The Madness of Crowds
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- Create Date：2021-08-17 21:21:09
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Louise Penny
- ISBN：B08TYBSPK8
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Summary
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache returns to Three Pines in #1 New York Times bestseller Louise Penny's latest spellbinding novel
You're a coward。
Time and again， as the New Year approaches， that charge is leveled against Armand Gamache。
It starts innocently enough。
While the residents of the Québec village of Three Pines take advantage of the deep snow to ski and toboggan， to drink hot chocolate in the bistro and share meals together， the Chief Inspector finds his holiday with his family interrupted by a simple request。
He's asked to provide security for what promises to be a non-event。 A visiting Professor of Statistics will be giving a lecture at the nearby university。
While he is perplexed as to why the head of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec would be assigned this task， it sounds easy enough。 That is until Gamache starts looking into Professor Abigail Robinson and discovers an agenda so repulsive he begs the university to cancel the lecture。
They refuse， citing academic freedom， and accuse Gamache of censorship and intellectual cowardice。 Before long， Professor Robinson's views start seeping into conversations。 Spreading and infecting。 So that truth and fact， reality and delusion are so confused it's near impossible to tell them apart。
Discussions become debates， debates become arguments， which turn into fights。 As sides are declared， a madness takes hold。
Abigail Robinson promises that， if they follow her， ça va bien aller。 All will be well。 But not， Gamache and his team know， for everyone。
When a murder is committed it falls to Armand Gamache， his second-in-command Jean-Guy Beauvoir， and their team to investigate the crime as well as this extraordinary popular delusion。
And the madness of crowds。
You're a coward。
Time and again， as the New Year approaches， that charge is leveled against Armand Gamache。
It starts innocently enough。
While the residents of the Québec village of Three Pines take advantage of the deep snow to ski and toboggan， to drink hot chocolate in the bistro and share meals together， the Chief Inspector finds his holiday with his family interrupted by a simple request。
He's asked to provide security for what promises to be a non-event。 A visiting Professor of Statistics will be giving a lecture at the nearby university。
While he is perplexed as to why the head of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec would be assigned this task， it sounds easy enough。 That is until Gamache starts looking into Professor Abigail Robinson and discovers an agenda so repulsive he begs the university to cancel the lecture。
They refuse， citing academic freedom， and accuse Gamache of censorship and intellectual cowardice。 Before long， Professor Robinson's views start seeping into conversations。 Spreading and infecting。 So that truth and fact， reality and delusion are so confused it's near impossible to tell them apart。
Discussions become debates， debates become arguments， which turn into fights。 As sides are declared， a madness takes hold。
Abigail Robinson promises that， if they follow her， ça va bien aller。 All will be well。 But not， Gamache and his team know， for everyone。
When a murder is committed it falls to Armand Gamache， his second-in-command Jean-Guy Beauvoir， and their team to investigate the crime as well as this extraordinary popular delusion。
And the madness of crowds。
Reviews
Holly
，
Although I was delighted to be back in Three Pines， this was a difficult read in some ways。 The long shadows of the pandemic and other "real world" issues presented in the text （as well as a few changes of phrase from her prior writing style？） kept me from the same sense of escapism I often enjoy with Gamache books。 It's still a good read。 It's just not near as comforting as some of the earlier texts。 Then again， most of my favorite Gamache novel is the darkest one until the climax and denouemen Although I was delighted to be back in Three Pines， this was a difficult read in some ways。 The long shadows of the pandemic and other "real world" issues presented in the text （as well as a few changes of phrase from her prior writing style？） kept me from the same sense of escapism I often enjoy with Gamache books。 It's still a good read。 It's just not near as comforting as some of the earlier texts。 Then again， most of my favorite Gamache novel is the darkest one until the climax and denouement。 。。。more
Lucy Dixon
