Louise Penny Books in Order

62 Comments

1. i noticed that since reading Louise Penny I am finding it difficult to get excited about any mystery writers. Does anyone have favorites that come close to her writing?

2. want to read the books referred to in The Gray Wolf — about the monks and when his agents were killed but not know which ones they are — please give me the titles

   1. I think the book that is referenced about the monasteries is The Beautiful Mystery, where Gamache investigates a murder at the secluded Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups monastery.

      As for the deaths of Gamache’s agents, it should be Bury Your Dead, because it had a disastrous police operation which resulted in some death (without spoiling too much).

3. Enjoyed all the books, Alfred Molina, as the main character, excellent, Hope they renew the series, as these are amazing stories, & should be continued.

4. I’ve seen that they are not renewing Three Pines. I’m so sad. I love all of Louise Penny’s Gamache series and was so hopeful to see the television adaptation. Any chance the decision will be reversed?

5. Just finished watching season 1 on Prime. The Hangman was the last episode. What book follows, A Trick of the Light? I’m going to read the books before season 2 comes out! Thank you.

6. My daughter gave me Still Life to read and I left it on my book shelf for months and finally decided to read it. WOW!… Love at frist read. .It has been years since Ive enjoyed reading so uch. I now have read 10 in total . I’m on #11. All of them are amazing.I think for me I can relate to the places the language, the history. Its been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a book so much. Thank you Louise Penny

7. I am trying to buy the series of books for a friend who is French. Trying to make sure I get the right books in order using the French titles. Are you able to assist? I have ordered the first 3 books but struggling to get a list of all the books using the French titles.

8. I read all the books except All the Devils Are Here, which I stopped reading after 200 pages…I could not find it interesting.

   I would like to know if it is important to read it before reading the following one, The Madness of the Crowds. I always read the books in order.

9. I am losing my eyesight so I can no longer read (Or drive. Consider yourself lucky! At least I had enough sense to take away my own keys!). I have read everything all my life. Now I listen to audiobooks and, since I have started listening to them, I no longer feel quite as bereft. It is a very long, hot summer where I live. Right now, it is winter in Three Pines. It is shocking to go from winter to summer in a moment. I’m sure that other books must have transported me in season, place, and time as I have read them in the past. Right now, I can’t remember any.

10. I have read a lot of books in my time, and I have to say that Louise Penny’s Gamache series of books is the best ever. I love all of the characters, and the story lines. I don’t want to put them down and I don’t want them to end. I’ve convinced my husband he must read them, and in order. I can see these as movies, but only after reading them first.

11. Been listening to audiobooks out of order -as they become available from the public library.
    Not at all a deal breaker, although in order would have been preferable.
    Don’t want them ever to end!

12. I have a book by Louise Penny called The Murder Stone, but can’t find it on her list.

    1. The Murder Stone is A Rule Against Murder

13. three pines is part of my life now,I’m so involved with the characters and feel they are friends, I will be deeply sadden if the series comes to an end…I’ve enjoyed it so much. it takes me out of my life into their world
    I’ve read thru twice and will read them again….I praise Louise Penny for her wonderful series!

14. I have read the whole series three times. I start again every summer and I love Three Pines and all the inhabitants feel like old friends by now. The last book, All the Devils are Here takes them all to Paris, and is quite different, but very good. Her new book in the series comes out in August. By then I hope to have read all the books again. I also heard she is teaming up with Hillary Clinton to write a Washington Capitol mystery, so maybe she has ended the Three Pines series.

15. I truly enjoy this series for escapist reading. The inhabitants of Three Pines are delightful, and the food descriptions are mouthwatering. A nice foil to the darkness of murder and certain members of the Sureté. My least favourite was The Beautiful Mystery. I wanted out of that Monastery almost as desperately as Jean Guy! I found the climax and denouément a little lacking. My favourite is A Better Man. Hope there are more to come.

16. Yes, reading in order is a must. The characters and the story lines develop and build in each novel. I waited with anticipation to read the next chapter.
    My goal for this winter was to read the Gamache series. Halfway through in a month. It will be a long winter when I have completed the remaining 7

17. Like the others in your comments, I am enthralled with Louise Penny’s books.
    I love living in Three Pines with most of its inhabitants. Trouble is, what to do when I blow through all of them?
    Start over with Still Life? Probably.

