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  • A World of Curiosities

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Louise Penny
  • Narrated by: Robert Bathurst
  • Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (418 ratings)

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A World of Curiosities

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

"Robert Bathurst performs this 18th Inspector Gamache mystery with the assurance of one who knows the village of Three Pines and its (mostly) gentle residents well....fans are in for a treat."—AudioFile Magazine (Earphones Award Winner)

"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 in the eighteenth book in #1 New York Times bestseller Louise Penny's beloved series.

It’s spring and Three Pines is reemerging after the harsh winter. But not everything buried should come alive again. Not everything lying dormant should reemerge.

But something has.

As the villagers prepare for a special celebration, Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir find themselves increasingly worried. A young man and woman have reappeared in the Sûreté du Québec investigators’ lives after many years. The two were young children when their troubled mother was murdered, leaving them damaged, shattered. Now they’ve arrived in the village of Three Pines.

But to what end?

Gamache and Beauvoir’s memories of that tragic case, the one that first brought them together, come rushing back. Did their mother’s murder hurt them beyond repair? Have those terrible wounds, buried for decades, festered and are now about to erupt?

As Chief Inspector Gamache works to uncover answers, his alarm grows when a letter written by a long dead stone mason is discovered. In it the man describes his terror when bricking up an attic room somewhere in the village. Every word of the 160-year-old letter is filled with dread. When the room is found, the villagers decide to open it up.

As the bricks are removed, Gamache, Beauvoir and the villagers discover a world of curiosities. But the head of homicide soon realizes there’s more in that room than meets the eye. There are puzzles within puzzles, and hidden messages warning of mayhem and revenge.

In unsealing that room, an old enemy is released into their world. Into their lives. And into the very heart of Armand Gamache’s home.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.

©2022 Louise Penny (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

What the critics say

2022, Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year, Long-listed

2022, Washington Post Best Books of the Year, Long-listed

2022, The Guardian (UK) Best Books of the Year, Long-listed

2022, Library Journal Best Books of the Year, Long-listed

“Virtuoso… blends nuanced characterization with nail-biting suspense…This tale of forgiveness and redemption will resonate with many. ” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

What listeners say about A World of Curiosities

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Such imagination!

Loved it! Great story , it takes alot of imagination to write such a story. l am all ready impatient for the next book.

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Excellent

I have read all of the books in this series and this was the best. It brought forth so many elements from past stories and they were woven in seamlessly. Also, I don’t tear up often but in one scene (which I won’t give away…no spoilers here) I definitely did. Louise Penny at her best.

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Great

I loved it. It surprised me in great ways. It exposed me to an art work I had never heard of but will now explore. It touched my heart.

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wonderful

I could barely stop listening. the story was so captivating. the narration perfect. I can barely wait to start her next novel.

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One of the Best in the Series

Louise Penny always lives up to my expectations. Great plot and character development. Twists and turns to the very end. Excellent mystery with lots of humanity. Can’t wait for the next book!!

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Spellbinding

This author is remarkable in her skill of uncovering the relatable human flaws and victories. She bundles the whole human condition into a spellbinding, Canadian and remarkable murder mystery.

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Amazing book brillianty read

Thank you Louise Penny. I was carried away from the minute I started listening to Robert Bathurst. What a story.

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Perhaps her best yet.

The complex but quite plausible plot was told in a way that kept the suspense building throughout. Brava, Louise. As usual, Robert Bathurst did a magnificent job voicing the many characters.

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One of Penny’s Best

I have listened or read all of Louise Penny’s previous Gamache novels twice. This is now one of my favourites.

We encounter many of our most beloved characters in the present, and even get some time in a bit prequel to the series.

I couldn’t be happier.

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As always, Louise penny has outdone herself once again.

Louise penny‘s books are like coming home to a well loved family and comfortable place. I’ve read all of her books and wait impatiently for the next one.

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