Inspector Gamache is a series of whodunit mystery novels by Canadian author Louise Penny, featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. The series is set in Quebec and Gamache works for the Sûreté du Québec, where he heads the homicide department. The series features unconventional murders, a long list of suspects, plenty of red herrings and dramatic endings. The series is also known as the Three Pines Mysteries.

Louise Penny started her literary career with the first novel in the Inspector Gamache series, Still Life, in 2005. Below is a list of all of Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache books in order of when they were originally released (which is also their chronological order):

Get notified when Louise Penny releases a new book at BookNotification.com.

Publication Order of Inspector Gamache Books

Still Life(2005)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Dead Cold / A Fatal Grace(2006)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Cruellest Month(2007)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Rule Against Murder / The Murder Stone(2008)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Brutal Telling(2009)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Bury Your Dead(2010)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Trick of the Light(2011)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Beautiful Mystery(2012)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
How the Light Gets In(2013)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Long Way Home(2014)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Nature of the Beast(2015)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Great Reckoning(2016)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Glass Houses(2017)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Kingdom of the Blind(2018)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Better Man(2019)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
All the Devils Are Here(2020)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Madness of Crowds(2021)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A World of Curiosities(2022)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Grey Wolf(2024)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Notes: Dead Cold was also published as A Fatal Grace. A Rule Against Murder was also titled The Murder Stone.

If You Like Inspector Armand Gamache Books, You’ll Love…

Order of Books » Characters » Order of Inspector Gamache Books

21 Responses to “Order of Inspector Gamache Books”

  1. JOSEPHINE ANNE: 2 years ago

    I have just finished reading “the Long Way Home” and the first Chapter of “A great Reckoning “was included at the end. Noe I discover that “The nature of the Beast” comes before it? Can you explain please…which to read next?

    Reply

    • Graeme: 2 years ago

      Hi Josephine – The Nature of the Beast is 100% the next book to read after The Long Way Home. Perhaps it was a reprint you read that was giving a preview for her latest book? Either way The Nature of the Beast is up next for you 🙂

      Reply

  2. Barbara Estinson: 3 years ago

    Which book is the one set in a monastery? I thought it was very good.

    Reply

    • Laura: 3 years ago

      The Beautiful Mystery! My favourite.

      Reply

    • RosaLee: 3 years ago

      I love the series. I don’t read in order and love every one.

      Reply

  3. Eileen Carman: 5 years ago

    Thanks for publishing this list of Louise Penny books. Now I can get the sequence correct. I check out the audio versions from my favorite library, Coronado, California, in the city where I am employed. They make the evening shift pass more quickly. And I really enjoy the voice actors doing every different voice that Ms. Penny writes in.

    One of my absolute favorite characters is Ruth Zardo, such a crusty old lady!

    Reply

  4. Donna Tanzer: 5 years ago

    Those reading the books in order should also realize that The Hangman is a novella written for “emerging adult readers” as a contribution to a literacy project. I can’t begin to say how much my admiration for Louise Penny (whose books I already loved) grew when I learned this. But there are not references to other books nor are there the French phrases to which most of us have grown to enjoy. As an educator, I still do plan to read The Hangman, but it’s good to know I can go right into A Trick of the Light without waiting for The Hangman (which has limited availability).

    Reply

  5. Rick Smith: 7 years ago

    My daughter recommended this series to me about two years ago. I’m a stickler for reading series in the order published, so immediately picked up “Still Life”. Hooked right from the beginning. I read a lot, finished up the series to #11 within months and was anxiously awaiting the next and the next. Ms Penny is working on the next novel, though currently struggling with the passing of her husband. I will pre-order as soon as I can. Beautifully written and brilliant character studies, sprinkled with ‘life in Quebec’.

    Reply

  6. JudyEgen: 8 years ago

    I have read the series from the beginning and always, always, pick up the next. Truly recommend that they be read in order. The development of the characters (really interesting people) is essential to the plot of each novel.

    Reply

  7. Karen McKim-Altman: 8 years ago

    i just finished today “The Brutal Telling” – what a book!

    Reply

  8. rosalie: 9 years ago

    Are there any more Inspector Gamache Books coming out?

    Reply

    • Brandon: 9 years ago

      The Nature of the Beast on August 25th.

      Reply

      • rosalie: 9 years ago

        Thank you…I’ll be watching for it! Enjoy these books so much!

        Reply

  9. CanvasPainter: 9 years ago

    It’s a bummer that I just spent $200 on the Gamache series to learn there are repeats with different titles.

    Reply

    • Brandon: 9 years ago

      It is… If you bought them through Amazon, they have a good returns policy.

      Reply

    • kate sarginson: 8 years ago

      You have to watch that. I am fond of UK mysteries and find that when they come to North America they change the titles also. I find that if I check on Goodreads.com or Amazon and check out the plots I find the ones that have different titles. I found this out after I searched high and low for a book and then found I had read it under another title.

      Reply

  10. Leslie McIlrath: 10 years ago

    I am reading “Rule Against Murder” now. I don’t see it on the list.

    Reply

    • Brandon: 10 years ago

      It’s also known as The Murder Stone.

      Reply

      • Leslie McIlrath: 10 years ago

        Thanks so much!!

        Reply

  11. Carolyn Savage: 10 years ago

    I just found this series and love it. Thanks for your information about these other books.

    Reply

  12. Brandon: 11 years ago

    Thank you, Raquel. I’ll do my best to have the list corrected.

    Reply

Leave a Reply