Louise Penny Books in Order: Complete Guide to Inspector Gamache

Still Life by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1)

The first in the series of Chief Inspector Gamache. I fell in LOVE with the Inspector, the town of Three Pines, and its residents. Louise Penny CAN WRITE.

The mystery was great (and I didn’t solve it) but what got me the most was Penny’s writing style and reflections on the human psyche. This first Louise Penny book has the detective searching a piece of art for clues.

This is one of the best detective books and detective series I have ever read. You will fall in love with Three Pines and the people who live there. The wonderful community in this series is the best of what feel-good novels should be. Be sure to check out Louise Penny Books in Order: Complete Guide to Inspector Gamache.

If you love mystery novels and have not read this series, these are some of the best mystery books of all time.

A Fatal Grace (Chief Inspector Gamache #2) by Louise Penny

I loved this book even more than the first one. The Canadian in me could not stop laughing at the subtle jabs at the Canadian way of living in the freezing cold winter. I mean, the cold makes your eyes feel like they will freeze in your head if you don’t blink fast enough!

I love the characters in Three Pines. In this second book, CC de Poitiers is found electrocuted in the middle of a curling match. See what I mean about it being Canadian? The plot was great, and although I knew “whodunit “I enjoyed every minute of this book.

The Cruelest Month (Chief Inspector Gamache #3) by Louise Penny

The villagers of Three Pines decide to hold a seance in the old Hadley House. When one of the members dies of fright, Chief Inspector Gamache is called to investigate. This case causes him to look at his own past as well.

This is one of the books that you could read at any time if you don’t want to read the Louise Penny books in order.

A Rule Against Murder (Chief Inspector Gamache #4) by Louise Penny

Poor Armand Gamache can never have a relaxing vacation. He is away with Reine-Marie Gamache celebrating their anniversary when there is a murder. They are not far from Three Pines and his chase leads him there.

He is forced to look into his own life. I love how Penny gives us insight into Gamache’s past as well as his relationship with Reine-Marie. We also learn more about Jean-Guy Beauvoir, the second in command. The development of the characters is one of the things that makes this series so unique and the key reason why I suggest reading the Louise Penny books in order.

The Brutal Telling (Chief Inspector Gamache #5) by Louise Penny

In this installment of the Chief Inspector Gamache Series, Armand has been summoned back to Three Pines with his team after a man is found dead in the Bistro. The Bistro is a central hub in this little town and the descriptions of the food leave me so hungry.

It is clear that Olivier is holding onto secrets and not telling the truth and Gamache must determine if the lying is to cover up murder as well. The ending of this book is extremely important to understand the rest of the series and is another reason to read the Louise Penny Books in Order.

Bury Your Dead (Chief Inspector Gamache #6) by Louise Penny

This is the saddest book in the series and if you have not read any of the books in this series, do not start with this one! And if you are reading the Louise Penny books in order and have not read this, do not read the description!

Both Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir are on sick leave from the Surete after the events from the end of the last book and Olivier is in prison for murder.

A Trick of Light (Chief Inspector Gamache #7) by Louise Penny

Three Pines resident, Clara Morrow is celebrating her first solo art show when Lillian is found dead in her garden. Chief Inspector Armond Gamache is called to the small Quebec town to solve the murder.

Peter and Clara Morrow both seem to be appropriately disturbed by the murder but everything is not as it seems. Peter and Clara are. having marital problems to add to the stress. I love the characters in this series and hate some of them equally.

Beautiful Mystery (Chief Inspector Gamache #8) by Louise Penny

Kirsten and I both agree that this is by far our least favorite book in the Chief Inspector Gamache Series. However, even if you are not reading the Louise Penny books in order, the last few chapters of this book are absolutely critical for character development and understanding future books.

Jean-Guy Beauvoir has been having trouble since the shooting that nearly killed him, his marriage is a failure, and he is having severe PTSD. When he and Chief Inspector Gamache head to a monastery to investigate their choir director’s murder, things might all crumble to pieces.

How the Light Gets In (Chief Inspector Gamache #9) by Louise Penny

Gamache is battling those that want to destroy him in this book and Jean-Guy has not spoken to him in months. He is very happy to escape to Three Pines when Myrna Landers asks him for help. Her old friend has not shown up as expected and she is worried.

Each book pulls at my emotions because I am very invested in the characters and what happens to them. If you do not read the Louise Penny books in order, you may lose that extra something that makes these books one of a kind.

