This was as much fun to listen to as the first one. The narrator is first rate, and she breathes life into each character. Some of the situations in wThis was as much fun to listen to as the first one. The narrator is first rate, and she breathes life into each character. Some of the situations in which Finlay finds herself seem a little over the top, but the story as a whole is funny and has many endearing episodes. Like the first book, this second book has a small cliffhanger that makes me want to read the third book ASAP! ...more
To whomever recommended this book to me, thank you! I enjoyed the crazy adventures of Finlay and her friends & family. Some antics seemed a little oveTo whomever recommended this book to me, thank you! I enjoyed the crazy adventures of Finlay and her friends & family. Some antics seemed a little over the top, but by suspending logic, I could laugh & enjoy the antics. The love interests are fun, but never overshadow the main event: Murder!! Finlay is supposed to be writing sexy mysteries, but I’m glad this book had more mystery with just a bit of sexy. ...more
This was a difficult book to put down. I wanted to keep listening, but other activities demanded my attention. It is a compelling story, with all ThreThis was a difficult book to put down. I wanted to keep listening, but other activities demanded my attention. It is a compelling story, with all Three Pines� characters involved in solving the mystery of a hidden room and its origins. New characters Fiona & Harriet are graduating with engineering degrees, and they play a part in the discovery of the room. Fiona is also part of an old murder that Armand & Jean Guy solved together when first meeting.
When I came to the “big reveal� in the book, I found my steps quickening. I recorded my fastest walk in months! Louise Penny writes with just the right amount of suspense, and then pulls back to reveal more calm details before plowing forward at full speed. Thus a fast walk!
I liked the book, even though the evil revealed gave me chills. The love that the Three Pines community exudes pulls me in and I don’t want to leave. I know that all will be well when I’m here.
The evil that finds them is horrifying, and I’m glad it’s not in my neighborhood or home. This book reveals the most heinous acts yet, by the maddest of mad men. Those gave me nightmares.
Though I listened to the book, I also had the print edition. The acknowledgments at the end revealed the truths in the book: the engineering murders and the painting found in the hidden room. Don’t just listen to the excellent narrator - get the book and read the acknowledgments. ...more
This was a tough book to read. I don’t usually like reading books about spousal abuse since I was married to an abusive husband, and raised by an abusThis was a tough book to read. I don’t usually like reading books about spousal abuse since I was married to an abusive husband, and raised by an abusive father. But Louise Penny has a way with words and making her characters sympathetic and empathetic. The main characters are trying to stop major flooding at the same time that they are looking for a missing person, presumed dead. Both are edge of your seat events, and neither is easily fixed. This is not my favorite book by Louise Penny, but is still worth 4 stars....more
How can a woman who writes about the lovely town of Three Pines & its eccentric characters also be the woman who convincingly writes about a dirty, grHow can a woman who writes about the lovely town of Three Pines & its eccentric characters also be the woman who convincingly writes about a dirty, grimy city and horrific drug dealings? Amidst these two places, she also writes about a reading of a will in an abandoned farmhouse that must be executed by three people who seem to have nothing in common with the dead woman. She’s an amazing writer who can bring all three areas into focus perfectly. She writes about the best to the worst and makes me believe her stories are true - not fiction. I was amazed how she wrote effortlessly about an admired character in a former book falling into disrepute. With the execution of the will, she skillfully reveals how and why she chose each executor. The drug trafficking is real, sickening, and deftly handled by Ms. Penny. This was an good, albeit, tough read, so 4 stars from me. ...more
Louise Penny uses the story of the boy who called wolf to start this novel. A young boy, prone to exaggeration, tells everyone in the Bistro about a hLouise Penny uses the story of the boy who called wolf to start this novel. A young boy, prone to exaggeration, tells everyone in the Bistro about a huge gun in the middle of the woods. No one believes him. When he is found dead, from an apparent accident on his bicycle, Armand and others in 3 Pines suspect it’s more than an accident.
I liked the way the suspense built as the gun and the boy’s murder are investigated. The gun is capable of heinous atrocities without the use of modern technology - the perfect weapon. WWII and engineers figure prominently in its past & present. The young boy is mourned, and regret is felt by most everyone who did not believe him, and go with him to see the gun. Someone in the quiet village of 3 Pines is not who he says he is - which has happened before for good and bad. Further revelations of all of 3 Pines� residents is enthralling. I love Ruth!! ...more
Louise Penny’s books are more about her characters and the circumstances in their lives that help them develop & grow than about the mystery of a persLouise Penny’s books are more about her characters and the circumstances in their lives that help them develop & grow than about the mystery of a person’s death and how to find the murderer. Before reading her books, I enjoyed reading a mystery so I could figure out who did it and be done with the book. But her mysteries are more complex. This one has a murder and it is solved by the end of the book, but there is so much more in between.
