“‘A Better Man,’ with its mix of meteorological suspense, psychological insight and criminal pursuit, is arguably the best book yet in an outstanding, original oeuvre.” —Tom Nolan, The Wall Street Journal“Enchanting… one of his most ennobling missions.” —Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book ReviewCatastrophic spring flooding, blistering attacks in the media, and a mysterious disappearance greet … attacks in the media, and a mysterious disappearance greet Chief Inspector Armand Gamache as he returns to the Sûreté du Québec in the latest novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny.
It’s Gamache’s first day back as head of the homicide department, a job he temporarily shares with his previous second-in-command, Jean-Guy Beauvoir. Flood waters are rising across the province. In the middle of the turmoil a father approaches Gamache, pleading for help in finding his daughter.
As crisis piles upon crisis, Gamache tries to hold off the encroaching chaos, and realizes the search for Vivienne Godin should be abandoned. But with a daughter of his own, he finds himself developing a profound, and perhaps unwise, empathy for her distraught father.
Increasingly hounded by the question, how would you feel…, he resumes the search.
As the rivers rise, and the social media onslaught against Gamache becomes crueler, a body is discovered. And in the tumult, mistakes are made.
In the next novel in this “constantly surprising series that deepens and darkens as it evolves” (New York Times Book Review), Gamache must face a horrific possibility, and a burning question.
What would you do if your child’s killer walked free?
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Chief Inspector Armand Gamache returns to duty on the eve of his son-in-law’s resignation amid internal upheavals, catastrophic spring flooding, and the murder of the young, pregnant goddaughter of one of his agents.
As Montreal, and most of Quebec, is threatened by bursting dams and rivers ready to burst their banks, Armand is thwarted at every turn by those who had him removed as head of the Sôreté. Adding to the stress, he’s pulled between his concern for the province and the distraught father of the missing woman.
While the investigation seems to lead in an obvious direction, evidence is hard to find. The closer the agents come to making an arrest, the more questions arise, making this case one of the hardest Gamache and Beauvoir have been faced with.
Louise Penny is a master of suspense!
Within the first few pages, the reader is fully invested in the characters. The love and trust between Jean-Guy and Armand is so strong we hurt when they hurt, and cheer when they succeed against impossible odds. Their relationship is complex, with Beauvoir now sharing his mentor’s office as head of the Sôreté, as well as being the husband and father to Armand’s daughter and grandson.
Three Pines, the Gamaches adopted village, is a key part of each book, with its cast of eclectic characters. I adore grouchy old Ruth and her swearing duck (really!), the gay couple who run the inn, Clara and her strange but talented paintings, and many more. The village is so realistically written, I feel as though I could drive there myself!
Each book in this series is easily read as a standalone, though it does have an overarching storyline.
I give A Better Man 5+ lovely kisses- recommended reading!
Every Gamache novel of Louise Penny just gets better and better. So enjoy her characters. Superb novels, all of them.
I found it fascinating to see Gamache in this latest Three Pines novel step into a position where he no longer runs the show, but where some around him still fear his power. As always, I also loved seeing my favorite characters and following the twists and turns. And the lawyer in me really enjoyed the legal issues as Gamache navigates dangers posed both by criminals and a destructive storm that threatens everyone he loves.
Another wonderful Inspector Gamache mystery in the charming village of Three Pines. Not so charming, though, because of the thaw that is leading to deadly flooding that threatens the village. Compelling characters propel the story while the setting feels so real I could practically hear the rushing water. Every Louise Penny is a must-read!
It is amazing that this series over the course of fifteen books is consistently well-written, never gets stale, has complex storylines, and the characters stay consistent across the books. To say that Penny is an amazing writer is putting it mildly. There aren’t enough words to describe her writing so I’ll settle for complex and lyrical.
In this outing, Armand Gamache has been demoted to Chief Inspector at the Surete du Quebec. There is a vicious smear campaign on social media beating him up over events that occurred in the previous book. For the time being, he answers to Jean-Guy Beauvoir, a man Gamache mentored when Beauvoir was a new agent. It’s spring and the ice and snow on the rivers are beginning to melt and the rivers are rising, including the river running at the back door of Three Pines, where Gamache and his wife live. And there is a missing pregnant woman who may have been murdered by her abusive husband. Gamache is assigned the case more to get him out of the building and away from Quebec than because it’s a high-profile matter. Gamache must deal with the rain, sleet, snow, rising rivers, a distraught father, an unlikable husband, and his own thoughts and feelings.
There is never enough time or space to sing the praises of Penny’s characters or her storylines.
