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Audiobooks > Mystery & Detective >  Traditional British > The Cruelest Month: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel

Download The Cruelest Month: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel Audiobook

Extended Audio Sample The Cruelest Month: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel Audiobook, by Louise Penny Click for printable size audiobook cover
4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 4.00 (5,306 ratings) (rate this audio book) Author: Louise Penny Narrator: Ralph Cosham Publisher: Macmillan Audio Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Related: The Chief Inspector Gamache Novels Release Date: September 2015 ISBN: 9781427271570
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"Many mystery buffs have credited Louise Penny with the revival of the type of traditional murder mystery made famous by Agatha Christie...The book's title is a metaphor not only for the month of April but also for Gamache's personal and professional challenges--making this the series standout so far."
--Sarah Weinman

Welcome to Three Pines, where the cruelest month is about to deliver on its threat.
It's spring in the tiny, forgotten village; buds are on the trees and the first flowers are struggling through the newly thawed earth. But not everything is meant to return to life. . .
When some villagers decide to celebrate Easter with a séance at the Old Hadley House, they are hoping to rid the town of its evil--until one of their party dies of fright. Was this a natural death, or was the victim somehow helped along?
Brilliant, compassionate Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec is called to investigate, in a case that will force him to face his own ghosts as well as those of a seemingly idyllic town where relationships are far more dangerous than they seem.

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Quotes & Awards

  • “It is Penny’s fastidious, cultured, and smart Inspector Gamache who makes The Cruelest Month impossible to put down.”

    People 

  • “Expertly plotted…Penny paints a vivid picture of the French-Canadian village, its inhabitants, and a determined detective who will strike many Agatha Christie fans as a 21st-century version of Hercule Poirot."

    Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  • “Penny is an award-winning writer whose cozies go beyond traditional boundaries, providing entertaining characters, a picturesque locale, and thought-provoking plots. Highly recommended.”

    Library Journal (starred review)

  • “Narrator Ralph Cosham evokes the idyllic Quebec village of Three Pines with skillful handling of the often funny, often conflicted people who live there. He also captures the political intrigue within the Quebec police department…Cosham renders [Chief Inspector Armand Gamache] so believable that he’ll stay with you long after you stop listening.”

    AudioFile

  • “Readers familiar with the preceding two novels in the series—Still Life (2006) and A Fatal Grace (2007)—will be champing at the bit to get their hands on this one, and those who haven't yet met Armand Gamache will wonder what took them so long.”

    Booklist

  • “Cosham makes each one of the players instantly recognizable. He brings Gamache vividly to life, crafting him with attentive detail. The way he pronounces words, pauses, and rolls ideas around on his tongue makes him and the audiobook quite memorable.”

    Booklist (audio review)

  • “Penny produces what many have tried but few have mastered: a psychologically acute cozy. If you don’t give your heart to Gamache, you may have no heart to give.”

    Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
  • Winner of Agatha Awards - Winner, 2008
  • Nominated for Anthony Awards - Nominee, 2009
  • Nominated for Macavity Award - Nominee, 2009

Listener Opinions

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Antoinette | 2/19/2014

    " Love this series that takes place in Three Pines. Love her inspector Gamache as well. Cozy mysteries that keep you interested and wanting more. Will definitely read more of these books. Keep them coming. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 John Onoda | 2/13/2014

    " I'd read about this series of mysteries, so I thought I'd give it a try with thie one. Can't say I was impressed. Everything was solid, but I found it slow going. The book didn't really pass my 50-page rule (which holds that if I'm not pretty hooked or engaged by the first 50 pages, I shouldn't waste my time finishing it) as it was almost all about the goings on of the villagers of Three Pines. Perhaps if I was already fond of these characters, I would have been engaged, but that wasn't the case, for me. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Suziqoregon | 2/3/2014

    " My blog post about this book is at this link. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Yeva | 1/12/2014

    " Amazing. The Cruelest Month was everything a good mystery should be. I found myself holding my breath when things looked their worst. Way to go, Ms. Penny. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Jamie | 12/14/2013

    " This is my least favorite of the series so far but I still enjoyed it. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Erin Farwell | 12/3/2013

    " Louise Penny writes magical books that make you want to read the next one. You are about the people and want to see what happens next in their lives and the mysteries are complicated and believable. Highly recommend her to one and all. PS: read them in order from first published to last. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Wilma Rebstock | 10/31/2013

