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sdovi's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
The plot was interesting but the writing style was intentionally vague. The author would reference that the characters knew something but didn’t specify what that knowledge was to keep driving the narrative. It may be loved by some, but not by me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Death, Murder, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, and Violence
wandering_canuck's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Number 13 of the Inspector Gamache series did not disappoint. As always, Penny does a great job of weaving historical facts together with her fictional tales. The main characters are still the main draw for me. Over time they have become like real people to me.
It took me.longer than usual to get through this one. This is not a reflection on the book, but rather on how busy life is. Mysteries are best consumed in short order, so I felt a little disconnected from this tale.
It took me.longer than usual to get through this one. This is not a reflection on the book, but rather on how busy life is. Mysteries are best consumed in short order, so I felt a little disconnected from this tale.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Death, Trafficking, Addiction, and Suicide
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Gun violence, and Violence
sofiam19's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Addiction, and Murder
kimveach's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Addiction, Drug abuse, Medical trauma, Violence, Alcoholism, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Death, Blood, Excrement, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
atamano's review against another edition
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Gun violence
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Suicide, and Violence
franklola's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Suicide, Alcohol, Blood, Grief, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Addiction, Gun violence, Alcoholism, Death, and Murder
cathepsut's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
My first Gamache, but the 13th of the series, so I am most likely missing some context.
Gamache, the chief of police of the province of Quebec, is in the witness stand of a murder trial. The chief prosecutor is pretty hostile towards his main witness. Through the questioning we are told the story of the murder that happened in the village of Three Pines. So much for the beginning. There is more to it, with a pretty modern problem.
Slow. A lot of talking and reminiscing. Set-up for the community that lives in Three Pines and its guests. More talking. Little doing. The murder only happens a third into the book. And the accused sitting on that bench during the trial is never named, which in my opinion is a pretty lame gimmick to create suspense. Of which there was little to none. The last 30% are a bit more speedy, but the wrap-up is quite repetitive.
Some of the characters stay one-dimensional, I struggled to keep them apart until the end. The woman with the duck was just a silly caricature.
Many of my reading buddies love Gamache, but this was way too cozy for me. And the plot was a little silly. It is very unlikely that I will pick up another one of the series or by this author, unless I come by it very cheaply. Maybe #14…
2.5 pine cones, rounded up to 3 for the tears-inducing ending.
PS:
– Initially bought for my mum, who did not finish it. I should have listened to her reasons.
– I don‘t read many straight mysteries anymore and never in German, so this was a bit of an an uphill struggle.
– Reading a novel in German again wasn‘t as much work as I had feared.
– The first book of the series, Still Life, was made into a movie and I would watch it.
– The English original is called Glass Houses: A Novel, which is more meaningful for the book than the German title „Behind the Three Pines“.
– Initially bought for my mum, who did not finish it. I should have listened to her reasons.
– I don‘t read many straight mysteries anymore and never in German, so this was a bit of an an uphill struggle.
– Reading a novel in German again wasn‘t as much work as I had feared.
– The first book of the series, Still Life, was made into a movie and I would watch it.
– The English original is called Glass Houses: A Novel, which is more meaningful for the book than the German title „Behind the Three Pines“.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Drug abuse
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