Alla djävlar är här

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #16

by Louise Penny, Carla Wiberg (Translator)

Under sin första kväll i Paris samlas familjen Gamache för en familjemiddag med Armands gudfar, miljardären Stephen Horowitz. Men kvällen slutar i tragedi när Stephen blir påkörd av en skåpbil och allvarligt skadad. Armand är övertygad om att det inte är någon olycka, utan ett medvetet mordförsök.

En märklig nyckel som finns i Stephens ägo blir upptakten till en jakt på sanningen som tar Armand, hans fru Reine-Marie och hans före detta kollega, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, från toppen av Eiffeltornet till det franska nationalbibliotekets djupaste gömmor. Och en ohygglig upptäckt i Stephens lägenhet får dem att inse att faran är mycket större, och mer överhängande, än de först trott.

När Armand börjar avslöja hemligheter som hans gudfar hållit dolda i årtionden finner han sig insnärjd i ett nät av lögner som hotar att förgöra allt han håller kärt. För till och med i Ljusets stad finns långa skuggor, och i mörkret gömmer sig djävulen själv.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Thriller, Canada

477 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2020

About the author

LOUISE PENNY is the author of the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling series of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. She has won numerous awards, including a CWA Dagger and the Agatha Award (seven times), and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. In 2017, she received the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian culture. Louise lives in a small village south of Montréal.

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of Louise Penny's latest in the Armand Gamache series is part of a quote from Ariel in Shakespeare's The Tempest, 'Hell is empty and all the devils are here', dimming considerably the city of light, Paris, where the Gamache family are to find themselves locked into a nightmare that threatens all and everyone they hold dear. Armand and his wife, Reine-Marie are visiting their children, heavily pregnant Annie and banker, Daniel, and their families living here. Former homicide detective, Jean-Guy Beauvoir quit the Surete du Quebec and is now working for a private engineering corporation, facing resentment from a colleague who feels his job should have been hers. After a bistro family dinner, Armand's beloved godfather, the 93 year old billionaire, Stephen Horowitz, is hit deliberately by a delivery van, his life left hanging by the most tenuous of threads.

Armand calls Paris police chief, Claude Dussault, and his second in command, Irena Fontaine, leads the investigation, but when a body is found in Stephen's apartment, Armand is not certain the police can be trusted. The means Armand is pushed into investigating himself, aided by Jean-Guy who returns to his role as homicide detective like a duck to water, and Reine-Marie, using her extensive skills as an archivist. The impetus to get to the truth is increased mightily knowing the entire family is in extreme danger, pushing Armand to try and overcome the schism that had grown between him and Daniel through the years. Connections between Daniel's bank, Jean-Guy's employer emerge as they delve into Stephen's background, as powerful, ruthless and murderous forces run rampant in Paris.

Penny's writing and plotting make this long running series as exciting, thrilling and riveting as it has ever been, despite the fact she has shifted the location of the beautiful village of Three Pines to Europe and Paris. She makes Paris one of the chief characters in the novel, with its turbulent past history, making me feel as if I was right there amongst the famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the fire hit Notre Dame and the Hotel Lutetia. Whilst there is murder and mayhem, this is essentially a story of the bonds of family, love, our inner need to belong and friendship as we learn more about the characters, their past history and relationships. I have watched the characters develop through much of this series, coming to love and adore them, and it is always with a sense of joy that I look forward to reacquainting myself with them when a new book comes out. A fantastic addition to a superb series. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new Armand Gamache book is always a reason to celebrate. This one brings a change in locale, as we join Gamache in Paris for the upcoming birth of his grandchild. But first, his godfather, Stephen, also in Paris to be with the family, is hit in a deliberate hit and run and left in a coma. There’s another horrific crime and soon Armand has no idea whom to trust.
I loved that Armand’s family is front and center in this book. Not only Jean Guy helping him investigate, but also his wife, Reine Marie. And we learn much more about his relationship with his son, Daniel. Why does Daniel seem to resent Armand so much? The scenes between Daniel and Armand are some of the most emotionally charged in the book. And this is a book filled with tense, suspenseful scenes.
Stephen’s background is a huge component of the book and it really works to have Armand forced to question all the stories he’s grown up with. And while I missed Three Pines, Paris truly shines here.
This is the first time I’ve listened to a book from this series. I struggled a little with some of the names (my issue, not the narrator’s), but otherwise, it was an extremely enjoyable experience. Robert Bathurst is a wonderful narrator.
Penny’s books are always devoted to character development and detail and this one is no exception. But there’s enough action to keep the listener engaged. I’ve loved all of the books in this series, but this one of the best.
My thanks to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a truly special experience (and the advance copy of the audiobook).

[Margaret M · Rating 5 out of 5]

“History wasn’t just written by the victors. First it had to be erased and rewritten. Replacing troublesome truth with self-serving myth.”

Triple A star for 'All the Devil's are Here". An addictive, action packed and accomplished novel by Louise Penny that will leave you wanting more from this gifted author.

"Hell is empty and all the devils are here", taken from Shakespeare’s Tempest and used by many musicians, conjures up the image of evil everywhere, a theme interwoven through the entire storyline. A complex, multi-layered plot with a difference. The had so many twists and turns, I had to pause occasionally to remind myself of the story, the guilty and where we were in the storyline.

Jean-Guy Beauvoir is thinking “Why would you hire a cop to fill a senior Management position where clearly an engineering background is needed” if there wasn’t something wrong in the company. This is an engineering firm with no engineers. There are no scientists of any kind, no accountants or anyone who can even read a financial statement. In fact, they are all Politicians and diplomats and the skills his employers are after are not in engineering but in finding criminals, because the devils are everywhere.

The story unfolds with Armand in Paris for lunch with his family when his godfather and billionaire Stephen Horowitz is mowed down by a van. Perceived by the police as an accident, but Armand knows different for he watched the van gather speed and target Stephen, who is now in intensive care.