18. Just finishing #16. All since the pandemic started. Hope she writes more pretty quickly here as I am hooked!

19. I just finished reading her most recent book “All The Devils Are Here”. I became aware of her through a friend. Once I start reading a book, I can’t put it down. I have read them all in order and like it that way. You really become invested in the characters. I sincerely hope she continue to write the Inspector Gamache stories.

20. I have found Louise Penney! Her characters are alive and leave me with a desire to know where they are what they are doing now. Then the story takes hold. And her words are so gripping. I started with number 11 and will now go back to number 1!

21. I just discovered this author and love her insights. I feel like I’m in the story and know and/or relate to some of the characters.

22. I am an avid fan of her writing. I have just finished reading the first 14 bools in order to prepare for reading #s 15 and 16.
    I find her books moving and satisfying on so many levels.
    I agree that fhe movie adaptation of Still Life was very disappointing. Completely miscast. I find it hard to beleieve that any of the decisuon makers had read a single word of Madame Penny’s prose.

    Regardless, she has a life-long fan in me!

23. Read them in order, it’s the best. I just finished The Long Way Home…not my favorite. I liked the early ones best. Why put yourself in a position of questioning relationships and situations. Read them in order.

24. I found Louise Penny’s first book about Chief Inspector Armand Gamache ‘Still Life’ in my local Charity Shop.
    I was immediately hooked and have since bought and read four more books in the order they were written. I’m about to order ‘Bury your Dead’. This recent Lock down has meant more time to read and I really really enjoy Penny’s books.
    Regards Yvonne Griffin, Stratford-upon-Avon, England.

25. I am reading the books in order and I just finished THE BRUTAL SAYING. it was just awful and I can’t believe the failure on Louise Penny‘s part. I’m going to go ahead and start the next book anyway since I’m in the middle of this COVID-19 stuff and these mystery books have been a great resource for taking up the slacking or extra time. But I am so disappointed in this book and I can only hope that she redeems her self in the next book.

    1. The Murder Stone is the British title for book 4. Sorry I wasn’t able to reply directly to the questioner for some reason.

26. I found the Penny series when perusing the stacks. I always try to take home one Canadian author with each library visit. Became hooked with GLASS HOUSES. The rest I’m reading in order. Decided to view STILL LIFE since it wasn’t on the shelf once I decided that in order was the better way to go. I’m sorry to say that it was a big disappointment. Casting, acting-all off. Even the village of Three Pines was wrong. PBS should give these stories a go. They know how to produce quality storytelling. I’m almost done with the series. Hope Ms. Penny continues writing Gamage for some time to come. If not, give Donna Leon a try!

27. I must say that I thought the Still Life movie was horrible. Gamache would never be rude to wait staff which occurs in the first 15 minutes. Miscast horribly in my opinion. Believe you will lose much if not read in order. Do yourself a favor and read in order.

28. Have to disagree about movie adaptation of Still Life. It did not do her book justice, characters were flat and not developed. Totally wrong actors in roles. Love her books and the characters are so multi layered.

29. I agree with Tammy – if you read out of order you miss some elements that would spoil the other books and things happen to these awesome characters that would need to be in order – love all the characters in this book. i have read everyone and looking forward to the next one

30. Really enjoy characters and plots. Inspector Gamache is indeed complicated and yet lovable. A Renaissance Man in a way.

31. Love the cookbook idea! I can almost taste the scones, cream, and strawberry jam now!

32. I have always loved Louise Penny’s books featuring Inspector Gamache, the village of Three Pines and all the wonderful characters in the village. I enjoy Louise’s style of writing, her attention to detail, well organized plots and most of all the fascinating details about Quebec, its people, its culture, the land, cities, towns in this part of Canada. The books are also a journey through eastern Canada. I eagerly await each new Inspector Gamache novel.

33. All I can say is that I feel like I’ve always lived in Three Pines. And I wouldn’t want to move anywhere else.

34. Love the series. I want to live in Three Pines. I want these people to be neighbors of mine. I want to visit the ;lending library with Ruth and after go to the Gamache house(uninvited for lunch).

