1.96k reviews for:

The Cruelest Month

Louise Penny

3.96 AVERAGE


I'm so, so happy to report that the subplot arc gets some resolution in this, book 3 of the series. I'm sure there's more to come, but the hints were going to get old if they didn't resolve soon.

I need comfort reads, series where the main characters aren't going to surprise me too much or end up being the killer or otherwise upset my world view. And yet, I like action, a plot, suspense, interesting happenings. Louise Penny does not disappoint.
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This is Inspector Armand Gamache at his best yet! This story has so many layers to it with the overarching story weaving perfectly with the main mystery. All of the characters are delightful and feel like truly real people. And Gamache himself is such a positive force of a character. The joys of this series really on full display here. Can't wait for the next one!

I adore this series and the descriptive writing and character development Louise Penny provides. While I love the narrator of the audio books, I find I’m not as engaged in the story, so this rating is perhaps more for the format in which I have access to this series, than to the plot itself. I enjoyed the various twists and turns this story took and how there were layered mysteries atop one another. It was a delightful journey to Montreal and Three Pines and I look forward to going back to visit these characters in book 4.
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No

A strong sense of place 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
dark mysterious reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional inspiring tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional funny hopeful 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No