bcgg's review against another edition
3.0
Unlke the image of the audiobook here showing Ralph Cosham as the narrator, it was the unfortunate narrator Adam Sims. His narration always puts me off. I would probably have given the book a higher value if it hadn't been him.
Regardless, I enjoyed the book and mystery that took a lot of turns, keeping one guessing right up to the end.
I think of all the Penny books, this one had the most discussions about food. Almost every other paragraph had someone eating, making food or talking about going to get food. Beware!! Good thing I kept my salads nearby.
Regardless, I enjoyed the book and mystery that took a lot of turns, keeping one guessing right up to the end.
I think of all the Penny books, this one had the most discussions about food. Almost every other paragraph had someone eating, making food or talking about going to get food. Beware!! Good thing I kept my salads nearby.
bookgurl88's review against another edition
3.0
This book was really good at the end, but it was a different story than the previous Gamache books. I think it was a good book for character development and to see the characters as more human, and as people who make mistakes. It was interesting to see Gamache deal with two cases that did not end up either completely solved or with happy endings for the characters or the readers. I think that is why I had trouble with this book, because I like seeing Gamache as the heroic, stable, but kind and understanding man, and it was challenging to read about him not successfully solving two cases.
Spoiler Alert:
I did appreciate that it was found that Olivier did not kill The Hermit. I also really liked the end and how everything came together. I also appreciated the character development, but I don't think that this will be one of my favorite Louise Penny novels.
Spoiler Alert:
I did appreciate that it was found that Olivier did not kill The Hermit. I also really liked the end and how everything came together. I also appreciated the character development, but I don't think that this will be one of my favorite Louise Penny novels.
crafalsk264's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Three Pines is a small remote village near Quebec City founded by Samuel de Champlain approximately 400 years ago. Today Three Pines is a place of extraordinary beauty that has attracted a melange of quirky local characters and lifelong residents who have chosen to relocate to Three Pines. Armand Gamache has sought out Three Pines when he needs somewhere to recover from recent injuries—both physical and emotional—from a mission of the Surete du Quebec. But soon the village peace is disturbed when a body is discovered in the rooms of the Literary and Historical Society. It is possible the deceased was seeking the remains of the founder, Samuel du Champlain rumored to be there.
This book is the sixth installment in the popular “Chief Inspector Armand Gamache” series. As each of the books continue to build on the world of Three Pines, the relationships between Gamache, his police associates and the residents of Three Pines. The characters have developed well, the structure of the series and the special powers of Three Pines—which is as much a character as the people. Since I started reading the books in this series an see the origin and development of some of the relationships, subplots and even the magic of the unique location. Because of the connection between each of the books, I have enjoyed each one more than the last. I am anxious to move on from one to the other. Recommend reading series in order of publication and read through first three to get the feel of the series. Recommend to readers of mystery, thriller, detective, crime and Canada.
bpirkle's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
skbat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Kidnapping, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Cursing, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Drug use and Religious bigotry
photokat's review against another edition
5.0
I hadn’t intended to read this series out of order, but sometimes a story wants to be read when it needs to be. This was the story I needed to read right now full of awfulness. Completely lacking in hope but hope filled. Rooted in history but firmly in the now.
avid_reader_sf_and_f's review against another edition
5.0
The previous book in this series rocked me. It was good, but it broke my heart.
This book, with it's simultaneous investigations and flash back story telling of the "incident" kept the ball of lead in my stomach throughout and somehow made everything better while also making me cry a bit. Ruth became, my favorite character. I already loved the cranky old bitch, but I wanted to hug her after this book.
I realize this isn't a very well written review, but if you'd made it to book 6, perhaps you know what I mean.
I love Louise Penny's writing style, the word porn that she uses to describe the word of Three Pines is what keeps me coming back over and over. I have already begun the next story.
This book, with it's simultaneous investigations and flash back story telling of the "incident" kept the ball of lead in my stomach throughout and somehow made everything better while also making me cry a bit. Ruth became, my favorite character. I already loved the cranky old bitch, but I wanted to hug her after this book.
I realize this isn't a very well written review, but if you'd made it to book 6, perhaps you know what I mean.
I love Louise Penny's writing style, the word porn that she uses to describe the word of Three Pines is what keeps me coming back over and over. I have already begun the next story.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid mystery by Louise Penny, set in Quebec City and filled with historical detail and wintry atmosphere. I learned more about Quebec's history reading this than I did visiting the city.
This time, Inspector Gamache is guiltridden and recovering from a botched terrorist attack, but is of course as congenial as ever. It's nice for a change to find a fictional officer of the law who is kind, well-mannered and happily married with no substance abuse problems whatsoever, but I do wish Armand would be allowed some flaws. Perhaps he might just once snap at his adoring wife, or let out a little "merde" when he stumbles upon a body? No? Ok. I suppose he really is that nice.
There are three different plot lines which I won't get into since for me they're not really the focus of the book. The characters and the city itself are what makes this enjoyable. Gamache and his grumpy collegue Beauvoir are surrounded by stuffy Anglos, irascible Francophones and the occasional separatist (and a very likeable German shephard). Throw in a few murderers and you have yourself a perfect holiday read.
This time, Inspector Gamache is guiltridden and recovering from a botched terrorist attack, but is of course as congenial as ever. It's nice for a change to find a fictional officer of the law who is kind, well-mannered and happily married with no substance abuse problems whatsoever, but I do wish Armand would be allowed some flaws. Perhaps he might just once snap at his adoring wife, or let out a little "merde" when he stumbles upon a body? No? Ok. I suppose he really is that nice.
There are three different plot lines which I won't get into since for me they're not really the focus of the book. The characters and the city itself are what makes this enjoyable. Gamache and his grumpy collegue Beauvoir are surrounded by stuffy Anglos, irascible Francophones and the occasional separatist (and a very likeable German shephard). Throw in a few murderers and you have yourself a perfect holiday read.
kecb12's review against another edition
5.0
I really appreciate how this series of mystery stories isn’t really about the action of the plot at all. It’s about the characters and it’s about being human. This fact makes the books extremely satisfying, and I really love them.
davidkelly0324's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25