Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 1
I never thought this day would come. This is the first time I've been disappointed in a book written by Louise Penny, and making this admission hurts. I'm so used to writing glowing reviews of her work-- her fascinating, in-depth character studies, the sheer poetry of her descriptions-- that I'd rather not say a word at all, but...
The Nature of the Beast just doesn't measure up to her previous books. Once again we have murders in Three Pines, a tiny village that's become the Cabot Cove of Quebec. Gone are her mouth-watering descriptions of meals eaten at the bistro. Gone are her insightful characterizations. Always before even the worst of her characters have been shown to have shreds of humanity. Here characters like John Fleming are simply evil.
In previous books, Penny would've broken our hearts with little Laurent's fate. Here he's little more than a plot device. I also experienced great anticipation knowing that my favorite character, Ruth Zardo, would have a larger role in this book, but her part fell flat. In fact, the entire book felt flat and slow.
In The Nature of the Beast, too many things stretched belief beyond breaking point-- even something based in truth like the "Whore of Babylon." I am familiar with Penny's current circumstances. Her beloved husband has Alzheimer's, and they've had to move from their idyllic life in the country to a condo in Montreal. Loved ones come before books. They always should. I've seen the deep affection her fans feel for Louise Penny. I am one of those fans, and I don't think I'm the only one who would rather she take some time off instead of risk causing irreparable harm to characters and to a village so many of us adore.
The Nature of the Beast just doesn't measure up to her previous books. Once again we have murders in Three Pines, a tiny village that's become the Cabot Cove of Quebec. Gone are her mouth-watering descriptions of meals eaten at the bistro. Gone are her insightful characterizations. Always before even the worst of her characters have been shown to have shreds of humanity. Here characters like John Fleming are simply evil.
In previous books, Penny would've broken our hearts with little Laurent's fate. Here he's little more than a plot device. I also experienced great anticipation knowing that my favorite character, Ruth Zardo, would have a larger role in this book, but her part fell flat. In fact, the entire book felt flat and slow.
In The Nature of the Beast, too many things stretched belief beyond breaking point-- even something based in truth like the "Whore of Babylon." I am familiar with Penny's current circumstances. Her beloved husband has Alzheimer's, and they've had to move from their idyllic life in the country to a condo in Montreal. Loved ones come before books. They always should. I've seen the deep affection her fans feel for Louise Penny. I am one of those fans, and I don't think I'm the only one who would rather she take some time off instead of risk causing irreparable harm to characters and to a village so many of us adore.
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed The Nature of the Beast (Chief Inspector Gamache, Bk 11) on + 1222 more book reviews
Another absorbing entry in the Gamache series. I've been slowly working my way through these (not necessarily in order) for the past few years ever since seeing a piece on Louise Penny on the CBS Sunday Morning show. I have enjoyed them all including this one although I thought it was outside the usual realm of Penny's arc to the series.
This book starts out from two different directions that seem to merge together as the story progresses. First a young nine-year-old boy named Laurent comes out of the woods into the bistro telling everyone that he has found a huge gun in the woods with a monster on it. Well no one believes him of course because he is always telling tales about aliens, monsters, and invasions. Then the town is disturbed when a couple want to produce a play that was written by a vicious serial killer named John Fleming. Okay, so then Laurent disappears and is found killed in the woods. At first it seems an accident by falling off his bike but then it appears that his body was moved from another location. So who could have killed a young boy and why? Well, turns out the big gun is real and has been hidden in the woods outside Three Pines since the 80s. And what about the play? Is it somehow related to the discovery of the gun and is the infamous author involved? Well all of the threads eventually come together as Gamache is now living in retirement in the quaint village.
As usual, I thought this story was quite compelling and I enjoyed the give and take of the various inhabitants of Three Pines including Ruth, the foul-mouthed poet; Clara, the artist who is recovering from the death of her husband Peter; Gabri and Olivier, the gay owners of the bistro; and Myrna, the retired psychologist and bookstore owner. Isabelle Lacoste is now the Chief Inspector, taking the place of Gamache and Jean-Guy now works for her. At first, I thought this story was quite far-fetched but then Penny tells us in her author's note at the end that the big gun really existed and was designed in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction! I've read the next book in the series but will be looking forward to no. 13âGlass Houses.
This book starts out from two different directions that seem to merge together as the story progresses. First a young nine-year-old boy named Laurent comes out of the woods into the bistro telling everyone that he has found a huge gun in the woods with a monster on it. Well no one believes him of course because he is always telling tales about aliens, monsters, and invasions. Then the town is disturbed when a couple want to produce a play that was written by a vicious serial killer named John Fleming. Okay, so then Laurent disappears and is found killed in the woods. At first it seems an accident by falling off his bike but then it appears that his body was moved from another location. So who could have killed a young boy and why? Well, turns out the big gun is real and has been hidden in the woods outside Three Pines since the 80s. And what about the play? Is it somehow related to the discovery of the gun and is the infamous author involved? Well all of the threads eventually come together as Gamache is now living in retirement in the quaint village.