What I loved about this book

The investigation unearths every possible corruption, corporate espionage, fraud, murder, betrayal, doctored evidence, dirty politics, and the use of neodymium that when overheated or frozen can shatter. The disastrous reality and living hell it has created is that it is used everywhere, planes, elevator shafts, trains, and even nuclear power plants.

If that is not enough, we experience frictions and fraught relationships among families that further heightens the tensions and level of suspense. We recall the advice from the wise man “don’t believe everything you think”. A brilliant quote for it is as powerful as any weapon. However, as most discover “Hell is the truth seen too late”

I read this last year and had one criticism which was there were too many sub plots. I changed my mind after reading again, I thought the way the side stories were interwoven added even more intrigue, interest and appeal. I found myself discovering new elements to the plot, the sides to the characters and more themes to appreciate.

This was such a well written and absorbing read with so much suspense, intrigue and corruption with deliciously evil characters. A few great quotes and one of my favourites “don’t believe everything you think”.

Compelling, ingenious, and gripping. With so many thrills, chills and spills from a book that will keep you wanting more from this author.

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this one was a stunner and well worthy of the full five stars. From the perfect cover through to the author's own comments at the end it was excellent.

The book is action packed and complicated with a very convoluted plot and no idea who is on whose side. Even Gamache does not know that until near the end although he makes a much better guess than I did. The family is visiting Paris for the birth of Annie's baby but what should have been a time of joy and celebration turns into a horror story for everyone.

Gamache is as he always is, totally kind, caring and oh so smart. Reine Marie is even more of a presence than in the last book and has a very significant role. Daniel and Gamache go head to head as always but there are changes afoot. There are some really shocking moments and a big surprise with the birth.

Ruth manages to have one of the last words and it is not duck. Altogether an absolutely excellent book.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little doubtful, this novel set in Paris and not in my beloved Three Pines? Still, all our main characters, albeit not the quirky ones, together awaiting the arrival of Annie's and Jean-Guys new daughter, and having dinner with Stephen, Armand's Godfather. Ruth dies make an appearance in an unusual but amusing way. So this is where is starts, leaving the restaurant Stephen is hit by a car with murderous intent. Now, in a coma, Ganache has every intention of getting to the bottom of this horrific occurrence. It starts, and doesn't stop. More bodies of course, a twisted plot of men in power and corporations and others who look the other way for profit. Could this be true? Yeah right like it isn't happening everyday and not just in novels.

Along the way, we learn the background, questioned by some, of Stephen. We are treated to the Gamaches and their relationships as a family. We experience the happiness of a birth and a reconciliation. I held my breath at one of the scenes, thinking, or shouting in my mind, no, no. This was a non stop ride in a half. Terrific as was the narration if Robert Bathurst. At books end a song came to mind which I will put in spoilers since it night be too good a clue to discerning mind. Who says you can't go home by Bon Jovi.

Motto: Never distrust a story by a favored author, especially one as talented as Louise Penny.

ARC by Netgalley.

[Karine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just as real people, characters in books can evolve and not necessarily in a good way. Where I enjoyed Gamache’s company as he was a gentleman detective in the charming village of Three Pines, he has turned into a smug, pedantic pater familias who thrives on sheer devotion from his surroundings and he expects everyone to bow to his demands.

About everything irked me in this book and certainly the writing style. I think it is ok to want to emphasise a certain detail once by cutting a sentence short and adding a single or a few words for effect. But it is downright irritating if you do it all the time. Literally. All. The. Time.
Yes, pun intended.
Also the use of the French words or turns of phrases that aren’t always accurate are annoying. In previous books I would think that it could be a Canadian thing, but when in Paris the characters are supposed to speak correctly.

The storyline is sordid and unbelievable. An employee that leaves a computer at the office? And her boss knows her password? The best policeman of the world (according to Gamache) is bullied by a security agent? Only one greyed hair woman is working as an executive in Paris?
I could go on and on, but let’s just say that I rolled my eyes every two sentences.

Just one last thing that just shocked me: according to Gamache, all French people think that Canadians are backwards and speaking with a funny accents. You didn’t know? Now you do. You’re welcome.

At the end I didn’t even finished the last chapters. I’ve always enjoyed the quirky characters of Thee Pines, but it is time to say goodbye. But I will miss the old Gamache and Ruth and the cosy dinners at the bistro in the midst of winter.

Time to move on.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first NetGalley audiobook and I hope it is not the last. I loved the early experience!

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Louise Penny, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Louise Penny returns with the sixteenth novel in this gripping series, which takes the reader out of the comforts of Three Pines. There is, however, no lack of action or intrigue in this book, as Armand Gamache is as sharp as ever. Having traveled to Paris to witness the birth of his granddaughter, Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache have organized a family dinner. Alongside the Gamaches and their respective spouses, is Stephen Horowitz, Armand’s godfather and a billionaire financier. When Stephen is run over as they leave the meal, he is rushed to the hospital, though Armand Gamache feels this is anything but a random accident After Armand and Reine-Marie make their way to Stephen’s apartment, they discover the body of a recently murdered man, with the killer’s lingering cologne still in the air. Armand brings his former second-in-command and current son-in-law, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, into his inner circle and wonders if he might be able to help. Burdened with his own job, Beauvoir will do his best to assist in the informal investigation, though he is already juggling his job with an engineering firm, still baffled as to how he landed the position. While the authorities take charge, the investigation spans most of Paris, as Gamache soon discovers that nothing is quite as it seems and that no one can be trusted. In a case that has many twists that reveal countless layers, Armand Gamache will end up neck-deep in the investigation, though he is supposed to be on holiday. The deeper he trolls, the more he learns, though some of it will surely be secrets he wishes he had never unearthed. As Stephen Horowitz clings to life, someone lurks in the shadows with a motive to snuff out the life of this elderly man. Who that is will come out in the most telling of ways. Penny outdoes herself again with this piece, which will keep the reader riveted until the final reveal. Recommended to those who love this series, as well as readers who cannot pass up a superbly crafted mystery.

