The brilliant new novel in the New York Times bestselling series by Louise Penny, one of the most acclaimed crime writers of our timeNo outsiders are ever admitted to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, hidden deep in the wilderness of Quebec, where two dozen cloistered monks live in peace and prayer. They grow vegetables, they tend chickens, they make chocolate. And they sing. … And they sing. Ironically, for a community that has taken a vow of silence, the monks have become world-famous for their glorious voices, raised in ancient chants whose effect on both singer and listener is so profound it is known as “the beautiful mystery.”
But when the renowned choir director is murdered, the lock on the monastery’s massive wooden door is drawn back to admit Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir of the S ret du Qu bec. There they discover disquiet beneath the silence, discord in the apparent harmony. One of the brothers, in this life of prayer and contemplation, has been contemplating murder. As the peace of the monastery crumbles, Gamache is forced to confront some of his own demons, as well as those roaming the remote corridors. Before finding the killer, before restoring peace, the Chief must first consider the divine, the human, and the cracks in between.
The Beautiful Mystery is the winner of the 2012 Agatha Award for best novel, the 2013 Anthony Award for best novel and the 2013 Macavity Award for best novel.
more
I love Inspector Gamache and Jean Guy!! This is one of my favorite series.
Read the review from Julia Bell – I agree completely. Exceptional books and characters to root for.
One of the best series going, ever. Immerse yourself into this world and great storytelling. Can’t rave enough.
A murder takes place at the Saint-Gilbert-Entreles-Loups monastery. The monastery is hidden in the wilderness of Quebec away from the public. However, Inspector Gamache and his sidekick, Jean-Guy Beauvoir are called to the monastery to investigate the murder of a monk who was deciding on a different path for his fellow monk brethren.
The monks …
When death comes to a cloistered abbey of 24 contemplative monks—well, 23 now—long-forgotten by the Vatican, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec and his second-in-command Jean-Guy Beauvoir are called in to investigate. They are the first outsiders allowed through the doors of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, hidden away in the …
Spoilers Here:
I really enjoyed this book. The story revolves around a murdered choir master in the cloister of an order (the Gilbertines) thought to be extinct. There’s also a side plot of an inquisitor seeking out the order. Very unique in my opinion. It’s a story of tradition and greed and pride. Well done.
So very interesting.
In this eighth book of Louise Penney’s Inspector Gamache Series, she steps out of the usual mystery arena and into an eerily spiritual one with a setting in an almost unreachable monastery, which is practically completely cut off from the outside world, except for its famous choir. I found this book fascinating because of the intrigue Gamache …
I of course love the characters. The setting and the evocation of music and mystery were exquisite. Loved it!
Louise Penny always delivers a good read
Not just a great “who-done-it”: a marvelous tapestry of interwoven psychological, spiritual and historical themes.
As is typical of Louise Penny the book was well researched with an unforgettable cast of characters and simply hard to put down.
Penny is just the best.
Another great read by Louise Penny.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I do all Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache books.
A different setting than all her previous books, but just as good. A little repetitive at times, but still a great thriller!
Another excellent mystery by the extraordinary Louise Penny. Who else could base a murder mystery on the closed world of monks under a vow of silence, except for their singing of Gregorian chants ? I loved the description of the monastery, based on a real monastery in Quebec’s Eastern Province. Beautifully crafted, evocative, a book to read and …
This murder mystery is set in a remote monastery that has been cut off from the world, by choice, for hundreds of years. Louise Penny does a fine job of evoking the spirit of the place, and Inspector Gamache’s expertise and sense of self are tested.
I like anything by Penny. She writes beautifully descriptive scenes, develops her characters realistically, and writes a taut, involved mystery that hooks you early.
A remarkable writer.
The whole Gamache series is excellent. Louise Penny is a terrific writer!
Wonderfully drawn characters. No gaps in the story and a beautiful setting.