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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
3.5 stars
I like that this is a departure from the previous books in that it's a missing person, not a death, and that it's unofficial. I can't say I'm a fan of the retired Gamache or the change in Gamache over the series, but humans are flawed, and this series unflinchingly reveals that unlike any other I've read. The characters are brutally honest, and human, and that is great, even if you don't agree with some of their choices.
I felt like the last fourth of this book dragged a bit. Like it was trying to fill space. Conversations felt jaringly repetitious and unimportant. Who is he? I don't know who do you think he is? Why did he paint it? How should I know? But why did he paint it? Details of boat journeys and cabins all felt like filler, and there was a definite decline in quality as this progressed. Still, overall it was enjoyable and I actually felt a little bit of feelings there at the end. I don't usually feel the feelings in books. Bravo.
I like that this is a departure from the previous books in that it's a missing person, not a death, and that it's unofficial. I can't say I'm a fan of the retired Gamache or the change in Gamache over the series, but humans are flawed, and this series unflinchingly reveals that unlike any other I've read. The characters are brutally honest, and human, and that is great, even if you don't agree with some of their choices.
I felt like the last fourth of this book dragged a bit. Like it was trying to fill space. Conversations felt jaringly repetitious and unimportant. Who is he? I don't know who do you think he is? Why did he paint it? How should I know? But why did he paint it? Details of boat journeys and cabins all felt like filler, and there was a definite decline in quality as this progressed. Still, overall it was enjoyable and I actually felt a little bit of feelings there at the end. I don't usually feel the feelings in books. Bravo.
No apologies, I love Louise Penny and these wonderful novels. If you haven't read the others, don't start here because you won't care enough about the other characters or understand why they do what they do. But having read ALL the others, I could barely put this book down to eat.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wondered how Penny would continue Gamache's story once he retired from the Sûreté in How The Light Gets In and while this was a slower paced book with LOTS less drama then the last few books in the series it was still a great read. This story built on Peter and Clara's backstory while keeping the other residents of Three Pines near-by. Honestly this story felt more like a love letter to the small towns and those who call them home. More like a cosy than a hard core mystery.
I still don't know how Penny will continue the series; will he teach, come out of retirement, work for the government, become a P.I. or just roam the Canadian countryside solving random crimes???? Change is hard for reader, writer AND story but I have faith in Penny's storytelling and can't wait for the next story!
I still don't know how Penny will continue the series; will he teach, come out of retirement, work for the government, become a P.I. or just roam the Canadian countryside solving random crimes???? Change is hard for reader, writer AND story but I have faith in Penny's storytelling and can't wait for the next story!
I can never wait for the next Louise Penny book and this one did not disappoint. Then again, they never do. Each book is like catching up with good, albeit quirky, friends.
I enjoy these books for the sense of place. The extensive use of the geography in this particular book, is lovely. With detail and history and almost photo-like descriptions making it worthwhile.
The story always leaves me wanting to shake the author up a bit. Too cozy for me. Too simplistic in it's rendering. Even though Penny tries to add mystery or at least problem solving, it often leads me to want to say "hurry up already". In this instance, there is no murder just a wandering and solving that gets somewhat tedious.
Satisfactory but not thrilling.
The story always leaves me wanting to shake the author up a bit. Too cozy for me. Too simplistic in it's rendering. Even though Penny tries to add mystery or at least problem solving, it often leads me to want to say "hurry up already". In this instance, there is no murder just a wandering and solving that gets somewhat tedious.
Satisfactory but not thrilling.
It was okay. The writing was sometimes sophomoric: e.g., "The next morning dawned bright and clear." Some of the characters were a cliche--the foul-mouthed but wise old woman, the wacky gay guys... And I couldn't shake the feeling that the author put Jean-Guy in the story in case it was made into a movie. But I did love Armand.
This is my favorite of the Gamache books. It's poignant, well-plotted, and had a twist I truly didn't see coming.
mysterious
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:
No