[lmt-post-modified-info] Louise Penny is a Canadian bestselling author who is most known for her Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series of books, featuring the CI in Three Pines, a small village south of Montréal.
If you enjoy reading crime mystery novels set in small towns or villages with lots of secrets buried and lots of skeletons laying around, you will love reading these books.
Here are the Louise Penny books in order for her world-famous Chief Inspector Armand Gamache books.
New Louise Penny Books
All the Devils Are Here (Chief Inspector Gamache #16), 2020
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache Series
- Still Life (#1), 2005
- A Fatal Grace aka Dead Cold (#2), 2006
- The Cruelest Month (#3), 2007
- A Rule Against Murder (#4), 2008
- The Brutal Telling (#5), 2009
- Bury Your Dead (#6), 2010
- The Hangman (#6.5) 2010 (novella)
- A Trick of the Light (#7), 2011
- The Beautiful Mystery (#8), 2012
- How the Light Gets In (#9), 2013
- The Long Way Home (#10), 2014
- The Nature of the Beast (#11), 2015
- A Great Reckoning (#12), 2016
- Glass Houses (#13), 2017
- Kingdom of the Blind (#14), 2018
- A Better Man (#15), 2019
- All the Devils Are Here (#16), 2020
Other Louise Penny Books
- The Best American Mystery Stories, 2018 (anthology edited by Louise Penny)
Louise Penny Biography
The Canadian New York Times bestselling and popular author Louise Penny was born in 1958 in Toronto, Ontario. Growing up, she cultivated a fondness for reading crime mystery books which were instilled in her by her mother who loved reading such books.
Attending the Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, Louise graduated in 1979 with a BA in Radio and Television, following which, at the age of 21, she began working as a radio host and journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, a job that she held for over 20 years.
One of the dark spots in her life, to which she admitted at the age of 35 was that she was an alcoholic. However, as soon as she outed her problem to the world, she stopped drinking for good. Not long after, she met her future husband, a doctor and head f hematology at Montreal Children’s Hospital, Michael Whitehead.
Around the same time, Louise began writing books and quit her long-term job at the CBC. While her first novel – an attempt at writing a historical novel – was a bust, she soon found her niche in the genre of crime mystery books.
Still Life, the author’s debut novel, was a major success and it won several awards, including the Anthony Awards for Best First Novel, the Barry Awards for Best First Novel, and the Dilys Awards for Best Book. It also won several ones in the UK, where she presented the novel in the “Debut Dagger” competition, earning a second-place out of a total of 800 entries in the competition. The book introduces us to the Chief Inspector, who is requested to travel to the small town of Three Pines in order to investigate the apparent accident of a sweet old lady, Jane Neal. She was found lying dead in the nearby maple woods. When he appears in Three Pines, he is immediately not so sure this was suicide. The more he investigates, the clearer it becomes that this was no accident at all. From his long homicide department law enforcement career from Sûreté du Quebec, he has learned to see beyond the surface and really notices when something is not as it seems.
Soon, the first book was followed by A Fatal Grace, also in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, and as more books followed, most of them being nominated and also receiving some well-deserved honors. In fact, in 2009, Louise Penny herself helped create a new award, called the Unhanged Arthur for Best Unpublished First Novel, which aims at helping aspiring mystery writers in Canada get better known in the world.
Reading the Louise Penny books in order for her Armand Gamache series is one of the joys of the series’ lovers for stories that deal not only with a lot of murder but also some very vibrant and interesting characters. Inspector Gamache is a French-Canadian character who lots of readers can easily identify with. He is real and not an idealistic supersleuth who knows it all. Gamache values teamwork above all. Most of the cases are solved with the help of the entire team that deal with most murders. If Gamache needs help, he is not shy to ask for it. Some people call these novels cozy mysteries, however in my opinion, they are really closers to literary mysteries and light-hearted cozies.
2020 sees the release of All the Devils Are Here, in which the Gamache family is in Paris, eating together at a restaurant, when his godfather, the billionaire Stephen Horowitz is attacked. The old man’s pockets hold a key that sends Armand, his wifeReine-Marie, and Jean-Guy Beauvoir across all the corners of Paris trying to unravel the secrets Stephen was implicated in many decades ago. And now, Gamache is not sure whom to trust and who is the one to double-cross him in the first place.
The first book in the series, Still Life, sparked the creation of a TV movie with the same title featuring Nathaniel Parker in the role of Inspector Gamache. The movie aired in 2013.
Currently, the author lives in the small Quebec village Knowlton in Canada, where she works on her next book. Her husband of many years, Michael, died in 2016. In an interview, the writer mentioned that Michael is the model for our main character in the series.
