A Fatal Grace (Armand Gamache Series #2)

Louise Penny has again for me, hit the mark with both her characters and writing style.

Louise Penny is one of the few authors who can combine strong and singular characters, lyrical writing style and satisfying plots into an immensely readable book. Her characters in the Three Pines series become neighbors that you grow to both love and sometimes, not so much, as each develops into complex and very human dimensional character. The plots are vehicles for the character development, but they are well thought out and progress at a pace that does not bore. It is with the side plots where I feel she truly excels - this is where you will Penny offering day-to-day situations and exploring the motivations for our actions that all people deal with. There are endless topics here for book clubs to discuss. But foremost for me is her style of writing. She is a wordsmith. The well- crafted sentences, finding the precise word and turning a phrase that conveys meaning in a near poetic manner makes her works a joy to read. She is an author who will remind you why it is you love to read. The series does not have to be read in order, but if you do, the characters will unfold in a graceful way. "A Fatal Grace" is the 4th of the series I have read, and it's one of my favorites so far.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A Kinder, Gentler Detective

I am now in my 3rd Three Pines mystery, so obviously, I like them. Armand Gamache is a character that I really love and want to continue reading about. In fact, the goings-on at his police dept. trump the dramas at Three Pines. One has to keep reading to see if he figures it all out. This particular Three Pines mystery was a good one. I just had a problem with the murderer--I'm not convinced that that person had the intelligence and cunning to pull that off. Other than that, I have only praise for the book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries and doesn't love gratuitous violence and gore.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A visual of a Thomas Kincaid Painting

Penny has a real insight into people and a wonderful way of creating a cozy atmosphere, small town living. Compelling characters and brain teasing who-dun-it. Thoroughly enjoyed it! Another hit!!

A couple of other books that are on my "masterpiece shelf",...EXPLOSION IN PARIS, by Linda Pirrung and THE HELP, by K. Stockett.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A book to sit with a cup of tea and really enjoy.

Penny's books are so enjoyable to read and I can't wait for each new one to come out. This book is entertaining and a great read. Her characters are interesting and I find myself really caring about them.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Excellent mystery

I enjoyed the setting and the style which reminded me of Elizabeth George.
The "suspects" were well done and hard to pinpoint which made it exciting.
I liked the characters very much.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Seems like a great place to visit (except for all the murders)

I really didn't think I would like these books because I am not crazy about cozy village mysteries, but I like the characters and Gamache. Even though I had figured out who the murderers were fairly easily, I still enjoyed the book. I'm very caught up in Gamache's problem with this previous Arnot case and the continuing fall out from it. Also I'm very intrigued by Agent Nichol--she is a puzzling and unlikeable character, but you think she might be redeemable. I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book to see who is working against Gamache and trying to bring him down and how he will handle that problem. The only thing I don't like about this series is how long it takes to get into the plot, and the excerpts of (character) Ruth Zardo's poetry is getting excessive. A little of that goes a long way. Otherwise, I enjoy the time I spend in Three Pines and would love to visit and get a bite to eat at Oliver's bistro.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I'd recommend all Ms. Penny's books!

Once I read one book by Louise Penny, I ordered all her others from B&N -- I wasn't disappointed... as a matter of fact, I've ordered her next one!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

charming and delightful

This series could be described as 'Lake Woebegon' with murders. The writing is sharp with effective dialog. The reader is transported to Three Pines and becomes immersed in the idylic life of the village. The mysteries are believable, the tension builds nicely and the endings are realistic and satisfying.

If you're looking for several hours of enjoyment, these books are well worth the investment.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Asuperb police procedural

In Three Pines, Quebec socialite CC de Poitiers runs a successful personal guidance business based on her book Be Calm until she participates in the local Yuletide curling competition only to be electrocuted. Montreal Chief Inspector Armand Gamache arrives at the tiny village to lead the official inquiry into what appears to be a tragic accident.----------- Armand interviews the victim¿s submissive spouse and overweight daughter, a lover, a rival self-help guru, curling competitors and officials, and some townsfolk. All seem to have alibis, but share in common a universal loathing of CC. In fact each person questioned paints a picture of an abusive ugly person and that the culprit should be honored not arrested. Thus everyone he has talked to especially the family members has a motive for killing the apparently odious CC de Poitiers most had an opportunity though they offer alibis.----------------- When Gamache is front and center investigating the death, A FATAL GRACE is a superb police procedural when the plot refers to the past especially that of the odious deceased it loses momentum. Still the story line contains a fine whodunit as it appears that much of Quebec wanted the nasty CC dead and several had the opportunity to fix her equipment and that make for a bunch of suspects for the police and readers to sift through and find out who, of all those who wanted her dead actually, acted on the desire.----------- Harriet Klausner

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is a great series!

This is the best of the series - it's #7 in the series, however, and you need to read them in order, so start at the beginning and work your way here! Louise Penny is one of my favorite authors.

Great Series

I love this series set in a small canadian town that is beautiful, quaint and scary all at the same time. The inspector is almost too good to be true. Inspector Garmache keeps the story going because he rules with soft paws. but behind hos soft paws is an quick mind...This series is enjoyable but also keeps you guessing right up until the end....good reading

Small Canadian Town Mystery

2nd in the series. Continues the S¿ret¿ intrigue. Two seemingly unrelated murders: one of a homeless woman on the streets of Montreal and the other an ambitious guru. Speaks to how we harm and even kill others with our words and abuse, while the graces (faith, hope, and charity) sustain and redeem. The victim in this novel was an awful person, but her cruelty was offset by the “Three Graces,” three older women whose lives also held a mystery.

Another great read!

I really am enjoying this series. Armand Gamache is a complex and deeply likeable main character with a secret in his past that is unfolding through the novels. I look forward to reading the next one!

Better than the first

Enjoyed this one more than the first. Kind of a bizzare way of killing someone but the characters and setting make up for it again.

I love this series!

I have recently discovered this author and gone back to read this series, in order. Well written, interesting plot and memorable characters.

Second Gamache is a winner, too!

My second Gamache in just under a week did not disappoint. Again, engaging characters, smart writing, and a complex plot made this fun to read and a pleasure to return to. My only "complaint" is (SPOILER ALERT HERE...YOU'VE BEEN WARNED :) that I thought the solution to the mystery was a little (well, very) complex, and I question whether the killer was really capable of figuring out all of those details and the necessary timeline of events for everything to line up as it did. Overall, however, it was well worth the time and the money for this one. Off to download number three now!

Amazing characters

After reading and enjoying the first book in the series, I purchased this book (the second) and am delighted to find that it is just as good. Ms. Penny's characters are interesting and intelligent, and their individual stories add depth to the primary mystery. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series, but first I am reading this book a second time to enjoy again all the details that made the story come alive.

Another Hit

This is a delightful series for cozy mystery readers. I have read books one and two in the series and am looking forward to reading book three.

Ab Fab Mysteries

I have read all five of these books which have the same basic characters and take place in the village of Three Pines. Most excellent reading. Louise Penny has a tremendous gift.

Very disappointing

Lots of gimmicks. No true development of charachter. Too "cute."

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.