Cassidy (Cassidys.Bookshelf)’s Comments (group member since Sep 08, 2017)

Cassidy (Cassidys.Bookshelf)’s comments from the Penny Pushers group.

Love this idea!

1. I think it was time for him to let go after everything that had happened leading up to and during this book. I can't see him just sitting quietly in Three Pines though. Maybe he will end up setting up a small police force in Three Pines or become a private investigator.

2. I'm so glad Lacoste got the promotion! She has a tough job ahead of her and I think she will be seeking a lot of counsel from her mentor.

3. I love those two. I think she wanted Jean-Guy to see that he was still loved and worth saving. I think giving him Rosa snapped him out of his self-deprecating fog. She trusted him enough to give him the thing she loves most dearly. That's a strong statement.

4. Oh man, I am SO happy about that ending! My heart was swelling for these fictional characters. I hope that they start a family and that Jean-Guy can find what works for him in order to stay sober. I can't take him going down the rabbit hole again.

My favorite in the series so far!

2. I think he went there to throw off even more suspicion of what he is doing and how he is handling everything. If the office is truly compromised it would be a good way to get it to the Chief Superintendent.

3. I seriously thought the same thing! And I'm still not convinced it wasn't her. Maybe my feelings about her are a little too strong.

4. That part broke my heart! And I think she did what she needed to do. You can only be codependent for someone that needs serious help for so long. I really hope they find their way back to each other.

1. I like the alternate storylines and I'm so glad Olivier's case is getting looked into again. I definitely look forward to that one more, but I'm also intrigued by Gamache's "talks" with Agent Morin, not so much the murder at the library.

3. I think he is both. Mainly an asshole with saint like moments.

5. I could see it being a cover up, but also something that just didn't need to be included since they did not actually meet with him they were just disrupted by him.

1. I'm thinking it had to be some sort of investigation/rescue mission gone incredibly wrong. In chapter one it states that Gamache realized that he made a mistake, but that it was too late. Gamache has always cared deeply for his agents and anything bad happening to any of them would have a major impact on his psyche.

2. I'm not completely sure what it refers to, but didn't Gamache tell Agent Nichol in a previous book that she needed to bury her dead?

3. Gabri clearly loves Olivier unconditionally and he can't wrap his head around what had happened. To be honest I still can't, and I think that he has every right to want to probe Gamache to investigate further.

Kelsi, Tom Hanks as Gamache is brillant!! I really like Myrna too, but Ruth and her sarcastic old lady ways just make me crack up every time.

A book about just Gamache would be perfect! (I will admit though, I'd miss the characters of Three Pines!)

#1. I think she is on to something. I know, I know, I still can't stand her, BUT the skeptic in me agrees. No one can be that outwardly happy without hiding a bit of their true self from others.

#2. I wonder if maybe Hazel was jealous of the blooming relationship. Either because she fears he will take Madeleine away from her or because she is jealous that Madeleine has found a relationship outside of their friendship.

#3. Beauvoir and Lacoste are 100% on Gamache's side. I don't think either could be swayed from their loyalty.

#2. I think Odile is very protective of her relationship with Gilles and won't let anyone get in the way of it. Gilles admitting that he loved Madeleine, even from afar, definitely made me think that Odile could have taken out the competition.

#3. I'm learning that Louise Penny always has hidden meanings in her statements, so definitely!

#4. I love how the gossip spread like wildfire throughout the town. It seemed for the most part, the people of Three Pines wanted to protect Gamache more than give in to the lies of the article.

And yes!! The love Beauvoir has for Gamache sounds so intense. Way more than just Beauvoir looking up to Gamache.

Carly, that quote broke my heart too!! And you're right, I don't think Peter is ready to face the demons of the Hadley house just yet. I'm not sure if he ever will since he bottles up all of his emotions.

#1. I'm going to guess it was just an animal. I don't know why anyone would intentionally shred the tape and make it known that they were there. (But who knows at this point. I'm always wrong!)

#2. Nichols is so desperate for acceptance and a sense of belonging that it doesn't surprise me that whoever she is talking to would take on that persona. Whether it is just to get her to do what they want or because they actually see promise in her, I don't know.

#3. I think it was very wise for Gamache to do the interview alone. He always says that it is his job to listen and observe in order to solve his cases. I think if Beauvoir was there it would have hindered the interview because of his skeptical beliefs instead of trying to protect Gamache. I do agree with Beauvoir though. Gamache's pride will get him in trouble one of these times.

