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A review by kelly_e
The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Title: The Cruellest Month
Author: Louise Penny
Series: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #3
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: September 6, 2007
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Cozy β’ Atmospheric β’ Mystifying
π S Y N O P S I S
Inspector Gamache is called to Three Pines, the morning after Easter, and is faced with an unusual crime scene. The previous night, some of the town folks gathered for a sΓ©ance in an old abandon house. Unfortunately, it went horribly wrong and one villager lies dead. Gamache soon unearths toxic secrets, all while shielding his team from that there is traitor amongst them.
π T H O U G H T S
I was so happy to be back in Three Pines! Part of the reason I love this village so much is I am a native Eastern Townships girl myself and I know the area in which it is based on, so I'm instantly transported to the little town and the atmosphere just really comes to life.
The mystery is definitely slow to unfold here, but I enjoyed some of the other side stories (particularly the Gamache angle) just as much. As previously mentioned the setting, the characters and the food are what makes this series so comforting. I'll admit it took me two tries to get through installment, but I think it's more to do with me being unable to believe the plot line. This isn't to fault Penny, but more of a personal preference. And I know I am early on in the series, but I want so much more depth from some of the less prominent characters.
I'm looking forward to seeing where Gamache and the eclectic cast take me next in A Rule Against Murder
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ Agatha Christie fans
β’ Three Pines devotees
β’ slow build mystery readers
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"Once found, Three Pines was never forgotten. But it was only ever found by people lost."
"Loss was like that, Gamache knew. You didn't just lose a loved one. You lost your heart, your memories, your laughter, your brain and it even took your bones. Eventually it all came back, but different. Rearranged."
"'One day you'll hear them. In the quiet, some whisper you'd mistaken for the wind all your life. But it'll be the trees. Nature is talking to us all the time, it's just hearing that's the problem. Now I can't hear water or flowers or rocks. Well, actually, I can but just a little. But trees? Their voices are clear to me.'"
Author: Louise Penny
Series: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #3
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: September 6, 2007
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Cozy β’ Atmospheric β’ Mystifying
π S Y N O P S I S
Inspector Gamache is called to Three Pines, the morning after Easter, and is faced with an unusual crime scene. The previous night, some of the town folks gathered for a sΓ©ance in an old abandon house. Unfortunately, it went horribly wrong and one villager lies dead. Gamache soon unearths toxic secrets, all while shielding his team from that there is traitor amongst them.
π T H O U G H T S
I was so happy to be back in Three Pines! Part of the reason I love this village so much is I am a native Eastern Townships girl myself and I know the area in which it is based on, so I'm instantly transported to the little town and the atmosphere just really comes to life.
The mystery is definitely slow to unfold here, but I enjoyed some of the other side stories (particularly the Gamache angle) just as much. As previously mentioned the setting, the characters and the food are what makes this series so comforting. I'll admit it took me two tries to get through installment, but I think it's more to do with me being unable to believe the plot line. This isn't to fault Penny, but more of a personal preference. And I know I am early on in the series, but I want so much more depth from some of the less prominent characters.
I'm looking forward to seeing where Gamache and the eclectic cast take me next in A Rule Against Murder
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ Agatha Christie fans
β’ Three Pines devotees
β’ slow build mystery readers
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"Once found, Three Pines was never forgotten. But it was only ever found by people lost."
"Loss was like that, Gamache knew. You didn't just lose a loved one. You lost your heart, your memories, your laughter, your brain and it even took your bones. Eventually it all came back, but different. Rearranged."
"'One day you'll hear them. In the quiet, some whisper you'd mistaken for the wind all your life. But it'll be the trees. Nature is talking to us all the time, it's just hearing that's the problem. Now I can't hear water or flowers or rocks. Well, actually, I can but just a little. But trees? Their voices are clear to me.'"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Cancer