soavanpelt's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.0
bcgg's review against another edition
3.0
Ignoring the terrible narrator ( I usually do audiobooks) one could see how the Gamache Series grew into such a popular read.
leannaaker's review against another edition
3.0
This was a tough one to rate. I love a good mystery, and there were some nice twists. This felt a little too much like a too long version of an Agatha Christie book, though. And some of the character development just felt a little forced. I'll probably read another of her books at some point, though.
frances_chan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
afox98's review against another edition
3.0
Picked this up because so many people seem to like them. I can’t tell if the book was trying to be a cozy village mystery or was just boring, but it was a little slower paced for me. I will try one or two more in the series.
mhworth's review against another edition
5.0
So well-written and engaging. Absolutely no spoilers- but I was not disappointed in the slightest!
lilysjogreen's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
nglofile's review against another edition
2.0
I hate to say it, but I was underwhelmed. After witnessing this author scoop up multiple and successive wins of multiple mystery awards in recent years, perhaps my expectations were unrealistic. It isn't bad, but neither is it remarkable.
Penny strikes an interesting blend of cozy mystery and police procedural, and the setting holds high - albeit idealized - appeal. Chief Inspector Gamache is easy to both enjoy and admire, but he is also an amalgam of several who have gone before. The lone female agent was insufferable -- not "love to hate" bad, but so incomprehensibly sour as to taint the story each time she was wedged in.
Penny strikes an interesting blend of cozy mystery and police procedural, and the setting holds high - albeit idealized - appeal. Chief Inspector Gamache is easy to both enjoy and admire, but he is also an amalgam of several who have gone before. The lone female agent was insufferable -- not "love to hate" bad, but so incomprehensibly sour as to taint the story each time she was wedged in.
ajohannessen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
katiesmcclendon's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75