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The Madness of Crowds

On sale

24th August 2021

Price: £21.99

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Selected: Audiobook Downloadable / ISBN-13: 9781529379419

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The new book in the internationally bestselling Gamache series by ‘one of the greatest crime writers of our time’ (Denise Mina).

The incredible new book in Louise Penny’s #1 bestselling Chief Inspector Gamache series.

When Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is asked to provide crowd control at a statistics lecture given at the Université de l’Estrie in Quebec, he is dubious. Why ask the head of homicide to provide security for what sounds like a minor, even mundane lecture?

But dangerous ideas about who deserves to live in order for society to thrive are rapidly gaining popularity, fuelled by the research of the eminent Professor Abigail Robinson. Yet for every person seduced by her theories there is another who is horrified by them. When a murder is committed days after the lecture, it’s clear that within crowds can lie madness.

To uncover the truth, Gamache must put his own feelings about the divisive Professor to one side. But with her ideas gaining ground, the line separating good and evil, right and wrong, is quickly blurring – especially when the case leads unexpectedly close to home…
Includes a bonus conversation between the author and audiobook narrator Adam Sims.

(P) 2021 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd

Reviews

Denise Mina
Louise Penny is one of the greatest crime writers of our times
The Times
She makes most of her competitors seem like wannabes
New York Times
Gamache has become to Canada what Hercule Poirot is to Belgium
Elly Griffiths
No one does atmospheric quite like Louise Penny . . . a fantastic series
Peter James
Louise Penny's writing is intricate, beautiful and compelling. She is an original voice, a distillation of both PD James and Barbara Vine at their peaks and a worthy successor to both
Ann Cleeves
A cracking storyteller, who can create fascinating characters, a twisty plot and wonderful surprise endings
James Patterson
It's always a treat to spend a few days with Armand Gamache
Kate Mosse
[An] atmospheric, distinctive series
Metro
Penny's elegant style is deeply satisfying, while Gamache is contemplative even when under pressure, and remains a man you want to spend time with
Irish Times
Penny is an absolute joy
The Times
Penny is on peak form... The Madness of Crowds is a grown-up, timely thriller that considers the nature of cowardice - "there's no peace without courage" - and how to find and defend "that spot between freedom and safety
On Magazine
This is a book of great ideas and wonderful characters
Irish Independent
A satisfying and multi-layered mystery, the 17th in Penny's excellent series.
SHOTS
The Madness of Crowds is very much a book that will make you think.
Daily Mail
Enthralling...crime writing of the highest order