Inspector Gamache books in order

Here are the Inspector Gamache books in order and where you can find them in an audiobook format.

Murder mysteries and suspense novels are always captivating and can entertain fans of almost any genre. And when it comes to mysteries and puzzles, few installments are as memorable as the Inspector Gamache book series by Louise Penny. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Agatha Christie and single-handedly reviving a beloved genre, Louise Penny puts her unique fingerprint on these modern classics.

Inspector Gamache Books from first to last (so far)

Here’s a look at the Louise Penny books in order.

Still Life

Published in 2005, Still Life is the first book in the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny. The Canadianinvestigator from Quebec City tries to solve the murder of dead professor Jane Neal in Three Pines, a place so unassuming, it doesn’t need a police force.

A Fatal Grace (also titled Dead Cold on Amazon)

The second book in the Chief Inspector Gamache series won Louise Penny the 2007 Agatha Award for Best Novel. The story follows the inspector’s attempt to solve the murder of CC De Poitiers, a woman electrocuted in the middle of a frozen lake under everyone’s eyes. But nothing is what it seems at the Old Hadley House.

The Cruelest Month

Courageous and intuitive Chief Inspector Gamache returns in The Cruelest Month. But as always, the villagers of Three Pines have many hidden relationships and secrets that can stand in his way. A supernatural murder at a séance might give the wise investigator a run for his money.

A Rule Against Murder (also available as The Murder Stone on Amazon Prime)

Chief Inspector Gamache has to unearth old secrets and understand the dynamic of different families and social classes at the Manoir Bellechasse to solve yet another murder. To make matters more challenging, the inspector must go into the darkest corners of his own life to find the culprit lurking in Three Pines.

The Brutal Telling

Released in 2009, The Brutal Telling follows the wise Chief Inspector chasing the murder of a complete stranger passing through Three Pines. But not everything is what it seems when Gamache uncovers holes in the stories of both suspects and witnesses.

Bury Your Dead

Not even being off duty can prevent Chief Inspector Armand Gamache from becoming wrapped up in another murder mystery at a winter carnival. This one hits even closer to home when the main suspect is Olivier, one of the inspector’s beloved friends.

The Hangman

The second Gamache book of 2010, The Hangman, offers a quick read for Louise Penny fans. A jogger finds a guest of the local spa hanging from a tree. In true Gamache fashion, the inspector follows the clues and looks into his own past for answers.

A Trick of the Light

This 2011 novel was a New York Times Notable Crime Book and Favorite Cozy. It tells the story of heartbreak, deception, secrets, and murder. Who else can solve the unnatural death of art critic Lillian Dyson if not Chief Inspector Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec?

The Beautiful Mystery

Chief Inspector Gamache must solve the murder of a famed choir director visiting an isolated monastery in the deep Quebec wilderness.

How the Light Gets In

Murder mysteries don’t take a break in Three Pines, even near Christmas. Gamache must solve the disappearance of one of the most well-known people in the world. If that wasn’t enough, a showdown with his son-in-law Jean-Guy complicates things.

The Long Way Home

This 2014 novel finds Armand Gamache as a former Chief Inspector. This time, Gamache and his loyal friends travel far from Three Pines to solve a troubling disappearance.

The Nature of the Beast

Ex-Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has retired with his wife, Reine-Marie, in Three Pines. But the disappearance of Laurent Lepage who always cried wolf troubles him deeply. The former detective can’t rest until he uncovers a grueling sequence of events and old secrets and teams up with local psychologist and bookstore owner Myrna Landers.

A Great Reckoning

A Great Reckoning quickly became a best-seller in print and e-book fiction categories in 2017. Armand Gamache navigates a series of shattering secrets, old friends, and adversaries. The former Chief follows a strange map to places he never wanted to visit. But the investigation takes a dramatic turn.

Glass Houses

The 13th Gamache novel takes an interesting approach to pursuing dark truths. Chief Superintendent Gamache must contend with the arrival of a mysterious figure. The wise Gamache must figure out how to settle an old debt.

Kingdom of the Blind

Named in a will – to his surprise – suspended Chief Inspector Gamache finds himself wrapped in an investigation into murder, drug cartels, and an opioid epidemic.

A Better Man

The 15th book in the Inspector Gamache series finds the wise investigator back as head of the homicide department. This time, the Chief Inspector must fight against media criticism and spring flooding to solve yet another murder.

All the Devils are Here

Gamache can’t catch a break even when visiting Paris and his godfather, billionaire Stephen Horowitz. After leaving a bistro, someone tries to kill Mr. Horowitz. But Gamache knows it wasn’t an accident. A strange mystery unfolds as Gamache uncovers dark family secrets in an attempt to find his godfather’s attacker.

The Madness of Crowds

A mundane protective detail assignment gives Chief Inspector Armand Gamache one of his greatest challenges. Blurring the line between good and evil and the madness of crowds doesn’t make it easier.

A World of Curiosities

A blast from the past and tragic memories of an almost-forgotten case give Chief Inspector Gamache another mystery to solve. But this one may have too many puzzles for the Chief to solve alone. He and his trusted second in command, Jean Guy Beauvoir, follow the clues.

About Louise Penny

Louise Penny lives a quiet life with her family in a small village south of Montreal. Unlike some mystery writers, Louise made her writing debut in the mid-40s. But that hasn’t stopped the author from publishing a new Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novel every year.

The author spent most of her career as a journalist at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. And her fans have the author’s husband to thank for encouraging her to write.

Louise Penny quickly became a bestselling author and a prominent figure in the murder mystery genre. Many say that she made Chief Inspector Armand Gamache as iconic for Canada as Hercule Poirot is for Belgium.

Moreover, the mystery novels inspired the Three Pines TV show starring Alfred Molina.

Listen to Inspector Gamache audiobooks on Speechify

If you don’t have time to read 18 books, there’s another way to experience the thrilling mysteries of Three Pines. The Speechify Audiobook service has a wide range of mystery titles, including Inspector Gamache audiobooks. You can listen to them at your own pace on multiple devices and immerse yourself in some of the best detective stories of the past two decades. Even better, you can get one free audiobook when you try Speechify for the first time.

FAQ

How many books are in the Three Pines series?

Louise Penny wrote 18 books for the Chief Inspector Gamache series.

Is the Inspector Gamache series over?

The Inspector Gamache series isn’t over. The 18th book launched in 2022.

When does a new Louise Penny book come out?

The author hasn’t released any information about the 19th installment in the series.