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  • The Madness of Crowds

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Louise Penny
  • Narrated by: Robert Bathurst
  • Length: 14 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (403 ratings)

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The Madness of Crowds

Written by: Louise Penny
Narrated by: Robert Bathurst
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Publisher's Summary

"...listeners will be able to sense the benevolent heart and soul of a careful investigator amidst choices that cause deadly consequences." (Booklist)

"Robert Bathurst's narration is calm, collected, and earnest, reflecting the blend of emotion and professionalism that Gamache embodies as an investigator. It's perfect for listeners seeking both captivating intrigue and insightful reflection." (BookPage)

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache returns to Three Pines in number one New York Times best seller Louise Penny's latest spellbinding novel.

You’re a coward.

Time and again, as the New Year approaches, that charge is leveled against Armand Gamache.

It starts innocently enough.

While the residents of the Québec village of Three Pines take advantage of the deep snow to ski and toboggan, to drink hot chocolate in the bistro and share meals together, the Chief Inspector finds his holiday with his family interrupted by a simple request.

He’s asked to provide security for what promises to be a non-event. A visiting Professor of Statistics will be giving a lecture at the nearby university.

While he is perplexed as to why the head of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec would be assigned this task, it sounds easy enough. That is until Gamache starts looking into Professor Abigail Robinson and discovers an agenda so repulsive he begs the university to cancel the lecture.

They refuse, citing academic freedom, and accuse Gamache of censorship and intellectual cowardice. Before long, Professor Robinson’s views start seeping into conversations. Spreading and infecting. So that truth and fact, reality and delusion are so confused it’s near impossible to tell them apart.

Discussions become debates, debates become arguments, which turn into fights. As sides are declared, a madness takes hold.

Abigail Robinson promises that, if they follow her, ça va bien aller. All will be well. But not, Gamache and his team know, for everyone.

When a murder is committed it falls to Armand Gamache, his second-in-command Jean-Guy Beauvoir, and their team to investigate the crime as well as this extraordinary popular delusion.

And the madness of crowds.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books

©2021 Louise Penny (P)2021 Macmillan Audio
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What listeners say about The Madness of Crowds

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Too much filler

Louise Penny has the best characters so I keep reading her books. this one had a lot of filler and made me think she had to pad it to reach a required length. She needs a better editor or needs to listen to one that she has to avoid annoying her readers with sappy idyllic descriptions of Three Pines and repetitious review of the different murder theories.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The Madness of Crowds

I feel this is the best In the series! Kept me guessing throughout. Louise Penny never disappoints.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Listened to this one Twice!

This book was so good and well layered in its story telling, I listened to it twice.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Spellbinding and suspenseful!

Loved every minute of this well-written exciting and intriguing book. I highly recommend it. Thank you again Louise Penny.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Love this

Very uptodate story dealing with complex issues that we all should contemplate.
However a murder mystery none the lesd

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great mysteries investigated in small-town Quebec

Great mysteries investigated in a small, wintery town in Quebec, with lovely characters who have found a way to live together. I found this one quite emotional.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Disappointed

Too much repetition and as always narrator doesn’t make the effort to speak French correctly.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Never disappointed

The only problem with Louise Penny books is that they are so good you can't stop and it's over too fast!

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Penny has written post COVID mystery both intriguing and entertaining

This book moves forward with the delightful inhabitants of Three Pines and the aftermath of a post COVID world and also introduces the reader to new characters into Three Pines. The who done it aspect is still strong and keeps you guessing. A great book .
Robert Bathurst gives a remarkable performance. His voice brings the characters alive without being over the top. I will again by the hardcover book after listening to the audible version so I can read them again.

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Better than a week’s vacation!

I loved all of it. Louise Penny is one of my favourite authors.

I am not even French but love the Three Pine stories, feels like a home to me.

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