Un hombre mejor

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #15

by Louise Penny, Patricia Antón de Vez Ayala-Duarte (Translator)

Catastrophic spring flooding, blistering attacks in the media, and a mysterious disappearance greet Chief Inspector Armand Gamache as he returns to the Surete du Quebec 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.

What would you do if your child's killer walked free?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Canada, Mystery Thriller, Thriller

480 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2019

About the author

LOUISE PENNY is the author of the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling series of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. She has won numerous awards, including a CWA Dagger and the Agatha Award (seven times), and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. In 2017, she received the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian culture. Louise lives in a small village south of Montréal.

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everytime I start reading a Louise Penny novel I am confronted with a dilemma. Do I read it quickly because really I don't want to put it down, or do I read it slowly because I don't want it to end? How does she do it? This is the 15th I the Three Pines series and it keeps getting better and better. In this one, I my opinion, she outdid herself, combining some important issues of the day, with an outstanding, difficult to solve mystery. The issues of climate change, abuse and the devastation it causes, and the good and bad of social media. All combined seamlessly in the lives of various members of the community we have come to love.

She shows us the many depths of personality that can live inside one person. Characteristics based on the past, the present, life experiences that make us the people we are. She shows us friendship, love, respect, integrity, compassion, kindness and the struggle to know when to hold on and when to let go. Ratchets up the tension and then fits in some appropriate humor that makes us laugh. Oddly enough a new character comes to Three Pines and affects the future of one member. This was a particularly emotional entry in the series as one chapter closes and a new one begins. And now I am resolved, as I await the next in this stellar series.

"That twisted reality, until malice and truth were intertwined and indistinguishable."

ARC from Minotaur books.

[JanB · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the midst of a threat from devastating Spring floods, Vivienne Godin, 25 and pregnant, is missing, her father is frantic, and her drunken, abusive husband, Carl Tracey, is suspected at having a hand in her disappearance. As the father of a daughter the same age, Gamache finds himself increasingly unable to stay objective as they search for the missing woman. Mistakes are made. A side plot included vicious social media attacks on Gamache for his past actions.

At the same time Clara is publicly criticized for her art, but I found this side plot uninteresting. And somehow I missed the significance of the flooding.

It pains me to do this but it’s time for me and Armand to part ways. I’ve loved this series from the start but it has lost it’s charm. There was a lot of repetitiveness, unprofessional and unrealistic behavior and attitudes in Gamache and the other detectives, and the case is not truly investigated until the last 25%. The moral lessons are heavy-handed and Gamache himself has become insufferable. I won’t list all the instances that caused my eyes to roll, but there were many.

There are plenty of people who still find this series charming and wonderful, but I’ve not found it to be so for several recent books. Sometimes readers outgrow a series and that’s the case with me. I’m giving it 3 stars for the history I have with this series and my respect for the author.

• I received a copy of the book from Edelweiss. All opinions ae my own.
• This was a buddy read with Marialyce, and both of us were left disappointed. For this review and others please visit https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louise Penny is a treasure when it comes to the world of crime fiction, this is a stunning addition to this stellar series set in the village of Three Pines in Quebec, Canada, featuring the incomparable and wise Chief Inspector Gamache, having now been demoted by those more spineless, self serving and ambitious, wanting to besmirch the reputation of a man they perceive as having too much power and a threat. They never expected Gamache to accept the demotion to Head of Homicide from being Chief but they fail to comprehend the kind of man he is, why he inspires such loyalty and respect in others, he has no ego and wishes merely to be the best police officer he can be. It's a joy to see the return of beloved characters, even the rude, indomitable, cantankerous elderly poet, Ruth Zardo, and her familiar, the duck, Myrna, Reine-Marie, and all the others. The artist, Clara, is having a particularly tumultuous time, with her latest works, the miniatures, not being well received, in fact her reputation is being trashed on social media, with many questioning if she ever had any artistic abilities at all.

Gamache's return to the Surete du Quebec goes down even less well on social media with a tirade of vile postings, not to mention fake videos. Those who know Gamache are outraged at the lies and vitriol being expressed but Gamache has an inner strength that can weather almost anything. Work colleagues and friends observe closely at how well he will take to being under the command of Jean-Guy Beauvoir, his protege and son-in-law, around for 2 weeks before quitting the police to move to Paris to embark on a new life. Agent Lysette Cloutier and Gamache inquire into a missing pregnant woman, Vivienne Godin, who failed to turn up at her father, Homer's home. Homer is frantic, and with good reason, Vivienne is married to an abusive husband, the ceramic artist, the deplorable and nasty piece of work that is Carl Tracey. In the meantime, the weather is atrocious for April with no sign of spring, and even worse the worst flooding, threatening death and destruction is being forecast for Quebec. Herculean efforts are required from the Three Pines residents as they build sandbag defences on the banks of the Bella Bella river to try and save the village.

Two phrases ring true throughout in this novel, all truth in malice, and what might appear to be more contradictory, things are strongest when they are broken. Penny writes with humanity and compassion, with insight and wisdom on the contradictions and complexities of individuals, no-one is purely good, not even Gamache, or just evil. The strengths of this series are the rich complicated, often quirky, characters, from Ruth to Jean-Guy, and their development. Three Pines is a village of people who love and support one another, a force to be reckoned with as they come together to fight the threat of catastrophic dangerous flooding, illustrating their strength as a community, no-one is alone. This was a fantastic, moving and profound crime read, one which I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending highly. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.

[karen Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was SO disappointed by this book. I have loved this series, and have been looking forward to "A Better Man" for months, and it was just such a let-down.

Her writing style seemed to change, and this book is filled with sentences. Broken up. Into multiple sentences. For no reason. So, so many sentence fragments. I do that occasionally, in texts, to emphasize a point, but doing it constantly throughout the book makes the technique lose all sense of emphasis and just gets really annoying.

Also (and this is maybe just me?), some of the story line just didn't make sense. Yes, having a young woman who's pregnant get abused and then killed is terrible, but it is not remotely the most terrible thing that these cops have seen. And yet, they all immediately take it personally and see it as something so horrible that they are unable to be unbiased. It just didn't seem to be in character.

It was a fine book. If I hadn't read any of her other books, I would probably have not been as annoyed and disappointed. I just expected so much more.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

After getting my hands on the latest Louise Penny novel, I could not wait to get started. This explosive series, set in rural Quebec, gives not only the feel of a wonderful mystery but also hones in on all things Canadian. After serving his suspension, Armand Gamache is back in his position as Chief Inspector within the Sûreté du Québec, though there is a whispered power struggle within Homicide. While many are worried about how it will resolve itself, Gamache wants only to work and agrees to investigate a query of a pregnant woman whose gone missing. When Gamache arrives, he meets the woman’s husband, a known abuser, who explains that he has no idea where his wife might be, but could not care less. Gamache gets a bad feeling about it all, but is equally distracted when Quebec’s spring thaw begins to cause issues. His community of Three Pines is set to flood, which could be devastating if the floodwaters don’t drop soon. With no signs of the pregnant Vivienne Godin, Gamache tries to determine if there may have been foul play, which is exacerbated when a body is discovered amongst some cracked ice close to a bridge. The receding waters reveal much, including a potential murder scene, with the perfect suspect who denies having anything to do with his wife’s death. Trying to connect the dots, Gamache turns to some of his fellow villagers, who use social media to coax out a slew of information. Will it be enough to convict a man who holds his wife in such low regard that she is only good as a punching bag? Additionally, the higher-ups within the Sûreté are keeping a close eye on Gamache, especially as old troubles have an uncanny way of resurfacing. Could the Chief Inspector’s return have been a set-up to bury him once and for all? A wonderful addition to this stellar series, sure to keep fans wanting more. Recommended to those who have loved Armand Gamache from the early Three Pines days, as well as readers who enjoy police procedurals with a Canadian flavour.