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 The Madness of Crowds was a difficult book to read。 Not only for the subject matter but for the subplots that never quite congealed for me。 I know that Louise Penny is careful with her delivery but there was a least one major character whose purpose I’m still unsure of。 Perhaps as the pandemic rises to a 4th wave， it is still too soon to be inviting the virus into my home， even in print form。 I loved being back in Three Pines， especially in winter。 I can imagine that it is difficult to come up w The Madness of Crowds was a difficult book to read。 Not only for the subject matter but for the subplots that never quite congealed for me。 I know that Louise Penny is careful with her delivery but there was a least one major character whose purpose I’m still unsure of。 Perhaps as the pandemic rises to a 4th wave， it is still too soon to be inviting the virus into my home， even in print form。 I loved being back in Three Pines， especially in winter。 I can imagine that it is difficult to come up with new murder plots in the same setting， book after book。 However， Louise， we really just need to be among our friends in our favorite Canadian village。 Please continue。 Thank you to Minotaur Books and Goodreads for providing the ARC as an award。 。。。more
Candie
，
Just so good
Jacque
，
The Madness of Crowds describes so many illogical behaviors we currently see…the anti-vaxers， the antil-maskers， the denial of Covid’s existence or seriousness。 Gamache and family are back in Three Pines， but Gamache is asked to provide security for a speaker at a small nearby university。 The theory she espouses based on her statistical analysis is horrific， but is finding an increasingly fanatical following。 On the other side， is a group that hates her and her ideas。 Her statistics may be right The Madness of Crowds describes so many illogical behaviors we currently see…the anti-vaxers， the antil-maskers， the denial of Covid’s existence or seriousness。 Gamache and family are back in Three Pines， but Gamache is asked to provide security for a speaker at a small nearby university。 The theory she espouses based on her statistical analysis is horrific， but is finding an increasingly fanatical following。 On the other side， is a group that hates her and her ideas。 Her statistics may be right， but the conclusion is immoral。 The past influences the events of the present， and when a murder occurs in Three Pines， Gamache must uncover each layer of the past to make the necessary connections to discover the murderer。 Along the way， Jean-Guy must come to terms with his own feelings as the father of a child with Downs Syndrome。 I have enjoyed each of Penny’s books， and each one reaches deeper inside the reader for a response。 The Madness of Crowds certainly has food for thought， and the murder mystery itself was finely crafted as well。 I received a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways and have written an honest review。 。。。more
John Thurlbeck
，
Thank you， Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton， for an advance copy of The Madness of Crowds， the seventeenth novel to feature Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté de Quebec。 This was my first introduction to the work of Louise Penny， and I was not disappointed。The characters were strong and vibrant， and the storyline touched on susceptible topics without flinching or demurring。 That said， this was an intelligent， enjoyable murder mystery in the old-fashioned 'whodunnit' style， and one whic Thank you， Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton， for an advance copy of The Madness of Crowds， the seventeenth novel to feature Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté de Quebec。 This was my first introduction to the work of Louise Penny， and I was not disappointed。The characters were strong and vibrant， and the storyline touched on susceptible topics without flinching or demurring。 That said， this was an intelligent， enjoyable murder mystery in the old-fashioned 'whodunnit' style， and one which I enjoyed。 。。。more
Ormondebooks
，
Louise Penny’s highly anticipated #17 in the Chief Inspector Gamache series is set in a post pandemic world with people grappling to come to terms with the new normal。 A visiting professor who supports eugenics is giving a controversial lecture in a local university and Gamache and his team have been tasked with providing security。 Her divisive claims on the position of the sick and the elderly in society are gaining momentum。 When a murder takes place on New Year’s Eve， Gamache enters a maelstr Louise Penny’s highly anticipated #17 in the Chief Inspector Gamache series is set in a post pandemic world with people grappling to come to terms with the new normal。 A visiting professor who supports eugenics is giving a controversial lecture in a local university and Gamache and his team have been tasked with providing security。 Her divisive claims on the position of the sick and the elderly in society are gaining momentum。 When a murder takes place on New Year’s Eve， Gamache enters a maelstrom of emotive debates on the morality of murder。I was a bit underwhelmed by the novel。 Penny got too caught up in the big themes， such as so-called experts making spurious claims based on non-scientific information and the story itself suffered as a consequence。 The pace was too slow and the novel should have been 100 pages shorter。 I also thought the inclusion of Nobel Peace Prize nominee Haniya in the small village of Three Pines pushed the boundaries of credibility somewhat。 A disappointing novel and I hope #18 reverts back to a more traditional Penny style。Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the advance copy of this book， in return for my very honest opinion。 。。。more
