Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 3
First Line: Up the stairs they raced, taking them two at a time, trying to be as quiet as possible.
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has come to the beautiful old city of Quebec during Winter Carnival to recuperate from an investigation gone horrifically wrong. He stays with a dear friend, he takes his dog for walks along the streets, he frequents favorite restaurants, and he does a bit of research at the English-operated Literary and Historical Society. But death intrudes even in that sanctuary, and everyday a letter arrives from the village of Three Pines which tells Gamache, "He didn't do it, you know."
I was absolutely thrilled with Penny's first novel, Still Life, and-- incredibly-- each book in this series has grown stronger and stronger. Readers new to Penny will rejoice that they don't need to start with book one. Although characters from previous books make appearances in Bury Your Dead, it isn't necessary to read the other books in order to enjoy this one. Readers who are well aware of Penny's talent will simply rejoice that there's a new book to read. (We know the treat we have in store.)
At the beginning of this book, we are told that Gamache and other members of his team have been seriously injured in a previous investigation, but Penny wisely doles out the information about this in a slow but steady stream. A strength in this book is that-- although I was dying to know everything about this investigation-- I didn't become angered by the author's slipping away into other plot threads. The other plot threads themselves are very strong.
There is information about the French and English communities in Quebec, both past and current. The treasure hunt revolving around Samuel de Champlain is fascinating. Gamache sending his second-in-command, Jean Guy Beauvoir, to Three Pines to reopen an investigation introduces new readers to that marvelous village of characters that is so beloved by those of us who already know it.
This series is consistently excellent, and is one that I always recommend to others. Many mysteries seem to focus so strongly on death and past mistakes that they never rise above the two. There are two sentences in Penny's acknowledgments that tell readers a great deal about the series as a whole: "Like the rest of the Chief Inspector Gamache books, Bury Your Dead is not about death, but about life. And the need to both respect the past and let it go." This is why these books rise above: they have a humanity that so many of the others lack.
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has come to the beautiful old city of Quebec during Winter Carnival to recuperate from an investigation gone horrifically wrong. He stays with a dear friend, he takes his dog for walks along the streets, he frequents favorite restaurants, and he does a bit of research at the English-operated Literary and Historical Society. But death intrudes even in that sanctuary, and everyday a letter arrives from the village of Three Pines which tells Gamache, "He didn't do it, you know."
I was absolutely thrilled with Penny's first novel, Still Life, and-- incredibly-- each book in this series has grown stronger and stronger. Readers new to Penny will rejoice that they don't need to start with book one. Although characters from previous books make appearances in Bury Your Dead, it isn't necessary to read the other books in order to enjoy this one. Readers who are well aware of Penny's talent will simply rejoice that there's a new book to read. (We know the treat we have in store.)
At the beginning of this book, we are told that Gamache and other members of his team have been seriously injured in a previous investigation, but Penny wisely doles out the information about this in a slow but steady stream. A strength in this book is that-- although I was dying to know everything about this investigation-- I didn't become angered by the author's slipping away into other plot threads. The other plot threads themselves are very strong.
There is information about the French and English communities in Quebec, both past and current. The treasure hunt revolving around Samuel de Champlain is fascinating. Gamache sending his second-in-command, Jean Guy Beauvoir, to Three Pines to reopen an investigation introduces new readers to that marvelous village of characters that is so beloved by those of us who already know it.
This series is consistently excellent, and is one that I always recommend to others. Many mysteries seem to focus so strongly on death and past mistakes that they never rise above the two. There are two sentences in Penny's acknowledgments that tell readers a great deal about the series as a whole: "Like the rest of the Chief Inspector Gamache books, Bury Your Dead is not about death, but about life. And the need to both respect the past and let it go." This is why these books rise above: they have a humanity that so many of the others lack.
