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  • The Beautiful Mystery

  • A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel
  • Written by: Louise Penny
  • Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
  • Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (187 ratings)

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The Beautiful Mystery cover art

The Beautiful Mystery

Written by: Louise Penny
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
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Publisher's Summary

Audie Award Nominee, Mystery, 2013

The brilliant new novel in the New York Times best-selling series by Louise Penny, one of the most acclaimed crime writers of our time

No outsiders are ever admitted to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, hidden deep in the wilderness of Quebec, where two dozen cloistered monks live in peace and prayer. They grow vegetables, they tend chickens, they make chocolate. And they sing. Ironically, for a community that has taken a vow of silence, the monks have become world-famous for their glorious voices, raised in ancient chants whose effect on both singer and listener is so profound it is known as “the beautiful mystery.”

But when the renowned choir director is murdered, the lock on the monastery’s massive wooden door is drawn back to admit Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir of the Sûreté du Québec. There they discover disquiet beneath the silence, discord in the apparent harmony. One of the brothers, in this life of prayer and contemplation, has been contemplating murder. As the peace of the monastery crumbles, Gamache is forced to confront some of his own demons, as well as those roaming the remote corridors. Before finding the killer, before restoring peace, the Chief must first consider the divine, the human, and the cracks in between.

©2012 Three Pines Creations, Inc. (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about The Beautiful Mystery

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another great story and disappointing performance

Louise Penny's developement of plot and character are as wonderful as ever, but Mr Cosham's narration is even worse than in the book which proceeds this one. There is a repetitive cadence and rhythm which is both irritating and sedating. But the poor pronunciation of the French names and phrases is inexcusable. i basically skipped through this book to get a sense of the story, but could not enjoy it on any deep or engaged level.

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1 person found this helpful

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

PERFORMANCE

I have read and loved all of the Gamache series so decided to 'listen' to them all as well. Really enjoyed all the previous readings but by the end of this story and hearing Superintendent Francoeur's name pronounced horribly wrong, that's all I could focus on!! Could not believe that this was not picked up when someone 'edits' the reading! Hope this is not the same for the remainder of the series or I won't be listening to anymore. Extremely distracting! But I LOVE ALL THE BOOKS!!!!! Will definitely READ all the future ones!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Please learn correct pronunciation of names & words

As always I liked the story. As someone who was born and raised in Montreal the narrator’s pronunciation of certain words grated upon my ears. Superintendent Francoeur…pronounced with a “hard” c. The name is pronounced “Frankouer”.
Likewise, “maudit” is pronounced “mo-dee”, rather than “mo-dit” as the narrator assumed.
There may have been others but they slipped by. As Francouer was a key character in the story, the repetitive mispronunciation of his name was extremely annoying. The producers of these recordings should consult Quebecois for accuracy.
That aside, I love all the familiar phrases, place names and quirks of life in and around Montreal and Quebec.

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

Of Monks and Chants and mispronouced surnames.

So surprisingly different from other Gamaches! A refreshing incursion in the lesser-known world of secluded monks and gregorian chants, set in the breathtaking of Northern Québec wilderness. Very enjoyable! Except for the mispronunciation of the Sureté boss's name: Francoeur is pronounced FranKoeur, not FranSoeur! How annoying to hear that mistake repeated everytime the caracter is mentionned!! Please, if you keep the same reader for future books, do tell him to correct himself.

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

A new surprise for us

Another great story from Penny leaving us with much to anticipate in the next book!

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

In the beginning...

This was the first of the Gamache books that I had read, many years ago. Thoroughly enjoyed it then, and loved this audiobook version. I have gone back to the beginning, reading the series in order, and can say that knowing the background to the Gamache/Beauvoir relationship has only increased my appreciation for the author's extraordinary efforts.

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

Fabulous

Fabulous author! Intricately woven storylines and rich well developed characters. Love the voice of the narrator.

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

Interesting Story Line

I really enjoyed this booked but I missed my Three Pines characters and I found some sections extremely repetitive in what is the characters were thinking. I enjoyed it bit I was itching to get back to it the way I normally am.

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

The Beautiful Mystery

At first I didn’t enjoy this book as much as Louise Penny’s other Gamache novels, Listening to the narrator I also fell into an interpretation from another listener who did not appreciate Ralph Cosham’s voice. After time I totally disagreed, his voice is soft, it ebbs and flows as I have imagined Gamache’s voice. I also became absorbed by the book, as Louise Penny drew me in. I missed the usual characters from 3 Pines, but anticipate the continuing story and justice to come!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Miss Adam Sims

since i have experienced other Louise Penny books read by Adam Sims this narration was a let down. Still a good story.... but does not make me want to listen to rest of series now. Think I'll just buy the books from now on

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3 people found this helpful