Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I'm not sure how to feel about this one. The ending has left me feeling lots of different emotions. Quite a story and history woven into this book.
I started this with a deep sigh...It felt like I was coming home, or at home. Ms. Penny's writing can do that to me. I feel as if I know her characters and they are a part of my life. And I enjoyed the book. I gave only 4 stars because the mystery portion of it wasn't as compelling as in her other books. It was an interesting foursome that took off to search for Peter Morrow: Clara, Myrna, Gamache and Jean-Guy. Excellent interplay, especially since Clara insisted on being the leader.
Coming off of the previous I thought this one would be more engaging but I found this one dragging and while I didn’t see the ending coming there wasn’t enough resolution to make it feel satisfying.
I love the flow of the words in these books, including The Long Way Home. They are a joy to read. The friends from Three Pines are searching for Peter and they retrace his steps. Such wonderful reads
Wow, I'm shocked to be rating a Three Pines book so low. The mystery was crammed into the last tenth of the book and the rest was navel gazing art nonsense. I've always accepted her flair for over-dramatizing because everything else was so good. That was not the case in this novel.
5 stars for Ralph Cosham, who sadly passed away after narrating this one. I will have to read the rest of them rather than listen because he IS Gamache. I mourn the fact that I've listened to all of the installments from him.
5 stars for Ralph Cosham, who sadly passed away after narrating this one. I will have to read the rest of them rather than listen because he IS Gamache. I mourn the fact that I've listened to all of the installments from him.
Thoroughly enjoyable. It was fun to read more about the characters of Three Pines. I found it a little predictable in its plot twists, following well worn mystery tropes, but they were well done.
Lovely writing and descriptions as expected. Quebec landscape poetry.
For once I correctly guessed the crime part of a Penny novel, which was actually disappointing for me. Without spoiling anything, the ending surprised me (unpleasantly).
I will say no more...but I'm left feeling unsure as to where the next installation will take us.
For once I correctly guessed the crime part of a Penny novel, which was actually disappointing for me. Without spoiling anything, the ending surprised me (unpleasantly).
I will say no more...but I'm left feeling unsure as to where the next installation will take us.
Um, excuse me Ms. Penny, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?
I am shaken at that ending. This series has been fun and welcoming and I love the characters, but the mysteries never really get me. I'm generally not shocked, and that's okay, because I'm here for Three Pines and Gamache and the food. While this book also wasn't a mind-blowing mystery, my heart actually stopped at that ONE moment and I am in shock that the author actually went there. Props to her, I always say I love when authors aren't all fluff and butterflies - but damn. Damn.
I am shaken at that ending. This series has been fun and welcoming and I love the characters, but the mysteries never really get me. I'm generally not shocked, and that's okay, because I'm here for Three Pines and Gamache and the food. While this book also wasn't a mind-blowing mystery, my heart actually stopped at that ONE moment and I am in shock that the author actually went there. Props to her, I always say I love when authors aren't all fluff and butterflies - but damn. Damn.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
No
3.25 stars. Honestly, this book was a bit of a let-down for me after the ethereal setting and and suspense of book #8 and the high-stakes action of book #9. The Gamaches have moved to Three Pines, Gamache has retired, and the whole book deals with the search for Clara's husband Peter, who left for a trial separation over a year ago and failed to return at the specified date. There was a bit too much internal dialogue for me, and too much grappling with the larger significance of various breadcrumbs left behind by Peter - locations he visited, the meaning of various pieces he painted, etc. I was fairly convinced I'd give the book a 3, but it redeemed itself to me slightly in about the last 1/3 with the journey to the bleak lands at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, and the convergence of a number of crucial characters in a violent way. I'll admit that even though I never really liked Peter, I was relieved and surprised when they found him alive. And just like that, Penny ripped out my heart and killed him off almost immediately, but not before letting him reveal that he was truly a good, if conflicted, person, and that he had grown from his mistakes and loved Clara with all his heart. The emotional gut-punch earned Penny an extra .25 stars in my book.