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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Did not guess the killer this time, but I feel like that's in part because the motive made zero sense? A theme with these books. It's a problem when the both the style of characterization and the main character's investigative method are so dependent on psychological approaches but none of the psychology makes sense. Gamache is portrayed as the most kind patient mentor while repeatedly being vague and condescending to his underlings. Clara is supposed to be kind but whenever she's scared she thinks about using her friends as human shields. I don't even know what to make of Beauvoir's weird, obsessive worship of his boss beyond thinking it's awfully homoerotic (and I'm not quite sure it's meant to be). Three Pines is this idyllic community that hadn't seen a murder in almost 50 years before Jane was killed and now all of a sudden three murders with deep rooted psychological motivations have happened in as many years, if not fewer, and the series only promises more murders to come. Not compatible with the psychological realism approach of the author at all. Pick one, either this is Cabot Cove and we don't bother with realistic sketches of human lives or get it right if you're going for realistic observation of human life and nature. Just made me want to read PD James, honestly.
Also people, even very well read, clever people, don't talk like people talk in this town. It's very...try hard.
Def my last of this series, it's more annoying than entertaining.
Also people, even very well read, clever people, don't talk like people talk in this town. It's very...try hard.
Def my last of this series, it's more annoying than entertaining.
My least favorite Penny work thus far.
The attempts to build taut, thriller-like ambience felt forced much of the time. The mystery itself was too simplistic. But as usual for Penny, the characters were relatable and their banter amusing. Ruth Zardo is forever my idol.
Beyond that, a somewhat forgettable read, and well below the expectations set by the first two novels in the series.
The attempts to build taut, thriller-like ambience felt forced much of the time. The mystery itself was too simplistic. But as usual for Penny, the characters were relatable and their banter amusing. Ruth Zardo is forever my idol.
Beyond that, a somewhat forgettable read, and well below the expectations set by the first two novels in the series.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Mysteries are not my jam. I struggle to finish them. And yet, the characters and setting are really quite appealing in these novels. Except for Peter. He's a stinker.
I'd really like to see a TV series based around Gamache. I'd watch that.
I'd really like to see a TV series based around Gamache. I'd watch that.
One of Gamache's core beliefs in these books is, stated only slightly more melodramatically than it is put in the books, that people commit murder when their dark and twisty emotions rot inside them and erupt. And the books are plotted to expose multiple characters dark and twisty murder emotions. In this book, the victim is Madeline Favreau and the dark twisty murder emotion is jealousy.
Agent Arnot update: working for Gamache for the whole book and saves Gamache from the dark twisty career murdering jealous of his former best friend, Brébeuf. The murder murder in this book is committed by Hazel Smyth, Madeline's roommate and best friend, who is jealous of how much people love Madeline, and in particular of Madeline's evolving relationship with her own love interest. The murder plot is so dumb. Ephedra + séance-induced fear.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I felt that this 3rd story in the series dragged. I don't know whether it was the departure from a strong focus in Three Pines to the Arnot case or if it was just the story, but I liked it less than the other two.
BTW, for those wondering, I think these Louise Penny mysteries need to be read in order. At least I'm glad I did.
BTW, for those wondering, I think these Louise Penny mysteries need to be read in order. At least I'm glad I did.
Wonderful book but I'm still stuck in my non-reading slump ... Thus, longer review to follow!
*It's funny, thought Clara, how if you wait long enough and listen, people will say the oddest things.*
*...Loss was like that, Gamache knew. You didn't just lose a loved one. You lost your heart, your memories, your laughter, your brain and it even took your bones. Eventually it all came back, but different. Rearranged.*
*It's funny, thought Clara, how if you wait long enough and listen, people will say the oddest things.*
*...Loss was like that, Gamache knew. You didn't just lose a loved one. You lost your heart, your memories, your laughter, your brain and it even took your bones. Eventually it all came back, but different. Rearranged.*