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A Fatal Grace: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel Audiobook
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(4.00) - 5,918 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Winner of the 2007 Agatha Award for Best Novel! From the Dagger award winning author Louise Penny comes the second Armand Gamache mystery set in the stunning countryside of Quebec. Welcome to winter in Three Pines, a picturesque village in Quebec, where the villagers are preparing for a traditional country Christmas, and someone is preparing for murder. No one liked CC de Poitiers. Not her quiet husband, not her spineless lover, not her pathetic daughter—and certainly none of the residents of Three Pines. CC de Poitiers managed to alienate everyone, right up until the moment of her death. When Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, of the Sûreté du Quebec, is called to investigate, he quickly realizes he's dealing with someone quite extraordinary. CC de Poitiers was electrocuted in the middle of a frozen lake, in front of the entire village, as she watched the annual curling tournament. And yet no one saw anything. Who could have been insane enough to try such a macabre method of murder—or brilliant enough to succeed? With his trademark compassion and courage, Gamache digs beneath the idyllic surface of village life to find the dangerous secrets long buried there. For a Quebec winter is not only staggeringly beautiful but deadly, and the people of Three Pines know better than to reveal too much of themselves. But other dangers are becoming clear to Gamache. As a bitter wind blows into the village, something even more chilling is coming for Gamache himself.
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"This series just keeps getting better. Backtracking after reading Book 6 this book (#2 in the series) is terrific - wonderful twists and turns. I'm really enjoying the relationship between Gamache and his assistant, Beauvoir. And there are some wonderful bits of humor in this book - no spoiler here - Beauvoir comes down with the flu, Gamache puts him to bed and tells him he has an appointment and has to leave but will be back - Beauvoir comments that he will be dead by then and Gamache dead pans back, "I'll miss you." What is it about men and getting sick! This came across so humorous to me - I am listening to these books as I drive back and forth to work - the reader is absolutely wonderful which just adds to the charm, warmth and depth of these books Another thumbs up. Book #3 is ready to be listened to. Such an enjoyable series."
— Donna (4 out of 5 stars)
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“This perfect blend of police procedural and closed-room mystery finds its solution, as in the best of those traditions, in the slow unlayering of a sorrowful past.”
— Houston Chronicle -
“A traditional and highly intelligent mystery…sure to create great reader demand for more stories featuring civilized and articulate Chief Inspector Gamache…Highly recommended.”
— Library Journal (starred review) -
“Remarkably, Penny manages to top her outstanding debut. Gamache is a prodigiously complicated and engaging hero, destined to become one of the classic detectives.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
"Gamache, a smart and likable investigator—think Columbo with an accent, or perhaps a modern-day Poirot—systematically wades his way through the pool, coming upon a few surprises along the way…This is a fine mystery in the classic Agatha Christie style, and it is sure to leave mainstream fans wanting more."
— Booklist
Awards
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Winner of the 2007 Agatha Award for Best Novel
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A 2008 Audie Award Finalist for Best Mystery Book
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Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award
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A 2007 American Bookseller Association Book of the Year
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A 2007 KLIATT Editor’s Choice Audiobook
A Fatal Grace Listener Reviews
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4/7/2022
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" Sorry to see each of these Chief Inspector Gamache novels end. Love the characters and their development. "
— christi, 6/1/2018 -
" Wonderful, readable, love the characters. "
— Vicki, 2/14/2014 -
" The second book featuring Inspector Gamache. A well written mystery deserving of all the acclaim. My only minor quibble is that the Chief Inspector of all of Quebec seems to only solve murders in one small town which is eventually going to start stretching my suspension of disbelief muscle. "
— Brian, 2/13/2014 -
" Wonderful book with very good environmental and personal stories. Recommended! "
— Zinnia, 2/10/2014 -
" The second book in the Three Pines series, another cozy mystery with Gamache. This time a very unlikable character is electrocuted on a frozen lake. Be calm "
— Jackie, 2/6/2014 -
" I really liked this edition of the Inspector Armand Gamache series. The story was great, lots of twists and turns with a few side roads to bring in other characters. In the end, they all tie together. I love Louise Penny's characters because they have so much depth. A very good read, with many twists. "
