemporary, edgy, thriller. No spoilers, but I loved the twist at the end!
Whether you’re a seasoned reader of Penny’s novels, or are just starting out, this book is no exception in how strong it reads as a standalone. Somehow, Penny draws you into the history of her exquisitely written settings and characters without doing backstory info dumps. I highly recommend this book!
Not her best, but vital to the continuing story
This is not one of my favorites of Ms. Penny. It is modern and culturally relevant. However, this did not deal with my favorite topics. New characters were introduced that were not as believable as previous and enduring characters.
Louise Penny can be counted upon for a rich plot and deeply drawn characters. All true for this book, plus…the delightful setting of Paris!
I LOVE all of Louise Penny’s books. Best if read in order.
Armand Ganache, a noted police investigator at the Sûreté du Québec, is visiting Paris with his beloved wife Reine-Marie to await the birth of their newest grandchild. They meet up with their children and elderly Stephen, a complex, mysterious man, god-father to Armand, at an elegant dinner party. Upon leaving this trés luxe venue, Stephen is the victim of a hit-and-run which appears to be deliberate. Armand and his former policeman/investigator son-in-law Beauvoir begin an investigation. One of the things they discover is that Stephen had two outrageously expensive places to live—one a pricey apartment and the other a suite in an opulent hotel—but, in the apartment, they find the body of an unknown man, shot once in the back and once in the head. Who could be responsible for all of this? A family member? The police? A corporate head? A politician? Hmmm.
This proves to be only the tip of the iceberg. The duo uncover layers of corporate and political corruption. Is Stephen what he portrays himself to be? Or a poseur hiding behind the truth to gain access to even more wealth and power?
I know Louise Penny is a very popular author with a huge fan base, but I am not one of them. This is my first book by this author and it does not make me want to read any others. The book is repetitious beyond belief. The family drama, which should remain as a backstory, is brought to the forefront of every discussion. How much tea and pastry can these characters consume? So many scenes begin this way—eating themselves into serious discussions. Stereotypical father-kid relationships: adoring daughter and resentful son who misunderstands a childhood memory and hates his father without just cause.
Significance of title? Taken from William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, “Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” We can wonder here here or not in hell here? Guess how many times this quotation was stated and explained. More than ten, for sure. Does the author think her readers can’t get it the first time? Her writing often is obscure in this book, choppy and confusing, so maybe it’s to cover the less than spectacular writing style?
Beautiful Paris setting. Excellent mystery
I enjoyed this one in audio form and it was a quirky mystery with a fantastic narrator. The rhythm and cadence kept me intrigued as much with the story as with his accent. I have to admit to not having the pleasure of reading any of the previous books in this series and I might have been better aware of what was going on but found myself trying to figure it out as the story proceeded and by the end I was guessing what was going to happen. I recommend this one.
443 pages
5 stars
This book in the series is set in France – Paris to be exact.
The whole family is there: Daniel, Roslyn, Annie, Jean-Guy and of course Armand and his wife Reine-Marie. Annie’s second child is due any day and the family is anxious. They meet for dinner with a very old friend and Armand’s godfather Stephen Horowitz. When leaving the restaurant, Stephen is run down in in the street by a speeding van.
So begins an action-packed story of loyalty, trust, relationships, family and love. We have crooked cops, a nefarious corporation, horrific murders, kidnapping and people without conscience seeking untold wealth for their own gain.
While Stephen lies in the hospital in a coma and on a ventilator, the Gamaches seek to solve the mystery of not only Stephen’s attack, but the murder of a man found in Stephen’s apartment. The tendrils and solutions are hard coming. The entire family becomes involved along with the Paris police.
Daniel’s long-standing animosity against his father Armand is explained in this book. Will the dispute ever be resolved?
The book being set in Paris made no difference to me. While I love the charming little village of Three Pines (who can resist Ruth and her duck?), I looked forward to a little break.
