Welcome to Litsy!

Enjoyed the 11th book in the Chief Inspector Gamache series. This one is set in September.

Number 11 was another good one. It's an interesting dynamic to see a retired Gamache, and that's clearly not going to last long, but I loved the dynamic between LaCoste and Beauvoir. Good mystery, and fascinating to read the end notes and find it's based on real people and events.

And with that, I blacked out my #BookspinBingo card. This was a great installment in the Gamache series, definitely darker with the murder of a child, but she keeps it from being too dark to handle. And I so love this village full of characters! I finished 14 physical books from #MountTBR this month, I think the most ever! @TheAromaofBooks

I have seen several reviews that this is a ‘least favorite‘ in the #Gamache series but I found it just as riveting as usual. My suggestion is to read the historical note at the end first though! Knowing the real origin of a major plot point helps tons IMO. Otherwise one might think Penny jumped the shark😉 Trigger warning for offscreen death of a child. Fascinating puzzle, historical, Gamache & team growing in new roles. Book 11 = well worth it.

Another wonderful Gamache novel. Interesting author‘s note at the end. I slowly savour this series of books because I never want to be done.

I seriously don‘t know how Penny can construct storylines with so many layers! Riveting story, though a tad darker than some of the previous entries in the series. On to the next…

This read brought to you by the sand and slides.

This read brought to you by sunshine and water.

Really not a fan. I don't read Louise Penny to hear gruesome things. Way less cozy than usual. It's also just tough to understand Gamache's role now that he's retired.

Back to Gamache and Three Pines

3.5 stars. Not my favorite of the series. Pulling together all the pieces felt forced. I appreciate how Penny brings in parts of history I would never have known about, and I liked seeing another side of Ruth. I will always love returning to 3 Pines, and just have to accept that not every trip can be my favorite 😊
Forgot to add: November #Bookspin complete!

Louise Penny does it again. The Nature of the Beast ranks high up there as one of my favorites in the series. Excited to keep reading! 📖🤓

#louisepenny #threepines #armandgamache #bookreview

After a strong start (Penny made me cry again), the story doesn't hold together well. There are so many moving parts and intersecting storylines that even the investigators get confused about what they're investigating. It doesn't feel organic to me but more like Penny is checking boxes. Maybe I wouldn't have been so disappointed with the second half if the beginning weren't so strong.

I've barely started this one and there's already an unpleasant twist... narrator Ralph Cosham died in 2014, between the previous book and this one. I'm sure Robert Bathurst will do a lovely job, but it's hard to imagine Gamache and the people of Three Pines voiced by anyone but Ralph Cosham. I know this is old news to anyone who was familiar with the series as it came out on audio, but it's something of a shock to me as someone new to the series.

(Poetry by Three Pines resident Ruth Bardo)

Love the setting, the beautiful writing, and the character development (within each book, but even more so over the course of the series). I thought a main plot element was kind of ridiculous, until I read the afterward and found out it was true!

#mystery #ThreePines #viveGamache

Starting this one after a long break from the Three Pines series. I remember why I love them so much; it's like revisiting a quirky but loving family. 🌲🌲🌲 I was going to finish When Breath Becomes Air, but I can't bring myself to do it right now. #mystery #ThreePines #ViveGamache

I know I'm late to the news, but man am I sad about the death of the original narrator. The new one is good, but it took me almost four hours of listening to settle in. Great book, but a little spooked about the John Flemming character.

#ThoughtfulThursday @MoonWitch94

1. The thought of a week off at the beginning of September!
2. Labor Day
3. Been meaning to read this one for years, and I'm hearing how great the most recent Three Pines book is, so I have to catch up 🌲🌲🌲😍

I‘m starting to realize that per capita, Three Pines probably has the highest murder rate in the country. But, I mean… they find a warhead in the woods? Honestly it took me a long time to get through this one. I definitely didn‘t enjoy it like I did the others in the series. It didn‘t feel like it fit in with the other books and threw me through a loop.

“Running, running, stumbling, running.”

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

I have to say that while I‘ve been loving this series, I‘m pretty disappointed in this one. I think it‘s the lack of the in-depth character and relationships that emerges in the other ones, and the international spy element feels over-the-top. It also drove me bonkers that the new (English) audiobook reader pronounces CSIS “see-ess-eye-ess” every time, when every Canadian I know says “see-sis.” Sad that reader Ralph Cosham died.

After taking a break I am back at it with the Inspector Gamanche series! I am so sad though that the iconic voice of the inspector Ralph Cosham passed away. I specifically listen to this series as opposed to read because of him. I hope that Robert Bathurst can live up to standards set before him. 🤞

Anyone else going through litsyswap withdrawal?

Amazing!!!

