Preview
  • A Rule Against Murder

  • A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel
  • By: Louise Penny
  • Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
  • Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (5,006 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

A Rule Against Murder

By: Louise Penny
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.24

Buy for $20.24

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Louise Penny comes a riveting new audiobook.

"What happened here last night isn't allowed," said Madame Dubois.
It was such an extraordinary thing to say it stopped the ravenous Inspector Beauvoir from taking another bite of his roast beef on baguette.
"You have a rule against murder?" he asked.
"I do. When my husband and I bought the Bellechasse we made a pact.... Everything that stepped foot on this land would be safe."

It is the height of summer, and Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache are celebrating their wedding anniversary at Manoir Bellechasse, an isolated, luxurious inn not far from the village of Three Pines. But they're not alone. The Finney family - rich, cultured, and respectable - has also arrived for a celebration of their own.

The beautiful Manoir Bellechasse might be surrounded by nature, but there is something unnatural looming. As the heat rises and the humidity closes in, some surprising guests turn up at the family reunion, and a terrible summer storm leaves behind a dead body. It is up to Chief Inspector Gamache to unearth secrets long buried and hatreds hidden behind polite smiles. The chase takes him to Three Pines, into the dark corners of his own life, and finally to a harrowing climax in A Rule Against Murder.

Grab your headphones and dive into the latest thrilling audiobook from Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache series.

©2008 Louise Penny (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"Celebrated British narrator and actor Ralph Cosham brings this wonderful murder mystery to life and draws in listeners with his charisma...Cosham's characters are refreshingly original and never overplayed, and the Old World quality of his voice invokes radio murder mysteries from decades past, creating an endlessly entertaining listening experience." ( Publishers Weekly)

Featured Article: The top 100 series of all time


The feeling of discovering that your favorite new listen is actually the start of a series is euphoric. That you can immediately hit play and re-enter a beloved new world, or love story, or era from history is a gift to the devoted listener. But how to pick just 100 of these unique and immersive listening journeys? We defined a series as having a minimum of three books, and—after some debate—we decided the titles had to be anchored in fiction. From YA to horror to historical fiction, from fresh voices to seminal tales, hours of discovery await.

What listeners say about A Rule Against Murder

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,815
  • 4 Stars
    962
  • 3 Stars
    184
  • 2 Stars
    28
  • 1 Stars
    17
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,893
  • 4 Stars
    479
  • 3 Stars
    76
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    7
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,254
  • 4 Stars
    918
  • 3 Stars
    214
  • 2 Stars
    30
  • 1 Stars
    10

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gamache gets better and better

The development of the characters just sweetens these books, and the vocal performance is amazing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Seemed to me to be a little different

I have read several Chief Inspector Gamashe Novels. This seemed to me to be a little different. The setting was different and the characters and how the author handled them where different. I enjoyed the book but it took me a little longer to get into this one for some reason.

It is well worth reading, and Ralph Cosham does is usual very good job of presenting the book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Magical Forest

This book reminds me of the magical truth forest in Shakespeare's Midsummer's Night Dream. These books don't have the feel of murder mysteries may be because the author slips in hard truths. Dr. T.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love the character development

I love this story. It is well written with a riveting plot. The development of the characters is my favorite part of the story. The relationships grow throughout the book. Excellent!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love me some Inspector Gamache

This title is a surprise: it doesn't begin with a crime, but Gamache on a get-away weekend for his wedding anniversary vacation. It all unravels in the woods, and is marvelous. Louise Penny is an amazing author, and Ralph Cosham... IS Gamache. This series is a pleasure

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Descriptions draw you in!

Having read this book several years ago, I was delighted to see it available on Audible. The narration is perfection. I want to go to the Manoir!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Favorite!

I'm in love with the series and this book is my favorite thus far. The narrator is great and Ms. Penny continues to provide depth in these characters! Love this book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love this author!

I can never figure out the murder! Louise Penny keeps you reading( listening!) part love story full on murder mystery

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I love this series. It gets better with each new!

What interests me most- and keeps me coming back for more - is the detailed backstory woven into the murder mystery. The fact that profanity, horror scenes, and vivid sex scenes are absent are all pluses! Louise Penny's talents lie in how she weaves the story, drawing the reader into the network of Three Pines residents and the Inspector 's mind.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully, Beautifully Written

This is a masterful mystery - stunningly narrated!

You sense a distinct sense of place,
as well as of tension from the first syllable.

The characters are insightfully and wonderfully revealed.

This is a beautifully, beautifully written book. Ms. Penny is a gorgeous author!

I had no idea who the “culprit” was until the very end.

What a complete pleasure it was to listen to this terrific book! I did not want it to be over…

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!