Miki Jacobs
，
This is my first experience of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete。 However I didn't feel as though I should have read the other books to understand the backstories of the characters in this story。Armand is asked to supervise the security of a lecture taking place at the local university。 The person giving the lecture is a statistician who has come to a post pandemic conclusion that those with less than a fighting chance should either be aborted before birth or euthanized when they beco This is my first experience of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete。 However I didn't feel as though I should have read the other books to understand the backstories of the characters in this story。Armand is asked to supervise the security of a lecture taking place at the local university。 The person giving the lecture is a statistician who has come to a post pandemic conclusion that those with less than a fighting chance should either be aborted before birth or euthanized when they become a drain on the strained financial systems。 Obviously this has cause feelings to run deep and when there is an attempt on her life， it makes the threat even more controversial。For some reason the statistician is invited to stay in Three Pines where Armand and his family live。 She turns up at the village New Year's Eve party and after the fireworks a body is discovered。It's down to Armand and his team to dig deep and find out why this person was killed， but also to delve in the past and discover a Canadian horror show that one of the residents had been involved in。I really enjoyed this book。 。。。more
Jkegger
，
After reading the seventeenth of this series I am still loving these books。 I look forward to each new one。 I happened to win this book on a Goodreads giveaway which made it even more special 。 All the characters of Three Pines are so much fun to know！
Carol
，
I received an advice copy of this book through a GoodReads give away。 I am a big fan of Louise Penny's Gamache series。 I loved book 17 for a few reasons。 First of all， Gamache is one of my favorite fictional characters。 The side characters are very well developed and have a fun， caring dynamic amongst them which is endearing。 The storyline of The Madness of Crowds is very timely as it speaks of how ideas can become a contagion when framed in a way that feeds on fear。 I always enjoy Louise Penny' I received an advice copy of this book through a GoodReads give away。 I am a big fan of Louise Penny's Gamache series。 I loved book 17 for a few reasons。 First of all， Gamache is one of my favorite fictional characters。 The side characters are very well developed and have a fun， caring dynamic amongst them which is endearing。 The storyline of The Madness of Crowds is very timely as it speaks of how ideas can become a contagion when framed in a way that feeds on fear。 I always enjoy Louise Penny's writing but I especially enjoyed the intricacies of this book as it pulled in aspects of the pandemic but also the horrors that occur in Sudan which are events that have gone on for much longer than the current virus， and yet those horrible acts are still allowed to go on。 If you are a fan of the Gamache series， I think you will enjoy the latest installment。 If you haven't read this series， I suggest you start at the beginning and take your time enjoying every one of these books。 。。。more
Vanice
，
I won an ARC of The Madness of Crowds in a Goods Reads giveaway。This episode is set post-pandemic back in Three Pines。 It’s so interesting to read about the world after when we’re still not out of the woods quite yet。 It’s also wonderful to be back in the Village with Clara， Myrna， Ruth and Rosa and the boys at the Bistro。 Back with Henri， Fred and Gracie。 It feels like a post-pandemic meetup。Gamache is at home with his family and extended family when he gets a call to work security for a statis I won an ARC of The Madness of Crowds in a Goods Reads giveaway。This episode is set post-pandemic back in Three Pines。 It’s so interesting to read about the world after when we’re still not out of the woods quite yet。 It’s also wonderful to be back in the Village with Clara， Myrna， Ruth and Rosa and the boys at the Bistro。 Back with Henri， Fred and Gracie。 It feels like a post-pandemic meetup。Gamache is at home with his family and extended family when he gets a call to work security for a statistics professor scheduled to give a talk at a local college during the week between Christmas and New Years。 The professor studies pandemic statistics and proposes an immoral solution for a path forward。 “Professor Robinson was revealing， not creating the anger。” Her appearance brings trouble and eventually another murder to Three Pines。Once again Gamache proves “It isn’t what you look at but what you see。” Gamache， Beauvoir and Lacoste connect past crimes and shames to reveal present truth。 The Madness of Crowds warmly celebrates community， holidays， family， the snow and the Canadian cold。 Hot chocolate is a recurring theme。 It’s good to spend time in the company of friends again。 。。。more
