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The Brutal Telling
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The Brutal Telling Paperback - 2010

by Louise Penny

As families prepare to head back to the city and children say goodbye to summer, a stranger is found murdered in the village bistro and antiques store. Once again, Chief Inspector Gamache and his team are called in to strip back layers of lies.


About this book

Louise Penny conceived the idea for "The Brutal Telling" while contemplating the intricacies of human nature and the capacity for brutality. Originally, Penny considered the title "The Broken Mirror" to capture the shattered illusions and hidden truths explored in the novel. However, after much consideration, she settled on the evocative and thought-provoking title "The Brutal Telling," which encapsulates the essence of the book's exploration of secrets and their consequences.

The cover art plays a significant role in capturing the essence of a book. For the original hardcover edition, published by Minotaur Books, the cover design featured a mysterious and atmospheric depiction of a woodland scene, shrouded in shadow and foreboding. The image expertly conveyed the dark and suspenseful nature of the story within.

Upon its release, "The Brutal Telling" garnered widespread critical acclaim. Reviewers praised Louise Penny's skillful storytelling, her ability to create intricate plots, and the emotional depth of her characters. The novel's exploration of themes such as betrayal, redemption, and the darkness that can reside within people received high praise. Critics lauded Penny's ability to weave together multiple storylines seamlessly, creating a compelling and immersive reading experience.

"The Brutal Telling" achieved notable success in terms of sales. It quickly climbed bestseller lists, capturing the attention of both devoted fans of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series and new readers alike. The book's gripping narrative and Penny's growing reputation as a master of crime fiction contributed to its strong sales figures.

The literary world recognized the exceptional quality of "The Brutal Telling" through various awards and accolades. In 2009, the novel received the prestigious Agatha Award for Best Novel, solidifying Penny's place among the top authors in the genre. The recognition further heightened the book's visibility and increased its sales and popularity.


From the publisher

The wise and beleaguered Chief Inspector Armand Gamache returns to Three Pines for the fifth book in Louise Penny's award-winning and critically revered mystery series Chaos is coming, old son. With those words the peace of Three Pines is shattered. Everybody goes to Olivier's Bistro--including a stranger whose murdered body is found on the floor. When Chief Inspector Gamache is called to investigate, he is dismayed to discover that Olivier's story is full of holes. Why are his fingerprints all over the cabin that's uncovered deep in the wilderness, with priceless antiques and the dead man's blood? And what other secrets and layers of lies are buried in the seemingly idyllic village? Gamache follows a trail of clues and treasures--from first editions of Charlotte's Web and Jane Eyre to a spiderweb with a word mysteriously woven in it--into the woods and across the continent, before returning to Three Pines to confront the truth and the final, brutal telling.

Details

  • Title The Brutal Telling
  • Author Louise Penny
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 400
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Minotaur Books, New York
  • Date 2010-08-31
  • ISBN 9780312661687 / 0312661681
  • Weight 0.81 lbs (0.37 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.72 x 5.26 x 1.06 in (22.15 x 13.36 x 2.69 cm)
  • Themes
    • Cultural Region: British
    • Cultural Region: Canadian
    • Geographic Orientation: Quebec
  • Library of Congress subjects Mystery fiction, Murder - Investigation
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

About the author

LOUISE PENNY is the author of the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling series of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. She has won numerous awards, including a CWA Dagger and the Agatha Award (five times), and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. In 2017, she received the Order of Canada "for her contribution to Canadian culture." Louise lives in a small village south of Montral.
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Brutal Telling, The
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Brutal Telling, The

by Penny, Louise

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The Brutal Telling: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, 5)
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The Brutal Telling: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, 5)

by Penny, Louise

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Brutal Telling, The
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Brutal Telling, The

by Penny, Louise

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The Brutal Telling: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, 5)
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by Penny, Louise

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The Brutal Telling: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, 5)

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