“Deep and grand and altogether extraordinary….Miraculous.” –The Washington Post “Artful…Powerful…Magical.” – The New York Times Book Review “Superb” – People “A Great Reckoning succeeds on every level.” –St. Louis Post-Dispatch #1 New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny pulls back the layers to reveal a brilliant and emotionally powerful truth in her latest spellbinding novel. When … When an intricate old map is found stuffed into the walls of the bistro in Three Pines, it at first seems no more than a curiosity. But the closer the villagers look, the stranger it becomes. Given to Armand Gamache as a gift the first day of his new job, the map eventually leads him to shattering secrets. To an old friend and older adversary. It leads the former Chief of Homicide for the Sûreté du Québec to places even he is afraid to go. But must. And there he finds four young cadets in the Sûreté academy, and a dead professor. And, with the body, a copy of the old, odd map. Everywhere Gamache turns, he sees Amelia Choquet, one of the cadets. Tattooed and pierced. Guarded and angry. Amelia is more likely to be found on the other side of a police line-up. And yet she is in the academy. A protégée of the murdered professor. The focus of the investigation soon turns to Gamache himself and his mysterious relationship with Amelia, and his possible involvement in the crime. The frantic search for answers takes the investigators back to Three Pines and a stained glass window with its own horrific secrets. For both Amelia Choquet and Armand Gamache, the time has come for a great reckoning.
more
Great story and characters.
This is a wonderful series, although each can be read alone. Her characters are entertaining and original .
I love the characters and mythical town in this series of books.
Love Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache mysteries. You should read them in order to better understand the background.
ALL of her books are well written, entertaining and full of characters you want to sit down with and have a glass of wine.
Louise Penny always delivers!
My absolute favorite author. I loved the whole series, so sorry to see it end.
Simply magnificent.
Louise Penny is one author I can’t miss. I’ve read all of her Chief Inspector Armand Gamache books and stand waiting for another in the series.
Armand is with the Montreal police, where conspiracies and betrayal are constant. But Armand has assembled a great and supportive team whom he trusts implicitly. His family are wonderful and then there is the quirky village of Three Pines that adds a wonderful richness of characters and crime.
Louise Penny is a master of creating a tale and writing it beautifully. If I could, I would lay bouquets at her feet!
Choose the first book to read and follow the series. You will not regret it. Ms. Penny doesn’t churn out a new book every six months, but carefully crafts them as pieces of written art.
One of my favorite authors. Recommend reading these in series order due to the complex character story arcs. Three Pines is a magical place. There are always murders to be solved and the recurring characters grow and evolve as the story continues.
Another great read and well written book in the Inspector Gamache series.
I love this series!
Louise Penny is a gift. Her writing is gorgeous, at times you can read a line and think about it well later, she is that profound and talented with words. This story brings the wonderfully sassy characters of Three Pines into a mystery that turns into a murder. Chief Inspector Gamache is as always quietly working his way through the mystery as new Superintendent of the police academy.
Kept me guessing through the whole book. I wish that 3 Pines was real.
I’ve read everything in this series. One of my all-time favorites. 2 suggestions…start with the 1st in the series. Also be sure you read the acknowledgments. Sometimes they are as good as the book.
Gamache is always good!
Louise Penny’s character, Chief Inspector Gamache and the village of Three Pines are great. Everyone should read this series of books. Her writing is the best!
Still top-notch writing by Louise Penny! A great story line with yet more creative who-dunnit mysteries w/Chief Inspector Gamache. One of my all-time favorite series.
Best cosy mystery I have read.
I am a long time Penny fan. All of her novels centered around Three Pines are favorites. I does help that I am a former Montrealer. Her stories bring back loads of great memories.