Susan
，
Louise Penny has done it again … and her characters are back in Three Pines。 Bias alert: I am the grandmother of a child with Down syndrome so the subject matter was especially relevant and emotional for me。 Statistics with dangerous non scientific conclusions make a large statement。 A great group of characters， including some timely and temporary ones， add what we expect from this author。
Jemima Pett
，
The Madness of Crowds is full of apt quotations， partly because Chief Inspector Gamache is prone to quoting them。 It contains plenty more phrases for others to quote。 The one that showed me that the author really knew what is going on in today's society。"It's about what happens when fear and gullibility meet greed and power。"Louise Penny describes the madness of crowds brilliantly。 The opening mob event which turns nasty， to protectionist stances taken by people who won't consider any views than The Madness of Crowds is full of apt quotations， partly because Chief Inspector Gamache is prone to quoting them。 It contains plenty more phrases for others to quote。 The one that showed me that the author really knew what is going on in today's society。"It's about what happens when fear and gullibility meet greed and power。"Louise Penny describes the madness of crowds brilliantly。 The opening mob event which turns nasty， to protectionist stances taken by people who won't consider any views than their own。 Plus the dangers of our governments taking recommendations without fully understanding the consequences。 Throughout her narrative she is fully aware of the humanity that underpins our society， which is under so much threat from ignorance and power。Despite sounding like it could be a heavy tome， this is a fast-paced， fascinating jigsaw of a crime thriller。 It takes a psychological approach， but is not a psychological thriller。 There are so many twists， turns， options and scenarios， that even I had three versions in my head at once。 It kept me up till 2 a。m。 demanding me to read to the end。 It wasn't easy jumping into a series this far on， but it didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the plot。 Warning: this is a post-Covid narrative。 I suspect the author wrote most of it before the end of restrictions in Canada。 It includes accurate， and distressing， description of heinous research Ewan Cameron carried out in the 1950/60s。 It also discusses the Harold Shipman murders in the UK。 。。。more
Tiffany
，
I received an advanced readers copy of this book at the very end of July。 I had won it from a goodreads giveaway。 I was so excited to start it so I dove right in。I have loved this series since I first found it and while some books I favor over others they have all been good。 This book was great。 I loved the setting and being back in Three Pines。 It kept me guessing right until the end。 I couldn't put the book down。 Here it is 3:15am and I finished it because going to bed was not an option。 Mrs。 I received an advanced readers copy of this book at the very end of July。 I had won it from a goodreads giveaway。 I was so excited to start it so I dove right in。I have loved this series since I first found it and while some books I favor over others they have all been good。 This book was great。 I loved the setting and being back in Three Pines。 It kept me guessing right until the end。 I couldn't put the book down。 Here it is 3:15am and I finished it because going to bed was not an option。 Mrs。 Penny is an excellent writer and you really feel like you're in the story。 Keeping the reader engrossed。 You can see the scenes she's setting。 I am very thankful to have won the giveaway for this book。 。。。more
Kathy
，
Another great book by Louise Penny。 I was fortunate enough to have won an advance copy through one of the Goodreads giveaways and finished it in 2 days。 Lots of twists and turns。 Set in the aftermath of the pandemic， it reflects on some choices people face in today's world and the moral context of their choices。 Another great book by Louise Penny。 I was fortunate enough to have won an advance copy through one of the Goodreads giveaways and finished it in 2 days。 Lots of twists and turns。 Set in the aftermath of the pandemic， it reflects on some choices people face in today's world and the moral context of their choices。 。。。more
Cindy
，
First， thank you to the author and MinotaurBooks for the winning advance copy of this book。 The characters and plot are well established。 The story has the style we know and enjoy of Louise Penny。 Suspense， action， and thrill are all there。 The book keeps you in suspense。 I enjoyed the book。 @Minotaur Books
Jackie Robins
，
