A Better Man

It is amazing that this series over the course of fifteen books is consistently well-written, never gets stale, has complex storylines, and the characters stay consistent across the books. To say that Penny is an amazing writer is putting it mildly. There arent enough words to describe her writing so Ill settle for complex and lyrical.

In this outing, Armand Gamache has been demoted to Chief Inspector at the Surete du Quebec. There is a vicious smear campaign on social media beating him up over events that occurred in the previous book. For the time being, he answers to Jean-Guy Beauvoir, a man Gamache mentored when Beauvoir was a new agent. Its spring and the ice and snow on the rivers are beginning to melt and the rivers are rising, including the river running at the back door of Three Pines, where Gamache and his wife live. And there is a missing pregnant woman who may have been murdered by her abusive husband. Gamache is assigned the case more to get him out of the building and away from Quebec than because its a high-profile matter. Gamache must deal with the rain, sleet, snow, rising rivers, a distraught father, an unlikable husband, and his own thoughts and feelings.

There is never enough time or space to sing the praises of Pennys characters or her storylines.

This book, like the others, can be read as a standalone because Penny gives enough information so the new reader isnt left in the dark. But as a new reader be prepared to feel compelled to buy the first in the series, A Still Life, and put it near the top of your to-be-read list. You wont be disappointed.

My thanks to Minotaur and Edelweiss for an eArc.

First let me say ,I always preorder her books. But Im thinking maybe I will not on the next book. And I hate to say that cause she is so kind. Her newsletters, she just is so nice. But this book had my head spinning at the end I was like wait, what? who did kill her, so much back and forth.. and so much rehashing of older events. I know what happened at the raid will effect them for years to come. But I hope the next book moves past that and maybe gets back to solving a murder or two. And I also hope she gets over everyone being out to trash Gamache. It reminds me of another author that I quit reading for the same reason, every book , everyone was against the main character, enough. What I like is her books are familiar, all the characters are. And what about Jean Guy, how will he be in the lead story anymore? I will read the next book, for sure cause Im invested in Gamache. Just some things really frustrated me with this book.

Throughout the book, all I kept thinking was Whats the rush?

Until this mess of a book appeared, the author treated each character lovingly and never rushed the narrative. Every word, scene and bit of dialogue was carefully crafted. The twists were authentic, believable and they played out methodically. Unfortunately, none of that thoughtfulness and care made its way into this book. It reads like a a fan-fiction novel. Or worse, like a bad editor trying to write a book for client.

Characters became caricatures and behaved in ridiculous, juvenile ways. Twice in the book, Myrna is said to be lowering herself on her ample/large backside. Clara devolves into a histrionic Drama Queen, who somehow ruins her career-completely-with one show featuring a series of miniature paintings. This one show received bad reviews and generated a social media backlash #claramorrowsux. We are asked to believe that all her previous buyers want to return her ALL her other paintings One of critics shows up in TP, thinks about moving there then drops out of the book-just disappears.

Furthermore, were asked to believe that Twitter has the Suerte thrown into chaos because of criticisms and negative opinions under (wait for it!) #gamagesux? Of course, this is nothing compared to another video being released, with racist overtones, but the racism isnt discussed at all.

I am assuming Louise Penny is trying to make some commentary regarding social media, but I couldnt figure out what that was…finally I simply didnt care.

This is Jean-Guys last case. I dont know who he is, anymore. Even Ruth becomes mundane, silly and disingenuous.

There was no comfort or wisdom in this book. I would rather wait years between books than for the stories to be rushed and lose the charm and beauty they once had. Ive ALWAYS given the books in this series 5 stars!

This one, however, I wish Id never read

this book is not recognizable as a louise penny work . i’m a quarter way through an absolutely nothing has happened. just a bunch of over described weather a bit of soap opera and a lot of stilted almost juvenile dialogue. very disappointed ! i dont have any interest in finishing it.

I love Louise Pennys previous works…except this book and the previous one in the Gamache series. This felt like a rehash in places and a short story dragged out to become a book. I look forward to the next book and a return to excellence that is Ms Pennys trademark…usually.

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