I have read all of Louise Penny’s books and this one is right up there with the best. Her writing continues to be timely, exciting and her characters show remarkable insight. Especially Armand, he is very tuned into to others’ thoughts and feelings. I love the little philosophical asides Ms. Penny inserts in her books. I really appreciate a novel that makes me think.
Anxiously awaiting the next in the series…
I love this series. I have read almost all. Can’t get enough.
Gamache finally goes to Paris in this one. I thought this was an improvement over the last book. The setting this time is Paris, so we have a mix of familiar and new characters. Penny does as well at evoking a mood in Paris as she does in Quebec.
Louise Penny is the queen!@
Louise Penny never disappoints, and she doesn’t this time either. Her Inspector Gamache novels are the gold standard. I am always excited when she writes a new one.
All the Devils Are Here is already the 16th book in Louise Penny Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. I have LISTENED to every single one of them and when I told that to my friends they were surprised as they are used to me speed reading actual (e-)books. There is something magical about Louise Penny books and I can with firm belief say that if I had picked up the first book as an e-book, I do not know if I had gotten into the series. There is a pace and cadence to her stories and somehow listening to them, taking my time, it allows me to live in them not just shadow them. I recommend that you read/listen to the stories in order as you need to know the universe that Armand Gamache inhabits, the other characters, the relationships, the backstories …
As I said, this is already book 16 and I think it is her best. I think that this is also the book where we learn about who Armand Gamache truly is … we also get deeper into her wife, Ren Marie, as a person and not just as his wife … also Daniel, oh my, Daniel … who we have not known so much about and oh my, the story that has been buried there for such a long time …
I know that all of us who have been the fans of the series, tend to think that the village of Three Pines is the center of Gamache Universe so when I picked up the story and read that it is going to take place in Paris, I was sure I would miss the colourful gang back in Three Pines but no … it does not matter where Louise takes Armand (and I should have remembered it as he has ventured out before), he brings along his wisdom, deep love, the friendships and relationships and the lessons that we learn …
Thank your Louise for giving us a deeper look into Armand and his family and I cannot wait to see where you take him after these crazy events and discoveries in the City of Light!
Louise Penny is one of my favorite authors. I have been reading this series from the first book, Still Life, as these novels follow the residents of Three Pines, a fictional town in Quebec and how Chief Inspector Gamache and his homicide squad investigate and solve various murders over the years. All the Devils Are Here changes the location from Quebec as Gamache travels to Paris with his wife to visit with their married children and to spend time with Gamache’s godfather, Stephen. Shortly after they arrive in Paris, Stephen is deliberately targeted in a hit and run and Gamache is determined to figure out why. This story brings a plethora of characters into play, including the Prefect of Police for Paris whom Gamache knows from the past. The story follows the investigation and it toggles back and forth among the characters, leaving the reader uncertain who are the “good guys” and who are not. As the story builds to its denouement, there are several unexpected twists. I must admit that I did not reach the same conclusion as did Gamache as to what was going on with his godfather and why. Not everyone is who they seem to be and that kept me guessing throughout. Another masterful mystery by Louise Penny. Highly recommended.
Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series are a treat for the avid reader. There is a mystery within a novel of the highest order. Every book draws in the reader to the world of Gamache and his team, family and friends. The crime and it’s solution is woven in and around their lives and sometimes draws the team to distant places. Only to return back to the warmth of family snd friends. A fabulous series.
Louise Penny’s best – and she’s written a lot of great books. Especially liked the setting in Paris – although I missed the characters from 3 Pines
All The Devils Are Here (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #16)
Louise Penny
I have never read the series at all nor a Louise Penny before and this was a wonderful surprise for such a thrilling and fast paced read about Chief Inspector Gamache in the setting of Paris.
As this is an Audiobook review, I want to commend the incredible Robert Bathurst for the amazing voice and reading of this book. It truly transported me to the story and brought Chief Inspector to life. It made reading this book all the more dramatic, with the atmosphere of Paris and the murder mystery – all worked together into an incredible audiobook I highly recommend.
Louise Penny fans do recommend reading this series in order and will definitely do that.
I just loved this I am a fan of the Inspector and of course Louise Penny!