I could not stop reading this book because I loved it so much but I wish I had read it slower because now I have to wait another year。 Every book that Louise Penny writes with these amazing characters makes me love them more。 The characters are deep and flawed which makes them so relatable。 This is the first book that I’ve read that touches on the pandemic and it was done in a brilliant way。 Recovery from the pandemic and allocation of resources is the key component of a statisticians model to r I could not stop reading this book because I loved it so much but I wish I had read it slower because now I have to wait another year。 Every book that Louise Penny writes with these amazing characters makes me love them more。 The characters are deep and flawed which makes them so relatable。 This is the first book that I’ve read that touches on the pandemic and it was done in a brilliant way。 Recovery from the pandemic and allocation of resources is the key component of a statisticians model to recovery。 Her controversial ideas eventually that lead to murder。 Thank you Macmillian audio for my copy of this book。 Robert Bathurst is Brilliant as Chief Inspector Gamache。 I have read one physical copy of this series because I hear Robert’s Bathurst’s voice in my head as the Chief Inspector。 I need to listen to these！ 。。。more
Lynda
，
This is the 17th book in the Armand Gamache series but the first I’ve read。 It’s a brilliantly written book set at Christmas time in post-Covid Three Pines， Quebec， Canada。 The characterisations are excellent and the plot is well thought out， although I thought it was a slow burner。 Briefly， Gamache is called away from his family to take charge of an event with visiting controversial lecturer Professor Abigail Robinson。 Her extreme views about how things should change post pandemic are savage， a This is the 17th book in the Armand Gamache series but the first I’ve read。 It’s a brilliantly written book set at Christmas time in post-Covid Three Pines， Quebec， Canada。 The characterisations are excellent and the plot is well thought out， although I thought it was a slow burner。 Briefly， Gamache is called away from his family to take charge of an event with visiting controversial lecturer Professor Abigail Robinson。 Her extreme views about how things should change post pandemic are savage， and to many despicable， but she has her followers who agree with her unpleasant ideals。 Ideas that cause discussions - arguments - fights - the madness of crowds。 When a murder is committed on New Years Eve Gamache， his number two， Beauvoir， and the team set out to solve it。 But with a growing group of suspects and possible targets can they prevent further murders？ The plot is quite intricate and the author leads you down a number of paths。 There is a lot of discussion， in fact much of the book is narrative with little action。 There are also some strange characters。 I don’t know if it would have helped to have read the previous books as at times I felt I was missing something。 That said overall I did enjoy the book and would give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My thanks to NetGalley， Hodder & Stoughton and the author for an e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Terry Earley
，
recommended audiobook 7-27-2021
Cathi
，
As always I love this book just like the series。
Anne Szlachcic
，
This is my first book by this Author - the book makes several mentions of past incidences which would make reading the previous books to better set the characters in place 。Set in post pandemic Canada where statistics are being used to set the agenda of survival - Inspector Armand Gamache protects lives when shots are fired at a talk by controversial Professor Abigail Robinson 。 But when shortly afterwards ， on New Year's eve ， a friend of Abigail's is murdered is it a case of mistaken identity？ This is my first book by this Author - the book makes several mentions of past incidences which would make reading the previous books to better set the characters in place 。Set in post pandemic Canada where statistics are being used to set the agenda of survival - Inspector Armand Gamache protects lives when shots are fired at a talk by controversial Professor Abigail Robinson 。 But when shortly afterwards ， on New Year's eve ， a friend of Abigail's is murdered is it a case of mistaken identity？With many suspects in the pot Inspector Gamache has plenty to choose from - are there links to a series of deaths in the past ， will more deaths be forthcoming ？This is a fast paced thriller ， with many twists and turns which I thoroughly enjoyed 。I will certainly be reading the previous books in the series 。I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book。 All thoughts and opinions are my own。 。。。more
Ampersand Inc。
，
Saffron （5/5）:So I say this every time， each new book I read of hers is better than the last one。 In this book she deals with issues of free speech， racism and inequity all in the context of a darn good mystery。 This is the first book I have read that is set post pandemic and it is a part of the story; the impact it has had on individuals and society at large。Laureen （5/5）:Louise Penny never seems to disappoint her readers。 Chief Inspector Gimache is back in Three Pines in this novel。 Its settin Saffron （5/5）:So I say this every time， each new book I read of hers is better than the last one。 In this book she deals with issues of free speech， racism and inequity all in the context of a darn good mystery。 This is the first book I have read that is set post pandemic and it is a part of the story; the impact it has had on individuals and society at large。Laureen （5/5）:Louise Penny never seems to disappoint her readers。 Chief Inspector Gimache is back in Three Pines in this novel。 Its setting is post pandemic and eugenics is the subject at hand， as well as a murder， or two， of course！ This story is filled with tension and emotions as we see how Gimache and his team must protect a lecturer who supports eugenics - not knowing Gimache's granddaughter has Down Syndrome。 。。。more
