1.93k reviews for:

The Cruelest Month

Louise Penny

3.96 AVERAGE

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

3.5 stars

My favorite in the series so far. Some mysteries from previous books were uncovered. I really enjoy the atmosphere of Three Pines.

I had a hard time getting into this at first but after about half way it got better.
challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense 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: Complicated

Enjoy this series immensely but found this one somewhat less so b/c I had a hard time keeping track of several new characters. It could also be because I was distracted, my library loan ended and I had to wait a week before I could track down another copy. :) And I had forgotten Nichol's status at the end of the last book, which comes into play in this one. Regardless, Penny does a remarkable job of dropping you right into Three Pines. I can see why folks wish this was a real place. I look forward to #4.
lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

On top of everything else that I enjoy about Louise Penny's Gamache mysteries - making me feel as if I am actually there and that I know each and every one of the residents of Three Pines - I find myself sitting down at each read with a plateful of something yummy (and healthy) because of her descriptions of the scrumptious meals at Gabri's and Ovlvier's B&B. Ah, to be a guest there for a long weekend…

Smitten with these stories, I have just reserved a copy of #4, A Rule Against Murder!
mysterious relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated