The Black Wolf

A Novel

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Jean Brassard

The 20th mystery in the #1 New York Times-bestselling Armand Gamache series.

Somewhere out there, in the darkness, a black wolf is feeding.

Several weeks ago, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and his team uncovered and stopped a domestic terrorist attack in Montréal, arresting the person behind it. A man they called the Black Wolf.

But their relief is short-lived. In a sickening turn of events, Gamache has realized that plot, as horrific as it was, was just the beginning. Perhaps even a deliberate misdirection. One he fell into. Something deeper and darker, more damaging, is planned. Did he in fact arrest the Black Wolf, or are they still out there? Armand is appalled to think his mistake has allowed their conspiracy to grow, to gather supporters. To spread lies, manufacture enemies, and feed hatred and division.

Still recovering from wounds received in stopping the first attack, Armand is confined to the village of Three Pines, leading a covert investigation from there. He must be careful not to let the Black Wolf know he has recognized his mistake. In a quiet church basement, he and his senior agents Beauvoir and Lacoste, pore over what little evidence they have. Two notebooks. A few mysterious numbers on a tattered map of Québec. And a phrase repeated by the person they had called the Grey Wolf. A warning…

In a dry and parched land where there is no water.

Gamache and his small team of supporters realize that for the Black Wolf to have gotten this far, they must have powerful allies, in law enforcement, in industry, in organized crime, in the halls of government.

From the apparent peace of his little village, Gamache finds himself playing a lethal game of cat and mouse with an invisible foe who is gathering forces and preparing to strike.

"This Three Pines audiobook is narrated by Jean Brassard, whose exquisite Québécois accent nails the characters in Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache series...this is an impressive--and, happily, not final--addition to Penny's long-running Three Pines series." —AudioFile

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books

Critic reviews

“Penny’s talent for nail-biting suspense and quiet character moments fuse with surprisingly topical subject matter to deliver an unputdownable installment of an ever reliable series. Readers will cheer.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Penny is one hell of a writer: her novels... are tightly plotted and beautifully written. An absolute must read."—Booklist

"Uncannily prophetic..."—Kirkus Reviews

Very good; prefer previous reader

I understand the desire to change the reader to a Quebec native. The previous two readers were able to pull in and hold the listener. This reader has not quite captured the listener. But willing to continue giving a chance.

The story seemed to run in circles.

This story was way too confusing. I couldn’t keep track of the plot and the characters.

Go back to Three Pines

Clearly Louise is being influenced by her pal Hillary. Please take us back to Three Pines.

The truth of climate change

This book was fascinating and felt all too true in regard to how some are ignoring and denying that our world is headed for a crisis. It is so well researched and written that I couldn't stop listening. However, I wanted to go back to the early books that explored the characters of Three Pines...the books that made me laugh and cry and feel happy and satisfied when they ended. This one scared the merde out of me. It is too close to what is happening.

Unbelievably Complicated

The story was a continuation of The Gray Wolf which itself was complicated. Reading The Black Wolf required total recall of the earlier book which I didnt remember the details. Unlike many previous Louise Penny novels this one had lots of violence including gun fights. I hope the next book stays in Three Pines.