I got hooked on these books when someone recommended I try the first one and have not been able to stop. While they are surely binge-worthy, Louise Penny writes in such a way that reading one and spacing them out works just as well. Even though the bucolic setting for the story has drastically shifted, there is no lack to the action of key characters. Armand Gamache is back in his role of protagonist, as sharp as he’s ever been. There is a great deal of backstory and personal growth that the reader will witness throughout this piece, beginning with some key flashbacks to set the scene between himself and Stephen Horowitz. There are also some key points throughout where Gamache spends some face to face time with his eldest child, Daniel, as they discuss the deterioration of the relationship and how it might be mended. Penny keeps the Chief Inspector in his role effectively, even though he is out of his jurisdiction, and the reader can revel in the magic of the detective work. There are others who play a key role in the story and their presence flavours the tale. The reader is sure to enjoy the many names and characters used to add depth to the plot’s development. I was a tad concerned when I realised that the story would not be in Quebec, but the busy streets of Paris. This was soon allayed as Louise Penny was able to craft something that pulls the reader into the middle and develops a mystery that would not fall flat. There are so many layers to this piece and the reader will have to sift through a great deal, but the final prize is worth the effort. With a mix of chapter lengths, there is no telling how the twists will emerge or what awaits within the pages, but Penny does not skimp at any point, offering series fans with something they have waited to see for many novels. Crisp, poignant, and without fillers, Penny delivers and provides fans proof that she has much more to say with this series. Here’s hoping she sticks with it, as I know she has many who adore her work! Robert Barthhurst remains a stunning narrator and I cannot say enough about his clear and crisp delivery of the story.

Kudos, Madam Penny, for another stellar piece. Please keep the ideas coming and know you have many who hang on your every word.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Obsidian · Rating 2 out of 5]

"All The Devils Are Here" is the 16th book in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. The book moves things to Paris, France where Armand and Renee are visiting their children and spouses. Armand is still doing his best to get close to his son, Daniel and is eagerly awaiting the birth of Annie and Jean-Guy's unborn daughter. Armand takes time to visit with his godfather, Stephen. Something seems to be troubling Stephen and Armand is wondering what. When the family leaves a restaurant, Stephen is purposely run down. Armand insists it was an attempted murder, but the local police force has doubts. When the family starts to investigate, they found a dead body in a hotel room in Stephen's name. When Armand starts digging it seems that a lot of people are looking to take out the Gamache's and those who would help them find out what is going on.

Honestly this book made zero sense. I saw a lot of people gave this one 5 stars for nostalgia sake, but honestly I could not do it. It makes zero sense when you see the balls that Penny tries to juggle. And the reason behind why Daniel and Armand are estranged is beyond stupid. I literally said what is wrong with him when I found out. There's petty jealousies going on when people are found murder/dead and it looks like someone wants to set up someone pretty close to Armand to take the fall.

The book moves things back to Three Pines in the end and I laughed. No spoilers, but honest to goodness Penny is afraid to either let this series die out, turn to a new lead, or just actually let Gamache experience a real loss for once. And I thought the whole reveal about Annie's pregnancy was just....sigh. Anyway. Done for now. Glad I stopped auto-buying these books.

[Roman Clodia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to preface this review by saying that I *love* this series - hence it's even more of a disappointment that it's a bit of an anomaly within Penny's work.

Firstly, it's set in Paris rather than the usual Quebec and Three Pines which also means that Gamache and Beauvoir are unofficial investigators (like the amateur detectives of Golden Age detective fiction), never my favourite set-up. Secondly, the entire Gamache family are there and all play their part in the case as investigators or as hostages to fortune - this gives the book a slightly Famous Five/Scooby Doo air, as the plucky family throw themselves up against the Parisian police and the dastardly criminals. Thirdly, *everyone* whom Gamache has ever met in Paris seems to make an appearance, is filled with love and admiration for him and his family and fall over themselves to help the investigation. Fourthly, the case itself is very insular, revolving around the private company that Jean-Guy now works for and Daniel's (Gamache's son) bank.

As well as all that, people are constantly telling each other how much they love them which starts of being lovely and warm but after declaration after declaration starts to feel cloyingly schmaltzy. Add to all that, endless reminiscences from Armand's childhood and past including a Holocaust history (has there ever been a reference to Jewishness earlier in the series?) and I started feeling that I was wading through an awful lot of treacle to get to the 'meat' of the story. There is an interesting story here though it's revealed rather too early to be much of a mystery.

Now, I completely understand the genesis of this book and Penny's desire to honour her own distressing past (the death of her husband) and the importance, therefore, to her of memories, love, Paris - I get all that, really I do - and if this book helped her face up to her own grief and ability to move forward, then that's wonderful. But personal catharsis doesn't always make for the best read: for me, this was messy structurally and in tone, and I missed the wonderful coterie of Three Pines characters who always gave some robustness to the whimsy.

So probably my least favourite of a deservedly well-loved series; I'll be interested to see where it goes next.

Thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC via NetGalley

[Kari Ann Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an unapologetic Penny Pusher. I adore this series. Over 16 books, Three Pines and the characters who dwell there have started to feel like old friends. But heading into ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE I felt some trepidation since this installment is set in Paris, not our beloved Three Pines. But I should have known better. The change in scenery totally worked. It all just worked! ⁣
⁣
There is so much to love. The writing is beautiful, and the story had me invested from the get-go. I loved the exploration of Gamache and his son Daniel's relationship. I loved how Reine-Marie played an active role in the investigation. I continue to love how Armand Gamache shows us his vulnerability and struggle in navigating being a husband, father, friend and Chief Inspector.⁣
⁣
At the peak culminating moment my husband tapped me on my shoulder to see if I wanted to watch a show with him. I shouted, "Dude- it's kind of a big moment here. So & so is doing such & such. My heart is in my throat. I love you, but you've got to go!" ⁣
⁣
As is par for the course, the last chapter found me in tears. Like the glutton I am- I listened to that chapter twice.⁣

Thank you to @netgalley and @minotaurbooks for the ALC. I flayed my arms like Kermit the Frog when I got approved. The audio book narration was top notch. ⁣

[Amy Imogene Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, this is one of the stronger books in the Armand Gamache series.