After a major binge of the series last summer, I was forced to wait like the rest of the Penny fans for this newest piece in the Gamache series. It was well worth the wait, though I know Penny has had some personal issues, which makes the publication of this piece even more exciting. Gamache remains on point, working through the blips that had him sidelined and trying to keep from letting the politics of the job get to him. Still eager to help, both within the Sûreté and towards his friends in the Eastern Townships, Gamache makes his mark in a variety of ways. Keen to solve crimes, he has little time for those who seek to circumvent justice or cut corners to get the answers they want. Other characters continue to evolve in the series, though the locals are more background than at the forefront of the case. There are a few new faces whose presence could become more regular, depending on how Penny chooses to advance the series. I am eager to see how this will all play out in the coming years. The story remains exciting and fresh, though there are some significant mentions of past events, which thicken the plot and the series development effectively. Penny has a wonderful handle on the series, even fifteen books in. She represents Canada and the genre so well, choosing interesting plot twists that keep the reader wondering. Established chapters and current events weave together a story that many readers will surely devour, as I did, leaving them begging for more. The need for patience is high by the time the book ends, but there is still so much to learn. Alas, it will likely be another year or so.

Kudos, Madam Penny, for dazzling your fans with another strong novel. Gamache is in good hands under your guidance.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Paula K · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finishing #15 in the Inspector Gamache series, I am sadly saying goodbye.

I’m tired of Armand Gamache getting into trouble with the higher-ups in command. I liked it better when he was solving murders and quoting poetry. In this book Gamache and his sidekicks, Jean-Guy Beauvoir and Isabelle Lacoste, all get together to find a woman who has disappeared, which is unusual in itself, as it is not known if she is dead or not. Also, over the years Jean-Guy and Isabelle have been promoted and they would not readily be available to assist in this mystery. A little bit too far fetched for me.

And why does Clara’s art all of a sudden need to get panned by the critics? And the flood?

What did warm my heart was the author’s dedication. Louise Penny dedicated this book to her dog, Bishop. She and her husband first brought home a golden retriever, named Bonnie, after their honeymoon. Penny let’s us understand that her husband, Michael, wanted nothing to do with dogs, but found him cradling their new pup in his arms and the dog was his forever.

After Michael was diagnosed with dementia years later, their golden, Trudy, passed away. Her husband keep looking for their dog. A friend brought over an old golden named, Bishop, who lived with them for 14 years till he died. Bishop’s death occurred while Louise Penny was writing this book. A touching tribute.

3 out of 5 stars🐾🐾��

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this 15th book in the 'Chief Inspector Armand Gamache' series, the detective is once again set to become Head of Homicide of the Sûreté du Québec. The book can be read as a standalone but familiarity with the series is a plus.

*****



Armand Gamache, who resides in the Canadian village of Three Pines, was Chief Superintendent of the Sûreté du Québec until he engineered a risky drug operation. The plan succeeded, but at a terrible cost. As a result, self-serving politicians suspended Gamache for 9 months, demoted him to Chief Inspector, and offered him his old job as Head of Homicide.



It was assumed that Gamache would resign rather than submit to this 'humiliation' but no such luck for the vile politicos. Gamache happily accepts the offer to be Head of Homicide, and as the book opens, it's his first day back at work.

As it happens Gamache's former mentee (and current son-in-law) Jean-Guy Beauvoir is currently Head of Homicide, but Jean-Guy and his family are moving to Paris in two weeks. Until then, Beauvoir and Gamache will run the department together.



As Gamache returns to work, vicious Twitter trolls gleefully put him down, call him filthy names, and practically call for his assassination. And Gamache isn't the only resident of Three Pines under attack. Tweets about artist Clara Morrow, who recently produced a set of (unpopular) miniatures, are saying she's a no-talent hack whose previous success was a fluke.



When Gamache arrives at the Sûreté for his first day of work, he knows the homicide detectives have been reading the hate-filled Tweets, and joking and gossiping about him, but he brushes it off.



And it's a good thing, because a new case comes in almost immediately. During the morning briefing, Agent Lisette Cloutier's cell phone buzzes away with texts from her friend Homer Godin, saying his pregnant married daughter Vivienne is missing.



Gamache and Cloutier hurry over to Vivienne's house to look around and interview her husband Carl Tracey. It's immediately obvious that dirty, disheveled, foul-mouthed Tracey is a nasty scumbag who abuses his wife, and the detectives suspect he did SOMETHING to Vivienne, though it's not clear what.



While the detectives are searching for Vivienne, an environmental crisis is developing. Spring thaws and moving chunks of ice are filling the rivers to record high levels, and massive floods will be the inevitable result.



Drastic measures are needed, and Gamache's suggestions are quickly lampooned by the politicians who want to take him down. Regardless, government agencies and private citizens take measures to deal with the water situation, like dynamiting dams and arranging sandbags.

The investigation of Vivienne's disappearance turns up additional persons of interest, and the case has overtones of adultery, unrequited love, and domestic violence. Still, Gamache and his colleagues are almost certain that Carl Tracey harmed his wife, and a good part of the book follows their maneuvers as they try to prove it.

In the meantime, Vivienne's father Homer Godin threatens to kill Tracey himself. Gamache is anxious to keep this from happening, so he invites Homer to Three Pines, hoping his wife Reign-Marie will look after the grieving father and keep him calm.



This doesn't quite work out, and at one point Homer is arrested while Carl Tracey walks free - which is the height of irony. 😏

Meanwhile, Clara Morrow sadly laments her current reputation as an artist who's lost her spark, and wonders what to do next. Some Three Pines residents try to cheer up and/or help Clara, including innkeepers Olivier and Gabri;



bookstore owner Myrna;



and irascible, dirty-mouth poet Ruth.



Their efforts have mixed results, but do introduce us to a quirky African American art critic from Brooklyn, called Domenica Oddly.



It's always entertaining to visit the locals in Three Pines, including Ruth's duck Rosa, whose 'quack quack quack' sounds a lot like 'f**k, f**k, f**k.' (Like mother, like daughter. LOL)


Vivienne's case is resolved eventually, but not before lives are endangered and surprises come to light.

For me, this is only a moderately successful addition to the Armand Gamache series. It's more of a legal procedural than a typical mystery, and the legal wrangling is more drawn out than necessary.