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful series. Please read, but in order!, if you haven't yet discovered these books. A tragedy has befallen the Chief Inspector and so he goes into hiding to work on his wounds, both physical and mental. While on his break he stumbles across a murder, with high historical significance, in Quebec City. He must solve the case, and his own demons. Threaded throughout is also the conclusion to the case from the previous book in the series. Just wonderful books.
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed Bury Your Dead (Chief Inspector Gamache, Bk 6) on + 1229 more book reviews
Another excellent outing in Penny's Gamache series. This one is a followup to the previous book, The Brutal Telling and ties up some loose ends relating to the killing of the hermit and who did it as related in Telling. Gamache kept getting letters from Gabri telling him it didn't make sense..."why would Olivier move the body?" After giving it much consideration, Gamache sends Beauvoir back to Three Pines to try to prove that Olivier did not murder the hermit.
Gamache and Beauvoir are both recuperating from an investigation gone wrong where several agents were killed and both Gamache and Beauvoir were severely wounded. Beauvoir makes this an excuse for revisiting Three Pines as a form of relaxation. In the mean time, Gamache is staying in Quebec City with his old mentor, Emile, trying to put the faulty investigation out of his mind. So of course, a body turns up murdered in the Literary and Historical (Lit and His) Society where Gamache had been doing some research. The Lit and His is an Anglo library dating back a couple of centuries and accordingly it is scorned by the Quebec separatists. The murdered man was an eccentric who had been looking for the body of the Quebec founder, Samuel de Champlain whose body disappeared centuries ago. So why would anyone want to kill him? Gamache of course gets involved in this somewhat convoluted case and as part of this, Penny really provides some interesting history on Quebec as well as the city itself.
This was a really compelling novel that kept me turning the pages. I was surprised by the results of Beauvoir's re-investigation of the murder of the hermit although there were a couple of clues that almost gave it away. I was also interested in the Quebec history provided which I really knew little about and will probably be reading more on Quebec and Champlain. Also, the city itself sounds like a very interesting place to visit. Maybe someday! Looking forward to continuing with this series.
Gamache and Beauvoir are both recuperating from an investigation gone wrong where several agents were killed and both Gamache and Beauvoir were severely wounded. Beauvoir makes this an excuse for revisiting Three Pines as a form of relaxation. In the mean time, Gamache is staying in Quebec City with his old mentor, Emile, trying to put the faulty investigation out of his mind. So of course, a body turns up murdered in the Literary and Historical (Lit and His) Society where Gamache had been doing some research. The Lit and His is an Anglo library dating back a couple of centuries and accordingly it is scorned by the Quebec separatists. The murdered man was an eccentric who had been looking for the body of the Quebec founder, Samuel de Champlain whose body disappeared centuries ago. So why would anyone want to kill him? Gamache of course gets involved in this somewhat convoluted case and as part of this, Penny really provides some interesting history on Quebec as well as the city itself.
This was a really compelling novel that kept me turning the pages. I was surprised by the results of Beauvoir's re-investigation of the murder of the hermit although there were a couple of clues that almost gave it away. I was also interested in the Quebec history provided which I really knew little about and will probably be reading more on Quebec and Champlain. Also, the city itself sounds like a very interesting place to visit. Maybe someday! Looking forward to continuing with this series.
Pamela P. (5thsister) reviewed Bury Your Dead (Chief Inspector Gamache, Bk 6) on + 23 more book reviews
Louise Penny is the best author I have read in a long time. The characters are believable and once you get to know them, they become part of your life. the little town of 3 Pines is perfect and picturesque. The series will instantly become your favorite, I promise.
Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) -
Just as well written as the previous books in the Three Pines series, this one is a little more dis-jointed, having three stories to tell, and maybe one too many (the episiode that haunts Gamache throughout this book.) Lots of interesting stuff about early history of Quebec City where Gamache is visiting a former mentor, and also a look back into the crime in Three Pines featured in Book 5.