Praise for Louise Penny
An excellent, subtle plot full of understanding of the deeper places in human nature, and many wise observations that will enrich the reader long after the pages are closed (Anne Perry on Still Life)
Still Life is a lovely, clever book and I hope I shall be reading a lot more by Louise Penny! (Ann Granger)
Georges Simenon kept Maigret going for over a hundred books. It will be a delight for all of us who love detective fiction if Louise Penny can stay around long enough to do the same for Gamache. (Reginald Hill)
Many mystery buffs have credited Louise Penny with the revival of the type of traditional murder mystery made famous by Agatha Christie (Sarah Weinman)
Penny’s lyrical writing opens up Gamache’s soul-searching in an almost poetic way. “A Better Man,” it turns out, isn’t so much a novel to wrap up certain story lines in this 14-book series, but one to breathe new life into them. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
A Better Man, with its mix of meteorological suspense, psychological insight and criminal pursuit, is arguably the best book yet in an outstanding, original oeuvre. (Wall Street Journal)
The cozy mystery has a graceful practitioner in Louise Penny. (The New York Times book review)
Arthur Ellis Award-winner 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)
Ms. Penny has a gift for linking the mundane to the mythic (Tom Nolan)
References
Books Reading Order » Crime Mystery Authors »
I thought I had read much of the series again this summer, when I happened upon The Great Reckoning. I immediately started reading and realized that I had missed it in my first time through the series.
It is truly a wonderful story, especially since you have done such a great job with the student generation. They are such a believable bunch!
I am approaching the end of the series. Took a bit of time for other writers as I wasn’t at all ready to finish the Three Pines set. I was so happy to read The Great Reckoning. It didn’t feel out of order at all although I had already finished at least the next three books.
Can’t wait for the Fall offering!
Thank you so much for continuing this wonderful series, Louise.
I love your books. Your words paint the picture of the village, stores and the people. 14 of my friends are coming to Montreal in May 2023 and hope to visit Three Pines. Maybe we might be able to meet you, wow that would be awesome. I’m on your 5th book and hope to read them all …..
This entire summer I carried around one of Louise Pennys books, At the beach, the pool, in the car, even cooking if I had a hand available. I’ve been obsessed, enchanted, and delighted with all the stories. Clara, Myrna, Armand, Jean-Guy, Oliver and all the rest of characters have become my extended family, I feel I know them, their peculiarities and their stories. Every book has another adventure. I’ve adored each one and have a library request for the new one, A World of Curiosities, Thank You
Oh how I love this series. I live on a tiny island north of Tampa Florida with 720 people, and I can picture all of the characters and relate some of them to the local residents here. I love to read the book then listen to the audio version of it. Found out to my surprise that the reader of those books is the (now deceased) husband of a friend of mine from Virginia. Loved listening to the characters come alive with his good English accent. At 82 I enjoy reading about characters that are not young and svelte, and not so perfect in every way. Our old hotel here on the island is rather a version of the bistro in your books, and I love it! Thank you for writing such engaging novels with identifiable personalities.
i have read all the 18 books in order and also saw the movie and loved it all .i am from Quebec originally,my sister in law showed up last week -end eith a book called (the murder stone)i have never heard of this one.is it possible that it could be (a rule against murder) did you give that book 2 differents titles?
The Murder Stone was released in Canada. However there was another book with the same title by a different author, so the name was changed to A Rule Against Murder.
My friend since childhood gave me my first Inspector Gamache books and I was hooked totally. I now have read six (out of order due to availability in the library) but I don’t mind. I now find myself anxious for a sleepless night so I can read into the wee hours of the morning. My only regret is that I don’t have a Bistro nearby hosted by Oliver and Gabri.
Hi,
I’ve been enjoying this site as I’ve been enjoying Louise Penny’s book series. I happened to start with the Kingdom of the Blind by chance before begining the series from the beginning. Therefore based on the plot when I thought I’d returned to where I’d started in the middle of the series I read the description of Kingdom of the Blind on this site. It seemed to be a well written blurb about The Long Way Home to me that was different than the blurb written for The Long Way Home. I’ve enjoyed this site, thanks for putting the books in order, just wanted to let you know.
Have recently discovered Louise Penny Chief Inspector Gamache and all the other characters in Three Pines. Well written keeps you considering what the evidence means and keeps you appreciating what it means to be human.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent as a Story Teller and Writer. Your Novels were recommended by a nice lady in our Parish Library. Have just recently read all 17 and rereading some again. I grew up in a community of 450 population in Louisiana–can identify with many of your characters. Counting the days waiting for your 2021 adventure. Thanks again for helping fill my days and into the night.
I awoke this morning, my birthday, and was immediately treated to an hour long interview (BBC’s World Book Club) on NPR. What a great way to start another year. Love all things Louise Penny.
I am just beginning the Penny books at the recommendation of my neighbor-have read 1 and 2, and am just reserving #3. I know I will go through all of them-I love everything about them.
