How the Light Gets In

At the end of the last book, Jean Guy Beauvoir walked away from Inspector Gamache to follow after his addictions and Chief Superintendent Sylvain Francour. As the Christmas season gets closer, Gamache's department has been completely decimated and only Isabel Lacoste is left standing with him. Meanwhile, Myrna Landers calls from Three Pines when a friend of hers goes missing.

I finished this book two days ago, but just couldn't bring myself to review it right away. This was partly because I didn't want to "finish" the book and move on like I sometimes do, and partly because I just couldn't think of a way to share my reactions without spoilers. Now, I think I'm ready to try to do both. This series has been incredible in the way I've come show more to know and care about these characters almost as much as friends. The end of The Beautiful Mystery left me incredibly unsettled (should books be getting these reactions out of me?), and I couldn't wait to pick this up and find out what would happen next. Many of the storylines that have been threaded through previous books come to a head in this one, in a way I found incredibly satisfying. After reading only three books this month, I was a little afraid my book funk would make me overly critical of one of my favorite series, but I needn't have worried. I gobbled it up in three days, became invested even when I'd already figured out part of the solution, and found myself swinging from emotional extremes of fear and joy. I wasn't sure she could top Bury Your Dead for my all-time favorite in the series, but I do believe Louise Penny has done it with this one. show less

Well, this was by far the most gripping of the Gamache novels so far. The "mystery" portion is almost an afterthought (as it often is), and truth be told I almost figured it out on my own--not something that usually happens for me. At least, I guessed certain elements before they were set out in the final reveal. Meanwhile, what takes centre stage here is the culmination of some serious political drama and intrigue that has plagued Gamache and his crew, and indeed his entire police force, for most of the series so far. Perhaps because she's been thinking about it for so long, or because she's been writing Gamache for long enough, Penny's skill in making things seem different from how they actually are is really stunning. I mentioned in show more my review of the previous book that her love of Gamache may be clouding her ability to write his flaws (though she claims they are there). But even that may be dissemblance (if that's even a word). What does seem obvious--and I read ahead to the description of the next book, so I'm pretty sure it's true--is that Gamache is set to retire from the Sureté, so this is truly a transitional novel. Many things are laid to rest in this book, and it was very intense, but I look forward to delving into the next phase of Gamache's life and career, and I'm also curious about the trajectories of his protegés as well. Penny continues to delight and astound me. What shall I do when I eventually catch up with her? show less

How the Light gets In continues the story of Armand Gamache, Chief Inspector of the homicide squad in the Surete of Quebec, along with many other characters who have become very familiar over the course of this series. Events are coming to a head in the ongoing behind-the-scenes battle between Gamache and his superiors, who wish to discredit him and force him out. His former lead detective, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, has rejected Gamache and joined the organization of his antagonist.

Gamache receives a request to contact Myrna Landers, one of his good friends in the rustic village of Three Pines. A friend of Myrna's, who visited her before Christmas, had planned to come again for the holidays, but has not shown up. Gamache visits the woman's show more home in Montreal and finds her dead. While the murder has
occurred outside his jurisdiction, his friend whose case it would be asks him to take over. Gamache discovers that the murdered woman was the last of the Ouellet quintuplets, the famous first surviving set of five siblings of one birth. (The story is based loosely on the story of the Dionne quints; Penny makes a point of saying that she did not research their story because she wanted to create the story she needed for her own quints.) Gamache researches the lives of the quints while also marshalling the forces of good against the horrors being attempted by his boss and his cronies.

There is a definite apocalyptic feel to much of the book. There is no question but that a major catastrophe is coming and must be averted. There is a race against the clock to uncover the identities and intentions of the evildoers before they can put their plans into motion.

There is much to love about this book. For one thing, the cover is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Penny's writing has continued to improve over the last few novels. Her affection for her characters is evident, and they continue to earn it. Gamache is still a bit too good to be true, but we see him more doubtful and worried in several situations, less assured than he has often been.

It was great to see Yvette Nichol again, after she was absent for a few volumes, and her MacGyvering is crucial to the solution. It was wonderful to see a slightly expanded role for Ruth Zardo; we see a bit more of her history, and her insights help us, as well as the characters, see some of what's going on. Penny keeps the schedule tight and the tension high, and gives several characters a chance to shine.

I had one quibble with the ending, but it's nowhere enough to dampen my enthusiasm overall, and of course mentioning specifics would be spoilerific. If you haven't yet visited Three Pines, I strongly suggest you head that way. show less

I (and a lot of other readers and listeners) have been eagerly awaiting Louise Penny's latest mystery - How the Light Gets In.

