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One of my favourite book series is Louise Penny’s “Armand Gamache” series. The setting of the small village of Three Pines and its residents is exceptional. The Grey Wolf is the 19th novel in the series and this audiobook has a new narrator — Jean Brassard. As with the previous narrators, Brassard, who is an actor and singer from Quebec, does an excellent job reading Penny’s story.

This latest novel involves a murder and a threat that would have catastrophic consequences, prompting Armand Gamache, head of homicide at the Sûreté, and his team to search for and find the threat before it can be put into action. Dealing with the threat is made more difficult as Gamache was informed the��Sûreté may be compromised.

For those who prefer to read this book, there is a hardcover edition published by Minotaur Books (2024, 421 pages, ISBN: 9781250328137).

‘The More the Terrier’ (audiobook)

• David Rosenfelt, read by Grover Gardner
• Macmillan Audio
• 2024, 6 CDs (6.5 hours)
• ISBN: 9781250354150

I always look forward to the next book in David Rosenfelt’s “Andy Carpenter Mystery” series — particularly the audiobook edition expertly read by Grover Gardner.

“The More the Terrier” is the 30th book in the series and sees perpetually almost-retired defence attorney Andy Carpenter return home after a family vacation in the Adirondacks. But his vacation comes to a disturbing end when he returns home to find one of his former foster dogs, Murphy, at his house. Andy then learns the man who adopted Murphy has been arrested for murder. This is a case that won’t be easy to win, but Andy is a good lawyer and Christmas miracles can happen!

This fun, cosy mystery is also available in a hardcover edition from Minotaur Books (2024, 297 pages, ISBN: 9781250324542).

‘Trouble Island’

• Sharon Short
• Minotaur Books
• 2024, 328 pages
• ISBN: 9781250292841

Inspired by true events, “Trouble Island” is a gripping historical novel set in 1931 on an island in Lake Erie. According to the author, the inspiration for the island in the book is Middle Island in Lake Erie — “the southernmost point of land in Canada.”

Rosita McGee owns Trouble Island and the mansion that sits on it. She is also married to Eddie McGee, a ruthless prohibition gangster. Staying on the island with Rosita is her servant, Aurelia Escalante, among others. Things become tense when Eddie and his guests visit the island just before the lake freezes over. When Rosita and one of the bodyguards are found murdered, everyone on the island is in danger as they try to figure out who the killer among them is.

A fascinating setting and the fact that the story is based on true events make Trouble Island an interesting read.

‘The Mirror: The Lost Bride Trilogy (audiobook, Book 2)’

• Nora Roberts, read by Brittany Pressley
• Macmillan Audio
• 2024, 12 CDs (14 hours)
• ISBN: 9781250354280

I enjoyed listening to the first book — “Inheritance” — in this trilogy and the second book — “The Mirror” — is also entertaining. “The Mirror” continues the story of Sonya MacTavish inheriting a Victorian mansion on the coast of Maine — a mansion that is haunted! When Sonya enters an antique mirror, this portal to the past allows her to see a bride murdered on her wedding day. The violent act is part of a centuries-old curse, which must be broken and Sonya needs to figure out how to achieve this — and soon.

The “Lost Bride Trilogy” is a fun series for fans of Nora Roberts and those who like a little paranormal with their novels. This audiobook provides 14 hours of listening entertainment and I’m looking forward to the third book in the trilogy — “The Seven Rings” — due to be published in 2025.