The Black Wolf

A Novel

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Jean Brassard

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

Critic reviews

“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

Very topical

I really like a more personal story than this saving the world from climate change. I read and hear enough about that in my news feeds and tv news. I like escapism and this story didn’t provide that. I love the Three Pines community. Not enough in this story for me. Still worth reading.

Hypocrisy

I love Louise Penny's books but this one was one big lecture. Woven throughout the story were ravings decrying about dark web posts and cult conspiracists who twist messaging to scare the public. All the while pushing a "sky is falling" climate change narrative and calling "unreasonable" those who believe that climate crisis is far from scientific fact.

First time disappointment

I very much miss all the characters that Louise Penny introduced us to so lovingly years ago. International conspiracies, whether real or imagined, between the US and Canada with not so subtle references to current political figures is better suited to another series with different characters. This book felt very clunky and forced. It seemed like the 3 Pines characters were just thrown in occasionally only to remind us that this is a Chief Inspector Gamache book. They did not add to the story nor further our understanding of them. I sincerely hope that Chief Inspector Gamache returns to solving murders and letting the readers spend more time with our friends in 3 Pines.

Good story with a lot of layers.

I like the story And I like the characters. Her characterization of climate change is absurd. The climate always changes and humans cannot change that. Do a little research over history and you will find the truth. Also inspector Gramache was a Catholic in the early books and it was aggravating to see her criticize the church and organized religion. You write a great story why don’t you just stick to that and leave out your politics.

Wow! Terrifyingly real…

This book is a continuation of the last book, The Grey Wolf. I decided to reread The Grey Wolf to remind myself of the story. While I think this book could have been a stand alone read, since Louise Penny always does such a great job of laying info to bring back the facts, I’m so glad I decided to read the last one. What a story! This book is a true nailbiter! The story could be pulled from our own US headlines and struck almost too close to home.
It was so lovely to be back in Three Pines among these beloved characters. It is not only a refuge for the characters, but for us readers too.
Also, the Narrator Jean Brassard is excellent; he is Gamache. And his handling of plays and quotes are priceless.
Another fantastic read; please keep ‘em coming, Louise!