BookBrowse Reviews All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny

BookBrowse:

Louise Penny takes readers to Paris in her latest Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mystery, a novel with appeal for fans of the series and first-time readers alike.

In Louise Penny's All the Devils Are Here, the 16th book in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, readers find Gamache and his wife, Reine-Marie, in Paris for the imminent birth of their fourth grandchild. Celebrating with them are their two adult children and their spouses (all of whom are now living in France), as well as Gamache's godfather, 93-year-old billionaire Stephen Horowitz. Meeting Stephen in the garden of the Musée Rodin, Gamache is concerned by a few strange comments the elderly man makes, but decides they're simply age-related lapses. When Stephen is struck by a hit-and-run driver, though, Gamache becomes certain that his remarks were no accident — and neither was the attempt on his life. Leveraging his connections within the Paris police force, Gamache proceeds to delve into the mystery: What could Stephen possibly have been involved with that would incite someone to murder?

Penny's approach is tried and true — there's a reason there are 16 books in the series, after all. Slipping into an Inspector Gamache mystery can be like putting on a comfy sweater (in spite of the occasional dead body showing up), and this one's no different in that respect; it feels familiar and cozy, and devotees of the series won't be disappointed.

The novel is, however, a departure from the previous entries in a number of ways. First and most obvious is the fact that the book's setting is Paris, not Three Pines, Canada with its beloved quirky residents and isolated, old-fashioned ambiance. Some may find they miss the characters that are as much a part of the series as Gamache, but for these loyal readers the author throws in the occasional "Easter egg" — even Ruth Zardo's duck Rosa gets a mention. The move is a good one on Penny's part; fans are likely to work through any disappointment they feel in the omission, while those new to the series will find the simplification of the back story makes the book a much better entry point than most of her earlier works.

Another change is Penny's emphasis on Gamache's family. The author's mysteries have always been character-driven, but this is the first time the action has revolved so entirely around the Gamache clan. While Reine-Marie and Jean-Guy Beauvoir (Gamache's second-in-command and son-in-law) are staple characters in the other books, and the inspector's children Annie and Daniel have also made appearances, this is the first time that Gamache's relationships with family members — and with Daniel in particular — have played such a central, key part in the narrative. As a result of this and other plot elements, we learn much more about Gamache's past than has been revealed previously.

Last but not least among the book's differences is the faster tempo. Because the author doesn't have to spend a lot of time re-introducing her Three Pines characters, the novel's pacing is considerably tighter than in many of the other offerings in the series. The mystery that drives events becomes apparent early on, and some very entertaining action scenes make All the Devils Are Here more of a page-turner.

However, the novel does have its shortcomings. Gamache is, of course, always Gamache — too perfect, too likeable, too calm. Penny tries to combat this a bit by actually having him lose his polished façade once or twice over the course of the book, but generally he remains the stoic Chief Inspector and loving family man we've seen so often. Additionally, some aspects of the story seem unlikely. Gamache is permitted to take part in the investigation even though he's a close friend of the victim, never mind from another country and, as the plot thickens, a potential suspect. I found myself questioning if, in real life, professional courtesy would extend that far. Each member of Gamache's family is also put in the perfect position to aid him in his quest — they have the right contacts or professional access to critical information — which struck me as improbable. And finally, when all's said and done, I'm not sure I bought into various characters' motivations as they become apparent at the novel's denouement (the conclusion is rather complex, but that's not unusual for the series). While I couldn't completely overlook these complaints, overall I found that I didn't mind the book's failings, and I doubt that they'll concern the majority of Penny's readers.

All the Devils Are Here is a fun-filled, exciting read, perhaps Penny's best work to date and perfect escapism for mystery lovers. It's sure to please both the author's ardent fans as well as those new to the series.

This review was originally published in The BookBrowse Review in September 2020, and has been updated for the July 2021 edition. Click here to go to this issue.