On a personal note, I'm tired of the theme of corrupt Sûreté officials, dirty politicians, and (now) disgusting Twitter trolls out to get Gamache. The 'war' against Gamache has been going on for years and years (in Penny's books) and it's time to put it to rest in my opinion.

That said, many reviewers love this book, and fans of the series would probably enjoy it.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟
This is book 15 of one of my favorite series. And somehow I fell behind! Not sure how this happened. Perhaps too many books, too little reading time.

When I noticed Louise Penny was getting ready to release the latest, The Grey Wolf (book 19) I realized it was high time to visit Three Pines, Quebec.

Buckle up because there’s a lot going on here with differing offshoots from the main storyline.

We have:
🌲 a catastrophic flood across Quebec and making its way to Three Pines.
🌲a pregnant woman missing and a husband who doesn’t seem too concerned.
🌲Clara is having an artistic crisis.
🌲Jean Guy is preparing for a big move.
🌲Armand Gamache remains steady and focused as always, as he finds his place back within the Sûreté du Québec.
🌲social Media in all its ugliness has hit the Village, and some of our favorite will take a hit.

So…enough action and drama for everyone?

I loved how Louise Penny wove all the triumphs and turmoil into a beautifully flowing storyline. All of your favorite characters, as well as new ones make an appearance.

I started this series with physical copies, transitioning to digital midway. And now... I believe the audio is the best way to experience this series. Robert Bathurst does an incredible job narrating, giving brilliant life to all the characters!

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just returned from my annual visit to Montreal and Three Pines. Sadly it only took a day, but I met all my old friends again and caught up on all the gossip. I really should have made the trip last longer. Now I have a whole year to wait until the next time.

Poor Gamache and Clara, both attacked and vilified by social media. Beauvoir, Annie and little Honore, bags packed and off to live in Paris. Rising river levels and the race to save the province, but especially Three Pines, from flooding. All this wrapped around an excellent mystery about a missing woman and a court case which goes terribly wrong - or does it!

Wonderful! Now I am left with the difficult decision of what to read next. How am I supposed to follow that?

[Annette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I adored Louise Penny's early books -- read them in print and listened in audiobook whilst driving. The hole in the ceiling where the rain gets in... occurred last year with Kingdom of the Blind. This year, the coup de grace, A Better Man.

My admiration for Louise Penny and her creation of Three Pines and its inhabitants -- around which I built a wonderful vacation last year, traveling a great distance to get to know the eastern townships (highly recommended!) -- is so high that I offer these suggestions from my heart. Overall -- please bring back subtlety to the writing, so the reader can dwell in uncertainty and mystery for a while. This book has a pedantic tone that is tiring.

This could be a much better book.
- a good editor is needed, to trim the story lines and put mystery into the structure -- remove the procedural and return the mystery
- make the residents of Three Pines matter to the story lines, instead of providing eccentric colour
- stop the overuse of coincidence, for instance placement of the missing person's home-farm near Three Pines, which conveniently allowed for the flooding drama, was way over the top
- be mindful of police boundaries and tolerances for boundary transgressions, instead of conveniently using them in story lines
- please don't try to explain social media -- let the youngsters do that
- caution not to turn the bistro owners into caricatures of themselves -- we have come to know, love and respect them

There, that's it. I think I'm at the end of reading Penny's novels. Time for a reboot.

[Esil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our date came a bit early this year, Armand, which makes it bitter sweet. Sweet because I got to catch up with you and our friends in Three Pines a little earlier in the summer than usual. Bitter because our time together is already over until next year.

I found this year’s dose of Louise Penny got off to a slow start. Armand Gamache is struggling, as usual, with his place in the Quebec police, and the mystery at the centre of A Better Man focuses on a seemingly straightforward missing person case. And I must admit that the story itself didn’t really grow much in intensity for me. Armand continued to struggle. The people of Three Pines were thrown into turmoil because Clara’s paintings are getting bad reviews. And I quickly guessed what was meant to be a not so obvious resolution to the missing person plot.

But for true fans of Louise Penny, like me, the plot is often beside the point. As usual, Armand, his family, his colleagues and his neighbours make up for any plot weaknesses. It’s hard not to be enthralled by these deep feeling and thinking characters, who are also equipped with a good sense of humour and a love for the good things in life. Despite the murders and carnage, Louise Penny presents an inspiring and warm world view of human connections. (I can’t believe I just wrote that sentence, but I can’t think of any other way to express it.)

But because this was not my favourite of Penny’s books, I thought I should probably be fair and give it 4 stars rather than my usual 5 stars. And then I read her afterword, and I knew I couldn’t rate this one any less than 5 stars. Penny explains why she named one of the dogs in the book Fred, which made me teary. Then she explained that “these books are about community. About love and belonging. And the great gift of friendship.” Indeed! So the afterword pulled me over the 5 star line – not for the first time -- and it’s another five stars for me. Because, despite the plot’s weaknesses, these are the feelings I walk away with each year after I finish Penny’s latest offering.

So, goodbye for now, Armand. I hope you’re planning something good for next year. In the meantime, enjoy your family and friends, and don’t get into too much trouble ;)

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for giving me access to an advance copy.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He knew that few people would look at him and imagine the wreckage he'd crawled out of not all that long ago."

Louise Penny shifts the current in A Better Man with our beloved Armand Gamache not as sure-footed, not as dynamic, not as on top of his game as in previous novels. Indeed, it's a turnabout that was difficult for the readers to embrace in the beginning portion of this book. I felt that things were a bit unsteady for the community of Three Pines in which I consider myself a card carrying member.

Perhaps it was just time for all of us to consider that nothing, over time, stays the same. We are all products of the crap storms we are caught up in in this life......some brought on by our own actions and some at the receiving end of that dirty stick handed to us by others. You can't lean against a zebra without feeling his stripes.

And so it is with Gamache who hardly recovered intact from a horrendous drug bust in the last novel in which he and Jean-Guy nearly lost their lives. The weight of his decisions in regard to the raid cost him his superb title and rendered a demotion that he drank from a bitter cup. But Gamache stills serves his people with dignity, a bit tarnished, but with dignity.

Agent Lysette Cloutier, a newer member of the team, has brought a missing persons report to the attention of Gamache and Jean-Guy. Vivienne Goudin has not been seen for days and her husband is under suspicion. He claims that she just took off on her own. The police are not buying what this guy is selling. But in the course of the investigation, the banks of the Bella Bella River are overflowing and the dam may well be, too. Our well known groupies of Three Pines are sandbagging as fast as they can.

Louise Penny reminds us in A Better Man that no human on Earth is left untouched by the sepsis of social media, Mother Nature's wrath, and people refusing to put down their urns of hate. We feel the sting either directly or indirectly, but it's always there. Three Pines, although a beacon of hope and comfort, finds itself caught up in the harsh winds of change that can leave destruction in its path.

The mystery element in this one was a slow building one and much unlike previous novels by Penny. But as we traveled the ascending arc of these actions, it soon became a search for discovery like the many zippered pockets and compartments of a traveling bag. There was far more to this one than what initially meets the eye.

