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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
Definitely my least favorite of the series so far. I’ve never been a fan of Peter, and I never understood how he and Clara were even a couple. So this book centered around their relationship I found quite boring for the most part.
Especially boring following all the great action of the previous book wherein the issue of corruption in the Sûreté, a slow simmering plot point for some time, is finally resolved.
I’m thrilled to have Jean-Guy in recovery and back to being his loyal and delightful self, although his relationship with Annie is another coupling that doesn’t really make sense to me. Sorry Annie.
Gamache retired and now resident of Three Pines is a bit of a concern to me moving forward for, dare I say it, he and Reine-Marie seem just a bit too perfect and a lot more boring. Although I like the way Reine-Marie gives it back hard to Ruth, even though it seems out of character for Reine-Marie to be coarse in that way.
I did like the ending. Abrupt as it was. I found it very hard to care about the rival professors, but I did shed a tiny tear or two, despite feeling it was all a bit contrived. I guess now Chartrand has a chance, so perhaps we’ll see him again in the future? And wasn’t that a red herring? Gamache’s (and Clara’s to a lesser degree) suspicions about him came to nothing, what was the point?
I have to wonder where the story can go from here and if perhaps the best of the books are now behind us. I think there are nine books left in the series, I shall of course read on and find out, because despite this book not quite measuring up to its predecessors (in my opinion), I am hopeful that it will not be indicative of what is yet to come.
Especially boring following all the great action of the previous book wherein the issue of corruption in the Sûreté, a slow simmering plot point for some time, is finally resolved.
I’m thrilled to have Jean-Guy in recovery and back to being his loyal and delightful self, although his relationship with Annie is another coupling that doesn’t really make sense to me. Sorry Annie.
Gamache retired and now resident of Three Pines is a bit of a concern to me moving forward for, dare I say it, he and Reine-Marie seem just a bit too perfect and a lot more boring. Although I like the way Reine-Marie gives it back hard to Ruth, even though it seems out of character for Reine-Marie to be coarse in that way.
I did like the ending. Abrupt as it was. I found it very hard to care about the rival professors, but I did shed a tiny tear or two, despite feeling it was all a bit contrived. I guess now Chartrand has a chance, so perhaps we’ll see him again in the future? And wasn’t that a red herring? Gamache’s (and Clara’s to a lesser degree) suspicions about him came to nothing, what was the point?
I have to wonder where the story can go from here and if perhaps the best of the books are now behind us. I think there are nine books left in the series, I shall of course read on and find out, because despite this book not quite measuring up to its predecessors (in my opinion), I am hopeful that it will not be indicative of what is yet to come.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I know a lot of readers didn’t like this book and I get it. However, I think this was a deeper visit with the characters I’ve followed through all of this series. I was happy to settle in with all of them as they delved a little deeper into what happened to Peter. There were a few times it did drag for me and the whole bit about the rabbits at the cosmic garden was weird. I was saddened at the end but still love the series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great installment! I’m really wondering how the next ones will go, but it was good to be back with the 3 Pines people.
Once again, Penny has written the kind of mystery that she writes best...a character-driven drama with a bit of mystery thrown in. But I don't read her Inspector Gamache mysteries for the mystery plot line. I read them so I can once again join Armand and Jean-Guy and Ruth, and all the people she makes me care about as if they are real. I can't recall another author in recent memory who does this so well as her. Hurry up, August!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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