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bloo_0's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Animal death
bibliomania_express's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny is the third Armand Gamache book. In this one, secrets, grudges, and betrayals play into both storylines. A death at a séance appears to be caused by fright. Meanwhile, newspaper stories attacking Gamache and his family put pressure on the Inspector.
I had a hard time getting into this book. Part of that is the writing style. There's something about Penny's prose that rings weird to me. Perhaps it's the Quebecois sentiment. But I find the way the POV changes and the narrative style hard to immerse myself in.
The other thing I noticed is how much pettiness and mean-spiritedness comes up in the internal thoughts of almost every character except Gamache. I feel like I'm supposed to like the Three Pines townsfolk, but I don't. Same goes for Beauvoir.
I do think Penny does a great job tracing motivations and grudges, and not letting us get complacent about any of the reoccuring characters. I also liked that clues about the murder case twisted into the overarching plot, and vice versa.
I have more books in this series, so I'll probably read the next one, but I'm running out of steam a bit.
I had a hard time getting into this book. Part of that is the writing style. There's something about Penny's prose that rings weird to me. Perhaps it's the Quebecois sentiment. But I find the way the POV changes and the narrative style hard to immerse myself in.
The other thing I noticed is how much pettiness and mean-spiritedness comes up in the internal thoughts of almost every character except Gamache. I feel like I'm supposed to like the Three Pines townsfolk, but I don't. Same goes for Beauvoir.
I do think Penny does a great job tracing motivations and grudges, and not letting us get complacent about any of the reoccuring characters. I also liked that clues about the murder case twisted into the overarching plot, and vice versa.
I have more books in this series, so I'll probably read the next one, but I'm running out of steam a bit.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Cancer
satuhurme's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
babayagaofficial's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cancer, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
franklola's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, Death, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship
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