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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Another good mystery from Louise Penny, "The Cruelest Month" has two main stories: solving the mystery of who killed kind, bubbly Madeleine, and why the Arnot case (referred to in the first two Gamache books) has reared its ugly head again after 5 years.
"The Cruelest Month" is quite atmospheric with its allusions to spring. I found it a little slow to get started, but the Three Pines characters and Gamache are sympathetic as always. There are some very profound moments in the book, such as the "near enemy" discussion, and the theme of jealousy throughout the book is intriguing.
Of the three I've read so far, I found "The Cruelest Month" to be the weakest Gamache book. I was actually able to guess the murderer - I prefer murder mysteries where I have no clue whodunit. I also found the Arnot saga rather confusing and poorly plotted. Why would Arnot's men murder Native tribe members? There's a brief mention of drug and alcohol use among the Natives, but it's unclear how this is related - are the dirty cops smuggling the alcohol in, and then killing the Natives who use it? And why would the Surete be so angry still at Gamache five years later? I also found Lemieux's character development to be unrealistic. He went from a nice, idealistic man in the previous to a cold, ambitious man in this one, without a whole lot having changed.
I still enjoyed "The Cruelest Month." The parts with Ruth adopting her duck children and Clara's struggle with her art were among the best parts. But this is why I'm only giving the book three stars - if the best parts didn't involve the murder mystery, or the problems with the Surete, then that's a problem. Still, I can't wait to read the next books!
"The Cruelest Month" is quite atmospheric with its allusions to spring. I found it a little slow to get started, but the Three Pines characters and Gamache are sympathetic as always. There are some very profound moments in the book, such as the "near enemy" discussion, and the theme of jealousy throughout the book is intriguing.
Of the three I've read so far, I found "The Cruelest Month" to be the weakest Gamache book. I was actually able to guess the murderer - I prefer murder mysteries where I have no clue whodunit. I also found the Arnot saga rather confusing and poorly plotted. Why would Arnot's men murder Native tribe members? There's a brief mention of drug and alcohol use among the Natives, but it's unclear how this is related - are the dirty cops smuggling the alcohol in, and then killing the Natives who use it? And why would the Surete be so angry still at Gamache five years later? I also found Lemieux's character development to be unrealistic. He went from a nice, idealistic man in the previous to a cold, ambitious man in this one, without a whole lot having changed.
I still enjoyed "The Cruelest Month." The parts with Ruth adopting her duck children and Clara's struggle with her art were among the best parts. But this is why I'm only giving the book three stars - if the best parts didn't involve the murder mystery, or the problems with the Surete, then that's a problem. Still, I can't wait to read the next books!
Third in the series and the best one I’ve read thus far. In The Cruelest Month we witness yet another crime occur in the small town of Three Pines, but this one involves everything form Wicca to weight loss, orphaned geese, pitiful poetry, painting perfection, and revenge most evil.
Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache storylines are like a mashup of Murder, She Wrote and Baptiste. Much like Cabot Cove, Three Pines sees far too many murders for a town its size and is populated by an array of hometown eccentrics. Armand Gamache has the quiet sensibilities and sensitivity of Julien Baptiste and like him must navigate personal and professional circles composed of scarred yet spirited characters.
And I don’t know what is, but there is something to the cultural backdrop of these novels. Frankly, I’ve never appreciated the nuances of various Canadian communities, but Penny diligently and effortlessly weaves in oft competing narratives of the Anglo and the French as well as First Nations people now. Without sounding too pretentious, this is the most “literary” murder mystery series I’ve encountered.
Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache storylines are like a mashup of Murder, She Wrote and Baptiste. Much like Cabot Cove, Three Pines sees far too many murders for a town its size and is populated by an array of hometown eccentrics. Armand Gamache has the quiet sensibilities and sensitivity of Julien Baptiste and like him must navigate personal and professional circles composed of scarred yet spirited characters.
And I don’t know what is, but there is something to the cultural backdrop of these novels. Frankly, I’ve never appreciated the nuances of various Canadian communities, but Penny diligently and effortlessly weaves in oft competing narratives of the Anglo and the French as well as First Nations people now. Without sounding too pretentious, this is the most “literary” murder mystery series I’ve encountered.
Back in Three Pines, back at the Hadley House, back with our old friend Gamache. "The Cruelest Month" gives us a murder paired with an interesting storyline about Gamache and his work and personal life, which makes a great combo. Liked this book more than #2 - it kept me guessing and has me invested in the villagers of Three Pines more than ever.
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
This the perfect book to curl up on the couch, pull up a blanket, drink a cup of coffee and read. Perfect combination of a scary house, seance and a murder mystery.
finally. FINALLY i have finished this book. honestly this series is becoming less about the mystery, and more about the vibes. the actual murder isn’t as intriguing as how gamache and his team interacts with each other and the villagers. the seance death was… subpar, and really needed a suspension of belief. also how many murders can we have here?? pls three pines chill tf out. anyway, the book picked up at the end and i want to know if gamache quits/solves a murder that’s NOT in three pines, so i’m definitely picking up the next one.