Preview
  • How the Light Gets In

  • A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, Book 9
  • By: Louise Penny
  • Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
  • Length: 15 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (6,445 ratings)

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How the Light Gets In

By: Louise Penny
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
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Publisher's summary

How the Light Gets In is the ninth Chief Inspector Gamache Novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny.

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

Christmas is approaching, and in Québec it's a time of dazzling snowfalls, bright lights, and gatherings with friends in front of blazing hearths. But shadows are falling on the usually festive season for Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. Most of his best agents have left the Homicide Department, his old friend and lieutenant Jean-Guy Beauvoir hasn't spoken to him in months, and hostile forces are lining up against him. When Gamache receives a message from Myrna Landers that a longtime friend has failed to arrive for Christmas in the village of Three Pines, he welcomes the chance to get away from the city. Mystified by Myrna's reluctance to reveal her friend's name, Gamache soon discovers the missing woman was once one of the most famous people not just in North America, but in the world, and now goes unrecognized by virtually everyone except the mad, brilliant poet Ruth Zardo.

As events come to a head, Gamache is drawn ever deeper into the world of Three Pines. Increasingly, he is not only investigating the disappearance of Myrna's friend but also seeking a safe place for himself and his still-loyal colleagues. Is there peace to be found even in Three Pines, and at what cost to Gamache and the people he holds dear?

One of Publishers Weekly's Best Mystery/Thriller Books of 2013
One of
The Washington Post's Top 10 Books of the Year
An NPR Best Book of 2013

©2013 Three Pines Creations, Inc. (P)2013 Macmillan Audio
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Critic reviews

“Louise Penny's Three Pines mysteries are eminently satisfying due to their imaginative variety. The stories include scenes of Montreal sophistication and gritty crime contrasted with the idyllic setting of Three Pines. There's also literary appeal, quirky humor, and – let's not forget – murder.” —AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award Winner

“Penny writes engagingly whether you're reading her books or listening to them. An argument for the latter is that her characters – not the least being Gamache, the gentle, brilliant, introspective and beleaguered head of the Surete division – are enriched beyond description through the distinctive voice of reader Ralph Cosham” —The Star-Ledger

"Narrator Ralph Cosham moves seamlessly from character to character, adding depth to each; his narration, coupled with a suspenseful writing style, make for edge-of-your-seat listening. Highly recommended for series devotees or fans of literary mysteries.” —Library Journal, starred review

Featured Article: Best Mystery Series—Listens That'll Take You Right to the Crime Scene


While a standalone mystery is great when you're in the mood for a one-and-done, sometimes you want to feed your craving with an entire mystery series—knowing there's a world and characters you can keep coming back to for the satisfaction of solving crimes. With audiobooks, you get the added bonus of sinking deeper into the setting, clues, and suspects as the story is performed for you, so you'll feel like you're alongside detectives, ready to bust a case.

What listeners say about How the Light Gets In

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A treat in every way

These books are both amazingly different and deeply familiar to read, like being told the stories in one’s own family. A treat.

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Louise penny is great!!

I have loved all these books!! The narration is perfect. Bringing to life amazing characters.

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The best book in Gamache series so far

Wow! I always listen to books doing something else (running, driving). But last hour of this installment was the first which forced me to switch off the lights and just listen to it sitting in a chair. You have to know all previous books to fully appreciate the characters development. But it is worth it. I think the story is funny, captivating, clever, serious, touching, surreal and many things more. And I love Ralph’s voice! Well done Louise Penny! I hope one day someone will make another TV series using all these books. Current one is not able to capture all the poetics present here and it is modified to much. The only sad thing is, that this is last good 3 Pines book for me. Author switched to autopilot after this and Ralph died shortly after recording next installment. So, please, treasure these first 9 books with Ralph’s voice for next generations!

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Excellent development of the different plots!

There was a lot happening in “How the Light Gets In!” Multiple plots were intertwined, and I loved how they were developed and held a grip on your wanting to solve the mysteries and multiple murders! So happy that the 40+ year old crime ring of the Chief Superintendent was finally brought down!

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the characters are dimensional and believable.

I have grown to love the interpretation of the reader and feel he has become the character of Armand Gamache

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Goodness and evil

The character development and the struggles Beauvoir had with his addiction. How this was used to control him. The contrast between goodness and evil.

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Penny is Perfect!

This book was downloaded to my Kindle the same day it was available. I couldn't wait and am always sorry when they end. The setting is charming, the characters are realistic, story enthralling and Ralph Cosham is fantastic. I must add my agreement to other readers, listen to the series in order. This series is a gift you can give to yourself. I loved it!

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3 people found this helpful

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Look... Here's the deal

Louise Penny may well be the best writer of modern detective novels... Ever. I have read all of her work... Incredible.

Don't hesitate for a second to jump in with number one and work your way up.

I am not thrilled with the reader, but the quality of the writing overcomes all... Even him.

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2 people found this helpful

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Couldn’t stop listening!

I love the Inspector Gamache series, and there hasn’t been a single book that I didn’t find 100% worth the read. But this one—this one tugged at my heart the whole way through, and I couldn’t stand not knowing what would happen! It was beautifully written. It had me crying and literally standing up and cheering in my living room at 3am while my whole family was sleeping. I can’t think of a better review than that!

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Best of the series!

I love this series, but this book was my favorite by far. Couldn’t turn it off!

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