And I always savor the Author's Notes at the end by Louise Penny. There was far more to the character of Fred than what we imagined as well. Perhaps that's what one beholds in A Better Man. In a constantly darkening world in which the "take down" reigns, don't ever check your heart at the door. It's a necessity now more than ever. Don't leave home without it.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former Head of the Sureté de Quebec, Armand Gamache has returned to his old position as Head of Homicide, a role he will share for two weeks with his former deputy and son-in-law Jean-Guy Beauvoir prior to his departure for a new job in Paris. After pulling off a dangerous and risky, but ultimately successful operation, putting drugs on the street to catch bigger fish, Gamache was suspended for nine months and then offered a demotion and his old job back, something the malicious higher powers who want to bring him down thought he would turn down. But Gamache is stronger than that and for him the job of policing Quebec is more than important than his own ego or position. Even as he is being attacked on social media with vile lies and doctored videos by those who would bring him down, he remains the staunch, insightful and respectful of those around him. I love the humanity that he brings to his job and the respect and loyalty his team have for him.

Gamache’s first case back in homicide is that of Vivienne Godin, a missing woman, suspected murdered by her abusive husband, who is a really nasty piece of work. It’s a tricky case and mistakes are made in the investigation that may affect the court case against Vivienne’s husband. As always, the novel is beautifully written, with a difficult case combined with local problems such the threat of major flooding in the province and catching up with the lives and activities of Gamache’s family and friends.

It was hard to imagine how Louise Penny could top her previous stellar novel in this series, but by taking Gamache back to doing what he loves best she has brought us another strong and compelling case. It’s always good to pop into Three Pines to see how all the lovely, quirky folk who live there are doing. This time, with the spring melt predicted to cause one-in-a-hundred year floods, they are banding together to sand bank the river. Artist Clara is having a tough time with her latest exhibited on miniature portraits receiving bad reviews and vitriolic comments on social media and poet Ruth (and her duck) is doing her best to counter the social media attacks Gamache and Clara are facing in he own inimitable way. It was sad to see Jean-Guy head to Paris with Annie and their son at the end of the book, knowing how much Gamache will miss them, both at work and at home, but I’m hopeful that we will see more of them in future novels.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louise Penny writes mysteries like no other. They are as much philosophical treatises as crime stories.
This time around, Gamache is returning after a nine month suspension and a demotion. It’s early spring and all of Quebec is about to flood. Serious, 100 year floods. “Gabri paled. It was, he knew, a sign of the End of Days. Ruth refusing booze.”
A father reports his pregnant daughter missing and Gamache takes up the case. No matter his position, Gamache is a mentor, a teacher. He is always a calming presence.
Penny does a fabulous job describing the flooding rivers. I felt myself there with those roiling waters. I also always appreciate her take on the political maneuvering not just within the police department but the entire political structure - the jockeying to make someone else be in the hot seat. Luckily, Gamache is never afraid of the hot seat.
What I love about Penny’s books are they are meant to be savored. These aren’t mysteries that you rush through to see who committed the murder. Which isn’t to say she doesn’t give you a large dose of suspense. She does a great job keeping you off balance, even this case which is supposedly open and shut.
Make sure to read the Acknowledgements. But if you’re a dog lover, had the tissues handy.
Another five stars for Ms. Penny! I’m so glad her next entry is due out in September.

[Marialyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I have always been a Louise Penny enthusiastic reader and always awaited her new books with lots of anticipation and happiness. So I am totally bummed that I didn't like this book as much as I had hoped.

I know that different readers have contrasting reactions to stories and in that we see how people are different in what they read and feel. It makes reading a book so very interesting because we can view divergent opinions and ways of looking at things.

What I found in this story that set me off was the repetitious nature of the book. Perhaps it was because of having read all the others in this series that I felt there was material that I had heard many times. Another thing was how I felt the whole persona of Gamache changed in this story. I always thought he was a strong character, a man who always seems to know what to do, and yet in this go round he seemed tenuous, unsure, and weak. I was disappointed to see a change in him. Perhaps the author was trying to make him more human and vulnerable but sometimes it made him seem supercilious and sanctimonious. The other characters just didn't have the charisma they once had and of course this made me not care as much about them as I use to.

I did like the last section of the story which really did show the investigative process we so often saw in all the other books in this series. I wish that this could have been the whole focus of the book. It was too late to save what for me was an uninteresting read.

So, I walk away with a less than a positive view of this book, knowing full well that so many have and will love this story. I do have a lot of respect for this author and of course my opinion is just that an opinion. Please do look at the other reviews as most of them are glowing.
Thank you to Edelweiss for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jan and I were quite anxious to read this fifteenth novel in this series. Inspector Gamanche, his family, and the residents of Three Pines have always intrigued us and as we have followed these books we have developed a fondness for all the characters. So, it was with lots of anticipation, we read this new recently published book.
To see our duo reviews, you can go here: http://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpress...

[Cathrine ☯️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 🌲🌲🌲
There is a small sideline story in this mystery concerning Clara Morrow. She has lost her muse and is being attacked in social media as a no longer noteworthy artist, producing mediocre work, riding the wave of her previous acclaim. Hmmm…
Insert deep breath here—Merde!
Friends know I love the series but this one left me feeling underwhelmed.
There was much redundancy and rehashing of previous themes, life lessons, and dialogue. I felt it overly proselytized on previous content to the point of reader burnout.
After all they’ve been through, I had a hard time accepting how personal Gamache and Beauvoir’s response was to Vivienne Godin’s plight. It was too long IMHO and taxed my patience.

That said, Three Pines and its community is always a welcome destination. There was enjoyment and I hope this was just a temporary loss of connection in the normally high level of emotion, drama, and satisfaction I have come to expect. The stage has been set for new life and hopefully a better reading experience.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another rainy day in Morro Bay, and what perfect way to spend it than with one of my favorite characters, Chief Inspector Gamache.

Even though he has been recently demoted, he works well with fellow officers and Jean-Guy Beauvoir, as they share the position of Chief Inspector of Homicide before Jean-Guy leaves for Paris.

On the case of a missing pregnant woman in the midst of tumultuous weather that creates a threatening raging river to their village of Three Pines, the questions faced are…

Did she run away from her abusive husband or was she killed by him or did something else happen?

As always, Ms. Penny captivates and engages readers with page-turning suspense. For the most part, it was a well-plotted story with some flaws, but they didn’t take away from the overall flow of the story.

There will be more questions than answers as pages turn which makes this truly an engrossing mystery. But answers will eventually be forthcoming.

We can also appreciate how dog Fred finds a home.

3.5 stars rounded up.

[Penny (Literary Hoarders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will more than likely be the last book I finish in 2019 (the decade!) and I couldn't have chosen a better one to end with!

Penny always seamlessly blends social issues into her mysteries and blends them well into the lives of all in Three Pines. Here she takes on the issue of climate crisis - flooding - and also (the scourge of) social media. She has a deft pen for it (a master, which I discovered how much so when reading The Birds That Stay). It's never clunky and it's always on point and current.

The ending comes together with intensity, but it was her Acknowledgements at the end where the tears were flowing! Who she dedicates this book to and why just opened the floodgates!

[Carolyn Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5* stars. It is always a joy to read a new book by Louise Penny, and to be transported to her stellar creation, the fictional village of Three Pines, Quebec and its residents. I not only appreciate the atmospheric storytelling where I can visualize the place and people, but I want to live there. I feel that I already know the villagers. This is the 15th book set in Three Pines, and the author has maintained her usual high quality.

These books are police procedural/mysteries. With each new one, we get further insights into the well-developed characters, with all their strengths and human weaknesses.

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, a kind and wise man, had been head of the Surete du Quebec. After a high risk and mostly successful police raid, some officers were killed or injured. Gamache was demoted by individuals who resented his power and risk-taking. His loss was to be their political and professional gain. He is offered the position as head of the Homicide Department, never thinking that Gamache would not to prefer to remain retired in disgrace. He would now be working alongside, but under the command of his son-in-law, Jean-Guy, whom he once mentored and who he chose as his second-Jan-command. Gamache accepts, only wanting to solve crimes in any capacity. Most who knew Gamache still have great loyalty and respect for him.

Powerful forces still resent his return to the Surete du Quebec. Vile postings and a fake video are circulating on the internet deploring his new posting. At the same time, Clara’s recent paintings of scenic miniatures are being reviled on social media, with postings indicating the belief that she never had any artistic talent.

Clara is distraught, and her friend, Myrna tries to comfort her. They frequently meet at the inn, and the elderly and foul-mouthed Ruth, a prize-winning poet, is often in the background with her pet duck. She manages to keep things stirred up with her nasty comments. I regret we didn’t see more this time of Gabi and Oliver, owners of the inn.

A catastrophic flood is threatening Montreal and also Three Pines. Most of the police force have been deployed to handle a possible natural disaster. Sandbags are being piled up along the river at Three Pines. A father, Homer Godin is frantic about his missing daughter, Vivienne, who he thinks was on her way to see him. She was married to a domineering and abusive husband, Carl, who did a bit of farming and dabbled in creating pottery. She was the victim of his beatings and was kept isolated from her father and potential friends.

When her body is found it is believed she was escaping the abusive husband and was murdered. She was pregnant at the time of her death, and Carl is the prime suspect. Jean-Guy heads up the murder investigation. This is to be his final case as a police officer as he is soon moving to Paris to work in the private sector. Carl goes on trial charged with the killing of his wife but is freed due to technicalities. Homer, her father, is enraged, as Gamache assured him that Carl would be convicted and punished. Homer vows to kill Carl. He is moved into Gamache’s home, with the aim of protecting him from murdering the most likely suspect in his daughter’s death.

The pace slows down as Jean-Guy, Gamache and team sit around discussing clues and evidence to order a new trial for Carl. They also ponder other possible suspects, their relationships with Vivienne, possible motives and methods.

The murder investigation speeds up with a dangerous, pulse-pounding climax. There are some twists and help from unexpected sources during which a very complex plot is revealed. Recommended.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean-Guy Beauvoir was in his final weeks before he moved with Annie and Honore to Paris for their new life. His new job. But there would be one more case before his departure and it started with the spring thaw, flooding and desperation from the authorities to save communities. And a missing woman. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache was by Jean-Guy’s side in these last weeks as they traded words, information, theories and more; as was Isabelle Lacoste, who was still recovering from injuries that almost cost her her life.

In the process of digging a trench to divert the Bella Bella river from Three Pines, evidence was found. Conclusions were reached, an arrest was made. But was that the end of it? A grieving, distraught father; a cunning, sly husband; a tough cop with attitude – this case would be a struggle for Armand and Jean-Guy. Would they find the truth? And was it what they thought?

A Better Man is #15 in this excellent series - Chief Inspector Armand Gamache – by Louise Penny and I loved it. A fabulous read with so many twists and turns that kept me turning the pages to find what happened next. The twist at the end was one I didn’t see coming and my thoughts on “whodunit” changed a number of times throughout the book. I can’t recommend this series highly enough, and am looking forward to #16!

[Carmen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh no no no...

Throughout the book, all I kept thinking was “What’s the rush?”

Until this mess of a book appeared, the author treated each character lovingly and never rushed the narrative. Every word, scene and bit of dialogue was carefully crafted. The twists were authentic, believable and they played out methodically. Unfortunately, none of that thoughtfulness and care made its way into this book. It reads like a a fan-fiction novel. Or worse, like a bad editor trying to write a book for client. Or, worst of all, Louise Penny firing an incredible editor who took a marginal writer and wrote her into a great one (aka Harper Lee/Tay Hohoff)?

Characters became caricatures and behave in ridiculous, juvenile ways. Twice in the book, Myrna is said to be “lowering herself on her ample/large backside” on something in the vicinity. Clara devolves into a histrionic Drama Queen, who somehow ruins her career-completely-with ONE show featuring a series of miniature paintings. This ONE show received such bad reviews and generated SUCH a social media backlash under the hashtag #claramorrowsux that it ruins her career. We are asked to believe that all her previous buyers want to “return ALL her other paintings” She stomps around, throws tantrums-remember-THIS is the character of whom it is said, repeatedly, is the “soul of Three Pines”.

One of Clara’s critics shows up in TP, convinced the town will discriminate against her at every turn. I have no idea why this is worked in as a plot point. Evidently, neither does Louise Penny because the critic thinks about moving to Three Pines, then literally drops out of the book-just disappears.

Furthermore, we’re asked to believe that Twitter has the Suerte’ thrown into chaos because of criticisms and negative opinions under (wait for it!) the hashtag #gamagesux. I find it difficult to believe that any law-enforcement department, anywhere, would give a damn what Twitter users think about their employees and departments and whether they suck or not. Of course, this is nothing compared to another video being released. Remember the video of the terrorist shoot out that was played and played over and over again? Well someone splices the video to make it look as if Gamage and the rest are firing on black teenagers or something like that. Something with racist overtones. But with all of this, the racism isn’t discussed at all.

I am assuming Louise Penny is trying to make some commentary regarding social media, but I couldn’t figure out what it was...finally I simply didn’t care.

This is Jean-Guy’s last case. I don’t know who he is, anymore. Even Ruth becomes mundane, silly and disingenuous.

There was no comfort or wisdom in this book. I would rather wait years between books than for the stories to be rushed and lose the charm and beauty they once had. I’ve ALWAYS given the books in this series 5 stars!

This one, however, I wish I’d never read.

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come soon!

[PattyMacDotComma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5★
“But he noticed as he followed Gamache, that the Chief Inspector was not carrying a weapon.

He wondered if he should say something. Remind him that drug dealers were dangerous. But then he remembered who this man was and what he’d seen. And what he’d done.

Chief Inspector Gamache did not need to be schooled. He was the principal.”

How the mighty fall. Once the head honcho of all of the force, Armand Gamache has been cut down to size after a daring operation that put drugs out onto the street (for a good reason, but incredibly risky), and while they have now cleaned up the crims in the service, they thought he went too far. Offered his old, much lower position, they were surprised when he accepted.

Now he answers to his son-in-law, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, who’s about to quit the Sûreté du Quebec and move with his young family to Paris. Meanwhile, both men carry the title of Chief Inspector and call each other ‘Patron’, or ‘boss’, from time to time.

“Homer had sat in the outer office, listening, while Gamache met with a fellow named Jean-Guy something.

The young fellow was obviously another cop. Senior, it seemed. Gamache’s equal? At times it seemed so. His superior? At times it seemed so. His subordinate? At times it seemed so.”

Homer is the father of a young woman who has been reported missing right in the middle of an enormous flood that is threatening Three Pines and Montreal. It’s April, and the winter ice is cracking and breaking up suddenly, sending enormous chunks of ice and debris down the Bella Bella River. The powers-that-be in Montreal are discussing the best ways to deal with it, and Gamache has to be careful how he offers suggestions. The decisions aren’t his to make anymore.

“A sudden catastrophic event, natural or otherwise, brought with it turmoil. Places so pastoral and pretty one minute became war zones the next.

A populace unused to these sudden emergencies needed to be rallied and directed. And kept calm.

It was vital to take control.

Gamache tried to stop his mind from going there. And his hand from reaching for his phone to call Emergency Management. Call his successor at the Sûreté. Call the Premier Ministre. And tell them what to do.

Instead he took a deep breath and forced himself to sit back in the passenger seat.”

He and his beloved wife, Reine-Marie, now live in Three Pines, the little village that isn’t on any map but that all readers of this series know and love. We enjoy going back there for the food, the bistro, and the residents. Some are charming and/or quirky. Some are prickly, but all are accepted as part of the community. We know we’ll be cold if we visit in winter.

“Somehow, having survived another bitterly cold Canadian winter, early spring always got them. It was the damp. And the temperature swings. And the illusion and delusion that it must be milder out, surely, by now.

The forest beyond stood like an army of winter wraiths, skeleton arms dangling, limbs clacking together in the breeze.”

Now the villagers are bracing for the worst.

“And with the water rising, decision had to be made.

They’d run out of sandbags two hours earlier. Then villagers had begun bringing pillowcases and feed bags, garbage bags. Anything that could hold sand.

And then they’d run out of sand.

And then they’d run out of light.

And then they’d run out of steam.

And still the rain kept coming. Changing to ice pellets, then freezing rain, then back to rain.”

Those are the circumstances, but during all of that, the officers are following up on the missing woman with the abusive husband and the distraught father who keeps threatening to take matters into his own hands.

There’s plenty of action and many flashbacks to past cases, especially the ones where agents were killed, and Gamache took the blame. One young woman he’d brought into the force, which surprised a lot of people, has become a valuable member of the team – and he’d nearly lost her.

“. . . And saw, yet again, Isabelle Lacoste crumple to the floor. Shot. Her last act had saved all their lives. She’d done it knowing full well it would cost her her own.

Fortunately, she didn’t remember it, so great was the trauma.

And Gamache could never forget, so great was the trauma.

But she’d recovered. Fought her way back, one excruciating step at a time.

Things are strongest where they’re broken. If ever there was a person who proved that, it was Isabelle Lacoste.”

I enjoyed seeing them all back together again.

“‘Does that remind you of anything?’ Olivier asked.
. . .
Reine-Marie cocked her head, staring. And then she gave a short puff of amusement and recognition.

Isabelle. Jean-Guy. Armand.

Three colleagues.

Three friends. A trinity. Sturdy. Eternal. Together.

‘Three Pines,’ she said.

‘Three Stooges,’ said Ruth as she walked by and entered the bistro.”

Ah, Ruth. And Rosa her duck. Ruth, the old poet, is as cranky and troublesome and insulting as ever. There’s a side story of Clara, suffering from criticism for her new art style, and Ruth revels in reading out all the negative tweets. She’s also a source of some of the trademark humour, too.

I think the writing style is choppier than before, with many short phrases used for emphasis. But there are the much loved lyrical passages that fans have come to expect so we can experience the weather and the season for ourselves. This opens in the freezing slush of April, with the icy floods, and ends with a bit of milder weather and early blooms.

I am relieved to know that I can still make at least two more trips to Three Pines, but I hope Louise Penny will keep writing more.

[Lydia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was rather heartbroken by how disappointing this book was. It drags. And drags. And drags. But that’s only part of the problem.

It’s highly derivative of her early work, like a warmed-over plate of last week’s leftovers. Whereas her early books each had a unique and lovely theme that offered fresh perspectives and a multi-layered, textured, immersive reading experience, “A Better Man” offers the opposite. Penny seems to have long ago run out of new ideas. I am sorely disappointed that she keeps recycling the same themes over and over: things are strongest where they’re broken, cracks are where the light gets in, who hurt you once so far beyond repair, I’m F.I.N.E., the four statements that lead to wisdom, surprised by joy, ... etc. Those are all cool, but they’re getting tired. It felt like one of those vintage TV shows whose writers phoned it in occasionally by loosely tying together a montage of scenes from old episodes.

Penny reused a lot of her old plot devices again, too: corrupt cops, videos of Gamache online, drugs, insubordinate subordinates, abandoned dogs. But the things I wouldn’t have minded seeing repeated were sadly absent (or almost absent): regular warm meals by the fire in the bistro, croissants, glasses of scotch and licorice pipes, rich descriptions of the scenery, deep journeys into the human experience, and invigorating storylines.

I heard Penny speak once, and I enjoyed it immensely. She said the thing that motivated her to create Three Pines was the idea of creating a place she herself would want to visit and a book she herself would want to read. I fell in love with Three Pines in the first half dozen Gamache stories, but I wouldn’t have wanted to visit there this time around, nor did I enjoy reading this book. It’s not that I prefer fluff lit. (quite the opposite, actually). It’s that I prefer layers. Penny seems to have traded the exquisite musings and the carefully cultivated setting of her early books in exchange for cheap thrills, lazy writing, and a high-volume production schedule. It’s a bit like the Clara Morrow sub-plot in this novel. Clara’s disastrously trite miniature paintings caused her rising star to fall—a critic of Clara said she betrayed her fans and her gifts by producing sub-par work. In a similar way, “A Better Man” is uninspired and a bit of a betrayal to Penny’s readers and to her talent. The supporting characters are flat. There are plot holes and inconsistencies. The dialogue is painfully slow and labored (pages and pages of miserably labored dialogue). And the ending was... well... dumb. The book is filled with whole chapters of speculation and here-say and banal conversations, not to mention the cumbersome weight of having to keep 14 preceding books’ worth of backstory fresh in readers’ minds so that all the old inside jokes and storylines wouldn’t seem disconnected. She’s created a formula for herself and now seems trapped in it. The entire thing was truly disappointing.

I wish she’d launch a new series. She’s beaten this horse to death. Poor horse. It was truly lovely, once...

[Marci · Rating 2 out of 5]

We saw more of Three Pines in this offering than the last book, but I am sad to say I did not really care much for this story. I found myself frustrated and yelling no! far too often toward the end.

