Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed A Better Man (Chief Inspector Gamache, Bk 15) on + 973 more book reviews
Number 15 I think in the Gamache series. While you know he'll find the killer, and you know Ruth and her duck will cuss, it's till an enjoyable read. The characters are familiar, the setting familiar. Enough twists to keep you guessing.
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed A Better Man (Chief Inspector Gamache, Bk 15) on + 1213 more book reviews
A BETTER MAN is the fifteenth book in the Gamache series and follows KINGDOM OF THE BLIND which I read a few months ago. I found out that Penny will publish the nineteenth book, THE GREY WOLF, in October so I thought I better try to catch up a little on one of my favorite series. I have read all the previous books in order (which I would recommend doing given that previous events are discussed in the books) and I now only have a few left to read.
In this one, Gamache returns to the Sûreté du Quebec as the head of the homicide department after his demotion relating to events in the previous novels. However, his protege, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, is currently serving in that position until his pending departure from the Sûreté to take a job in Paris. So technically Gamache is reporting to his once subordinate. On his first day back on the job, he is bombarded by a doctored video on social media which portends to show Gamache wantonly killing black children. Then there is major spring flooding across Quebec which may wipe out the small town of Three Pines where Gamache is now living. And Gamache is approached by a subordinate who is trying to help a friend find her missing daughter. Meanwhile in Three Pines, Clara, the local artist is being attacked on social media for her latest offerings of a series of miniature artwork that people and critics feel are inferior work for her. The missing daughter turns out to be married to an abusive husband who may have murdered her along with her unborn child. Gamache feels empathy for the father as he can relate to how it must feel to be in his position. So what happened to the missing wife and daughter? Did her abusive husband kill her or did something else happen?
This was another very good entry in the Gamache series by Penny. I especially enjoy when the narrative takes place in the quaint village of Three Pines with the interplay among the eccentric characters living there. This one uses the Three Pines locale extensively so I was pleased. Penny also threw in several twists to the story and I was surprised by what happened to the missing woman. I'll be looking forward to continuing with the series but may hold off on reading the final books so I'll continue to have them to look forward to.
In this one, Gamache returns to the Sûreté du Quebec as the head of the homicide department after his demotion relating to events in the previous novels. However, his protege, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, is currently serving in that position until his pending departure from the Sûreté to take a job in Paris. So technically Gamache is reporting to his once subordinate. On his first day back on the job, he is bombarded by a doctored video on social media which portends to show Gamache wantonly killing black children. Then there is major spring flooding across Quebec which may wipe out the small town of Three Pines where Gamache is now living. And Gamache is approached by a subordinate who is trying to help a friend find her missing daughter. Meanwhile in Three Pines, Clara, the local artist is being attacked on social media for her latest offerings of a series of miniature artwork that people and critics feel are inferior work for her. The missing daughter turns out to be married to an abusive husband who may have murdered her along with her unborn child. Gamache feels empathy for the father as he can relate to how it must feel to be in his position. So what happened to the missing wife and daughter? Did her abusive husband kill her or did something else happen?
This was another very good entry in the Gamache series by Penny. I especially enjoy when the narrative takes place in the quaint village of Three Pines with the interplay among the eccentric characters living there. This one uses the Three Pines locale extensively so I was pleased. Penny also threw in several twists to the story and I was surprised by what happened to the missing woman. I'll be looking forward to continuing with the series but may hold off on reading the final books so I'll continue to have them to look forward to.
Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) -
Not particularly a better book from Penny. Still written well with some snappy dialogue, but too long and drawn out, and too many instances of Gamache and his wife and associates musing about âwhat would I do?â if they were in the same situation as the father of the missing woman.
The solution to the mystery was unsatisfying, since so many of the people involved were lying or withholding information that Gamache miraculously finally infers the meanings of. Also, the 10-page recounting of the government officials meeting to discuss options about the flooding was boring and unnecessary (and why was the Surete Homicide Department involved in the discussions?) The flooding subsides and has little to do with the story except to facilitate one of those annoying coincidences that move plots along.
Also, please move on from that ambush in the factory from years ago; I have. Although her cast of characters in Three Pines still hold some interest, Clara's art trauma was a bit boring as well. Especially since we never see the miniatures (or her other works) in question. Perhaps the series has run its course.
The solution to the mystery was unsatisfying, since so many of the people involved were lying or withholding information that Gamache miraculously finally infers the meanings of. Also, the 10-page recounting of the government officials meeting to discuss options about the flooding was boring and unnecessary (and why was the Surete Homicide Department involved in the discussions?) The flooding subsides and has little to do with the story except to facilitate one of those annoying coincidences that move plots along.
Also, please move on from that ambush in the factory from years ago; I have. Although her cast of characters in Three Pines still hold some interest, Clara's art trauma was a bit boring as well. Especially since we never see the miniatures (or her other works) in question. Perhaps the series has run its course.
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Catastrophic spring flooding, blistering attacks in the media, and a mysterious disappearance greet Chief Inspector Armand Gamache in the latest novel by Louise Penny.
I found this book a bit disappointing. I am tired of the rehashing of the factory raid. There definitely was not enough about the magical, charming Three Pines that we all love to read about. Penny is an excellent writer and her plots are complex and her characters are unique but there was not much character development in this book. I really enjoy the early books but the last few have been very dark and dreary. Penny needs to get back to Three Pines so we can smell the bread baking and spend time with our characters that we so love from this series.
I found this book a bit disappointing. I am tired of the rehashing of the factory raid. There definitely was not enough about the magical, charming Three Pines that we all love to read about. Penny is an excellent writer and her plots are complex and her characters are unique but there was not much character development in this book. I really enjoy the early books but the last few have been very dark and dreary. Penny needs to get back to Three Pines so we can smell the bread baking and spend time with our characters that we so love from this series.