I've thought about how to review this one, but to be honest I'm so biased and emotionally close the characters that any attempt I'd make to review it would look something like this:

LOVE IT!! READ IT!!

I loved it. I want everyone to read it. I know Louise Penny's writing style is quite dramatic in its framing and use of sentence structure—not to mention the plot—but it just really works for me. I loved everything about this latest one and am already upset that I have to wait an entire year for the next one.

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[Cathrine ☯️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖
Louise Penny is one of the few authors I’ve read whose ending acknowledgments often have lines highlighted, the content often a microcosm of the sense of love and belonging abundant in her life and this series. This one is packed with it and feels very personal.

The Gamache’s leave Quebec to visit family in France. We fans wait a year to revisit Three Pines so initially I was doubtful—for no good reason.
And it’s Paris people so you are not going to miss the bistro, trust me on this.

“Warm baguettes were placed on the cutting boards on the table, along with a terrine de champagne, whipped butter, and small bowls of olives.”

When things get tense there are reinforcements.

“We brought this. Reine-Marie held up the pastry box. I’ll make some tea.”

Jean Guy is in top form and his softer, loving side shines through as he channels Rosa.

“But you’ve made another mistake.
Monsieur Gamache might look old to you. Did you call him a hundred? Over a hundred?
It was a joke.
Beauvoir nodded. And smiled. Then leaned closer to her.
Just a word of warning. You don’t want to fuck with him.
Oh really? And what’s he going to do?
Not him. Me.”

This one is brilliant, as dense as an old growth forest, and so rewarding.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Armand Gamache and his wife Reine-Marie joined the rest of the family for dinner at a restaurant the night they arrived in Paris. They were expecting Armand’s godfather and much-loved family member, Stephen Horowitz, to join them, and once he did, the dinner was full of laughter and fun. Armand and Reine-Marie had come to Paris because their daughter Annie was close to birthing her and Jean-Guy’s second child, as well as seeing son Daniel and his family. It would be a relaxing holiday. But as they left the restaurant and were crossing the road, Stephen was hit by a van and dreadfully injured. Armand knew it was no accident…

The search was on for the person who’d tried to take Stephen’s life. With his old second in command, Jean-Guy, by his side, Armand searched widely and what he gradually unearthed sent chills down the spines of the two men. Armand wasn’t sure who he could trust and also knew they were moving closer to danger, for them as well as their families. What would be the outcome from people who would stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden?

All the Devils are Here is the 16th in the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny and once again she has nailed it! In fact, I would go so far as to say this is her best yet in my opinion. The interactions between Armand and his family, always loved, are close and poignant; the intenseness of the investigation, on foreign soil for Armand, was breathtaking. While missing Three Pines, the setting in Paris was beautiful, dangerous and awe-inspiring. A brilliant episode from a talented writer, All the Devils are Here is one I highly recommend.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this 16th book in the 'Chief Inspector Armand Gamache' series, the detective probes a criminal conspiracy in Paris. The book provides enough background to be read as a standalone.

*****

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, head of the homicide department at Montreal's Sûreté du Québec, had career ups and downs as he rooted out corruption at the Sûreté. Now Gamache and his wife Reine-Marie are visiting their married children in Paris, and Gamache once again encounters corruption, this time in industry and banking.





The Gamaches' son Daniel is a banker.....



.....and their pregnant daughter Annie is a lawyer.



Annie is married to Jean-Guy Beauvoir, who was a homicide investigator at the Sûreté until he took a job in quality control at Paris's GHS Engineering.



The entire Gamache family is excited about the imminent birth of Annie's second child, and even Armand's godfather - the nonagenarian billionaire Stephen Horowitz - is in Paris for the event.



After dinner at a favorite restaurant, the Gamaches and Horowitz are taking a walk when a car deliberately hits the billionaire and speeds away. Stephen is barely clinging to life in the hospital when the Paris police begin their inquiries. Armand tells the cops he SAW the car target Stephen, but the gendarmes seem skeptical, and insinuate the incident was an unfortunate accident.

Armand knows what he saw, however, and mounts his own investigation. Thus Armand and Reine-Marie visit the luxury apartment Stephen keeps in Paris, and find the home in complete disarray, a body on the floor, and the scent of an exotic cologne in the air.



Oddly enough, Stephen had also rented a VERY expensive hotel suite in Paris, and that had been ransacked as well, as had the billionaire's home and office in Montreal.

With a corpse in Stephen's apartment - and all his homes and offices burglarized - the Paris police acknowledge Stephen's 'accident' was attempted murder....and someone is desperate to find something.

Armand discovers that Horowitz had planned to attend the annual board meeting of GHS engineering - where Jean-Guy works - and that he had been looking into serious accidents around the world, including elevator failures, train derailments, airplane crashes, and so on. Moreover, Stephen had been consulting with the bank that employs Daniel Gamache, which invests in venture capital projects.



Gamache concludes Horowitz had discovered something rotten in Paris, and someone wanted to shut him up and make off with the evidence. Given Stephen's recent activities, Gamache suspects people working at GHS engineering and personnel at Daniel's bank. More ominous yet, the exotic cologne wafting around the corpse in Stephen's apartment is used by two senior police officials.



As the story unfolds, it becomes obvious that an evil cabal will do ANYTHING to preserve their secret, and the lives of the entire Gamache family are at risk.

The book also delves into aspects of Armand's personal life, especially the tension that's existed between Armand and his son Daniel for decades. We learn the reason for the estrangement, and see Armand's attempts to repair the damage. Armand tells Daniel "I love you" over and over and over, and other family members also continually express their love for each other. I'm all for family love but all this treacly affection is icky.

