Marilee D

Miss the Gamache of the early years

Reviewed: 12-31-24

I've "read" ALL of the Inspector Gamache novels. The last several books have been a disappointment. World crises, corrupt government officials, and far-fetched plots do not interest me.
I miss the days of a wise and thoughtful man who was well-respected and solved murders. I miss the characters in Three Pines getting together as friends. I miss the delicious bistro food and the breads & pastries from the boulangerie.
The story: I found "The Grey Wolf" boring. Armand's and Jean-Guy's rapport was warm and entertaining, but the other characters were dull.
The reader: I enjoyed the accent, but the characters weren't good - especially Gamache. Horrible whispered voice, which should have been strong and commanding. Jean-Guy was okay, Ruth was not.
Very disappointing. I believe this may be the worst novel in the series.

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Creepy

Reviewed: 09-23-24

Chilling story. Stopped listening, but stuck in traffic one commute, I turned it back on and was hooked.
The audio book is akin to watching a play for which I don't even have words to describe. As the scenes unfold, I was riveted and fearful of what would happen next - and each [scene] was more horrifying than the last.
If you like dark, psychopathic stories, then this is for you!
Of note, Zachary Quinton's performance was absolutely menacing.

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Like author, enjoy her books, hated this one

Reviewed: 04-26-24

Listened about 5.5 hours and couldn't stand it another minute. What a wasted credit.
In that time, had foreboding sense: creepy male teacher and probable inappropriate teacher/student relationship. Yuk.
Also, Please, spare me the HS angst and the self-important "mean girl".

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Superb! Kudos to author Hannah and narrator Whelan

Reviewed: 04-01-24

One of the best books I've "read" in recent years. In the late 60's, my plan was to finish nursing school, enlist, and serve in Vietnam. After reading this book, I think that perhaps I am fortunate the war ended and my goal to enlist was thwarted.
Ms. Hannah researched, wrote, and sent us back in time. I vividly remember our disrespected heroes' disgraceful homecoming receptions: the difficulty my contemporaries had assimilating back in the US, the homelessness of many, and the ever present heroin usage.
Although 10+ years late, The Vietnam War Memorial, is a stunning and beautiful reminder of our heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Thank you to publisher, author, and whomever else was involved, for hiring Whelan, arguably the best narrator available today.

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I never give 5 stars, but...

Reviewed: 02-20-24

It doesn't get any better than this... Mickey Haller / Harry Bosch with Titus Welliver reading the part of Bosch.
The story kept me interested and even though the plot was not one of Connelly's best, the courtroom scenes & strategies were interesting. This was after all, a Lincoln Lawyer book.
I'm a huge Bosch fan, and purchased this because of Bosch/Welliver. Thus, the references to Bosch as "an old man" and that he was having medical issues bothered me. Harry is invincible!
I fear that Connelly may be planning to end the Bosch series and I certainly hope not.

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Impossible to put down/turn off

Reviewed: 01-28-24

This book is long -- 34+ hours, but stick with it. After several chapters, "The Running Grave" had me hooked and it was impossible to put down/turn off. I stayed listening into the wee hours of the morning and was reluctant to stop even then!

Well written and imaginative, Ms. Rowling's work evoked several emotions in me. Foremost was incredulity (Is it really that easy to control and manipulate?), then fear, anger, frustration. Absent for me, were more positive feelings, although the narrations of Barclay (?sp) and Pat brought a smile. The Strike/Ellacott agency's regulars were more fully developed than previously. We were able to see another side of Pat and perhaps with the next novel, we will get a peek into Barclay's life?

Although the subject matter was often difficult to think about, I really loved this book, and think it is the best in the series.

Read/listen to "The Running Grave". You won't regret it.

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Overly long and redundant

Reviewed: 11-13-23

Such a sad tale. Doubt this would be of interest to a younger generation who did not know of her. This could have been condensed; there were many redundancies. I almost stopped several times but I tend to finish books I've started.
The most interesting aspect was the conjecture about her untimely death.
Unfortunately, I can't recommend this book to others because of the long, drawn-out story and repetition of events and characterizations of her personality.

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So-so and soooo l-o-n-g

Reviewed: 04-23-23

Even the Magnificent Julia Whelan couldn't make this long, drawn-out, and often boring novel better. Expecting a mystery, it took forever to get to it. Personally, I didn't much care about the main character's adolescent angst. Instead of her history at the school, it would have been much more interesting to focus on her present-day career and her review of the crime.
I did stick with it until the end, which by-the-way, I didn't like and can't help but think I wasted my time and wish I hadn't.
Julia Whelan, my favorite narrator, was as always, perfect.

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A resounding DON'T BOTHER

Reviewed: 12-03-22

Rarely do I give up on a book, but half way through Chapter 4 I'd had enough. Enough of the narrator's droning voice, enough of the uninteresting characters, and definitely enough of the boring story, Returned the book.

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So Disappointing... Don't waste a credit

Reviewed: 10-11-22

I was excited that Louise Penny wrote another Inspector Gamache mystery and purchased this book without reading reviews. But I should have realized by the cover, which does not mention the Chief Inspector or Three Pines, that it was not another book in the series. I did note that the length was 1 hr and 22 minutes, but thought it may have been an error. This reads like a plot outline for her editor.
I am so disappointed!
To the reader who explained the rational for the brevity and lack of depth, thanks! Apparently it was written for "Adult Emergent Readers" ("...adults learning a language...re-learning a language..." or with learning disabilities, brain injuries, etc.)
It all makes sense.
Interesting plot, could have been an interesting novel.

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2 people found this helpful