The Long Way Home (Chief Inspector Gamache #10) by Louise Penny

This is the last book the late Ralph Cosham narrated. He was a wonderful narrator who brought these stories to life. I have never physically read a single one because when I do, I hear Ralph’s voice in my head and it is not the same.

Gamache has finally been able to retire and he is living in Three Pines. He has found peace and comfort, even more so because Jean-Guy is healthy and happy.

Peter Morrow has not come home to Clara when he said he would and now Gamache is heading to find him. His search takes him out of Three Pines and into the world of art.

The Nature of the Beast (Chief Inspector Gamache #11) by Louise Penny

I absolutely love how Louise Penny takes urban myths that are strictly Canadian and incorporates them into her books. The series is only 14 books long, so I need to slow down! I read 10 last year and I am nearly caught up to her latest book.  It will be a challenge.  This is my favorite mystery series.

This is the first Louise Penny book that is narrated by Robert Bathurst. I was worried that I would not like a new voice for Gamache but, I loved his narration. If you are reading the Louise Penny books in order, will certainly notice a difference in the narration but, I assure you, it is still wonderful.

A Great Reckoning (Chief Inspector Gamache #12) by Louise Penny

Oh, how do I love Louise Penny….let me count the ways…..I LOVE her books.  The characters, the food, and Three Pines are such comforting reads for me.  She never disappoints me.  I have been trying to slow down so that I do not finish all the books before the next one comes out but, that is a lost cause.

The Chief Inspector has a new job and with it, a new murder to solve.  When one of the professors in the Surete Academy is found dead, Armand Gamache is at the center of an investigation.

Glass Houses (Chief Inspector Gamache #13) by Louise Penny

I cannot believe I am almost up to date on this series.  I love this series and I loved this book.  Each book is more complex and well thought out than the last. 

Gamache has depth to his character that is revealed in this book which is unexpected.  As an unknown figure shows up in Three Pines and stands without moving in the middle of the town, people become more unnerved.  When a body is discovered, secrets are revealed.  Meanwhile, the  Sûreté du Québec is under siege from drug cartels and losing the battle.

The Kingdom of the Blind (Chief Inspector Gamache #13) by Louise Penny

I love Louise Penny and this book is no exception.  The plot is always complex and the characters are beloved. When Armand Gamache receives a letter to go to an abandoned farmhouse, he learns that he is the executor of a will for someone he has never met. 

Meanwhile, Gamache is trying to track down the drugs that he let into the country before they are distributed and leading to hundreds if not thousands of deaths.  This book is another gem from Louise Penny.

A Better Man by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Gamache #15)

Louise Penny did it again! While not my favorite Chief Inspector Gamache, it’s still a fantastic read. This is book 15 in the series I believe and each of them is an absolute treasure.

Inspector Gamache is investigating a pregnant woman’s disappearance in this one while trying to help get a hold of the catastrophic situation occurring with an overflowing river. I like the story, but I guessed the ending of the murder mystery fairly early on in the book. I am so happy to be reading the Louse Penny books in order and cannot believe I have to wait another year for the next book.

All the Devils are Here by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Gamache #16)

I listened to it in less than a day.  I could not find a point to stop.  Robert Bathurst is a brilliant narrator and is the voice of Gamache.  So much so that I will not read this series, rather, I prefer to listen.  This is my favorite book in the series so far. 

I absolutely loved this book that takes place in Paris rather than in Three Pines.  The story kept me on my toes every minute and had me guessing to the very end. 

I love that we get to know Daniel, Gamache’s son, in a way that we have not in previous books.  If you are not familiar with the series, I suggest you start at number one, read the Louise Penny books in order, and pace yourself.  I tried to slow down but now I have to wait a year between books!

The Madness of Crowds (Chief Inspector Ganache #17) by Louise Penny

Just when I thought Louise Penny could not get any better, along came The Madness of Crowds. This is the first book I’ve read that addresses the pandemic and Penny did it perfectly. 

People have just started to re-emerge from lockdown when Gamache is asked to provide security at a statistics lecture. It seems harmless enough right?!  Wrong!

This book has all the people that you know and love from three pines with all the storytelling and tension I’ve come to love in this series! And I am so glad that I have read the Louise Penny books in order. It adds so much to the narrative,

As usual, Robert Bathurst nails the narration of the novel. This is truly a book series that audiobooks bring to life!

Thank you Macmillian Audio for my copy of this book. All opinions are my own.