Louise Penny’s mysteries reveal a killer, but along the way, she reveals historic events with which I was unfamiliar- like the experiments conducted by Ewen Cameron, discussed in this novel. Her mysteries include multi-dimensional characters, but she reveals personal, quirky, endearing qualities about her characters - like the poet Ruth and her duck, the widow Clara and her artistic attempts, & the gay bistro owners, Gabri & Oliver. She brings up social problems and examines them from all angles - like the atrocities in the Sudan borne by Haniya Daoud and the repercussions of CoVid that showed the scarcity of supplies & fragility of the old & those with preexisting conditions espoused by Abigail Robison.
This was the best of all her mysteries because she didn’t answer all of the questions she posed. The reader wonders if Armand Gamache arrested the person who murdered someone, or an innocent person. Is it right to let the elderly and infirm suffer and die during a pandemic when resources are limited? Should we do more to help others in countries where woman and children are raped, beaten, and/or killed? Should innocent people who are seeking help be part of experiments that are helping war efforts?
I want to read her latest book, but my brain needs a break. Reading Louise Penny’s books are a delight when I’m in Three Pines with its residents, but the murder mysteries & Armand Gamache & his crew’s efforts to find a killer give my mind a workout. ...more
Surprisingly, this book doesn’t begin with a murder. When Peter doesn’t come home to Clara, Armand & Jean-Guy accompany her and Myrna on a quest to fiSurprisingly, this book doesn’t begin with a murder. When Peter doesn’t come home to Clara, Armand & Jean-Guy accompany her and Myrna on a quest to find him. I loved the pace of this book - unhurried, passionate, thorough. I learned a lot about the Three Pines� characters� values, and felt their love for one another. The references to Appointment in Samara & Little Big Man thrust me back to another time when I taught English & studied film. The descriptions of Peter’s and of his art teachers� paintings were vividly drawn - I could see them. I laughed when I read about the boat journey & the two very different cabins. Reine-Marie & Ruth become formidable allies for her husband & his 2nd in command, which endeared me to both women. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book.
This and the previous 9 audio books added to my enjoyment of these books. In high school, I tried to learn French for three years. Hearing the French spoken in this book was a treat for me. It tested my adolescent knowledge of the language. I enjoyed the narrator & was saddened and shocked to learn that he passed away unexpectedly, so he will no longer be the voice for Louise Penny’s books. RIP Ralph Cosham. You were a brilliant narrator. ...more
Like all of her other books, the characters are varied, and interesting. Ruth reveals a part of her past for which she expresses guilt. The black hoodLike all of her other books, the characters are varied, and interesting. Ruth reveals a part of her past for which she expresses guilt. The black hooded figure in the center of Three Pines elicits this confession and her friends follow suit with their own guilt ridden memories. The figure - a Cobrador - is said to be a conscience. He’s there to make someone admit their guilt and repent. Not to kill. But someone is dead, and rather than accuse this unknown figure, it is a young baker, new to town, who is arrested & is on trial. But did she do it?
I like Armand’s Godfather Stephen. So it was a shock when he was hit by a car in the first few pages of the book. More shocking were the events that tI like Armand’s Godfather Stephen. So it was a shock when he was hit by a car in the first few pages of the book. More shocking were the events that transpired afterwards - another death, suspicions of betrayal among family and friends, and corporate espionage. It was riveting! As Louise Penny laid bread crumbs to a satisfying ending, I had my suspicions, but she clearly had me fooled as to who were the devils and angels in this story. ...more
I love the 4 students helping Armand, and how they evolve through the story. The murderer is completely unknown to me until the very end. If you guess more quickly, you’re a better detective than I.
I love the sumptuous details of food eaten, and the way she describes the homes and seasons. I’ve never been to Three Pines, but I’m convinced I could draw myself a map. I just don’t know how to get there! ...more
I loved learning about Gregorian chants and the lives of the monks. The killer was a surprise to me, and the ending tragic. I love the main charactersI loved learning about Gregorian chants and the lives of the monks. The killer was a surprise to me, and the ending tragic. I love the main characters and loathe the Superintendent. Louise Penny is a marvelous writer who makes me feel as if I’m in the story....more
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