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charliegirl21's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy Louise Penny books except for the exposition. I have been listening to the audio and this one was almost three hours before the crime happened. Loooonnnngggg… once it got moving it might be my favorite, but it was so damn long starting out.
sofieros's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 / 5 -- Great book, interesting look into Peter's history. The mystery was the best thus far.
BUT - 1) The pace was kinda off. The murderer is literally in their midst but no one seems in a real hurry to uncover their identity and apprehend them. 2) The Morrows are an extremely dysfunctional family, but for said level of extremity no particiularly strong reason is ever given. For 80% of the book it's claimed growing up in the Morrow family was a nightmare, but later we also have to sort of go along with the idea that, for example, Wut? The hate/love just doesn't add up. All this makes some of the dysfunctional behaviour feel real unrealistic. 3) A tat less poetry would be good.
BUT - 1) The pace was kinda off. The murderer is literally in their midst but no one seems in a real hurry to uncover their identity and apprehend them. 2) The Morrows are an extremely dysfunctional family, but for said level of extremity no particiularly strong reason is ever given. For 80% of the book it's claimed growing up in the Morrow family was a nightmare, but later we also have to sort of go along with the idea that, for example,
Spoiler
father's love was misunderstood for hate?tamarant4's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
“Not everything needed to be brought into the light, he knew. Not every truth needed to be told.”
Reading The Cruellest Month (third in the series) reminded me that (a) I enjoy Penny's 'Three Pines' series very much (b) I found The Brutal Telling (fifth in the series) an uncomfortable read, and attributed this to reading it out of sequence. When I discovered that I could borrow the fourth novel, A Rule Against Murder (under its US title, The Murder Stone) from Internet Archive, I decided it was time to fill in the gaps.
Inspector Gamache and his wife, the fragrant Reine-Marie, are celebrating their wedding anniversary at Manoir Bellechasse, a beautiful and secluded inn not far from the village of Three Pines. Most of the rooms at the inn have been taken by members of the Finney family, rich and entitled, who are using their reunion to make one another miserable. There are surprise guests, a tremendous storm, an ungendered child named Bean, and an impossible murder.
Which is, of course, Gamache's milieu (though the Finneys think he is a shopkeeper). Lacoste and Beauvoir arrive on the scene, and Gamache's steely resolution and profound understanding of humanity are focussed on the murder -- though there are subplots and layers: fathers and sons, wealth and ruin...
I felt there were some weaknesses in the plot, but overall this was a good read, and kept me guessing until the eventual revelation of the murderer's identity and motivation. And it was interesting to see a little more of Gamache's personal life, and his relationship with his own son. I did miss the ambience and characters of Three Pines, though.
After this I reread The Brutal Telling in preparation for the sixth book in the series...
Fulfils the ‘set during a holiday you don't celebrate’ rubric of the 52 books in 2024 challenge. The action occurs around Canada Day, 1st July.
nnic's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
My love affair with Armand continues….
cotahobbs's review against another edition
3.0
These move a little slow, but the main/supporting characters are likeable and the murders they solve are a little unusual- methods and motives. Still am enjoying the series and will come back to it at some point, but will probably read other books for now.
evoss14's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series of books by Louise Penny! This is the fourth in the series following Chief Inspector Gamache through homicide investigations in French Canada. This book, like the others, did not disappoint! I enjoy these books because it feels like returning to a favorite vacation spot - reuniting with old (quirky - just how I like 'em) friends and getting to know them just a little more each time! If you are a fan of murder mysteries but can't stomach the morbid details - these are the books for you. There is always a murder - but never gory. Gamache always gets his man or woman - but leads you through subtle twists and turns along the way. A little history, poetry, psychology and philosophy flavors the journey! Louise Penny makes me want to explore Quebec - but I will be sleeping with one eye open! You don't have to read the books in order - but it is more enjoyable if you do! Start with Still Life and enjoy your trip!
hoopcat's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Another enjoyable mystery from Louise Penny
reads2rivet's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5