The Black Wolf

 

Louise Penny’s 20^th book in the Armand Gamache series is titled The Black Wolf, in a sequel to the 19^th book, The Grey Wolf. I love Penny’s writing and her group of recurring characters. I’ve reread most of her books, some of them, several times. This one was a bit different. Based on the notion that climate change is continuing to worsen, leaving the U.S. short of water, and Canada with an abundance, Penny also described corruption in Canada that had infiltrated all levels of government. All of the usual Gamache characters were involved with the plot, with the unexpected addition of Gamache’s wife and children. As usual, Penny will always be worth reading. She produces one book a year and I eagerly await her next release. But this one was not my favorite. I’ll be curious to read more reviews, which I haven’t done as yet.

The Grey Wolf

 

The Grey Wolf, A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, is the 19^th in this series by Louise Penny. She is one of my favorite authors, who I think stands shoulder to shoulder with Michael Connelly, Daniel Silva, C.J. Box, and John Grisham. Ms. Penny is better than Lee Childs, David Baldacci and Jonathan Kellerman.

 

She produces one book a year. I always pre-order her novels, and since her original magnificent novel, Still Life which was written 19 years ago in 2005, I’ve counted on having an enjoyable day as I dive into her story. As usual, I love her characters, both the longstanding ones as well as her introduction of new people with her new plots. Her descriptive writing is always wonderful. Usually, the plots have been local ones rather than international espionage stories. However, this plot was a bigger and grander story which required more characters to carry the theme. I found that disappointing. With the plot being more complex and international in scope, I think it lost some of the intimacy for which Ms. Penny has been famous. So, this book was not my favorite. But all of my favorite authors have produced stories that seemed a bit off, so for the first time in 19 books, that is my opinion of The Grey Wolf. I will continue to pre-order her books and hope for another good day of Three Pines drama when she publishes her next book in 2005.

1552. Still Life

I had read a couple of Louise Penny novels before this blog debuted in 2009, so this is my second review of this book by an author that I love. Still Life is the first in Penny’s Armand Gamache series, and now there are 18 of them, all gems. In this book, she introduces Gamache, the chief of homicide for Quebec. For police officers, being posted to the homicide department is the ultimate appointment for any police person in Canada. Gamache is the most famous of any of the detectives in the country, and his reputation is incredible. This is the book in which Penny introduces all of the recurring characters in these novels which take place in a small mythical village, Three Pines, which is located just outside of Montreal.

 

Please have a look at the review I wrote in 2013 of Still Life. Her character development is superior to all other writers that I’ve read in this murder mystery genre. Her plot development is equal to that of Michael Connelly and Daniel Silva. This is very high praise. This time, I listened to this novel in audiobook format, and I felt as if I was diving back in time to revisit long lost friends. Perhaps it’s like rewatching your favorite old movies. At any rate, if you’re not familiar with this author, start with this first novel and get to know the people of Three Pines. If you’re already familiar with her novels, you just might enjoy having another look or listen.

#1511 A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny

I’m surprised that I missed Louise Penny’s latest book when it was released in the fall of 2022. She is one of my top authors. I’m not sure what happened that led me to miss the release of her latest novel. This is her 18^th book in the Armand Gamache series, and I’ve read them all. It’s her use of language and her deft character development that are biggest draws to her. This is the second review of A World of Curiosities in the blog. Curt Remarks, our newest contributor, debuted in the blog with this book. Like CR, I did have some problems with this novel.

 

My first problem had to do with the content. While Penny wrote in the acknowledgements section that forgiveness was one of her main themes, the dominating theme was childhood sexual abuse and the negative impact that such abuse has on one’s lifetime character development. The writing wasn’t bad with regard to the topic, far from it. In fact, Penny expertly touched a topic which I detest. It was early in my career as a psychiatrist/psychoanalyst when a criminal defense lawyer (a longtime friend) referred a client who was in jail due to his being a pedophile. The patient had been abusing prepubescent boys – not something I had encountered before in my practice. He was in protective custody when he was in jail, and he was transported to my office by marshals. I realized after a few sessions that my own negative reaction to this person (countertransference) precluded me from being able to work with him. I thought his characterological problems which in part were caused by the similar abuse he had suffered, were not amenable to the talk therapy that I provided.

 

The history of such past sexual traumas was an issue for two of the characters in the book, the half-siblings, Fiona and Sam Arsenault. They had the same mother, Clotilde Arsenault, a known prostitute. The story began with Clotilde’s murder. I don’t think it’s necessary to reveal the rest of the plot in this review. 

 

My second problem with the story had to do with the plot. The reader got to hear the ongoing saga of all the beloved characters from Three Pines, as well as the other characters that had been introduced in prior Penny books. I found the book to be full of unbelievable, but predictable twists, and I just didn’t buy the way Penny wove this story. Unlike my usual experience with her novels, I knew who the bad guy was long before it was revealed in the story. It is far from her strongest writing. But, I’ve spent so many wonderful hours with this author that I continue to eagerly anticipate her next novel. I think every great author is likely to produce a work of less mastery, and for Penny, this is it.

#1506. A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny

In this 18th Inspector Gamache novel, Louise Penny takes the opportunity to tell the story of how Gamache meets his colleague Jean-Guy Beauvoir. They have been together since 2005's Still Life, through professional, personal and family challenges. It's something loyal readers have been waiting for- how did Armand's mentorship of Jean-Guy begin? 