As usual, I thought this story was quite compelling and I enjoyed the give and take of the various inhabitants of Three Pines including Ruth, the foul-mouthed poet; Clara, the artist who is recovering from the death of her husband Peter; Gabri and Olivier, the gay owners of the bistro; and Myrna, the retired psychologist and bookstore owner. Isabelle Lacoste is now the Chief Inspector, taking the place of Gamache and Jean-Guy now works for her. At first, I thought this story was quite far-fetched but then Penny tells us in her author's note at the end that the big gun really existed and was designed in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction! I've read the next book in the series but will be looking forward to no. 13âGlass Houses.
Only the best ever, love her writing
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Book Description
Hardly a day goes by when nine year old Laurent Lepage doesn't cry wolf. From alien invasions, to walking trees, to winged beasts in the woods, to dinosaurs spotted in the village of Three Pines, his tales are so extraordinary no one can possibly believe him. Including Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache, who now live in the little Quebec village.
But when the boy disappears, the villagers are faced with the possibility that one of his tall tales might have been true.
And so begins a frantic search for the boy and the truth. What they uncover deep in the forest sets off a sequence of events that leads to murder, leads to an old crime, leads to an old betrayal. Leads right to the door of an old poet.
And now it is now, writes Ruth Zardo. And the dark thing is here.
A monster once visited Three Pines. And put down deep roots. And now, Ruth knows, it is back.
Armand Gamache, the former head of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec, must face the possibility that, in not believing the boy, he himself played a terrible part in what happens next.
My Review
I am glad to be back in Three Pines with my favorite cast of characters. Louise Penny is one of my favorite authors and her books do not disappoint. Her writing is exquisite and her characters are unique and memorable. This story is very interesting with a link to real events in history. There are lots of twists in this complicated mystery and keeps the pages turning until the very end. There is also a hint that Gamache may come back from his retirement in another capacity of police work. I anxiously await the next installment in this series as it is always enjoyable to read about Three Pines.
Hardly a day goes by when nine year old Laurent Lepage doesn't cry wolf. From alien invasions, to walking trees, to winged beasts in the woods, to dinosaurs spotted in the village of Three Pines, his tales are so extraordinary no one can possibly believe him. Including Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache, who now live in the little Quebec village.
But when the boy disappears, the villagers are faced with the possibility that one of his tall tales might have been true.
And so begins a frantic search for the boy and the truth. What they uncover deep in the forest sets off a sequence of events that leads to murder, leads to an old crime, leads to an old betrayal. Leads right to the door of an old poet.
And now it is now, writes Ruth Zardo. And the dark thing is here.
A monster once visited Three Pines. And put down deep roots. And now, Ruth knows, it is back.
Armand Gamache, the former head of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec, must face the possibility that, in not believing the boy, he himself played a terrible part in what happens next.
My Review
I am glad to be back in Three Pines with my favorite cast of characters. Louise Penny is one of my favorite authors and her books do not disappoint. Her writing is exquisite and her characters are unique and memorable. This story is very interesting with a link to real events in history. There are lots of twists in this complicated mystery and keeps the pages turning until the very end. There is also a hint that Gamache may come back from his retirement in another capacity of police work. I anxiously await the next installment in this series as it is always enjoyable to read about Three Pines.
Sharon C. (Mamu) -
With each Louise Penny book, I think she can't get any better. "THIS is the best so far!" I say to myself. This is exactly the same. It was a book I wanted to read as fast as I could without stopping and yet felt I needed to slow it down. Savor every delicious morsel. I am grieving that I am facing the last of the series coming up next. But I have to get and read it anyway.
This story is based on real life events, people from long ago and yet it is so terrifyingly present day. The political maneuvering, the horrid and destructive secrecy from high places and other countries made me amazed about how much it equates to today.
Yet, this is not a book caught up in self-righteous, far-flung intrigue. The characters are the ones I've come to know and love over eleven books. And the story itself is deeply personal, revolving around one little boy and the waves that rippled out from him. Not at all Tom Clancy-ish in its force. But the force of this story will propel you all the way to the last page.
This story is based on real life events, people from long ago and yet it is so terrifyingly present day. The political maneuvering, the horrid and destructive secrecy from high places and other countries made me amazed about how much it equates to today.
Yet, this is not a book caught up in self-righteous, far-flung intrigue. The characters are the ones I've come to know and love over eleven books. And the story itself is deeply personal, revolving around one little boy and the waves that rippled out from him. Not at all Tom Clancy-ish in its force. But the force of this story will propel you all the way to the last page.
Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed The Nature of the Beast (Chief Inspector Gamache, Bk 11) on + 989 more book reviews
Loved the story line, amazing writer Louise Penny does it again. Reading one of her novels is like visiting old friends.
Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) -
Despite there being a factual basis for the supergun and the man associated with it, I found this plot to be a bit preposterous. I'm afraid Penny misfired on this one. It was too long and convoluted and although regular readers might enjoy spending time with the small circle of residents of Three Pines she peoples her books with, maybe include a few more locals?
