Book

All the Devils Are Here

📖 Overview

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache faces danger in Paris while visiting his adult children and his godfather, Stephen Horowitz. After Horowitz is deliberately struck by a vehicle, Gamache and his family begin investigating a web of long-buried secrets. The investigation leads Gamache through both the glittering streets of Paris and its shadowy underground networks. His son-in-law Jean-Guy Beauvoir assists from Montreal, uncovering connections between corporate intrigue and wartime history. The story examines the bonds between parents and children, the weight of family legacy, and the cost of uncovering truth. Through Gamache's pursuit of justice, Penny explores moral choices and the ripple effects of past actions across generations.

👀 Reviews

Readers call this one of the stronger entries in the Gamache series, appreciating the change of setting to Paris and the deeper exploration of family relationships. Many note the book offers insights into art, architecture, and French history while maintaining suspense. Readers liked: - The atmospheric Paris locations - Character development of Stephen Horowitz - Historical elements woven into the mystery - Balance of personal drama and investigation Common criticisms: - Slower pacing in the first third - Too many coincidences in the plot - Some found the conspiracy elements less believable than previous books Ratings: Goodreads: 4.33/5 (55,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (10,000+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings) Several readers noted it works as a standalone despite being book 16. One reviewer wrote: "The Paris setting breathes new life into the series while keeping what makes Gamache special - the focus on family, loyalty and moral choices."

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🤔 Interesting facts

🔍 This novel is the 16th installment in Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache series, but uniquely takes place in Paris instead of the usual Three Pines setting. 🎨 The book's title comes from William Shakespeare's "The Tempest": "Hell is empty, and all the devils are here." 🗼 Louise Penny spent significant time researching in Paris for this book, including exploring the archives of the École des Beaux-Arts, which features prominently in the story. 👨‍👦 The story explores the complex relationship between fathers and sons, inspired in part by Penny's own relationship with her stepson Michael. 🏆 The book debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list when it was released in September 2020 and won the Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel.