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laurieb755's reviews
759 reviews
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
5.0
I liked this as much as Louise Penny's first in this series, Still Life. However, because I wouldn't put this book down for long, I read the story up till bedtime last night and wound up having dreams that woke me three separate times! I finished the book this morning and am now ready to place a hold at the library on book number three - The Cruelest Month. Lesson learned - no reading of Penny's books before bedtime!
This series reminds me slightly of the Art History Mystery series of Iain Pears. Each of his books in that series dealt with an individual mystery, but sprinkled throughout all of the series was one additional mystery, resolved in the last book. So it appears to be the case with the Gamache series. And as with both series, the opportunity to truly get to know the characters and delve into their personas is quite satisfying. My next-door-neighbor, in discussing the Gamache books, noted how she has read several mystery series that have caused her to want to wander the same paths and visit the same towns as are noted in the mysteries.
This series reminds me slightly of the Art History Mystery series of Iain Pears. Each of his books in that series dealt with an individual mystery, but sprinkled throughout all of the series was one additional mystery, resolved in the last book. So it appears to be the case with the Gamache series. And as with both series, the opportunity to truly get to know the characters and delve into their personas is quite satisfying. My next-door-neighbor, in discussing the Gamache books, noted how she has read several mystery series that have caused her to want to wander the same paths and visit the same towns as are noted in the mysteries.
The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny
5.0
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!
Smitten with these stories, I have just reserved a copy of #4, A Rule Against Murder!
Lillian and Dash by Sam Toperoff
3.0
I never read any of Dashiell Hammett's or Lillian Hellman's writings, nor have I ever seen a Hellman play or movie. But I was a huge fan of Humphrey Bogart, making me a big fan of The Maltese Falcon, which led to The Thin Man. This is why I read Toperoff's book (and because my brother-in-law had it on his list of suggested books.)
Glad I read the book, though not entirely sure how I feel about it. Most of the time it read as I imagine a Dashiell Hammett novel would read. At first I found it entertaining. Then I found it sad. Then I found myself doing research about some of the topics. Sheesh, I believed that Waxman (Julius?) existed and truly was murdered. (Had to look that one up, only to discover it was a piece of fiction.)
Toperoff's "fictional biography" (his description) has banter reminiscent of the best of The Philadelphia Story. And the lives of both Hammett and Hellman were certainly filled with adventure. But I am not so sure I liked either of them as people. And because Toperoff crafts such a believable story, I wound up taking this as the official fictional truth. Definitely not a reliable source, but as good a fake one as they come!
Glad I read the book, though not entirely sure how I feel about it. Most of the time it read as I imagine a Dashiell Hammett novel would read. At first I found it entertaining. Then I found it sad. Then I found myself doing research about some of the topics. Sheesh, I believed that Waxman (Julius?) existed and truly was murdered. (Had to look that one up, only to discover it was a piece of fiction.)
Toperoff's "fictional biography" (his description) has banter reminiscent of the best of The Philadelphia Story. And the lives of both Hammett and Hellman were certainly filled with adventure. But I am not so sure I liked either of them as people. And because Toperoff crafts such a believable story, I wound up taking this as the official fictional truth. Definitely not a reliable source, but as good a fake one as they come!
A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny
4.0
Louise Penny continues her string of Gamache mysteries, vivid with descriptions of place (and food!) and people and human feelings. Thought I even figured out the "how" only to discover I was heading in the right direction but not close enough. Not entirely sure why I rated this 4 stars and not 5; perhaps because I'm miffed it wasn't longer!
Stopped by the library this afternoon hoping to pick up the next book, only to discover it was not in the stacks, so home I headed to reserve a copy online. I am addicted to the Gamache stories, but a tad wary of what I will learn next. You see, on Louise Penny's site there is a brief synopsis of each book. I am anxious on behalf of Inspector Gamache for what the future holds. Though suppose I can breath a sigh of relief, because while there are still four or five novels for me for read, a new one is due out at the end of this coming August!
