Karen’s review of The Black Wolf (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #20) > Likes and Comments
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Fantastic review. My spouse loves the Penny books but I dipped into one once and DNF-ed—- I think it was just my mood. Your review makes me want to try them again but I’m so sorry this one was such a bummer!
Your words voiced your conflicted sentiments so well, I am sorry this was a disappointment for how it was mired by too much wavering in its exhaustive themes, but truly a very well-written review, Karen. ❤️🩹
Wow…as always, I appreciate your thoughtful, and well-worded review. This wasn’t what I expected to hear but it really does make sense. I’ll be curious as to how I feel after reading it. 😅
I have a few books in this series. This is my next series I am taking on in the New Year. Fab thoughts on this one as always!!! 💌
Understandable. I stepped away much earlier than you did. Thanks for sharing. 💔🐺
Great review, Karen! Sorry this was such a letdown of a beloved series. I understand why reading a story with lots of messages isn't what you're wanting as an escape.
I'm sorry this series isn't losing the power it had in the previous books. Still a stunning an beautiful review. ♥
Fair enough, Karen. Balanced review. Well done. 🤗💕
I really appreciate how honestly and thoughtfully you put this into words. It’s never easy to admit disappointment in a series that’s meant so much over the years, and I can feel that sense of quiet grief in what you’ve written. That “letting go” feeling resonates deeply, especially when a character like Gamache has lived with us for so long.
Your observations about the shift toward heavier moral messaging and the novel feeling more like a warning than a mystery make a lot of sense. I also felt that weight—the pervasive distrust and looming threat can be exhausting rather than immersive, even when the themes themselves are important. When the balance tips too far toward message over story, it’s hard not to miss the subtlety and emotional pull that once defined the series.
Gamache remains such a compelling, deeply human character, which may be why seeing him so burdened by relentless darkness is especially hard. Your question about whether this marks a natural endpoint—for him, or for us as readers—feels both fair and poignant.
Thank you for sharing such a nuanced reflection. Even when a book doesn’t fully satisfy, conversations like this remind me why reading—and sharing our responses—still matters so much.
I am still waiting to read it. Maybe I won't do it too soon.
Excellent review 👏 hun.
Sorry you didn't find it as satisfying as you had hoped.
So sorry that you were disappointed, Karen. Hope your next book is five stars ⭐️!
Sorry to hear this didn’t measure up to the prior installments. It’s always disappointing when that happens. Fair and fantastic review!!💜
Such a fair and honest review, Karen. I hesitate to read The Black Wolf after feeling the weight of The Grey Wolf. This has always been a favorite series for me. We've just lost our way from Three Pines.
I feel your pain! Appreciate the honest review! ❤️
Great review, Karen! I loved this series from the first sentence in the first book that I read, but I struggled with rating this one. I gave it four stars but completely understand your reasoning. I read fiction to escape what is going on in the world.
Well expressed review. I’ve put off listening to this because, like you, I love this series, but have heard a lot of very iffy reviews.
Fabulous review Karen. So sorry you feel you might have come to the end of one of your go to series. It has happened to me with Jack Reacher and I've also struggled with the later Rebus books. Hope your next read makes up for it.
I have read every book in the series, but after giving ”the Grey Wolf” a 1-star rating I was done. You confirm my decision with your review. The natural ending to the series would have been book 10. It’s gotten progressively worse since.
Hmm. Makes me wonder about this. I've read all the Reacher books and didn't feel too much of a drop in quality, however, I trust your judgement here.
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Elizabeth
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Dec 30, 2025 05:50AM
Fantastic review. My spouse loves the Penny books but I dipped into one once and DNF-ed—- I think it was just my mood. Your review makes me want to try them again but I’m so sorry this one was such a bummer!
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Your words voiced your conflicted sentiments so well, I am sorry this was a disappointment for how it was mired by too much wavering in its exhaustive themes, but truly a very well-written review, Karen. ❤️🩹
Wow…as always, I appreciate your thoughtful, and well-worded review. This wasn’t what I expected to hear but it really does make sense. I’ll be curious as to how I feel after reading it. 😅
I have a few books in this series. This is my next series I am taking on in the New Year. Fab thoughts on this one as always!!! 💌
Understandable. I stepped away much earlier than you did. Thanks for sharing. 💔🐺
Great review, Karen! Sorry this was such a letdown of a beloved series. I understand why reading a story with lots of messages isn't what you're wanting as an escape.
I'm sorry this series isn't losing the power it had in the previous books. Still a stunning an beautiful review. ♥
Fair enough, Karen. Balanced review. Well done. 🤗💕
I really appreciate how honestly and thoughtfully you put this into words. It’s never easy to admit disappointment in a series that’s meant so much over the years, and I can feel that sense of quiet grief in what you’ve written. That “letting go” feeling resonates deeply, especially when a character like Gamache has lived with us for so long.Your observations about the shift toward heavier moral messaging and the novel feeling more like a warning than a mystery make a lot of sense. I also felt that weight—the pervasive distrust and looming threat can be exhausting rather than immersive, even when the themes themselves are important. When the balance tips too far toward message over story, it’s hard not to miss the subtlety and emotional pull that once defined the series.
Gamache remains such a compelling, deeply human character, which may be why seeing him so burdened by relentless darkness is especially hard. Your question about whether this marks a natural endpoint—for him, or for us as readers—feels both fair and poignant.
Thank you for sharing such a nuanced reflection. Even when a book doesn’t fully satisfy, conversations like this remind me why reading—and sharing our responses—still matters so much.
I am still waiting to read it. Maybe I won't do it too soon.
Excellent review 👏 hun.
Sorry you didn't find it as satisfying as you had hoped.
So sorry that you were disappointed, Karen. Hope your next book is five stars ⭐️!
Sorry to hear this didn’t measure up to the prior installments. It’s always disappointing when that happens. Fair and fantastic review!!💜
Such a fair and honest review, Karen. I hesitate to read The Black Wolf after feeling the weight of The Grey Wolf. This has always been a favorite series for me. We've just lost our way from Three Pines.
I feel your pain! Appreciate the honest review! ❤️
Great review, Karen! I loved this series from the first sentence in the first book that I read, but I struggled with rating this one. I gave it four stars but completely understand your reasoning. I read fiction to escape what is going on in the world.
Well expressed review. I’ve put off listening to this because, like you, I love this series, but have heard a lot of very iffy reviews.
Fabulous review Karen. So sorry you feel you might have come to the end of one of your go to series. It has happened to me with Jack Reacher and I've also struggled with the later Rebus books. Hope your next read makes up for it.
I have read every book in the series, but after giving ”the Grey Wolf” a 1-star rating I was done. You confirm my decision with your review. The natural ending to the series would have been book 10. It’s gotten progressively worse since.
Hmm. Makes me wonder about this. I've read all the Reacher books and didn't feel too much of a drop in quality, however, I trust your judgement here.