Barbara
，
We are back in Three Pines post pandemic with the usual cast of characters。
Lisa Wright
，
Set post-pandemic， Gamache is tasked with protecting a woman with abhorrent views of how Canada can recover。 It seems there is， and has always been， plenty of inhumane humanity around。 Penny is particularly good at bringing uncomfortable thoughts to mind and showing how the unthinkable can be made to seem reasonable。Another solid， satisfying entry in the Three Pines series。 Bravo！
Barbara
，
Louise Penny does it once again， offers the reader a whole lot to think about in the form of an intriguing mystery。 I love this series！
Ann Girdharry
，
I am an absolute fan of Louise Penny and was looking forward to reading this one。 It did not disappoint （though I don't think it was as good as the previous book， All the Devils are Here）。 In this story， we are in a post-covid world where people are struggling with the aftermath of the pandemic。 Armand and his team find themselves protecting a controversial lecturer。 When the murders start， it's impossible to know why they are happening and the killer is， of course， elusive。 There's the lovely b I am an absolute fan of Louise Penny and was looking forward to reading this one。 It did not disappoint （though I don't think it was as good as the previous book， All the Devils are Here）。 In this story， we are in a post-covid world where people are struggling with the aftermath of the pandemic。 Armand and his team find themselves protecting a controversial lecturer。 When the murders start， it's impossible to know why they are happening and the killer is， of course， elusive。 There's the lovely backdrop of Christmas celebrations in Three Pines。 The team struggle to contain the ever growing circle of suspects and potential targets。 Armand's family are pulled in to this one， which I liked ， nd one of his grandchildren is at risk。 The author makes wonderful links with the crimes and Gamache's personal feelings for his family members， and his beloved friends。 People take sides， either agreeing or disagreeing with the lecturer's extreme ideas。 There's a dark secret from the past which gets thrown in to muddy the waters。 Beauvoir's loyalties are tested。 Overall， this is another great read with an original plot。 My only small dislike was the addition of one too many crazy characters。 。。。more
Claire
，
This was such an intelligent enjoyable murder mystery with many philosophical debates at its heart。 This is the 17th novel in the series about Chief Inspector Armand Gamache but the first one I had ever read。 I felt I could read it as a standalone but I enjoyed it so much I'd like to read the others in the series。Set in Quebec， Canada， just after Christmas， in the village of Three Pines a talk by a controversial Professor of Statistics， Abigail Robinson， at a local university really pushes Gamac This was such an intelligent enjoyable murder mystery with many philosophical debates at its heart。 This is the 17th novel in the series about Chief Inspector Armand Gamache but the first one I had ever read。 I felt I could read it as a standalone but I enjoyed it so much I'd like to read the others in the series。Set in Quebec， Canada， just after Christmas， in the village of Three Pines a talk by a controversial Professor of Statistics， Abigail Robinson， at a local university really pushes Gamache to question everything he believes in。 The pandemic has ended and no one has been left untouched by the isolaton， fear and death due to Covid。 The pandemic is dealt with really well not sentimental or placing blame just exploring peoples reaction to the aftermath。 Robinson has very controversial views and the novel explores the question of free speech， morality， the role of the police， disability， fatherhood and trauma。 Gamache is a really good character and I enjoyed his internal crisis as he tries to solve a crime and recognise his bias and emotions。 I could not put this novel down。Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review 。。。more
Elaine Tomasso
，