Some light relief in the book is provided by the Gamache grandchildren, who do cute kiddie things. Annie and Jean-Guy's little boy Honoré loves the crusty poet Ruth and her duck Rosa, who live in the Montreal village of Three Pines.



Rosa's quacks sound like f**k, f**k, f**k, and Honoré shouts this out in a crowd. Honoré also knows all the words to 'What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor."



As always in this series, the characters eat a lot of delicious food, like baguettes, terrine de campagne, an omelet with aged Comté cheese and tarragon, rice pudding with salted caramel, and more.


Baguette with butter


Terrine de campagne


Omelet with aged comté cheese and tarragon


Rice pudding with salted caramel

The Paris conspiracy is complex and there's a large array of characters, so the story requires a good bit of concentration. For readers who miss the Montreal hamlet of Three Pines, the author provides a glimpse at the end, when Armand and Reine-Marie return home and see their friends and neighbors.

For me the wrongdoing at the heart of the cabal is not explained completely enough, but I enjoyed the novel and recommend it to mystery fans.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[PattyMacDotComma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5★
“Each day they tracked down killers. Each day they put their own lives on the line. And in return they were scapegoated. Chained to the ground, food for politicians.”

Jean-Guy Beauvoir isn’t going to live like that anymore. He has taken Annie and their small son, Honoré, to live in Paris, where he has accepted a good job with a big engineering company. She is heavily pregnant, due any day now, and he intends to be a better husband and father by not having to dodge bullets – and politicians.

“He was worn down, worn out by his work in the Sûreté du Québec. He’d headed up the homicide department after his mentor and chief, and father-in-law, Armand Gamache, had been suspended.”

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his beloved Reine-Marie have lost both their children and three (almost four) grandchildren to Paris, and as the book opens, they have arrived in Paris themselves where they are staying in their apartment.

Also in Paris, is Stephen Horowitz, Armand’s godfather, who helped to raise him when Armand was orphaned at only nine years old. He was a significant presence, advisor, and surrogate father to the growing boy. Now in his nineties, Stephen is still quick-witted and still offering advice. He is also rich – a billionaire, in fact.

There is much talk among various characters about World War Two, when Paris was headquarters for the Nazis, and feelings still run high about who was or was not a collaborator or part of the Resistance. Jean-Guy learned early never to suggest collaborating with a colleague – it remains a loaded word.

A major story thread is the estrangement and tension between Armand and Daniel, his son. Armand is suffering because he has always loved his boy and has no idea what went wrong. I will let the author sum up where the situation is now.

“Unlike his father, young Daniel had not been a scholar, but what the boy had was self-discipline. He worked hard, and often excelled past his more naturally talented friends. He’d been a happy boy. Until … At the age of eight something changed. A wall went up between him and his father.
. . .
Reine-Marie didn’t think any father could love his children more. Then came the teen years, and the real troubles. With the drugs. With the arrests.

As soon as he could, Daniel moved away. Putting a deep blue sea between them.

And then Jean-Guy arrived. Agent Beauvoir.
. . .
Armand had become Jean-Guy’s mentor. And more. Jean-Guy had risen to become Armand’s second-in-command. And more. And Daniel had never forgiven either.”

That’s the personal side, that and the reunion with Armand’s godfather, Stephen. When it seems that Stephen is involved in some enormous business deal, the action heats up to the point of murder. Suddenly everyone is in danger, mortal danger, and the Canadian homicide detectives (current and former) are in the thick of it with the Paris police (old friends…or are they?).

There are many characters connected to different parts of the story, and it’s impossible to tell the difference between good and evil. The author sends us down every possibl and impossible trail so we suspect everyone. As with all of Penny’s books, there are quotes from and references to classical literature as well as Ruth’s eccentric but beautiful poetry. And history, always history.

I missed Three Pines and the village atmosphere and I felt a bit bogged down in the middle, but as the plot came together, it became a proper page-turner. I didn’t need the villagers to enjoy the warmth and depth of feeling between the characters in this story, and I was pleased with how the author brought it to a conclusion.

I’ve enjoyed all of the books in this series, and I’m certainly not alone!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 child 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

[Sid Nuncius · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m surprised and very sorry to say that I didn’t like All The Devils Are Here. I am still in the fairly early stages of making my way gradually (and with great enjoyment) through this series but was very happy to read this latest one out of order. I was very disappointed.

Part of the problem is that Gamache is not in Quebec and Three Pines but in Paris, and taking him and Reine-Marie out of where they really belong doesn’t work well for me. I understand Louise Penny’s profound personal reasons for doing this, but I’m afraid it doesn’t make for a good read for me. I also found that the persistent, almost hagiographic admiration of Armand by almost everyone he has ever known became very cloying.

What I found hardest to take, though, was the style. Penny makes incessant use of not writing in full sentences with clauses. But making those clauses sentences themselves.

Or sometimes even a paragraph.

It became almost unreadable for me. In the first chapter, for example, we get dozens of examples like:
“But this time was different. This time Stephen had added something. Something Armand had never heard from him before.
A specificity.”
And this, just a few pages later:
“Son. Stephen had never called him that. Not once in fifty years. Garçon, yes. Boy. It was said with great affection. But it wasn’t the same. As son.”

Seriously? “But it wasn’t the same. As son.”? Come on – Louise Penny is much, much better than that; she’s a really fine writer and cheap, irritating tricks like that demean her. I found myself wincing regularly and skimming from quite early on.

So, a serious disappointment for me. I can’t bring myself to give a Louise Penny book one star, but I really didn’t like it and I hope she returns to form with her next.

(My thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC via NetGalley.)

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read only one other book by author Louse Penny but I was so happy to have discovered her books again. All the Devils Are Here was full of the elements I remembered from the previous Louise Penny book I had read. I listened to the audio book narrated by Robert Bathurst and his voice was perfect for this story. It had just the right amount of intrigue and suspense. The characters were well developed and believable. It was comforting and familiar to spend time with the Gamache family. All the Devils Are Here was a fast paced and enjoyable book that kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more.