How could this storm/thawing be such a big part at the beginning to just fizzle away? And these are the best of the best in the Surete, yet we do not know who the guy at the end of the wrong number’s sister was? We see them focus on a single culprit which is something I believe Gamache always warned against. Why wouldn’t we know, or see they researched and ruled out who this guys’d sister was to ensure there wasn’t a connection there? They only wanted to focus on him possibly being Vivienne’s lover. I kept thinking the sister was someone at a shelter Vivienne had contacted to help start the plan to get away from her abusive husband. That was never addressed and seemed like shoddy police work.

Characters were brought into the story that seemed like they may play a bigger or more significant role to just melt away like they were never there. I’m genuinely perplexed.

Louise Penny’s previous books resonated with me at a time when my life had been shattered. Her characters were so lovely, so vivid, I wanted to live in a Three Pines. I could see myself and others sitting in front of the big fire of the bistro. Her writing and these people seemed real, provided a comfort, a hug. While I still want to know these characters, I miss them. How can I read a book with the same characters in them and miss them WHILE I’m reading?

There was so much in this one that didn’t work for me. And I keep wondering as these books go on how it is this tiny village in the middle of nowhere that no one seems to know about seems to keep having all of these murders? Carl Tracey’s property was directly next to the perimeter of Three Pines? Seriously? I am having a harder time suspending my disbelief at all of these happenings and this little tucked away village seems to still be unknown yet there are so many crimes for this infamous head or the Surete and it still is a hidden gem. Which leads me to be perplexed about how Gamache is as famous as a movie star. Is this how it is in other countries with the law enforcement ? I have no idea who the head of law enforcement is in my state, I don’t know anyone who does unless they are in law enforcement. I’ve grown wary and weary of this notion that Gamache is so popular and notorious he would be trending online.

What the ever living hell is going on with Clara? That part of the story seemed so odd and out of place, and over the top. Maybe I got frustrated and tuned out the narrator of the book, but I do not feel it really added anything. Clara has been in free fall since Peter was killed quite a few books ago. There have been so many chances to see her work her way through her grief, it’s not really addressed or stated that all of this is a result of her losses. Even if Clara doesn’t realize it is her grief that has her behaving this way. I just feel like the Three Pines characters we’ve come to know and love barely resemble themselves or we’re seeing only shells of their former vibrant, three-dimensional selves.

[Brina · Rating 5 out of 5]

In real life I have reached the point in the school year where I have to start thinking about summer plans and next school year. It can get overwhelming organizing future schedules for an entire family in my mind, but that is where I am mentally right now. Usually I use times like these to escape into a favorite book or series, and for the last two days, that is exactly how I spent my time. Three Pines, Quebec must be one of the most idyllic places ever dreamed up in a book. The setting becomes a character, and the villagers, while not perfect people, add their unique characteristics and make this village a place where many of us can see ourselves living. How many times have I wanted to enter the bistro and suck on a licorice pipe by the fire and discuss life with friends? This escape was much needed, but little did I know, that in this particular installment of her award winning series, that Louise Penny would outdo herself.

A Better Man is dedicated to Bishop the dog. Those who have been my goodreads friends for awhile know that I am a cat mother many times over. My cats and I have special relationships that surpass those of many of my human friends. Like Penny’s late husband Michael, I was the spouse who did not want to get a pet- too much work, we have kids, etc- but, lo and behold, I have a cat who is my guard cat and would never let anything happen to me. When I found out that Fred the dog would be central to this latest murder case, I grew skeptical. I do not read books where violence against animals occurs. For me this is gruesome and too emotionally draining. Thankfully, Louise Penny loves dogs. Fred would be a clue in this case, and, yes he is old, but nothing happens to him. Knowing that, I had the emotional wherewithal to read this case. At least I thought I did, but I am getting ahead of myself. Louise Penny writes this case with a grace that speaks about the relationship between fathers and daughters. Maybe not as draining as animals, I knew I would be in for an emotional rollercoaster with this case. Even though it is not the typical emotion I generally feel during a thriller, I had an inkling that this book in a long series would be a special one.

Armand Gamache is going back to work after a nine month suspension. His opponents never believed that he would accept his old job- Chief Inspector of homicide- because they thought that he viewed it as a demotion. Gamache tells Isabel LaCoste that “this is where I belong” when the two discuss why they came back to work. He wears the bag so those detectives that he trained do not need to; he is their leader. This reminds me of a scene in Top Gun: Maverick where Penny tells Pete that they are his pilots and if anything ever happened to them, he would keep on fighting. To equate Gamache with Maverick, my top movie in the last ten years, I know that I am reading about a true, albeit a free spirited, leader. He may be a leader, but would he turn out a better man following his demotion? For the first two weeks back on the job, Gamache shares this role with his son-in-law Jean Guy Beauvoir. As has been mentioned in the last few books, the two have known each other over multiple lifetimes. They complete each other, but Beauvoir has grown weary of the job and has accepted a new position in Paris. In two weeks, he will be leaving, leaving Armand and Reine Marie with all of their children and grandchildren living in the city of lights. The exchanges between the two gave me the end of a long running series vibe; while I know this is not the case, it was hard to process at times and actually brought me to tears. Gamache actually meditated on the bench above Three Pines about his grandchildren growing up in a country that is not his, and it brought to tears. This is a murder case; I’m supposed to feel venom and then delight when the perpetrator is caught. I am not supposed to feel sadness, and, yet, this is how I reacted, and why many readers have noted that Louise Penny’s creating multi-faceted characters is what makes her work superior to most, something I wholeheartedly agree with.

Gamache smells of sandalwood and rose water. He has compassion for every human being and quotes classics from Marcus Aurelius to Herman Melville. He looks like he would be more comfortable as an English professor than as head of homicide, but that is his place. It is the end of winter and Quebec’s rivers have risen to hundred year flood stages. The villagers of Three Pines have sand bagged the Rivière Bella Bella in hopes that it does not overflow. Amidst this turmoil, a young woman named Vivienne Godin has gone missing. Gamache is the only detective not already assigned to a case, so Beauvoir assigns him to it. The young lady is found drowned. She was said to have an abusive husband, and her father Homer is worried sick about her. In this case, Gamache is no longer an inspector but Annie’s father. Beauvoir assigns himself to the case as well, and he views it through a lens as Annie’s husband and Honoré’s father. He is determined to bring the victim to justice in this, his last case with the Sureté. He recruits LaCoste, still on leave, to join the investigation, and the trio collaborate for one last time. Many of their conversations brought a smile to my face making me pine for the early books in the series where the three worked together on every case, Gamache a proud father of two overly successful children. They are now able to lead on their own as a result of his tutelage. These intimate talks between Armand and Jean Guy will be sorely missed much more than the actual investigations. At the here and now; however, the trio works overtime to solve this case before it’s too late.