Stopped by the library this afternoon hoping to pick up the next book, only to discover it was not in the stacks, so home I headed to reserve a copy online. I am addicted to the Gamache stories, but a tad wary of what I will learn next. You see, on Louise Penny's site there is a brief synopsis of each book. I am anxious on behalf of Inspector Gamache for what the future holds. Though suppose I can breath a sigh of relief, because while there are still four or five novels for me for read, a new one is due out at the end of this coming August!
The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
5.0
Whoa. My breath was taken away. Till the very last moment I did not believe it could be "he". (Am avoiding being a spoiler!) But it isn't just the mystery that takes my breath away. It is the story behind the story. And the word "conscience".
--
Okay, so my comments may seem meaningless or insufficiently descriptive. Just know that I have come to have a fondness for the residents of Three Pines, and I shudder to see their lives impacted by murders. The tiny village in the middle of nowhere, not far from Vermont, over the Canadian border, does seem to attract an unusual number of murders, especially considering how small the population the village has an unusual proportion of residents to people-dead-by-murder.
With this tale Louise Penny was passing along a moral or two. You'll have to read the book to discover what those morals are, for you.
--
Okay, so my comments may seem meaningless or insufficiently descriptive. Just know that I have come to have a fondness for the residents of Three Pines, and I shudder to see their lives impacted by murders. The tiny village in the middle of nowhere, not far from Vermont, over the Canadian border, does seem to attract an unusual number of murders, especially considering how small the population the village has an unusual proportion of residents to people-dead-by-murder.
With this tale Louise Penny was passing along a moral or two. You'll have to read the book to discover what those morals are, for you.
A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny
5.0
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, Jean Guy Beauvoir, their colleagues, and the residents of Three Pines - each one of them grows and changes over time. Perhaps that is what endears them to me, and makes me feel as if I am there alongside them in Canada. Such is Louise Penny's authorial style that she whips up a blend of characters (I want to call them people) and events that seem (I want to describe them as "are") possible.
Olivier has returned home. Clara has her one-woman exhibit. Jean Guy struggles with pain, both physical and psychological. Armand copes and moves forward. Peter becomes more himself, prodded by Clara's artistry. And life goes on in Three Pines. Sandwiched in is a murder, for it wouldn't be a Louise Penny/Armand Gamache book without that defining event.
Eagerly awaitine the next book reserved at the library. :-)
Olivier has returned home. Clara has her one-woman exhibit. Jean Guy struggles with pain, both physical and psychological. Armand copes and moves forward. Peter becomes more himself, prodded by Clara's artistry. And life goes on in Three Pines. Sandwiched in is a murder, for it wouldn't be a Louise Penny/Armand Gamache book without that defining event.
Eagerly awaitine the next book reserved at the library. :-)
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
5.0
The Gregorian chants moved me; I heard them despite their being words on a page in a Louise Penny-Armand Gamache mystery. And I winced for Gamache and understood Jean Guy's wrath as they both dealt with Francoeur, a most despicable person. And I have, of course, logged online to my local library and reserved the next book in the series!
How the Light Gets in by Louise Penny
5.0
Riveted to my comfy living room armchair, I could not go to bed till knowing if Gamache was safe, though safe can be a relative term. Constance thought she was safe. Gamache knew he would not be safe until the lingering Arnot issue was resolved. Jean-Guy was caught in the "safety" of delusion.
Louise Penny just gets better and better at her craft, and her characters just become more and more human. No, that's not quite accurate. They become more and more like flesh and blood, and less and less like imagined actors in a printed book.
And at the very end, in my comfy living room armchair, my eyes were filled with tears.
Louise Penny just gets better and better at her craft, and her characters just become more and more human. No, that's not quite accurate. They become more and more like flesh and blood, and less and less like imagined actors in a printed book.
And at the very end, in my comfy living room armchair, my eyes were filled with tears.
Family Album: A Personal Selection from Four Generations of Churchills by Mary Soames
4.0
I am a big fan of Churchill and have read multiple books about him. This latest is a rich album of photos compiled by his youngest child, Mary Soames. She had the same spirit of adventure as Winston, and her commentary not only provides an insider's view of Churchill's exploits, politics, and family, but also an historic overview of events through his lifetime. I wonder if this might make for a compelling entry into history for those who are not avid readers or those not usually interested in potentially dry history texts.…