The Gamache family were all in Paris, France in All the Devils Are Here, rather than in Three Pines, where they reside. Annie, Jean-Guys and their young son were now living in Paris. Jean-Guys had accepted an offer for a new job. It was a safer job, away from the homicide division he was formally in. Jean-Guys was now working in the private sector. Annie was very pregnant and the birth of their daughter was imminent. Daniel, his wife and two daughters were also living in Paris. Daniel worked in a bank there. Armande and Reine-Marie came to Paris for the birth of their granddaughter and to see Armande's godfather, Stephen.

On the first night of their stay, the Gamache family met Stephen at one of their favorite restaurants for dinner. After a wonderful meal and a lot of catching up with one another, the Gamache family and Stephen proceeded to get ice cream at a favorite shop close to the restaurant. On the way, the family witnessed one of the most unimaginable things they ever expected to see. Stephen was deliberately hit by a truck. Armande's mind began to work at high speed. Who would want to hurt Stephen and why? Armande sought help from his good friend who was head of the Paris Police. Little by little, bit by bit, Armande and his family gathered clues to why Stephen had been targeted and who wanted him out of the way and why. Family bonds were tested and it was unclear to the family who their friends were and who were their enemies. They were cautious with everyone because of their uncertainty. The things they uncovered led to so many more questions and actions.

The descriptions of Paris and its many architectural sights will transport you and make you feel like you are there with the Gamache family. From the top of the Eiffel Tower, to the many beautiful hidden courtyards, to the Hotel Lutetia, to the archives and its secret doors and documents and to the questions of Stephen's involvement in the resistance in Paris during World War II, a colorful and realistic picture of the city will vividly come alive. The narrator, Robert Bathurst, was wonderful. He was easy to listen to and really brought the characters to life in an authentic way.

All the Devils Are Here was a masterfully written book by Louise Penny. I loved every minute of it. Elements of love, devotion, misunderstandings, courage, corruption, greed, and above all family were prominent. This was a fast paced book that kept me guessing . I even shed a few tears when I got close to the end of the book. I would highly recommend All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny and I will definitely look to read some of her prior books and books she plans to write in the future. This book is expected to be published on September 1, 2020.

I received a complimentary audio book copy of this book from Macmillan Audio through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louise Penny has generated a following from her rendering of a small village near the Quebecois metropolis of Montreal. She has deftly added the head of the homicide division of the Sûreté du Québec, Armand Gamache, to each plot. In previous books, Gamache’s investigations allow him to range further from here but never has there been a plot that centers on Paris, France. Now the whole family is in Paris for celebration. What could go wrong? -----Almost everything!

My mate, who has read every one of these books, tells me that Penny has become a favorite because of both the nature of the mysteries and her skill with characterization. I have jumped into this one because I guessed I could get away with doing so, given its geographical separation from all that has gone on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Even though my assumption was somewhat erroneous, I do believe that All the Devils are Here can be read separately. How was I off—base? Well, Gamache has his whole family with him. Some of whom have been in Paris for a long time and others have recently resettled. He has the chance to meet up with his “godfather,” the man who took responsibility for him when Gamache’s parents were killed while he was still a young boy. This man, Stephen Horowitz, used to bring him from Quebec to Paris every year when his work provided the opportunity. Horowitz suffers a violent attempt on his life right in front of Gamache and his wife and son and the book explores the secrets of this wealthy industrialist as tendrils of the plot reach into the lives of each of the Gamache family.

There is no doubt that Gamache would want to investigate a crime committed right in front of him (Actually, two crimes but enough of that for now.). Why doesn’t the Paris Sûreté want to cooperate with him? Was the project that Horowitz seemed to be interested in the cause of this violence? Does this mean corruption at the highest levels of government and industry?

"But it’s hard. Documents were destroyed. The archives themselves were in a shocking state after the war. They’d been ransacked by the Nazis, who burned anything that contradicted their worldview. We lost countless irreplaceable manuscripts."

I enjoyed being dropped into the extended family in all its complexity. I was fascinated by Penny’s rendering of contemporary Paris.

Penny seems to be working on several levels.
There is a deeply placed secret that may reach back to the Nazis and the French Resistance
There is an intricate plot involving corporations and technology
There are family secrets and misunderstandings that illuminate Gamache
There is an examination of the French bureaucracy and how things really work
And, this may be Penny feeling free to express her love of the non-tourist Paris most of us will never see.

Not many books have me holding my breath, or shedding a tear. This one did both.

[M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Laugh lines, lines of sorrow and soulful eyes do not a story make

First: I will always buy any Louise Penny book. Two: if they are all like this one, I will always grumble.
I don’t understand all the five star reviews? What don’t I get? Because in my eyes this book is a mess, a sentimental mess, a mess of sentiments, a mess of love, a beautiful mess, a bit like life really etc. etc. Well I can’t do her writing style justice. But this is how Penny writes more and more: everything is explained and explained some more. It is manipulative.

There isn’t much to the story because it is crowded with people I instantly forgot who busied themselves with things I didn’t find interesting. I believe there was a conspiracy … again. Only now it’s in the city of lurve, no hate, no indifference. Whatever. So there is a lot of hate going around conspiracy wise because money is the root of all sins. On the other hand there is love in abundance as well, yes because the Gamache-family is a real family full of mystery and disappointments and secrets, but also it has Gamache, pater familias extraordinaire. The man with the lines … in his face … that tell all these stories about his suffering and his …. Deep love! How I know about the lines. Well it’s because I’m told about them. This book is actually about this man’s face, how it happens upon ordinary people. You cannot see Gamache’s face and not be overcome by its humanity, its suffering (scar line), every line is practically singing with holiness, no love, no suffering. OK I think I’m falling out of love with Gamache.