A boy who cries wolf claims to find something incredible in the woods, and the next day he‘s found dead. I was a little skeptical about this one at times, but she brought it home with a Mordor reference and Jean-Guy finally getting a little more fleshed out as a character. Based in part on some rather alarming real life events. Anyone who wants to call this a cozy series will change their mind after this installment. #seriesread2021

Thanks for the tag! @EadieB

1. Jean-Guy Beauvoir from the Gamache series. He‘s not really a bad person, but he‘s super annoying!
2. I guess I can put up with a middling plot if I can relate to the characters. (Once again looking at you, Louise Penny.)
And now a mini rant: I put the tagged ebook on hold Sunday, expecting to get it in about three weeks when I‘d be ready to read it. I got a notice this morning that it was available! ⬇️
#two4tuesday

Thanks for the tag!
1. My parents were both readers, and my siblings are readers.
2. We swap them as gifts, not loans. 😆

My brother lives in Canada. He tried to tell my sister and me about Louise Penny, but we already knew!

#two4tuesday

Well that was bonkers?! A missile launcher found in the woods? War criminals? It just didn‘t work when mixed in with Three Pines. Louise Penny needs to stick to her usual Scooby-Doo style, small town whodunnits.

I haven‘t read any Louise Penny for ages but after seeing @TrishB post I was really in the mood for some Three Pines. Then I thought I need pastries too!! 😆 let‘s do this!! ☕️ 🥐

Tagged - so far 😀
But I love this series and book # 11 seems to fit well in the series and enjoying it!
#talkaboutittuesday @BayouGirl85

I had taken this out of the library before everything shut down - not sure when they will reopen or when I will return it but finally picked it up and feels like settling in with old friends. Just what I needed!

I‘m all caught up with this series, but enjoy re-reading them. In this one we find Gamache retired and living in Three Pines, but of course murder comes to find him. There‘s a lot going on in this book, but Penny ties it all together masterfully. This was my April #bookspin book.

This morning‘s book and breakfast- working on my #bookspin book and updating my quote journal.

A local commercial bakery is offering bread for pick up to replace lost income and wow, I don‘t know if I can go back to store bought bread after this.

I thought the central part of the plot was very far fetched and then get to the end and it‘s based on true events! That showed me then (I looked at your review @CarolynM and see you thought the same!).
Otherwise glad to be back with one of my comfort read series.

Started My Name is Monster this morning, will finish today. Just two off the pile for the rest of the week for now! Work 😕
#weeklyforecast

It took me a MONTH to finish this book - couldn‘t concentrate long enough to read! But it was worth reading. I enjoyed visiting my friends in Three Pines and learning a little more about a couple of residents. The story is slightly based on true events. I was fascinated.

I had some blood vessels in my nose cauterized today. My nose is a hot mess at the moment. Stupid side effect from chemo. So, as a treat to myself, I am starting this book. I hope it‘s as good as the others.

Yes! Another great mystery novel by Louise Penny. She needed to redeem this series for me after “The Long Way Home.” Thankfully, this one does and I continue to be a big fan of Chief Inspector Gamache.

Another solid addition to this series. There is terrible sadness at the beginning because a child is murdered. In the course of his investigation, Gamache is confronted by the moral question of whether risking the loss of a few lives is acceptable if it prevents the loss of many more lives. #audiobook

I'm trying to read, kid. I should probably be thankful he's not sitting on my book. #BookishMomProblems #LivingWithAToddler

I've decided to flip back and forth between this and The Devourers. I'm feeling really unfocused with my reading the last week or two, so rather than forcing myself to read one book, I'm giving myself room to float around. It's not my usual way of doing things, but these 2 books are likely different enough that I won't confuse the plots. #InspectorGamache #StartingANewRead #WildAndCrazySaturdayNight

My next Louise Penny is about a missing boy, which is prob why I keep putting it off...😬 #missing #ayupaugust

While I can't say I enjoyed this visit to Three Pines as much as some of the previous ones, it was still worth my time. I didn't believe in the possibility of something that was central to the plot which made the whole thing seem a bit fanciful. I wish the author's note at the end (testifying to the real life existence of the thing) had been at the beginning instead.

I‘m working my way through this series. A few of the ones I‘ve read recently were just ok but Penny was back in top form with this one. This was intriguing on several levels. Three Pines must be the most dangerous place in Canada, but it still seems like a nice place to visit. This is a picture from my trip to Quebec and Montreal a few years ago.

Disclaimer: I have not yet read this series in order. This book is my favourite so far. I love the author's description of life in a small town and her characters are so rich, each with multiple layers. There was also an excellent mystery.

“She looked like Katharine Hepburn in Desk Set. All smart and efficient and completely unaware of how beautiful she was. Armand could watch her all day long.”

When one of your favorite book series collides with one of your favorite films. 😍📕👏❤️

Happy Birthday to @gradcat and congratulations on your 10k milestone! Thanks for creating a #Birthdaygiveaway ! 1. I‘ve tagged The 11th book in Louise Penny‘s Inspector Gamache series, which is set in Quebec. 2. To make Kir, you pour a little creme de cassis in a wine glass and top with white wine. For New Year‘s Eve you might want to try a Kir Royale, which is the same except with champagne 🍾 instead of regular white wine.