35. I just binge read the entire series. Well, not quite, I’m on the last book now. I feel they absolutely should be read in order because the characters and relationships unfold slowly. I’m hoping that eventually Gamache et al will move to France. Lots of crime there!

36. Hi I’ve read the whole series a couple of times and love them. I’ve just noticed The Hangman… how did I miss this one, and why?? I live in Australia and look forward to each new story – and rereading the old ones! Thank you!

37. Judith, you have to read The Long Way Home to know about Peter

38. Absolutely am glad I’m reading in sequence – find myself guessing next steps based on character history. Thank you for providing such superior fiction.

39. I have read the first 3 books from the library. I believe I remember that in Still Life it explains the reason Gamache has a British accent, but since I don’t have the books at hand I cannot verify.

40. How about a cookbook with all those delicious foods from The Bistro? I am also seriously sleep depleted since I can’t put these books down! I feel I am up there in the Three Pines!

41. I heartily agree with reading the series in order. I didn’t and find as mentioned above it took some of the
    mystery away. Still great series, intuitive characterizations, great plots and I hope she continues this series
    for quite awhile!

42. I have been reading the Kingdom of the Blind, and have read a fair number of the Gamache novels but not necessarily in order. I was stumped by a reference to Clara’s husband, Peter, as well as his non-appearance, in Kingdom of the Blind. What happened to him, and in which novel? Will someone please enlighten me?

43. I began reading the Gamache series out of order, because my wife reccomended Glass Houses to me. I went back to the first book in the series and am now catching up. I also saw the movie adaptation of Still Life the only character I was disappointed in was agent Nichol, I imagined her being more bedraggled. I read a lot of mysteries. And being a Daniel Silva fan, I have found that Louise Pinney has put a more human touch to her books. I feel a calm as I read these books. I can visualize the characters and three pines. Her intertwining of events keeps me going. I can now see why all the rewards.

44. I think it’s best to read them in order. Some of the characters change jobs and it would confuse you. Also, the characters become much loved as you get to know them.

    One criticism I have of the audio books is that after the first reader passed away, a British man read. I am American but my parents were French Canadian. It disturbs me greatly to hear Armand Gamache speaking like a Brit. Quebec is a large province full intelligent people. Please find one to read stories that all take place in Quebec.

45. It is a “must” to read them in order… I started reading out of order and found that I knew who was NOT the killer because they appeared in future books still happily living in Three Pines instead of rotting away in prison… there are also several sub plots that carry from book to book and these would be very confusing if not read in order…

    1. Never thought about it this way, but you do have a very strong point there.

46. I want to meet all these people and go to their village. I don’t want the series to end.

47. When do we get the next audio book

    1. Should be out this August.

48. I would appreciate getting the books in order but they are in different order depending on the site you choose.
    What site has them in the original order.

    1. The books are in reading order here. Not sure what other order are you looking for?

49. Absolutely should be read in order, in my opinion. The “big event” in Gamache’s life is frequently referenced in other books and if you don’t know about the warehouse, then you will miss the nuances.
    Love this series

50. Can’t get enough of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. He is insightful, warm and charming. The Beauvoir character works so well as Gamache’s assistant. Super series. Hopefully a movie or a series on PBS. Forgot to mention the love he has for his wife is to be envied.

51. I have read all 12!!! I am a big fan!!! Loved them all. Need to know, heard somewhere, is their a movie??? Hopefully!

52. I have read all but the last 2 cant wait to read them and see what happens to beauvoir

53. Read them in order if you want to get the most out of this wonderful series!! I started out of order because I was told it didn’t matter but quickly realized my mistake. I went back and re-read them starting from the beginning and it was so much better. Especially if you fall in love with Inspector Gamache as I have. It’s a relationship that builds up slowly and you’ll want to savour it right from the start.

54. Which book is about the big shootout in the factory? I just finished ” The Beautiful Mystery ” and it was constantly referenced.
    Thanks

    1. It is a sub plot in Bury your Dead!

55. I would disagree about not reading them in order. Things happen during this series that would be “spoiled” if read out of order. The series is amazing and well-written and the characters are amongst the most developed I’ve ever come across.

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