I went to my local independent bookstore looking for a book by another author and they didn’t have it and asked if I’d like a “cozy” mystery and I said I’d love any mystery. This was in the spring just after I was laid off due to the pandemic. I immediately purchased Still Life and at about 20 pages in I called the bookstore and asked them to order me the next 2 books in order. My late husband was a Lieut. Detective on the Boston PD, and as quinessentially Boston Irish cop(although his Dad came from Scotland) as Armande is Quebequois. I just love this series, Louise’s characters, her talent for dropping a clue here and there, just fascinating, and I was never one to stay up at night, but sometimes, I just can’t put the book down. Louise, you have saved my sanity in this pandemic!
A Better Man is my first reading of Louise Penny. I had a hard time putting the book down.
I read a lot of mysteries and this one kept me on edge.
LIKE VERY MUCH. I COULD NOT PUT DOWN. JUST FINISHED ‘ A BETTER MAN”. Also READ 1 OTHER SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT DON’T REMEMBER THE TITLE
As a widow of 7 years (I am 73 years old), I would love to see a widow come to three pines and you could have a hint of about her. Being here alone all the time and making decisions she could have many sides to her. aLonliness can have many sides and you could write about her better that anyone. I crave a book that can show putting us aside dark thoughts on those who ignore her now and then those that do show compassion. Please think abought it and of course there must be a murder. many people who I would like to bury on my island for their never asking me to anything since my husband has passed, I am now invisible.
Excellent idea!
I know what you mean about being one of the “invisible” people after a death. I try to be more inclusive of my single (divorced or widowed) friends. However, you are also at that age of being “invisible” …in your 70s+ Oh they do it quite readily in stores. You will be standing there with money in your pocket and they will completely ignore older people. I think they think “too much trouble” A real disrespect our older people. If only they knew how much we know!
Glad you found these books. They are so well written and a delight to read! Delicious!
I just finished the latest Armand Aumache book, A Better Man. Loved it. But I thought it strange that there was no mention about the upheaval in the Academy, which was in the previous book, yes? Maybe I missed something.
I, too wonder when or if Rosa the duck returns?
I,too,love these books by Louise Penny. As a radio show host myself I’ve mentioned these books and my favorite character,Gamache, on air. You see, when I find a writer as incredible as Ms Penny, I can’t keep that kind of pleasure to myself. Please keep writing.
I have just got done with all her books. I loved every single one. Please do not stop writing about Three Pines and my beloved Armand Gamache. Lousie Penny, you are a blessing. Good health to you. Peg Adent
I wanted the list of Inspector Gamache as I have only read them through a local library, out of order and missing some. I will enjoy reading them over again. A life-time New York State resident, until 2019 when I moved to TN, I have been in the major cities of Ontario and Quebec. Loved to visit. Also been near the border land in New Eng. states. It is so much more fun when I can visualize exactly where the cast is, except for Three Pines, but that is easy to visualize as I know the area. I love the stories. Keep making them, please.
Oh…I am reading all the books out of order. A blessing and a curse. A blessing because..I knew Jean-Guy would be redeemed..before he was! And Henri has a new companion..not Rosa. A new pal..rabbit, monkey, squirrel..?? Keep writing Louise..I will be very sad if I can’t keep reading about these wonderful characters in the village of 3 Pines.
I enjoy and have read all Louise Penny’s books. After just finishing The Kingdom of The Blind I feel like the Gamache (?) series is over. Is the series over? If so I will miss Ms. Penny’s ability to give me hours of reading enjoyment.
I have just read “How The light Gets In” and I think I have not read them in order- darn but not to worry . I am slowly collecting all the Gamache Series ! when I get them all I will reread them again. I’m addicted but it is a pleasant addiction that I don’t intend to quit.
There is one problem- I read where Rose flew away but I didn’t read when she returned. What book was that? I am 84 years of age and I cried when Rosa left again when Jean-Guy
was addicted. These books are Great!! Thank You so very much. Rose
Again it is 2am and I just finished “How The Light Gets In”. It was a bit stressful to read because Francoeur was such a nasty human being. Boy! am I glad he was finally “done in”. Can’t wait to read the next book.
I’m confused. Isn’t “The Long Way Home” where Armand Gamache goes looking for Clara’s husband not “Kingdom of the Blind? (I read it out of sequence).
Spent the whole weekend doing nothing but reading more books in the Inspector. Gamache series have read11_out of the18 ,wish I could afford to buy them all as I would read them again and again.I am a avid reader and these are some of the beat books I have ever read I Whis I could move to Three Pines
as I,m sure every reader does.please keep writing them. they have taken me out of this terrible pandemic as I,be been pretty much house bond read and(vist). Three Lines every day.love, love the books!