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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I think I'm done with this series. Penny's writing has completely devolved; I'm sick of the incomplete and even one-word sentences (even one-word paragraphs!) that attempt to raise the drama to a breathless pitch. I'm tired of the same "insights" being brandished in my face every few chapters, tired of the not-so-witty banter, tired of the outre murders. Oh, and I am really, REALLY tired of Margaret Atwood's horrible poetry (in disguise as Ruth's poetry) being toasted as the Best Canadian Thing Ever Written.
The best thing about this novel is more Myrna, a character I've been wanting to know better for a while. Unfortunately, her therapeutic skills and her ability to reflect others back at themselves turn her into little more than a new entry in the Magical Negro trope.
The best thing about this novel is more Myrna, a character I've been wanting to know better for a while. Unfortunately, her therapeutic skills and her ability to reflect others back at themselves turn her into little more than a new entry in the Magical Negro trope.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
No
Book 10 in what is probably my favorite mystery series is quite a departure from the previous books. We spend most of our time away from Three Pines and there isn't a murder to solve. That being said, it is still a wonderfully written and compelling story. We get to spend a lot of time with Clara and Myrna which I very much enjoyed. As always, Penny does a masterful job bringing the setting to life and I found myself looking up the places our characters journey to along the St. Lawrence River. The ending was quite a gut punch.
Compared to all the other Three Pines mysteries, I had to give this 2 and a half stars. The witty dialogue and humor is there, the characters are familiar yet have grown and changed. But the plot consisted of "Peter is missing and we'll go find him"--compared to the breath-holding twists of the previous book, this was boring. And really, who did it and why was so perfectly obvious, I found myself thinking "you're on the wrong track!" I did enjoy learning about the garden in Dumfries.
I adore this series, but this most recent book was a bit of a letdown. Louise Penny has created such wonderful characters and as I began this book it was like reuniting with much-loved friends. The opening chapters were a blessed relief after the sustained tension of the wonderful, tightly-crafted previous book "How the Light Gets In". This story, however, did not really work for me.
This is my first time reading a book by Louise Penny, who has been recommended to me by my mother in law. I was so amazed at how quickly I became immersed in this beautiful Canadian mystery. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
4.5 stars.
I loved the look into the art world, I loved the character development that was shown, I loved the look into the toll that the life of a detective has taken on Gamache's life. The actual mystery part, the search for the missing artist was good as well, but less compelling to me than these other aspects.
I loved the look into the art world, I loved the character development that was shown, I loved the look into the toll that the life of a detective has taken on Gamache's life. The actual mystery part, the search for the missing artist was good as well, but less compelling to me than these other aspects.
Part of what I am coming to love about Louise Penny's books is the references to art and how it feels to both create and experience it. Another thing that I am thankful for, as an avid reader of mysteries, is that the titles of the books actually relate to the story instead of being a fun-pun title. Another bit that is special and intriguing is the snippets of poetry that are thoughtful enough that I wonder if they aren't quotes from historical poets or from the Penny's own mind.
In this story, we wonder what happened to Peter, husband to Clara, both of them artists. The setting is the Three Pines village outside of Quebec, way outside.
In this story, we wonder what happened to Peter, husband to Clara, both of them artists. The setting is the Three Pines village outside of Quebec, way outside.
I loved it. I know that some people did not like the direction or the lack of mystery but I come back over and over again for the characters. Great book.
You know--I was worried about this, after "How the Light Gets In." In that book, Louise Penny tied up a lot of loose ends in the corrupt and blood-soaked world of Inspector Gamache. It made for a slam-bang story, filled with violent twists and the rotten core of the Surete'. Then she finished with a scene of great peace and hope, with Gamache and his family finding joy. The series could have ended there.
This new book feels like the book she wanted to write when she was finishing the previous one--the stuff she missed describing when she was stuck with the police world depravity. This book is full of homey details, wry dialogue, loving families and friendships. It tracks the disposition of one of Three Pines' long-time quirky characters, Peter Morrow. And the first three-quarters of the book feel like a return to Penny's early books--the food, the camaraderie, the art world.
There is a slowly building tension--it's a mystery after all: what happened to Peter?--with the usual clues and red herrings and Gamache's imperturbable leadership subtly guiding the investigation. (Is he truly retired? Never.)
What spoils the book is the ending. Not because it's a shock (it is). But because it feels forced and overdramatic. As if Penny didn't believe she could return to Miss Marple and analyzing human nature, after Straw Dogs. The last few chapters are loaded with her writing quirks as well--the choppy sentences, the interior monologues, the repetitive motifs.
A very good book, four and a half stars, but damaged by the lure of need to end with a bang, no matter what.
This new book feels like the book she wanted to write when she was finishing the previous one--the stuff she missed describing when she was stuck with the police world depravity. This book is full of homey details, wry dialogue, loving families and friendships. It tracks the disposition of one of Three Pines' long-time quirky characters, Peter Morrow. And the first three-quarters of the book feel like a return to Penny's early books--the food, the camaraderie, the art world.
There is a slowly building tension--it's a mystery after all: what happened to Peter?--with the usual clues and red herrings and Gamache's imperturbable leadership subtly guiding the investigation. (Is he truly retired? Never.)
What spoils the book is the ending. Not because it's a shock (it is). But because it feels forced and overdramatic. As if Penny didn't believe she could return to Miss Marple and analyzing human nature, after Straw Dogs. The last few chapters are loaded with her writing quirks as well--the choppy sentences, the interior monologues, the repetitive motifs.
A very good book, four and a half stars, but damaged by the lure of need to end with a bang, no matter what.