First off, I loved that quote when I read it in the book! It made me chuckle because it is so true.

#1. I think that eventually Lemieux will confess to Gamache, but I think for now, he is still too influenced by Brebeuf that Gamache isn't what he seems.

#2. I wondered if that was a slip or a calculated move by Sophie. I still think she could be behind the murder or at least helped in some way. I think she was extremely jealous of Madeleine's friendship with her mother and felt edged out.

#3. I'm still unsure of who Nichols is working for, but I do not think anyone else on Gamache's team is a mole. Definitely not Beauvoir or Lacoste.

#1. I absolutely loved the first chapter with Gamache. I relish when Louise Penny gives us a glimpse of his family life. My guess is it is one of Superintendent Brebeuf's minions. I would think it would have to be someone Gamache isn't familiar with or you would run the risk of Gamache spotting him/her.

#2 & #4. I think Brebeuf called Lemieux and told him to make an appearance in Three Pines. I think that Brebeuf and Lemieux have Gamache and his whole team deceived. Or Gamache is more clever than I am giving him credit for and he sees through his friend's facade and is playing him right back. I hope it is the later.

#3. I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that Hazel's daughter, Sophie, has something to do with the murder. Sophie pushed to stay at the seance and from what I've read, she isn't portrayed in the kindest light.

#2&3 - Oh hell no! I would not go even if I was promised all the yummy food at the Bistro for life. And that's saying something! The Hadley house really is the symbol for all the dark and bad things in Three Pines. It amazes me that Myrna, Clara and everyone else thought that it would be a good idea to host a seance in that house and then actually go through with it. Mind boggling.

#1. I could see it being smaller critters and bears getting into some, but I could definitely see Ruth doing it too since she was so vocal about how dumb she thought it all was.

#2. Seriously, Clara has a knack for being in the middle of all the crazy stuff in Three Pines. I'm interested to see what Gilles is referring to, it's too early for me to speculate since I'm usually wrong at this point anyways.

#3. There's way more to Jeanne than meets the eye. She almost seemed to be playing a part at first with her acting nervous about what was taking place. Then she seemed to be in her creepy element once the festivities started.

#4. Peter has always confused me. Louise Penny has kept us in the dark about his past but subtly eludes to it in each book. I'm hoping we find out more in this book. I also think he is extremely jealous of Clara and thinks she will surpass him in the art world.

#7:

For whatever reason, regardless of any description Louise Penny gives about Gamache, I always picture Edward Herrmann (Richard Gilmore from Gilmore Girls) as him. I know he passed away a few years ago so he would never get to portray him, but that is who I picture when reading.

#6:

I liked both and gave Still Life and A Fatal Grace 4 stars each. I will say that I think Still Life edges out just a little bit for me because there is something about the first book in a series. It introduces you to a whole new world and that is something that I will always appreciate.

#4:
One of my favorite quotes from A Fatal Grace was when we learned how Myrna came upon Three Pines back in Chapter 2.

"Three Pines had what she craved. It had croissants and cafe au lait. It had steak frites and the New York Times. It had a bakery, a bistro, a B. & B., a general store. It had peace and stillness and laughter. It had great joy and great sadness and the ability to accept both and be content. It had companionship and kindness. And it had an empty store with a loft above. Waiting. For Her. Myrna never left."

Here are a few final discussion questions. Feel free to answer any that interest you. Also, if you want to ask a question for discussion, go right ahead! Thanks for being such active participants in all the discussions - it was fun moderating this month!

1. Louise Penny writes in such a way that it makes you think multiple people could be the culprit. Were you able to solve the case before we found out the big reveal that it was Crie that killed her mother? How about CC killing L?

2. What did you make of The Three Graces? Did you like the way Louise Penny weaved them throughout the story?

3. Are you as confused about Agent Nichols and Agent Lemieux as I am? Did it surprise you to find out that the mole is Lemieux? Who was Nichols talking to this whole time and will she ever redeem herself?

4. Please share any of your favorite quotes from A Fatal Grace with us!

5. Who is your favorite character so far in the series and why? Who is your least favorite?

6. Did you like Still Life or A Fatal Grace better? What rating did you give A Fatal Grace and why?

7. Here's a fun question to ponder: What actors would you pick to play the characters of Three Pines if it ever made it to the big screen or a TV series?

8. What are you looking forward to the most in the next book?

Lindsay wrote: "Cassidy, you rocked it out moderating! Thank you for keeping things organized and your great starter questions!!"

Thank you! It's been fun!