The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny

Opening a book to Three Pines is like visiting with old friends. When those characters come to life through audio, you feel surrounded by their essence and a part of their world.

Listeners/readers can return to Three Pines with the release of author Louise Penny’s latest Chief Inspector Gamache novel, THE NATURE OF THE BEAST.

Narrator Robert Bathrust becomes the voices of the eclectic residents of Three Pines taking over for the late Ralph Cosham who passed away late last year. Bathrust does a fine job of giving his own take on the numerous dwellers in Three Pines. His mannerisms and cadence works well portraying the varying emotions of the story.

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his wife, Reine-Marie, have retired to Three Pines for peace and quiet. But when a young local boy is murdered, the residents soon realize his tall tale of a huge gun and a monster in the woods could be true. The boy who cried wolf so many times finally told the truth and it cost him his life.

As Gamache aids Jean-Guy Beauvoir and Isabelle Lacoste in looking deeper into the boy’s death, another resident is killed. Are the two deaths related and which of the Three Pines residents is hiding a long-kept dark secret that could destroy the peaceful little town?

Penny skillfully weaves bits of history and lore into this mesmerizing thriller. Her almost hypnotic writing technique lures listeners/readers in and holds them spellbound until the end. The story moves at a steady pace blending information from several directions as it comes to a heart-pounding conclusion.

Through Penny’s rich descriptions and vivid details, listeners/readers are absorbed into the quaint village. The characters, well-developed and realistic, are likable. The close-knit feeling of the sleepy little town washes over you.

While the story gives you a sense of friendship and belonging, it is also filled with suspense and foreboding dread. This spine-tingling thriller will keep you guessing and wondering.

THE NATURE OF THE BEAST shows the residents of Three Pines aren’t isolated from the world of danger and terror as they had hoped. An enthralling mystery with worldwide connections of mass destruction.

The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny, Chief Inspector Gamache Series (Book #11), Narrated by Robert Bathrust, Macmillan Audio, @2015, ASIN: BOOXZ13TO4, Unabridged, Run Time: 12 Hours and 41 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I have read a number of reviews saying this was not one of Penny’s best stories and some saying it’s not her usual style, but I found it to be quite good. I try to appreciate the book for what it has to offer and not compare it so much to previous installments as long as there isn’t a huge difference in the style and characters. Are you a fan of Three Pines and its residents? If so, do you like the fact that Gamache is retired?

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