I’m a rotten human being. I know. I crave the earlier stories: that were about small groups of people and their ambiguities. Conspiracies are not of and by themselves exciting, it is always about motivation, about wanting one thing and doing the other. That was Penny’s strength. There was always this mystery about Gamache and Beauvoir and the things they kept hidden from one another. That was exciting to read about.

Gamache’s lines and how women view them, I don’t care about that. At all.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have listened to the majority of this series on audio book, first with the late Ralph Cosham and now with Robert Bathurst, both who amazingly capture the voices of the characters so that even when I pick up the print copy, I can hear them in my head as I'm reading. Needless to say, I was ecstatic to see the audio review copy available for this newest installment. Bathurst does a stellar job yet again.

Penny is supremely gifted at crafting intelligent, thoughtful mysteries with a large amount of atmosphere and action. This intricately plotted tale grabbed my interest from the beginning and the puzzle kept me intrigued until the end. I missed Three Pines, but was satisfied with the vignette at the end when the group is back together in the village. I read it with tears streaming down my face at the interactions of these characters who have become real people in my life.

The suspense and drama in Paris is fascinating and there are some deep themes about family woven throughout. It is fantastic to get to know Daniel and to begin to understand the reasons behind the rift between him and Armand.

Now for the qualifier I always give--definitely read this series in order. It's critical or you will miss the nuance and the ways the characters are connected, which is half of the enjoyment of these novels.

I voluntarily reviewed both the audio and print copies of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Louise Penny and her Armand Gamache series, I jumped at the chance to review the latest Penny masterpiece, All the Devils are Here, the 16th in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. Like the many twists Louise Penny gives us, there is a twist for me as well, it was my first audiobook to review for NetGalley and MacMillan Audio.
Worried at first that I would not be able to savor each chapter and appreciate the intricate details of her carefully crafted mysteries, audio narrator, Robert Bathurst allayed my fears with an oracle narration that was equal to the masterpiece Penny delivers.
Fans of Penny and the Gamache series will not be disappointed as Armand travels from Three Pines to the city of Light, Paris.
Armand and wife, Reine-Marie, journey to Paris to visit their children and grandchildren. The Chief Inspector gets an opportunity to spend time with his godfather, Stephen Horowitz, the man who he treasures as he raised him after his parents death.
What could be more enjoyable than a family reunion in one of the worlds most beautiful cities?
Of course that peaceful family reunion is short lived when Stephen is brutally attacked one evening after dinner. Having witnessed this attack in the street against his beloved godfather, Armand and his son-in-law, Jean-Guy, know this wasn’t a random accident but a planned attack.
Who would do such a thing? Armand will not allow his brilliant sleuthing skills to go unused when he is unsure that the Paris police can be trusted.
There are so many twists and turns in Penny’s latest thriller and this time Armand’s investigation puts him and his family in danger. Will Gamache stop at nothing to discover the truth even if it costs him dearly? What does his son Daniel know as his employer his implicated.
Penny has always allowed the reader to be a voyeur in these books. We hang around and develop intimate relationships with these people. Characters are on first name basis. Robert Bathurst does an even better job narrating this tale than I could have imagined.
We will learn more about Armands relationship with son Daniel which has been filled with tension and resentment. Bathurst allows it to go one step further and “feel” the tension and emotion.
Penny’s book is a reference to the famous quote from William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, “Hell is empty and all the devils are here,”
While the city of light may be dim with the devils, Armand Gamache provides a beacon of hope and light to this sophisticated, beloved imperial city.
I received an advance copy of this audiobook from NetGalley. #NetGalley #AlltheDevilsareHere

[Carolyn Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I love the imaginary village of Three Pines and have read all the previous 15 books. I have grown in my affection for its villagers, and always felt I would like to live there. I have imagined relaxing and dining its Bistro run by Gabri and Olivier, browsing through Myrna's library/bookstore, and listening to Ruth's poetry readings (minus her swearing). I can understand Louise Penny's desire to set this story in Paris, which is a nice change of pace. I do miss the comfort of the Three Pines setting and its intriguing characters.

As my criterion for ratings is based on my enjoyment of a book and not other factors, I regret that this was mostly closer to 3 than 4 stars for me. I did not care for the intricate, convoluted plot involving a vast industrial conspiracy which may have covered up the death of thousands and was endangering many more. There were money trails, fraud, forgeries, power plays, and criminal activity at the highest levels. The tension and drama between Gamache and his son, Daniel, I found sad and unpleasant to read. The bittersweet and surprising conclusion was very well done.

Gamache and his wife are in Paris to welcome the birth of their daughter's baby. Annie's husband is Jean-Guy Bouvier who was Gamache's second-in-command at the Surete du Quebec. He now has a high paying position at an engineering firm in Paris but is uneasy about why he was hired without the proper credentials. Gamache's son, Daniel, is a banker in the same city. Gamache's godfather, 93-year -old Stephen, a billionaire, is visiting Paris. So the entire Gamache family is there, along with children and grandchildren. Gamache and his wife are horrified to see the elderly man deliberately struck down by a hit and run vehicle. He is in a coma and on life support in the hospital. Gamache is left with the sad decision of removing Stephen's life support. On visiting Stephen's apartment they find a dead man on the floor, and the contents of the apartment ransacked and in disarray.

Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy work together to discover why Stephen was critically injured and his relation to the man murdered in his apartment. They discover clues that seem to point to the engineering firm that hired Jean-Guy. This engineering conglomerate has vast holdings in manufacturing, oil and minerals and its board is composed of powerful and prominent people. The truth is well-hidden and elusive. It is difficult to know who to trust. Sometimes their investigation is in conjunction with the police and at other times in opposition to them. The engineering company has some brutal and dangerous security enforcers. Their search for answers puts the entire Gamache family in jeopardy.

