An instant New York Times Bestseller and August 2017 LibraryReads pick!“Penny’s absorbing, intricately plotted 13th Gamache novel proves she only gets better at pursuing dark truths with compassion and grace.” —PEOPLE“Louise Penny wrote the book on escapist mysteries.” —The New York Times Book Review“You won’t want Louise Penny’s latest to end….Any plot summary of Penny’s novels inevitably falls … won’t want Louise Penny’s latest to end….Any plot summary of Penny’s novels inevitably falls short of conveying the dark magic of this series…. It takes nerve and skill — as well as heart — to write mysteries like this. ‘Glass Houses,’ along with many of the other Gamache books, is so compelling that, for the space of reading it, you may well feel that much of what’s going on in the world outside the novel is ‘just noise.’” —Maureen Corrigan, The Washington Post
When a mysterious figure appears in Three Pines one cold November day, Armand Gamache and the rest of the villagers are at first curious. Then wary. Through rain and sleet, the figure stands unmoving, staring ahead.
From the moment its shadow falls over the village, Gamache, now Chief Superintendent of the Sûreté du Québec, suspects the creature has deep roots and a dark purpose. Yet he does nothing. What can he do? Only watch and wait. And hope his mounting fears are not realized.
But when the figure vanishes overnight and a body is discovered, it falls to Gamache to discover if a debt has been paid or levied.
Months later, on a steamy July day as the trial for the accused begins in Montréal, Chief Superintendent Gamache continues to struggle with actions he set in motion that bitter November, from which there is no going back. More than the accused is on trial. Gamache’s own conscience is standing in judgment.
In Glass Houses, her latest utterly gripping book, number-one New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny shatters the conventions of the crime novel to explore what Gandhi called the court of conscience. A court that supersedes all others.
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I had a hard time putting this book down. It raised interesting questions – how far do you go to win a war? How many people are you willing to sacrifice for a victory? If your conscience is in opposition to the law, which do you follow? Another fantastic mystery involving the levelheaded and patient Armand Gamache.
I don’t know how I made it this far in my reading life without coming across the works of Louise Penny. It was recommended to my by the bookseller at Murder on the Beach and I’ve become hooked … if I want to escape the pressures of the world, I turn to a Louise Penny mystery. Her characters have become old, familiar and trusted friends.
I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked the cast of characters, the plot, and the humor. Enjoyable read and try more from the series.
Great read. A little more difficult to follow than previous books of the series but well worth the time and effort.
I love Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series. Three Pines sounds like a wonderful place to live (never boring, but quiet and unassuming) despite the adventures that require the Surete’s attention. I look forward to visiting Three Pines and the characters who live there.
Thank you Ms. Penny for creating this delightfully entertaining series.
This entire series is great. The characters are engaging and believable. The setting in the village of Three Pines takes you to a wonderful place. Once you have visited Three Pines, you want to keep going back.
Keeps you on the edge of your seat , very well written , highly recommend
Read several of her more recent books so you are familiar with some characters and places. Her books are thoughtful, full of information about some of her characters and speak to important ideas like loyalty and whether the means sometimes justify the end.
Interesting and unique characters that easily carry the story line from crime to conclusion. Personalities and the local community are well described as the Chief Superintendent gathers more clues to close the case. Enjoyable read.
Totally enjoyed it.
Thought provoking.
Read this series in order to join the characters grow and interact in Three PInes. Gamache is so insightful. Start with Still Life and enjoy them all. One of my favorite authors.
This is the 12 th book in a wonderful fast paced series with twists and turns and wonderful characters!
This whole series is wonderful! They can be read as single stories but are much better read I series.
Louise Penny is my favorite fiction author. This series is excellent. The characters are very colorful, interesting and the reader gets to know and care for them more with each book. I don’t speak french, but I love how it is seamlessly sprinkled into the story.
I’ve read many books by Louise Penny. Her characters are consistent within volumes although the stories differ enough to make a person look forward with excitement to the next story. I have never been disappointed.
If you are a mystery buff like I am, Louise Penney’s Armand Gamache series is wonderful.
Great story lines and characters, terrific introduction to Quebec and it’s history.
I really enjoyed reading Glass Houses. There were a few times I thought I had everything figured out and turned out I was wrong! Loved the characters in this book!
Another fantastic Inspector Gamasche mystery. If only there was a Three Pines.
Louise Penny’s characters are so well developed as well as the location where most of the action takes place that after reading every book in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, you wish you could visit the characters in Three Pines. I can hardly wait for the next book to be published in November.
Another great read in the Inspector Gamache series, that Louise Penny does so well. Each book can stand alone, but if you read one you will probably be hooked and want to read every single one.
Any book by Louise Penny is a winner. Her characters and the village of Three Pines are people I would like to meet and a place I would love to visit.