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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This story is a bit different from the usual Louise Penny book. Instead of focusing on the crimes of Three Pines, Inspector Gamache is thrown into something far more sinister. This time, the crime is more on a national level.
While there are some tense moments and lots of suspense, what is missing are the folks of Three Pines. These are the characters that make these stories. Also, The pacing dips in the middle, with one too many side characters and unnecessary globe trotting. I found myself wishing for more focus, more time in the emotional heart of the story instead of shifting constantly between settings.
Still, there are important themes, especially around responsibility, and the choices we make in the name of protection. It might not be my favorite in the series, but it's ambitious and still worth the read.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As it typical of these later books in the series, this is a complex mystery, here kicked off by an odd series of unusual events in Gamache's personal and professional lives. Gamache and his team soon find themselves looking into a possible terrorist plot that could have disastrous effects for all of Quebec. His core team of himself, son-in-law Jean-Guy, and fellow inspector Isabelle feels that they can only trust each other, which makes their investigation even more difficult ... though no less urgent. The three of them split up and travel near and far, from remote parts of Quebec to Washington, DC to the Vatican in their search for answers and a way to stop this horrific thing from happening. Loaded with suspense, the audio kept me riveted. The story will be continued in The Black Wolf, due out in October. I talk more about it in this video, starting at 9:04: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYrSB60iCo0
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Every now and then, an Inspector Gamache falls short for me— esp when it’s a life and death sitch for the inspector. To never see Reine-Marie again! This chord too familiar.
This story contains a lot of intrigue that is mostly figuring out who connects to whom. It’s not esp emotional although it’s abt an eco-crime that could have catastrophic effects.
This story contains a lot of intrigue that is mostly figuring out who connects to whom. It’s not esp emotional although it’s abt an eco-crime that could have catastrophic effects.