There is some frightening, horrific violence as the motives for the attack on Stephen and murders, extending to an international coverup are revealed. There are some startling twists and disclosures as the investigation into high crimes concludes with some unexpected help. Overall, I thought this was a complicated, absorbing mystery replete with violence, tension, love, misunderstandings, and family drama. I hope the next book is set back in Three Pines.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author states in her note at the end that she wanted to convey how special Paris is. To be honest, I think the early part of the book over-hyped the city, and it bored me. Once the book settled into the story, it was a much more enjoyable (and typical Penny) read.

While I missed Three Pines and its residents, it was a nice change to have the entire Gamache family featured. I feel like I know Daniel and Annie better now. I hope Jean-Guy never changes. I think he’s been my favorite character throughout the series.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Don't believe everything you think".

And my thinking took me from the familiarity of Three Pines to the wide expanses of the City of Light. I looked around with hesitation, but Louise Penny assured me that Armand Gamache and his close-knit family would be there to receive me with open arms. And they did.

All the Devils Are Here seems to ring true in today's world as well. Those who are tangible and a little too close for comfort. And those who hide behind a veneer and wear false faces. Evil rubs shoulders with us even in the brightest of sun-filled days......and that can be the most deadly of all.

Chief Inspector Gamache and his wife, Reine-Marie, are in Paris awaiting the birth of their grandchild. Annie and Jean-Guy and Gamache's son, Daniel, and his family have all changed careers and have taken residence in Paris. To celebrate, the Gamaches have invited Stephen Horowitz, Armand's godfather who raised him, out to a lovely arranged dinner. As they crossed the street, a van came out of nowhere and hit Stephen. The ninety-three year old lay in intensive care fighting for his life. And with that tragedy begins the unfolding of a very intricate story.

Louise Penny took a chance with this one. The majority of the books in this series have circled around the comings and goings within Three Pines. There's a certain comfort level there for her tried and true fans. But because of the magnitude of this story arc, it needed a setting broad enough to contain all the intricacies and the international impact portrayed here.

Penny directs the unfolding of events superbly as she always does. But All the Devils Are Here keeps a finger on the staccato pulse of the Gamache family as they interact through some rough relationship roads. It will become evident that there is the beat of the emotional heart alongside the hidden dangers coming to light after Stephen's injury. Family, and altogether, lives will be in jeopardy.

I did enjoy All the Devils Are Here and highly recommend it. Louise Penny can do no wrong. Different is good. But after the stress and intensity of our own days now, I just long for a return to a glimpse into gentler times, and even more importantly, gentler people.....and the belief that those things still actually exist.

[Tamar...playing hooky for a few hours today · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is my issue, finishing this book was almost a Herculean feat for me. I mean, the plot of this book is brilliant (evil corporation with big secrets, elements relating to potential Nazi collaboration or Master Spy, family dynamics, mystery, murder, treachery…), my only complaints are that the book drags a lot so it seems longer than it is, and, the prose doesn’t make my heart sing. I need a book to either develop quickly and brilliantly or to be written in such dazzling prose that I don’t mind dawdling. I really, really want to love this author and the series; I see it’s hugely popular and I love the genre. But I just don’t connect to Gamache and every time he says I love you, on more than one occasion to many, my eyes roll. I’m really soppy affectionate but I just don’t feel it when he says it. I know I dove in here at Book 16, but in all honesty, this is not my first attempt at this series. I started Book One – Still Life – a couple of years ago and could not get past the first few chapters and I failed at one more attempt at a later book in the series. I’ve read just enough of the series to be familiar with many of the characters in this book and those from the hometown that are mentioned in the final chapter.

Nevertheless, I am stubborn, and I will try to read at least one or two more books in this series in the hope that I will finally latch on. This was a 3.5 for me (maybe) but I loved the plot so I’m paying forward and bumping up (in anticipation that I will eventually fall in love with this series).

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Audible. The capable narrator was Robert Bathurst.

[Maureen Carden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting. Doesn't matter that it's not set in Three Pines. Luminous. I was really neutral about going to Paris; not anymore. I was one of the first people at my library to check out Penny's first book. You know the feeling of when you have discovered magic? That is how I felt and I had no doubt I would not be alone. There are a lot of best selling authors who do NOT deserve their accolades (they don't even write their own books). Penny deserves every single award, every word of praise. Her books make me happy just to know there is such a outstanding writer consistently producing such wonderful books.

[Shawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A preposterous plot and a way too happy ending. I wish that Penny would stop going off the deep end with these world-shaking-consequence stories and stick to some homey Three Pines mysteries. (And I found myself wishing that Daniel would drown himself in the Seine.)

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Who knows where we’re going to find the devil?”
― Louise Penny, All the Devils Are Here

The 16th novel in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series takes place in Paris and not Three Pines. If you read the Afterword Louise Penny explains the significance the city has to her.

Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache have traveled to Paris for the birth of their grandchild. On their first night in Paris the family, along with Armand’s godfather Stephen Horowitz, gather for dinner at a bistro. Walking home after the meal the others watch in horror as 93-year-old Stephen is run down by a van. Armand knows that this was no accident. Someone deliberately ran him down. Who would want to kill him? Why? The mystery deepens when Armand and Reine-Marie go to Stephen's apartment the next day and make a gruesome discovery.

Stephen is Armand's godfather and was there for Armand after his parents died. He became a father figure but now Armand will be forced to confront everything he thought he knew. All the stories he heard about Stephen while growing up. At the same time he has to deal with his relationship with his own son, Daniel. Their relationship has been strained and distant since Daniel was a child. What was the cause of this break?

This is not just a mystery / thriller about an attempt to kill Stephen Horowitz and his secrets. This is a story about love and trust. The love between Armand and Reine-Marie, Jean-Guy and Annie, Armand and Stephen, father and son. These are obvious throughout the story. But who do you trust? That is not so obvious. Family, friends, co-workers, authority figures. People you have known for decades or your entire life. In this story you are left reeling sometimes. Power and money can corrupt anyone. People are fallible.

In the end this is a beautiful story. Love is strong. As always I am left looking forward to the next story.