The Black Wolf

A Novel

The 20th mystery in the #1 New York Times-bestselling Armand Gamache series.

Somewhere out there, in the darkness, a black wolf is feeding.

Several weeks ago, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and his team uncovered and stopped a domestic terrorist attack in Montréal, arresting the person behind it. A man they called the Black Wolf.

But their relief is short-lived. In a sickening turn of events, Gamache has realized that plot, as horrific as it was, was just the beginning. Perhaps even a deliberate misdirection. One he fell into. Something deeper and darker, more damaging, is planned. Did he in fact arrest the Black Wolf, or are they still out there? Armand is appalled to think his mistake has allowed their conspiracy to grow, to gather supporters. To spread lies, manufacture enemies, and feed hatred and division.

Still recovering from wounds received in stopping the first attack, Armand is confined to the village of Three Pines, leading a covert investigation from there. He must be careful not to let the Black Wolf know he has recognized his mistake. In a quiet church basement, he and his senior agents Beauvoir and Lacoste, pore over what little evidence they have. Two notebooks. A few mysterious numbers on a tattered map of Québec. And a phrase repeated by the person they had called the Grey Wolf. A warning…

In a dry and parched land where there is no water.

Gamache and his small team of supporters realize that for the Black Wolf to have gotten this far, they must have powerful allies, in law enforcement, in industry, in organized crime, in the halls of government.

From the apparent peace of his little village, Gamache finds himself playing a lethal game of cat and mouse with an invisible foe who is gathering forces and preparing to strike.

"This Three Pines audiobook is narrated by Jean Brassard, whose exquisite Québécois accent nails the characters in Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache series...this is an impressive--and, happily, not final--addition to Penny's long-running Three Pines series." —Kirkus

"Series narrator [Jean] Brassard ably captures the tension and twists of the plot, and his rich, authentic Quebecois accent brings the characters and the Three Pines setting to life." — Library Journal

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Penny’s talent for nail-biting suspense and quiet character moments fuse with surprisingly topical subject matter to deliver an unputdownable installment of an ever reliable series. Readers will cheer.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Penny is one hell of a writer: her novels... are tightly plotted and beautifully written. An absolute must read."—Booklist

"Uncannily prophetic..."—Kirkus Reviews

Too political, too close to what's going on in the world today

I gave up watching the news quite awhile ago. The people in power are liars and guilty of everything they blame others for. I read novels for entertainment. This was too close to the truth. Never had to concern myself with whether or not Louise Penny's books were worth the time and money. They just were. I hope this was my least favorite. Don't want to find that I've committed to something like this again. Her standards were always right on the mark. Not so with this one. The world is becomming a dark place and is not entertaining at all.

What happened!?

I have been a Louise Penny fan for years and have listened to the series many times - both the writing and narration have been thoroughly enjoyable, until this book (and actually it was somewhat challenging in the last book as well). The narrator is incredibly difficult to follow - all the characters sound alike, making it a rather boring listen and easy to lose the plot. I had to re-listen to some sections as I was daydreaming. Add to this a plot that takes so many twists (some not very interesting) and I was finishing the book simply as a matter of pride, not of interest. I can appreciate not every book is going to be as enthralling as The Beautiful Mystery or The Brutal Telling, but I probably would not listen to this series if this had been book #1.

No more wolves please

This should be the last one, please. It’s gone from delightful observations of curious and complicated but charming people to dystopia. Done.

Not a fan of the last;2 books

I have really loved this series but the last 2 books have soured me, probably done with the series now.

Too much

I've read every one of this series and have to say this one was finally too much for me. Too busy. Too preachy. Too far-flung. Still great writing like no other, at times. And, I miss the former narrators! Jean Brassard has a lovely French accent, but many of the names sounded the same to this aged, US lifetimer.... except for Frank. Got that one! Anyway, I was so ready for this one to be over.