A Great Reckoning (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #12) in Pick-a-Shelf

Oct 16, 2016 Tiffany rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery-suspense, favorites, love-this-author, read-in-2016

After completing each new Louise Penny novel, I fear that it will be the last Gamache novel, yet again and again, Louise Penney finds a way to breathe new life and intrigue into the stories we have come to love. I have been a loyal fan of this series since the very first time Inspector Gamache laid eyes on the small, mysterious village of Three Pines, that isn't actually on any maps, and introduced us to its quirky residents. The writing is thoughtful, intelligent and at times, quite emotional. After completing each new Louise Penny novel, I fear that it will be the last Gamache novel, yet again and again, Louise Penney finds a way to breathe new life and intrigue into the stories we have come to love. I have been a loyal fan of this series since the very first time Inspector Gamache laid eyes on the small, mysterious village of Three Pines, that isn't actually on any maps, and introduced us to its quirky residents. The writing is thoughtful, intelligent and at times, quite emotional. In the midst of the serious nature of finding a murderer, Penny is able to insert levity in to the dialogue at just the right moments. These are the only mysteries where I find myself snickering out loud and then alternately holding my breath as I turn the page to reveal another layer to the mystery. The characters have become as familiar as family, and the bistro a second home. A Great Reckoning felt like the pressure that has been building since the beginning was finally coming to a head. We have seem Gamache spends years uncovering the corruption in the Surete, seeing his own best friend banished for his part in the scandal, and almost dying, and eventually, stepping away from it all. But Gamache has decided to leave his peaceful home in Three Pines to do one more thing, to clean up the academy that is training the new Surete agents. Shortly in to his reign as Commander of the academy, a professor is found murdered, and the evidence seems to point to Gamache and a new freshman recruit that has a mysteries connection to Gamache. I've heard several people say that unfolding this mystery was like peeling away the layers of a onion. Another reviewer described as a the blossoming of a rose, one petal at a time, until finally, the rose is in full bloom and all secrets are exposed. I tried to read this book as slowly as possible, to soak up every word and description, but as I closed in on the end of the story, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I had to know where the were leading and what it meant for Armand Gamache. This may be the greatest story yet, but of course, I think that about each story. I do hope there is more in store for my favorite inspector since Hercule Poirot. ...more

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Jul 20, 2023 Jenn rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2023-cover-to-cover

I always forget how good these Armand Gamanche books are. I tried reading this last year and couldn’t get into it. But hubby chose it for me this time and I must obey lol. A good tale that explains about America, Michel Brebeuf, how Three Pines came to be wiped off the maps and numerous other massive character developments. Will Gamanche be fully accused of murdering Leduc or is it supposition?

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Dec 08, 2018 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult-fiction, mystery, series

Yet another wonderful Gamache book. I’m almost at the most recently released book, which is sad because soon I will have to wait a long time for the next one! I love the way the story is stretched evenly across the book, where every sentence is either important to the plot or hilarious. Or occasionally both. Love this series so much!!

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Feb 19, 2017 Holly Foley (Procida) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fiction

It was breaking my heart throughout this mystery to consider who the murderer might have been. I can't spoil it by giving more detail than that, but know, that by reading this book you will be wrapped in a cozy mystery with a lot of good character development and description. ...more

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