This book, like the others, can be read as a standalone because Penny gives enough information so the new reader isn’t left in the dark. But as a new reader be prepared to feel compelled to buy the first in the series, A Still Life, and put it near the top of your to-be-read list. You won’t be disappointed.
My thanks to Minotaur and Edelweiss for an eArc.
In A BETTER MAN, Louise Penny (one of my favorite authors) blends rational thoughts, creative deduction, and sharp intellect, in this chilling storyline that brims with her signature—hope.
Horrendous spring floods, vitriolic social media gossip, an ill-received return to the Surete du Quebec has Chief Inspector of Homicide Armand Gamache struggling to find the murderer of a fellow officer’s friend’s daughter. A nasty husband, a love triangle, acts of bravery that test friendships, and a surprise that will have us wondering who appears in book #16, abound in this plot.
I’m half way into an advance copy, and loving it! I’ve read every book in the Inspector Gamache series, and am never disappointed. The characters have become old friends after all this time, so their trials and tribulations are meaningful to me. They are so real by now that I often laugh out loud at some of the things they say and do.
Of course, there has been a horrible murder (I am pretty sure) and the likely suspects are being investigated. All very interesting detective work.
The dedication, to Bishop, made me smile. So fitting. And the old dog in the story has me worried.
It goes on sale in August, so get ready for another thrilling Louise Penny mystery. The library wait list is already growing.
“A Better Man” is the fifteenth book in this amazing series following Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. Each book tells its own story, each story builds upon the other and is rich in content, character development and addresses issues we have in life. The characters do slide in and out of each story which adds to the enjoyment when you read each story. But, this book had me confused. Louise Penny usually treats each character with love and growth and care. This story lacked the thoughtfulness and care for her characters. Myra is depicted as large and ample. Clara somehow ruins her career showing a series of miniature paintings and loses her confidence! She receives bad reviews which generates a social media backlash and we are expected to believe that her previous buyers wish to return ALL her paintings. Ruth has begun to almost communicate so we can understand her. She has become mundane, silly and disingenuous. What’s going on with the sub plots? And, Gamache – In the story, Twitter has constant comments of criticism and negative opinions about him. Even worse is video showing him in a horrific scene, acting in an appalling manner. Oh, the author attempts to repair the damage from this video but how do you erase the shocking visual from the people’s minds? They will forever see those images, as fake as, they are. And, it hurt Gamache to the core to have seen it and know that it was out there for all of Canada to view. It had racial overtones and maybe Louise Penny was attempting to make a commentary regarding social media, but I couldn’t figure out what that was…At the end, we find out who leaked the fake video – someone who worked with Gamache, was insecure about her job and decided to discredit Gamache….Yes, I am lost, confused, muddled…..
I read the story because the main plot was written by the Louise Penny, I’ve adored and loved. The suspense and excitement starts at page one! And, continues to expand and build until the last word! It is loaded with danger, intrigue and is filled with twists and turns.
Love all her books about Three Pines and the Inspector. Get them sent to me as soon as they come out.
Read ALL of her books and have pre-ordered the next one.
When I first started reading the book, I was having a very hard time keeping track of the characters but as I got further in, I found myself being thoroughly entertained by this book. I really enjoyed it and was a little sad when i finished it. I will certainly be reading more books from this author in the future.
I love the characters from Three Pines
Another wonderful book from the author. I was engaged in all the different stories, but I wanted more of Three Pines and its residents. It’s the relationships within the town and in the Gamache family that always draw me to the series. These books are always about human nature and relationships, but sometimes the murder mystery is easy to solve. I’ll still read every book, but I hope to return to Three Pines soon.
Another wonderful trip To the town of Three Pines. All the characters are here and Penny’s wonderful use of character is at its best. Highly recommend!
Louise Penny is excellent every single time. Wonderful characters you can”t help but love. Quirky, hilarious, but she explores the flawed and very human side of them as well. Lovely glances at different parts of Canada and it’s history and always beautifully written.
I am an Inspector Gamache and Three Pines fan. I am a Louise Penny fan!
One of her vet best!
These are such wonderful books. I’ve read every one. I love the characters. I even took a trip to Montreal and Quebec because of these books.
I am a fan of Louise Penny and her marvelous characters. Having never been to Quebec, immersion in her novels eventually reveals not only the elements of a mystery but the elements of the Québécois character with which I am totally unfamiliar. It is interesting to compare this to the southern character with which I am far more familiar. Missing a new offering is not to be considered. It is best to read them in order. Amazon even publishes a guide to help.