Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Book Description
When a mysterious figure appears in Three Pines one cold November day, Armand Gamache and the rest of the villagers are at first curious. Then wary. Through rain and sleet, the figure stands unmoving, staring ahead.
From the moment its shadow falls over the village, Gamache, now Chief Superintendent of the Surete du Quebec, suspects the creature has deep roots and a dark purpose. Yet he does nothing. What can he do? Only watch and wait. And hope his mounting fears are not realized.
But when the figure vanishes overnight and a body is discovered, it falls to Gamache to discover if a debt has been paid or levied.
Months later, on a steamy July day as the trial for the accused begins in Montreal, Chief Superintendent Gamache continues to struggle with actions he set in motion that bitter November, from which there is no going back. More than the accused is on trial. Gamache's own conscience is standing in judgment.
In her latest utterly gripping book, number-one New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny shatters the conventions of the crime novel to explore what Gandhi called the court of conscience. A court that supersedes all others.
My Review
Louise Penny is a masterful writer. She knows how to tell a good story. Her latest book, Glass Houses, does not disappoint. The plot of drug trafficking between the Canadian border and the U.S. was very clever as we are always thinking that Mexico is where all the drugs are coming from. The book certainly opened my eyes to the fact that the whole Canadian border is wide open for such activity. Her characters are very unique and a pleasure to keep in contact with every year when another book is released. I love the time I spend in Three Pines during my read and wish I could find this place in real time to go and visit. The murderer was a real surprise and I loved the use of the Cobrador to spark the conscious of an evil doer. I look forward to the new installment next year and I highly recommend starting this series and reading these books in order.
When a mysterious figure appears in Three Pines one cold November day, Armand Gamache and the rest of the villagers are at first curious. Then wary. Through rain and sleet, the figure stands unmoving, staring ahead.
From the moment its shadow falls over the village, Gamache, now Chief Superintendent of the Surete du Quebec, suspects the creature has deep roots and a dark purpose. Yet he does nothing. What can he do? Only watch and wait. And hope his mounting fears are not realized.
But when the figure vanishes overnight and a body is discovered, it falls to Gamache to discover if a debt has been paid or levied.
Months later, on a steamy July day as the trial for the accused begins in Montreal, Chief Superintendent Gamache continues to struggle with actions he set in motion that bitter November, from which there is no going back. More than the accused is on trial. Gamache's own conscience is standing in judgment.
In her latest utterly gripping book, number-one New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny shatters the conventions of the crime novel to explore what Gandhi called the court of conscience. A court that supersedes all others.
My Review
Louise Penny is a masterful writer. She knows how to tell a good story. Her latest book, Glass Houses, does not disappoint. The plot of drug trafficking between the Canadian border and the U.S. was very clever as we are always thinking that Mexico is where all the drugs are coming from. The book certainly opened my eyes to the fact that the whole Canadian border is wide open for such activity. Her characters are very unique and a pleasure to keep in contact with every year when another book is released. I love the time I spend in Three Pines during my read and wish I could find this place in real time to go and visit. The murderer was a real surprise and I loved the use of the Cobrador to spark the conscious of an evil doer. I look forward to the new installment next year and I highly recommend starting this series and reading these books in order.
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed Glass Houses (Chief Inspector Gamache, Bk 13) on + 1224 more book reviews
This is the thirteenth in the Gamache series by Louise Penny. This one is told from two different timeframes. The first is as Gamache is a witness in a trial held during the heat of July for a murder that occurred in Three Pines in November. The story then unfolds with the events leading up to and after the murder. A cloaked figure in black appeared on the the public green of the quaint village in Quebec. The figure stands on the green and doesn't move which makes everyone in the village curious and then later unsure and wary of this strange visitor. The figure has not threatened anyone and has not committed a crime so Gamache does not take any action against it. Gamache is now settled in Three Pines with his wife and has been made the Chief Superintendent of the Quebec police force. So who is this strange figure in black? Could he be a mysterious "cobrador"â a personage originating in Spain who tries to force a moral debt by playing on someone's conscience? And is this person responsible for the murder that was committed in the basement of the small village church? And how does this all relate to the drug cartels in Quebec and their smuggling operations into the U.S.?
This was another very compelling read from Penny. I have now read all the books in the series up to and including this one and will be looking forward to the remaining novels that I hope to finish reading sometime in the New Year. Great series!
This was another very compelling read from Penny. I have now read all the books in the series up to and including this one and will be looking forward to the remaining novels that I hope to finish reading sometime in the New Year. Great series!
Gamache is against the wall, and the wall is the fight against the freeway of drugs flowing into Quebec and all of Canada. The drug war is over and the police have lost with possibly one last stand...burn the ships, no way to retreat and form a new tactic. All is on the line and maybe even Gamache's stellar career and a disgraceful retirement. Then in court while testifying he does something no one would have expected from this man known for his honesty and truthfulness... one of Penny's best books yet. You'll burn your fingers turning the pages as you follow this harrowing plot of twists and turns with a startling climax that will have you holding out for Gamache, and your breath, of course. Gery
Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) -
I have read all her books in order and enjoyed most of them. But I only got about 1/3rd of the way through this before giving up. Too much introspection, and not enough plot.
