From Publishers Weekly
Penny's newest mystery returns to Three Pines, the bucolic but hardly idyllic hamlet south of Montreal where Inspector Gamache has his hands full contending with a pair of murders including that of a spiritual and domestic diva. Veteran reader Cosham isn't the best choice for this project, although his rich baritone voice can mesmerize listeners. The entire town plus the local office of the Sûreté de Québec is swept up in these murders, but unfortunately, the citizens all sound alike, as do Em, Kay and Mother, who are referred to as the Three Graces. Cosham's French is perfect, if a bit formal, but he uses the language spoken in Europe, not the Québécois dialect and pronunciation that would be used by the locals. His British accent is also a bit tony for this corner of Canada and its artistic but down-to-earth inhabitants. Despite the apparent miscasting, Cosham'space makes the witty narrative frothy and irresistible, like a good café au lait.
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From AudioFile
Murder and a deep-North white Christmas are spellbindingly woven into a captivating story of love, loss, and intrigue in a picturesque Canadian village. Ralph Cosham captivates us with his beautiful rendering of the distinctive French-Canadian lilt and his deftness with the ever-present Francophone/Anglo interplay that is a permanent subtext in all of bilingual Quebec. His artistry of voice also highlights the subtlety of humor sprinkled throughout this engaging little story. And he does all this magic with no voicing. I actually had to go back and re-listen to some after I finished to be sure--and to be honest, I'm still not absolutely certain. Among the best narrations I've experienced. M.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2008 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
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edition.