Unfortunately, the subject matter of this first case is the murder of a mother who has unspeakably abused her two children. In the present day, these two children return to Gamache's life in Three Pines. The author does a fine job connecting the timelines through a real life event in Montreal history, but the second half of the novel turns into something everyone has read before. 

 

Ms. Penny has written Inspector Gamache novels in a variety of styles - some are very cerebral, some thrillers, some a nice mix. In this latest mystery, she indulges several tropes her readers have appreciated her avoiding all these years. The elaborate revenge of the enemy from the past is the most egregious, but there are others to be discovered upon reading. 

 

I love Louise Penny a great deal and her previous novels have truly meant something to me on a personal level. My recommendation is always to start at the beginning of a series, but I think it's essential in this case so one doesn't mistake Inspector Gamache as just another detective. Because he truly is unique. 

 

As you may know, Amazon Prime has brought Inspector Gamache to life as played by Alfred Molina. Three Pines, named for the village central to many of the novels, is an excellent adaptation of the early entries in the series. If you haven't read Louise Penny, start with Still Life and you will become part of the Three Pines family. If you are a fan, I'm afraid you may be disappointed in this latest installment. That said, she has built up so much good will I'll read the next one the day it is released. 

 

Curt Remarks 

(new MRB contributor as of 1/2023)

State of Terror

Madness of Crowds

All the Devils are Here

A Better Man

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Without question, I love Louise Penny’s writing and story telling, and possibly, A Better Man is her best book in the 15 book Armand Gamache series. Every year, I look forward to her next novel. In her new story, she has the usual cast of characters including Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, Isabelle Lacoste, Clara Morrow, Ruth Zardo, and Myrna Landers, and as usual, Penny sprinkles in a few characters like Vivienne Godin, her husband Carl Tracey, her father Homer Godin, and Agents Cloutier and Cameron. It’s remarkable that Penny is able to write about the evil side of life and still do it with love for everyone involved. Her understanding and appreciation of the complexity of humanity is impressive. In this story, Armond, Jean-Guy, and Isabelle are still recovering from their physical and emotional wounds from the gun battle in the last book.

I won’t be a spoiler in this review, but it is a murder mystery as the result of Vivienne’s tragic death when she fell through the railing of a rotting old bridge over a flood swollen river which is threatening Three Pines, the mythical village where most of the key characters live. Penny keeps the reader guessing who is responsible for this death until the last few pages. Perhaps this plot is a bit more complex than some of her other books, but she holds her story together very well. There are subplots that the reader will best get by reading the books in order, but each of the Gamache series is also a stand-alone book. This one is a 5-star effort, and now I will impatiently wait for Penny’s next release.

Kingdom of the Blind

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Louise Penny is one of my top five authors with her series about the head of the Surete de Quebec, Chief Superintendent Armand Gamache. This is novel #14, and she certainly keeps it current. Penny has surrounded Gamache with a gaggle of beloved characters, and now because of several prior questionable decisions, Gamache is on suspension. His future is held in the hands of a student in the Surete who Gamache bet on despite her most unsavory past. It has always been his apparent weakness, the need to save someone in whom no one else can see value. If you’ve already read Penny, then you don’t need more inducement to buy this one. If you haven’t read Penny, then start with Glass Houses, and go through these novels in order. You’ll enjoy the very rich style of Penny’s plots and character development.

Glass Houses

Unashamedly, I love Louise Penny. Her 12-book series about Armand Gamache and the cast of characters is as rich and enjoyable as any writing that I’ve seen in the crime genre. Her primary venue is Three Pines which is a tiny, hidden and idyllic village on the outskirts of Montreal - a special place. In her latest novel, Glass Houses, Ms. Penny wrote in her author’s note: “Three Pines is a state of mind. When we choose tolerance over hate. Kindness over cruelty. Goodness over bullying. When we choose to be hopeful, not cynical. Then we live in Three Pines.” For me to admit that I like Louise Penny as much as Daniel Silva is very high praise.

In Glass Houses, Gamache has been promoted to Chief Superintendent of the Surete du Quebec. He’s now the big boss of the entire police force for the province of Quebec. As the book opens, Gamache is testifying in a murder trial in front of a new Judge, Maureen Corriveau. Although he’s on the same side as Chief Crown Prosecutor Zalmoanowitz, there was an obvious friction between him and Gamache. Why would the prosecutor work so hard to humiliate Gamache on the stand when he was trying to get a conviction of the defendant?

Penny’s story is about the drug trade that moves down the St. Lawrence Seaway and through Quebec into the lucrative U.S. drug market. While the cartels fight for territory and law enforcement continues to lose the war on drugs, people on both sides of the border are dying in record numbers from the use of those substances. Penny also interjects an ancient Spanish figure called a cobrador who is nonviolent, but who is meant to invoke shame and humiliation upon someone who has gone unpunished for an evil deed. It is fascinating and caused great angst among the citizens of Three Pines, nearly all of whom feel guilty for some secret in their pasts.

Glass Houses could be a stand-alone novel, but if you’ve not read Penny before, it’s my advice to start with the first book, Still Life. Then work your way through the novels and enjoy the character development as Penny intended. You won’t be disappointed, I promise.