Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Falling in Love with Louise

Receiving Louise Penny's The Brutal Telling (An Armand Gamache Novel) as an advance copy (thank you Minotaur Press/St Martins Books and you too FTC) turned out to be one of those miracle reading moments, the ones when you don't really know what you're getting into and it turns out to be a great reading experience.




The Brutal Telling is the fifth in Penny's Three Pines/Chief Inspector Gamache series set in a tiny village in Quebec. A village that sounds so charming you would love to visit it - except for the fact that murders keep occurring there.

The Brutal Telling is about the murder of a hermit who lived up in the woods amongst some of the world's most valuable antiques. As far as the mystery goes, I pretty much figured out who-done-it from the very beginning. Obviously, what I liked so much about this book was not so much the mystery aspect, but the characters that populate these books such as Chief Inspector Gamache. He is one of those 'knowing' souls, he sees and hears things the rest of us pay no attention to. He is polite, well dressed and he loves good food. Oh does he ever! I loved, loved, loved, reading about all the tasty things these characters were eating all the time. For me this novel was more about the why? and what if? than the who.

Well, I liked this book so much that I immediately went looking for books 1-4. And I wanted to read them RIGHT NOW! But I managed to ration myself to just one, reading Penny's first book Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel (Three Pines Mysteries) and enjoying it immensely as well. This cleared up some the past history and relationships for me that I read about in book five and this time around, I wasn't so certain who the murderer was.

Now I am greedily holding on to books 2-4. I've decided to reward myself with book 2 when I go to the in-laws for Christmas. They're lovely people but Christmas there tends to be a bit....dull. It's handy to have a book to immerse yourself in. You know.

15 comments:

Cornflower said...

I've had Louise's books on my wishlist for a while, but I do read her blog and get the impression from that that I'd really enjoy them.

Carrie K said...

I've got Still Life on order at my library - I'm something like 13th in line for 5 books! They sound fab.

And oh yes, I know exactly what you mean! I tend to take my knitting now instead of a book though.

Staci said...

I have this one and can't wait to read it. Every review I've read has been very favorable!!

bermudaonion said...

This does sound wonderful. It's so much fun to discover a great new series. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

I found Still Life in the library by a chance and I am so pleased I did. I loved it, and the three books that followed and I am so looking forward to book 5.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Loved this book so much, I went back and read #1--very good, and got the other 3 as well...enjoy the others.

Cath said...

Oh, I just love this series! I finished book 3, The Cruellest Month, a couple of weeks ago and now have The Murder Stone on my library pile. So pleased you love them too.

Danielle said...

I love those sorts of books that sneak up on you and end up being so great. I don't know if it's just timing or what--but those are some of the best reads! I've heard good things about this author and have the first book on hand, too!

Tara said...

Karen, I think that you would enjoy this series.

Carrie K, I hope you like it! Yes, knitting would be a handy occupation for these times.

Staci, I hope you like it! (Bet you will!)

Kathy, I think so too.

Fluerfisher, you are really going to enjoy book 5!

Diane, isn't this a great series! I hope Louise Penny has number 6 in the works..

Cath, wonderful! We seem to have some similar tastes in mysteries.

Danielle, I think you will find these to your liking!

Bonnie said...

This must be a wonderful series if you can start on book 5 and want to go back and read the rest! I'm adding this series to my wishlist.

Iliana said...

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this one! I didn't even realize she was up to book 5 already. I've read two and loved them so I need to catch up :)

Tara said...

Bonnie, it really is a great series!

Iliana, I'm sad that there are only 5, now!

Nan said...

I was just telling someone that I'm sad I don't like the books because she seems like such a nice person on her blog. But I guess she has enough fans that it doesn't matter. :<)

Tara said...

Nan, I admit to being surprised! This series 'seems' like one you would like.

Anonymous said...

Based on your recommendations and high praise of this series, I started Still Life this weekend. I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far. Thanks for alerting me to Louise Penny!