devonwood 's review for:

A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny
4.75
sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: N/A
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

One of my favorite books in the Chief Inspector Gamache series, A Great Reckoning blends a compelling murder mystery with a powerful story about leadership, trust, and redemption. When Gamache takes over the Sûreté Academy to root out corruption, he faces resistance, suspicion, and the ultimate test of his principles after a professor is murdered.


Louise Penny delivers a rich, atmospheric read—balancing the warmth of Three Pines with the tense, closed world of the academy. Thoughtful, suspenseful, and deeply human, this novel is a standout for both longtime fans and newcomers.