— Mark, 2/6/2014 -
" This is my first reading of Louise Penny and must say that I truly enjoyed her book. The details are excellent and not overwhelming. Her description of a Canadian winter, the Quebec Christmas traditions as well as the houses and clothes at this time of year, are very realistic. The suspense is very enjoyable, even though I kinda figured out the ending earlier on in the story. Can't wait to read more of her books. "
— Nouna, 2/3/2014 -
" Pretty dark. I prefer happy silly mysteries. "
— Ellyn, 2/1/2014 -
" Love this series. Live the characters. Plot twisters galore. Can't wait to start the next one. "
— Bonnie, 1/30/2014 -
" I am really loving this series. Not only are they great murder mysteries, but the characters are lovely and memorable. There is gentleness and wisdom in these books -- very unusual for the genre! "
— Shasta, 1/18/2014 -
" I cannot wait to renew my acquaintance with these wonderful characters and this well drawn place. A chilly mystery that kept me guessing until the end. I'll be back Louise Penny. "
— Kim, 12/11/2013 -
" well written but nothing new "
— Clare, 11/26/2013 -
" I always enjoy Louise Penny's books. Makes me happy that I don't live in that northern climate, and the food is a nice addition to make the characters more familiar and likeable. "
— Barrie, 11/25/2013 -
" I am really enjoying these!! "
— Sjhart, 10/26/2013 -
" I like the characters but I did find this story a bit long winded. "
— Marialyce, 10/26/2013 -
" I loved this story. Ms. Penny has created an alternate reality. One that I will certainly revisit time and time again. "
— Yeva, 10/12/2013 -
" I <3 these characters so much! Well except for Nichol....BLAH! "
— Erin, 10/5/2013 -
" First Armand Gamache series book I have read. Character development is great but the mystery is a bit transparent and predictable. "
— Samantha, 8/25/2013 -
" I liked the second book of this series equally as well as the first. Looking forward to the next. "
— Kimberly, 8/9/2013 -
" I'm enjoying this series, but I'm far more intrigued by the characters and the back story that's developing than I was by the murder mystery in this book. "
— Lorelei, 3/21/2013 -
" I really enjoy Ruth's poetry. I'd be thrilled if Ms. Penny were ever to release a book of Ruth's work. "
— Ticklish, 10/22/2012 -
" My favouite mystery writer is now Quebecker Louise Penny. Wow, what great books! Great characters and great settings! "
— Debbie, 8/5/2012 -
" Encore meilleur que le premier! "
— Nancy, 5/17/2011 -
" Another excellent Penny/Gamache mystery. She's a wise, witty author. "
— Bobbe, 5/9/2011 -
" I enjoyed this Armand Gamache mystery even better than the first. <br/> "
— Linda, 5/1/2011 -
" The second in the series, it continues along with all the characters from Three Pines that we met in the first, with some new ones too. A fun addition to the series. "
— Carrie, 4/28/2011 -
" I enjoyed the look into life in Quebec and very interesting and likeable chief inspector Gamache.<br/> "
— Averil, 4/13/2011 -
" I am so pleased that the setting of this series didn't change. I am still loving the Quebecois references and the characters.This series is a gem "
— Joanne, 3/26/2011 -
" It is a little strange, but I still can't put it down. Love the characters, and the humor. I finished it a few days ago. I will probably read more of hers, but she is not my favorite. <br/> "
— Ellen, 3/26/2011 -
" 3.5...I think I'm going to like this series. Complex and interesting...and learning a bit about Quebec. "
— Joanne, 3/21/2011 -
" The plot was fairly ridiculous, but it was still enjoyable enough to warrant 3 stars. <br/> "
— Petula, 3/20/2011 -
" I had only the read the first book in this series. It is well writen and a page turner. It takes place in Canada and there are lots of ongoing characters in the small town of 3 Pines. For a small town they have their share of murders. Entertaining. "
— Caryn, 3/16/2011 -
" This is a great series to read. It's fun to get to know the characters. Even though I guessed who did it, I still enjoyed the adventure. And you really never know til the end. "
— Sally, 3/12/2011 -
" A darkly enjoyable and literary mystery. Penny turns a phrase with exceeding skill. I am reading these out of order, but does not really matter as many of the characters are in most of these novels. "
— Dorothy, 3/3/2011 -
" Was sad to finish it. No more Louise Penny books to read til a new one comes along. "
— Peg, 2/26/2011
About Louise Penny
Louise Penny is the author of the #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Toronto Globe and Mail bestselling series of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. She is also coauthor with Hillary Rodham Clinton of the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller State of Terror. She has won numerous awards, including eight Agatha Awards and a CWA Dagger, 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.
About Geoffrey Howard
Geoffrey Howard (a.k.a. Ralph Cosham) was a stage actor and an award-winning narrator. He recorded more than 100 audiobooks in his lifetime and won the prestigious Audio Award for Best Narration and several AudioFile Earphones Awards.