It is a rarity for me to rate mystery thrillers five stars. It is also a rarity that one is treated to an author like Louise Penny. I have rated two of the last three books in this series five stars because they have been that good. Using chiaroscuro to contrast the darkness of Quebec politics with the lifting of spirits that one finds inside of the Three Pines’ bistro, Penny has created a series for the ages. She has brought to life cops with compassion and a myriad of characters who one would love to know in real life. I am nearly caught up with the series which is bittersweet because now I will be reading these books in real time. They will to be savored and always provide me the escape I need from real life even if the life I find in Three Pines is not the still life that one believes that Penny set out to create. Until next time, au revoir, mes amies.

4.9999… stars

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

"With some surprise Gamache realized that he had become part of the refuse he'd spent his career salvaging. But that didn't mean he was useless. Just, maybe, repurposed"

"Things are strongest when they're broken"

Armand Gamache is back. He has been demoted from Chief Superintendent of the Sûreté du Québec and finds that he is once again Chief Inspector and head of homicide. A job that he will share with his former second-in-command, and son-in-law, Jean-Guy Beauvoir. There are some who thought he would not accept the demotion but they are few and do not know or understand him. There are also vicious attacks on social media.

Springtime in Quebec brings flooding that has the potential to be catastrophic. Decisions must be made. Gamache attends a meeting of other senior leaders but finds that the politicians who are responsible for his demotion are not interested in anything that he may have to suggest or offer. He finds himself on the outside and the door closed. Instead he takes on a missing person case that was brought to the attention of the homicide unit by another agent, Lysette Cloutier.

Vivienne Godin is pregnant and married to and abusive husband, Carl Tracey. She had called her father, Homer, to inform him she was coming to his house but never showed up. Tracey is a particularly despicable character. It seems obvious to everyone that this time he killed Vivienne and unborn child and disposed of her body. Armand finds himself developing a strong empathy with Homer. He has a daughter that is about the same age as Vivienne and is haunted by questions posed by Homer. How would you feel?, What would you do?. Despite his demotion, the threats from flooding, and the attacks in social media Armand pursues in his search for Vivienne.

This story, of course, is a mystery; suspense; thriller but it is also a story of relationships. Father and daughter of course but also between Armand and Jean-Guy. And Isabelle Lacoste. It was wonderful to see Armand, Jean-Guy, and Isabelle together again. Perhaps for the last time as Jean-Guy is leaving the Surete du Quebec and moving to Paris. Louise Penny never disappoints and Armand Gamache is one of my favorite characters. I love Three Pines and it's quirky residents.

[Kari Ann Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

picked up the latest book in the Inspector Gamache series from the library on pub day last week. (Not so humble brag). Every time I start a new Louise Penny book my inner dialogue says, "Slow down, savor it! You'll have to wait a year for the next one." This time I succeed better than in the past and spread it out over a couple of days.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I adore this series. Yes- the series starts a bit slow. But in my opinion it is worth the reading investment. Over 15 books, Three Pines and the characters who dwell there have started to feel like old friends.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The writing is beautiful, and the story kept me guessing until the end. I always appreciate the mystery, but I stay for the way Penny shines a light on the best (and worst) parts of what makes us who we are. The small glimpses of love and friendship.

[Mihaela Abrudan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprinzătoare, nu mă așteptam la un așa final. Mi-a plăcut atmosfera calmă și totuși concentrată a anchetei, legatura dintre detectivi, răsturnările de situații. Ideea că oamenii nu sunt ceea ce par nu e nouă, dar a fost bine exploatată.

[LJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Sentence: "Merde."

Inspector Armand Gamache may be bruised by the events of the past, but he is not beaten. He may no longer have the authority he once did, as evidenced by those in charge ignoring his recommendation to keep citizens safe from the rising river waters due to torrential rains, but he still has the respect of the team who once reported to him, and of his son-in-law and temporary superior, Jean-Guy Beauvoir. A fellow officer is concerned about the disappearance of her close friend's daughter who, she suspects, is in an abusive relationship. Being assigned to lead the investigation brings Armand into the triple dangers of an angry man, his father-in-law, and nature.

Let's get this out of the way; the book begins with profanity. However, considering the situation for both artist Clara, whose career is at a crossroads, and the team in the Serious Crimes Unit, it is well justified and nothing more than most of us have said.

Whether it's a bistro in Three Pines, a conference room in the Sûreté du Québec, or standing by a raging river, Penny draws one in and makes one feel present in the environment and in the community of people associated with each. Even for those who may be discovering Penny with this book, her writing, and inclusion of just enough back story, makes one feel welcome and up to date with the people and situations.

Penny's descriptions aren't merely visual, they are emotional and anthropomorphic—"The waters were rising up, not in protest but in revenge." Yet in the midst of danger, there is humor such as that inspired by an old dog—"'Your dog shook,' explained Beauvoir. 'Oh, dear.' 'Yes. That's pretty much what I said as I washed myself off and scraped down my desk. Gosh, I said, Bit of a mess.' His eyes widened in a crazed look, and Lacoste laughed."--and Gamache's complete inability to understand anything said by Billy Williams with his thick, regional accent. For those who live in areas affected by natural disasters, it is poignant to see the characters contemplate what things they'd take were they being evacuated and faced with the loss of everything else they own.

While the plot is strong, compelling and deals with difficult issues, it is the characters which keep readers engaged. None of Penny's characters are stereotypical or unimportant. Each is fully developed and complex. Each has a purpose in the story. Gamache is the depiction of a person one should aspire to be. Through him, Penny gifts the reader with the four statements that lead one to wisdom—"I was wrong. I'm sorry. I don't know. I need help."--and the admonition of poet Seamus Heaney "Noli timere," "Be not afraid." However, it is somewhat reassuring that even the best people have weaknesses.

Circumstances, pain, grace, and self-awareness have matured Jean-Guy. His relationship with Gamache is complex, deep and abiding, one which has survived many conflicts and internal struggles. What is interesting is that Penny uses the character of Billy as the eyes to see the true strength of the relationship, understanding, and love that Gamache has for Jean-Guy. It is also the communities of Three Pines and of the team at the Sûreté which demonstrate the solidity of the wider circle.

There is wisdom to be found within the story—"Before speaking…you might want to ask yourself three questions…Is it true? Is it kind? Does it need to be said?"--followed by a very human reaction to fear—"Don't pee, don't pee, don't pee." There is also well-done forensic information which is interesting and informative. However, there is also a very good plot twist and a very dramatic climax.

The book is a mystery and a very good one. One may not figure out what had happened until the reveal. And there's suspense and twists which cause one to catch one's breath. But as always with Penny's books, it is about the characters; about relationships; strong, toxic, messy, or just forming. It is about compassion and conscience, growth and change. It is about us; we complicated humans. Penny's ability to describe emotions is unmatched.

"A Better Man" is an excellent book in an outstanding series. It presents one with a lot of here, here. There is suspense, humor, and things which make one think—"Things are strongest where they are broken." The ending touches the heart and may bring tears to one's eyes. Most of all, it leaves one wanting to re-read the series from the beginning while wanting the next book right now.

A BETTER MAN (PolProc-Armand Gamache-Canada-Contemp) - Ex
Penny, Louise – 15th in series
Minotaur Books, Aug 2019