Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #14
Mystery
2018 Minotaur Books
Finished on July 23, 2020
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
None of them had ever met the elderly woman.
The will is so odd and includes bequests that are so wildly unlikely that Gamache and the others suspect the woman must have been delusional. But what if, Gamache begins to ask himself, she was perfectly sane?
When a body is found, the terms of the bizarre suddenly seem less peculiar and far more menacing.
But it isn't the only menace Gamache is facing.
The investigation into what happened six months ago—the events that led to his suspension—has dragged on, into the dead of winter. And while most of the opioids he allowed to slip through his hands, in order to bring down the cartels, have been retrieved, there is one devastating exception.
Enough narcotic to kill thousands has disappeared into inner-city Montréal. With the deadly drug about to hit the streets, Gamache races for answers.
As he uses increasingly audacious, even desperate, measures to retrieve the drug, Armand Gamache begins to see his own blind spots. And the terrible things hiding there.
Another winner by Louise Penny, although it won't land on my list of favorites in this series. I figured out one of the major plot points early on and as others have mentioned, grew weary of the repeated phrase,"junkies, trannies and whores." I have one more installment to read in this series (A Better Man) and then I'll be caught up and ready for her new book (All the Devils Are Here), which is due out in September.
My last one was Glass Houses, I need to catch up! Louise Penny never fails to engage me with her characters and plots, even if I have favorite books in the series.
ReplyDeleteJenclair, you are nearly caught up! I agree that her books are very engaging and I love her characters. What a gifted writer.
DeleteI've been thinking of rereading the whole series or rather, listening to it. I went back and read what I had said about this book on my blog and remembered that this was the first one she wrote about her husband died. I was happy to have Myrna featured more, but I can't recall exactly what I thought about the book as a whole. Which is why I think I need to reread the series. Ha! Don't think I can get it done before the new one comes out, but I think that's OK. I sometimes wait a bit in order to 'hoard' them. What will I do when she quits writing? Hopefully, not a for a long time. ;-)
ReplyDeleteKay, I plan to listen to the entire series someday in the future when she is no longer writing this series. I can't imagine when that will be, but I think it will be fun to listen to the books now that I know the plots and can just enjoy the writing and revisit the characters and the setting. Yes, it was nice to have Myrna play a larger role in this installment, but I am beginning to get a little tired of Ruth's duck. Or maybe its limited dialogue. LOL!
DeleteI read this one and thought it was pretty good but, I do prefer her earlier books!
ReplyDeleteDiane, I like some of the ones right before this one, but not the very early installments. I'll have to make up a list with all the ratings once I'm caught up.
DeleteWow she really writes these books so quickly -- is it one a year? So glad you are an expert on the entire series!
ReplyDeleteSusan, it is about one a year, which is wonderful for her fans. I'm a little sorry that I will be caught up by the end of the month. It's been nice knowing that I have several to look forward to, but now I'll have to wait for the annual release just like everyone else.
DeleteI haven't started this series yet so I know I'm in for a treat!
ReplyDeleteTina, it's a wonderful series, but don't be put off by the first few in the series, as they aren't quite as good as the rest. I would almost say that you can skip Still Life, but maybe you'll enjoy it.
DeleteGlad you still continue to enjoy this series even if it wasn't your favorite so far. That's so cool that you are almost caught up!
ReplyDeleteIliana, I started the last book (published) in the series the other night. It's starting off very well, but I'm trying to savor it since the next one won't be out until September. I don't think I've ever read a series this long!
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