This is the ninth entry in this absolutely brilliant series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec.

Gamache is an unfailingly polite, soft spoken, caring, thoughtful , principled man. He is also dedicated - to his family, his friends and solving his cases. But he is reviled by his boss. The reasons for this have been alluded to from the beginning, increasing in intensity through each book, culminating in a cliff-hanger in book eight - The Beautiful Mystery. Penny has masterfully built this tension and animosity through each book. In How the Light Gets In, Penny finally gives us show more answers in a stunning finale, that mirrors real life.

Three Pines is the fictional small Quebec town that features prominently in Penny's books. The inhabitants of the town are rich and varied and have become as near and dear to my heart as Gamache himself. Their personal lives are as much a draw as the mystery in each book.

The crime portion of this book also takes inspiration from real life. The last surviving member of the Ouellet quintuplets is found murdered in her home after failing to arrive for a scheduled visit to Three Pines. Canadians of course will recognize the story of the Dionne quintuplets.

Although Penny provides enough background so that each book could be read as a stand alone, I encourage you to pick up the first book - Still Life. You'll fall in love with Gamache and the village of Three Pines - and be very glad that there are eight more (so far!) books to go. I cannot wait to see what's in store for book number ten.

I've actually chosen to listen to the last few books. Ralph Cosham is the reader and he completely embodies the mental image I had created for this wonderful character. The low, somewhat gravelly tone of Cosham's voice and his well modulated pace just draws you further into the story. His French accent and pronunciation is well done and believable. The voices he provides for other characters are just as well done. The cranky old poet Ruth is a favourite of mine. Actually, all the residents of Three Pines come alive with his interpretations, and make me wish I could visit to Three Pines and chat with them. At the end of the last disc, there was an unexpected bonus - an discussion between Cosham and Penny. It turns out that Ralph doesn't read the books before he narrates for the audio version. He prefers to discover the story as he reads. Can you imagine keeping all the voices straight and reading through without preparation? How the Light Gets In was an absolute joy to listen to. Highly, highly recommended.

"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." Leonard Cohen show less

In the acknowledgments, Louise Penny writes she is offering us her imperfect offering. Modesty aside, nothing, as usual, could be further from the truth. The continued storyline about possible corruption at the Surete plays out along a missing person's case with ties to Three Pines. Anytime we get to return to that small village, with its' cast of such wonderfully written characters, is a good thing. From cantankerous Ruth right on down to the kids playing hockey, there's such a feeling of cohesiveness and community, right when Gamache needs it most. It's Myrna's friend Constance who disappears early on, but not so soon that she can still make the observation that Three Pines, "the tiny village had fallen from the sky, to provide a soft show more landing for those who'd also fallen." show less

What I know about a Gamache book: all intentions to the contrary, I will be unable to stop reading for any length of time until I finish it.
It will surprise me.
As to this one: aaaauuuuuuuuugh. good lord. I thought the tension was going to kill me.
Thank goodness for the brief lightness of the Three Pines crew, because at one point I stopped even liking Gamache and was considering biting my cat.
And thank goodness for the redemption of Nichol, for the saving of Beauvoir, for the ending of Francoeur, and for everyone else living through the book.
Ugh, gah, what.
I'm kind of hoping the next book is Lacoste at the helm, still, and also maybe that it can subside into mere mystery again for a bit before the next conspiracy brings me to my show more knees.
Don't miss it, it's amazing. show less

Outstanding! The entire series has been excellent but this one is the best yet. A few storylines were wrapped up but not without several bitten nails and a riveting climax. Penny has created fictional versions of a couple of big stories from Quebec, the Dionne quintuplets and the deterioration of bridges, that form the backbone of this novel of political and moral corruption.

There are always snippets of information sprinkled like jewels in Penny's novels, this time the quote from Julian of Norwich, 14th century Christian mystic "All shall be well". It pleases me that her description of snow is always kind. Complaints about snow are tiresome, while the actual element can be enjoyed, or at the very least accepted, as it is in Three Pines. show more

The title from the lyrics of Leonard Cohen's song Anthem, reminds the reader that all is not lost. I could hear his beautiful voice singing in the background throughout.

Ring the bells that still can ring,
Forget your perfect offering,
There is a crack in everything,
That's how the light gets in
-- Leonard Cohen

If you plan on reading Louise Penny, this is not the book to start with. Although each novel has its own investigation, Penny develops the story arc and characters over the series. show less