I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of The Madness of Crowds， the seventeenth novel to feature Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté de Quebec。Gamache is asked to provide security at a lecture by statistics professor Abigail Robinson。 “Why？” he wonders until he learns what she will be discussing， an idea that is gaining support all the time， that society cannot financially support all its inhabitants and the logical conclusion to that conundrum。 A fe I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of The Madness of Crowds， the seventeenth novel to feature Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté de Quebec。Gamache is asked to provide security at a lecture by statistics professor Abigail Robinson。 “Why？” he wonders until he learns what she will be discussing， an idea that is gaining support all the time， that society cannot financially support all its inhabitants and the logical conclusion to that conundrum。 A few days later a body is found and Gamache has to investigate the strong feelings Abigail Robinson and her feelings evoke。I thoroughly enjoyed The Madness of Crowds， which is an engrossing and thought provoking read with plenty of permutations。 To be honest， not much happens in the novel， there is a crowd disturbance at the lecture， a murder and a tense denouement and， yet， I couldn’t put it down because it’s all about the personalities， human nature and more broadly humanity。 I found it riveting because the author has a keen eye for people and a strong understanding of what makes them tick so， time after time I was captivated by her acute observations and apt applications。The title refers to a book that tries to explain mass delusion and how obvious falsehoods or faulty reasoning become accepted as truth in certain segments of the population， no matter how outrageous。 The obvious example in real time is American politics， but here the author uses forced euthanasia and eugenics as her example， inspired， no doubt， by the madness of herd immunity theory。 Abigail Robinson’s theories provoke a wider debate in the novel about death， murder， unforced euthanasia and family love。 It’s fascinating and made me really think about it， offering so much more to the debate than I had ever thought of。That’s the background that informs the plot， which， at a basic level， consists of interviews， theorising about who had a motive and uncovering a good few secrets about a monstrous event in Canada’s past。 I had no idea who the killer was， couldn’t hazard a guess and was totally hooked on every twist and turn。 I loved The Madness of Crowds for the way it made me think and the way it delivers some universal truths。 I don’t feel that I have done justice to the way the author effortlessly links her novel to real life while making it fun with her quirky characters and the village that doesn’t appear on maps。 I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read。 。。。more
Mary Louise
，
I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again- If Louise Penny writes it， I’ll read it （and love it）， and if Three Pines was real， I’d move there in a heartbeat。
Misfits farm
，
When a statistician is giving a lecture at a hall in a village outside Quebec， the last thing the police expect is trouble。 However the speaker has a theory about post covid and has been stirring up feelings- social media as ever spreads things even quicker than a virus。 The police limit the number of people and everyone is searched so how on earth did firecrackers and a gun get into the hall and having been fired narrowly miss the target- the speaker herself？ Chief Inspector Armand Gamache was When a statistician is giving a lecture at a hall in a village outside Quebec， the last thing the police expect is trouble。 However the speaker has a theory about post covid and has been stirring up feelings- social media as ever spreads things even quicker than a virus。 The police limit the number of people and everyone is searched so how on earth did firecrackers and a gun get into the hall and having been fired narrowly miss the target- the speaker herself？ Chief Inspector Armand Gamache was at the scene- something everyone thought would be a non event which they tried to cancel beforehand to no avail。 Three pines village has a distinguished visitor- a nobel peace prize winner- but Haniya has a very hard side to her as well as the saintly side， having endured much in her short life。 This is brilliantly written and a page turner。 Much is narrative rather than action but done to keep the reader's interest and the pages turning easily。 Although one of a series， -this is number 17-this does stand alone （ I hadn’t read the others）。 To write a novel about post covid is a brave and interesting scenario when we are just coming out of it in reality and the world is a different place for all sorts of reasons， some of which is reflected in the book- of people's mindsets etc。 A clever concept and one very well executed。 One to keep the grey matter active and wonder about the madness of crowds。 。。。more
Nimalee Ravi
，
First novel I read by this author and I really enjoyed the whodunit mystery。 I loved the setting Three Pined and the community。 I liked the character Ms Penny and her little jokes。 This was a great read of murder and mayhem。 I will continue to read the series in order。 Really enjoyable read。
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Madness of Crowds
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Madness of Crowds&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Madness of Crowds&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0