    " Loved this (both times)... It was what I needed this week. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Teatime | 10/26/2013

    " Loved this one of the series! My favorite so far-- all of the characters were interesting, the two story lines, the general spooky theme of the main mystery, the village of Three Pines (i still wish i could move there), and wonderful Gamache's struggles and triumphs..... "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 NG | 10/11/2013

    " Wonderful, loved it. Especially loved the Chief Inspector Gamache parallel plot. It showed me how much I have come to love this character-- when he is threatened, my world becomes a little closer and more anxious. More Louise Penny! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Danielle | 10/9/2013

    " I just love this series! The characters are wonderful and vivid. These stories are longing to be made into a Masterpiece Mystery! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Patsy | 6/26/2013

    " I'm just a sucker for Inspector Gamache and the murder mysteries he solves. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Portia | 4/18/2013

    " Penny presents her readers with the dark side of friendship. Yet another of her books I couldn't put down. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Christine | 11/28/2012

    " I'm glad to see the subplot involving the problematic case in Gamache's past put to rest. Although Penny can be a little heavy-handed with the psychological analysis at times, I do like these characters and the setting. The denouement was not the most satisfying. Still, I do like this series. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Maria Kinsley | 6/29/2012

    " I really like this series. The first one is still by far the best. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kelly Berry | 5/11/2012

    " I love this series! Once I pick one up I can't seem to put it down until I'm done. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is my kind of guy and Three Pines is my kind of place! "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Rebecca | 1/19/2012

    " A superb multi-layered novel with insights on relationships and jealousy far beyond those expected in mysteries such as this. Good for you, Louise Penny! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Agnes | 5/14/2011

    " Another Inspector Armand Gamache case solved, with much description of the village and inhabitants of Three Pines. Enjoyable murder mysteries by Louise Penny. Looking forward to reading more of hers. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Anne | 5/3/2011

    " This series started out great and just keeps getting better. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Carrie | 4/30/2011

    " A very good story with a lot of depth to it. We learn more about the case that had been haunting Gamache for so long, as we learn more about the characters of Three Pines. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Anne | 4/26/2011

    " I read the first one under duress. Now I'm hooked. I love this series! I love Inspector Gamache! He's everything you need in an inspector. A great 'cozy' with likable characters and setting.
    "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Susan | 4/13/2011

    " Thank you, Mary Martha, for introducing me to this author. I'll be sure to read more of her books. Loved the style, the characters, the setting. Hard to put down! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Shirley | 4/7/2011

    " Loved it as I do all Louise Penny. This has the added mystique of a haunted house. Great story. Great character development. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Vsw1952 | 4/7/2011

    " For me, this woman does not write a bad book. Lots of wee twists and turns. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Joanne | 3/27/2011

    " complex and interesting. like the characters. will keep going in this series.
    "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 JoAnne | 3/26/2011

    " I just love this series.. Each one if a little better. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Yeva | 3/24/2011

    " Amazing. The Cruelest Month was everything a good mystery should be. I found myself holding my breath when things looked their worst. Way to go, Ms. Penny. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Petula | 3/23/2011

    " I'm noticing an unfortunate downward trend in my ratings stars for this series.

    My biggest issue with this book was the way the inspector decided to reveal the murderer. It felt like a hammy 1940s movie, and it was completely out of character with everything we've seen of him thus far. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 theda | 3/22/2011

    " Political machinations take a back seat to the mystery in this installment. Armand Gamache must solve a murder and clear his name--no problem! "

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About the Author
Author Louise Penny

Louise Penny is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. She has won numerous awards, including a CWA Dagger and multiple Agatha Awards and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. In 2017, she received the Order of Canada “for her contribution to Canadian culture.”

About the Narrator

Ralph Cosham (1936–2014), a.k.a. Geoffrey Howard, was a British journalist who changed careers to become a narrator and screen and stage actor. He performed in more than one hundred professional theatrical roles, and several of his narrations were named “Audio Best of the Year” by Publishers Weekly. He won seven AudioFile Earphones Awards, and in 2013 he won the coveted Audie Award for Best Mystery Narration for his reading of Louise Penny’s The Beautiful Mystery.

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