Louise Penny does a marvelous job of linking her books together so you know the history of what came before if you read the book as a standalone. Bury Your Dead is a wonderful read that makes you root for the characters of Chief Inspector Gamache and his sidekick Jean-Paul Beauvoir. It has enough twists and turns in it that you aren't sure who the actual villian is until the very end. I would definitely recommend this book!
I first heard of Louise Penny 4-5 years ago when "60 Minutes" or the CBS "Sunday Morning" show did a segment on her. She apparently had quite a following amongst mystery book fans. I decided to read her books in order and got the first five via paperbackswap.com; "Bury Your Dead," the sixth in the series, I got through the local library. I'm amazed at all the 4- and 5-star reviews her books have received. I have written reviews on the first five and gave one 4 stars, one 2 stars, and the other three got 3 stars.
I found this book confusing. First, there are three storylines in this book--the murder of the Hermit in book 5 for which Olivier (one of the main characters in Three Pines) was found guilty; a terrorism plot involving Gamache's unit and which is told via Gamache's flashbacks; and, the murder of a rogue archaeologist who was searching for the remains of Champlain, the acknowledged founder of Quebec.
POSSIBLE SPOILER: Some of the other 1 and 2 star reviewers (Amazon) for this book mentioned that they thought Penny's fans were probably upset that Olivier was convicted of the Hermit's murder in the previous book so Penny decided to reopen the case in this book and have a different perpetrator identified. I think that's possible. END OF SPOILER.
The terrorism plot in which several officers were killed or injured is told in flashbacks. It would have been helpful if these remembrances were italicized so readers immediately know that there is a change in the timeframe. The flashbacks continue all the way to the end of the book and although readers learn finally what happened, I suspect that this storyline will continue in the next book.
The story about Champlain and the archaeologist who was murdered wasn't that interesting to me. Perhaps it's more engaging for Canadians, particularly those living in Quebec, to learn of Champlain's role. Also, the identity of the murderer and the reason given for the murder was unbelievable. Likewise when the Hermit's murderer was revealed--although there was a very interesting twist on who the Hermit actually was.
I will likely continue reading the series even though I haven't been overly impressed thus far.
I found this book confusing. First, there are three storylines in this book--the murder of the Hermit in book 5 for which Olivier (one of the main characters in Three Pines) was found guilty; a terrorism plot involving Gamache's unit and which is told via Gamache's flashbacks; and, the murder of a rogue archaeologist who was searching for the remains of Champlain, the acknowledged founder of Quebec.
POSSIBLE SPOILER: Some of the other 1 and 2 star reviewers (Amazon) for this book mentioned that they thought Penny's fans were probably upset that Olivier was convicted of the Hermit's murder in the previous book so Penny decided to reopen the case in this book and have a different perpetrator identified. I think that's possible. END OF SPOILER.
The terrorism plot in which several officers were killed or injured is told in flashbacks. It would have been helpful if these remembrances were italicized so readers immediately know that there is a change in the timeframe. The flashbacks continue all the way to the end of the book and although readers learn finally what happened, I suspect that this storyline will continue in the next book.
The story about Champlain and the archaeologist who was murdered wasn't that interesting to me. Perhaps it's more engaging for Canadians, particularly those living in Quebec, to learn of Champlain's role. Also, the identity of the murderer and the reason given for the murder was unbelievable. Likewise when the Hermit's murderer was revealed--although there was a very interesting twist on who the Hermit actually was.
I will likely continue reading the series even though I haven't been overly impressed thus far.
Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) -
Just as well written as the previous books in the Three Pines series, this one is a little more dis-jointed, having three stories to tell, and maybe one too many (the episode that haunts Gamache throughout this book.) Lots of interesting stuff about early history of Quebec City where Gamache is visiting a former mentor, and also a look back into the crime in Three Pines featured in Book 5.
this was one of the best books i have ever readand i read a lot. i garentee you will like. it the writing is exceptional,the story intringing.it will hold you til the very end.a great read
I love this series - characters are memorable and the mysteries are fantastic.
