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The Madness of Crowds

Chief Inspector Gamache/Three Pines, Book 17

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The Madness of Crowds

By: Louise Penny
Narrated by: Adam Sims
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Summary

 The new book in the internationally bestselling Gamache series by 'one of the greatest crime writers of our time' (Denise Mina).

The incredible new book in Louise Penny's #1 bestselling Chief Inspector Gamache series.

When Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is asked to provide crowd control at a statistics lecture given at the Université de l'Estrie in Quebec, he is dubious. Why ask the head of homicide to provide security for what sounds like a minor, even mundane lecture?

But dangerous ideas about who deserves to live in order for society to thrive are rapidly gaining popularity, fuelled by the research of the eminent Professor Abigail Robinson. Yet for every person seduced by her theories there is another who is horrified by them. When a murder is committed days after the lecture, it's clear that within crowds can lie madness.

To uncover the truth, Gamache must put his own feelings about the divisive Professor to one side. But with her ideas gaining ground, the line separating good and evil, right and wrong, is quickly blurring - especially when the case leads unexpectedly close to home...
Includes a bonus conversation between the author and audiobook narrator Adam Sims.

(P) 2021 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd©2021 Louise Penny Crime Crime Thrillers Fiction Genre Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Politics & Government Small Town & Rural Thriller & Suspense Thriller Suspense Murder
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Critic reviews

Penny is on peak form... The Madness of Crowds is a grown-up, timely thriller that considers the nature of cowardice - "there's no peace without courage" - and how to find and defend "that spot between freedom and safety
The Madness of Crowds is very much a book that will make you think.
A satisfying and multi-layered mystery, the 17th in Penny's excellent series.
This is a book of great ideas and wonderful characters
Louise Penny is one of the greatest crime writers of our times (Denise Mina)
She makes most of her competitors seem like wannabes
Gamache has become to Canada what Hercule Poirot is to Belgium
No one does atmospheric quite like Louise Penny . . . a fantastic series (Elly Griffiths)
Louise Penny's writing is intricate, beautiful and compelling. She is an original voice, a distillation of both PD James and Barbara Vine at their peaks and a worthy successor to both (Peter James)
A cracking storyteller, who can create fascinating characters, a twisty plot and wonderful surprise endings (Ann Cleeves)
It's always a treat to spend a few days with Armand Gamache (James Patterson)
[An] atmospheric, distinctive series (Kate Mosse)
Penny's elegant style is deeply satisfying, while Gamache is contemplative even when under pressure, and remains a man you want to spend time with
Penny is an absolute joy
Enthralling...crime writing of the highest order
All stars
Most relevant
I have read all the Inspector Gamache novels so diving into book 17 was like returning to visit with a beloved and trusted friend. As always Louise Penny conjures a fictitious world that is firmly located in the contemporary one. I laughed often, became angry and cried. I thought about the issues and broke away several times to research some aspect or other. Of course the book works as a stand alone, but the nuances contained within the relationships of the characters, that have sometimes been hard won in previous books, adds another layer of understanding. Starting from book 1 is definitely worth it.
At the end of the book in audible is an hour long interview between Louise and Adam Simms, well worth a listen.

Swept along from first word to last

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There is not one Louse Penny book read by Adam Sims that I can find fault with, the Madness of Crowds is no exception. His interpretation of Ruth (& her duck) is just perfect and my attention is held from beginning to end.
Highly recommended

A perfect listen

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it's is a great book, but darker then most in the series, and darker still if your a parent.
overall a good listen

darker then most

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This is only the second time that I have given a Louise Penny less than 5 stars. I loved being back in three pines with the comfort of"old friends" however the story was not multi layered as her best ones are

A bit thin

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Absolutely fantastic. It’s a must read. A book for today. I don’t want to say anything about the book because the reader must discover for themselves about how it will affect you.

So Relevent

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