Read Books This will provide a list of the books I've read with a brief review. Users are blocked, contact me for access. I welcome discussions, but I'm tired of spam.

December 26, 2013

The Beautiful Mystery: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny

Filed under: Mystery,Series — Tags: — Randolph @ 9:01 pm

The Beautiful Mystery: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny

A murder has happened in a monastery. A very private monastery that never accepts visitors. The suspects are all monks, the only clue is a small piece of a Gregorian Chant, except it might be modern.

To complicate the investigation, Superintendent Sylvain Francoeur arrived bringing his own baggage from a prior book. His conflict with Gamache comes to a head, and now involves Beauvoir. Although this conflict beats up, it isn’t resolved and promises to continue in the next book.

The mystery is slow for much of the book, and isn’t one the reader can solve. Clues flow in throughout the book, and is solved suddenly. The book is more about the characters and the chants. The chants are a spiritual influence on the characters. The monastic life of the monks is forefront in the novel. The monks have a natural ability to read people and understand unstated feelings, which provides a challenge to Gamache’s investigation as their skill seems to surpass his own.

Best quote from the book:
Following the arrival of an envoy from the Vatican.
“Jeez,” said Beauvoir. “The Inquisition. I didn’t expect that.”
“No one does,” said Gamache.

ALthough slow in the middle, I found the book very enjoyable. A must read for Gamache or Louise Penny fans, but read them in order!

October 20, 2011

A Trick of the Light: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny

Filed under: Mystery,Series,Uncategorized — Tags: — Randolph @ 8:20 pm

A Trick of the Light: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny

This book is as good as the previous in the series, but in my opinion, a bit darker. Gamache and Beauvior have some personal issues to resolve. But Clara has her moment to shine in the art world, or she would if a dead body didn’t show up.

A long-time friend turned evil art critic that everyone hates appeared and died during Clara’s vernissage. Lots of suspects, naturally. Gamache and crew investigate in their calm and relentless manner to uncover the killer.

The one part I felt lacking was the conclusion. It was done too much in the style of Agatha Christie. I’m sure it was an homage, but felt more of a domage. It was just a bit too much.

The characters are as rich as ever, there is plenty going on to keep the reader involved. Overall, it is a very good book.

December 3, 2010

Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

Filed under: Favorites,Mystery,Series — Tags: — Randolph @ 9:35 pm

This is the sixth mystery in theThree Pines series involving Chief Inspector Armand Gamache.  It is set in the bitter winter of Quebec.  This story involves four intertwined mysteries that Gamache has to unravel, one of which played out in Quebec’s distant past.

This book continues from the last book, The Brutal Telling , following Oliver’s conviction.  Gamache is convinced Oliver is innocent, but there is no proof.  Nor does Gabri, who sends Gamache daily letters: “Why would Oliver move the body?

Now there are further events, a murder in a library, a mysterious archaeologist, and an officer is shot.  Louise Penny drops clues of events to come starting with page one: with a police raid, [Gamache] had made a mistake.

Louis Penny has an extraordinary ability to tell a story, and in this book she takes the art to a new level.  The stories interweave very naturally as Gamache works on all the issues and works his resources.

As usual, her characters are rich with histories, interests, and deep interactions with each other.  She brings the town to life with its English-speaking culture within the Francophones of Quebec.  She researches her information well and it shows in her details.

Gamache is exposed to us a little more with a chink in his armor.  His relationship with is fellow officers and the community of Three Pines grows.  There are some questions that still need answering.  I’m looking forward to book 7.

February 16, 2010

The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny

Filed under: Humor,Mystery,Series — Tags: — Randolph @ 3:47 pm

The Brutal Telling by Louise PennyThe Brutal Telling is the fifth book in the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny. In this book, Gamache investigates the death of an unknown man who’s body is found in the local Bistro. As the story unfolds, secrets are uncovered in layers.

I’ve enjoyed all of Penny’s stories. The characters are very rich and well developed, the stories are well told. The characters continue to develop and sometimes evolve in each of the books, giving something to look forward to in the next installment.

From time to time, I feel that Gamache is making an unreasonable leap, not following every possibility, but it is forgivable since the story is so well told. In the end, everything is tied up and the story makes perfect sense.

April 6, 2009

A Rule Against Murder: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel (Armand Gamache Novel) by Louise Penny

Filed under: Mystery,Series — Tags: — Randolph @ 4:31 pm

The Murder Stone by Louise PennyAn Inspector Gamache mystery, the murder weapon is a toppled statue

September 15, 2008

The Cruelest Month: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny

Filed under: Mystery,Series — Tags: — Randolph @ 9:37 pm

The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny

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