Liked Inspector Gamache, but ...
357018
I started reading this book with high expectations, having had it recommended by friends, but came away a little disappointed. The Quebec setting was interesting, but it was hard to believe that a small village would have so many artistic and literary residents living in each others pockets.  The dialogue was stilted in places and the character Clara was so irritatingly childish I couldn't believe her neighbors  -- or her husband  would tolerate her. Having said that, I quite warmed to Inspector Gamache, and cheered when he sent his  arrogant young officer packing after one gaffe too many. Because this was Pennys first novel, Ill put some of the drawbacks down to teething problems and give her and Gamache another chance.
4084364
I enjoyed The Bookseller for its window into Parisian life and for the background it provided of the bookstall owners. I've seen so many photographs of the bouquinistes, yet this is the first time I've read anything of their history. It was fascinating.

Unfortunately, the rest of the book wasn't on par with its insights into Paris and one of its institutions. Having deduced what was happening to the booksellers and why very early on, I wondered how long it would take Hugo Marston to put the pieces together. Too long, as it happens. Moreover, Marston himself never really clicked as a main character for me, and neither did his friend Tom Green. Both have promise, but both lacked that indefinable spark that would bring them to life.

Now that I've said all that, I will say that this is a promising debut mystery, and I am more than willing to give the next book in the series a try.
4532260
An influential and wealthy art dealer has been murdered in Prosperity City, planet Siobhos, by a unicorn. Wait  What? When detectives Afton and Jerome are assigned the case they soon find the trail of clues leads to ultra-wealthy Alexandre DuQuesne and his resident commune of artists and cybernetic creatures.

An interesting story, however the first person narration by non-human detective Jerome wears thin, although I understand the homage to old pulp gumshoe tales. Also, the solution to the case comes completely out of left field, and involves a concept which is not previously mentioned anywhere else in the story (except the introduction, and I routinely skip introductions because of plot spoilers). It felt out of place and was deeply unsatisfying.
1186400
I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did--how can one go wrong with zepplins?However, I found it to be better and more engaging than the first Sir Hilary book I read. The problem is the main character is so unlikeable. The reader feels more sympathy to the butler and other supporting characters and I found myself rooting against Manningham. I had planned to read more in this series, but maybe Sir Hilary and I just need a break, and I'll find something remotely likeable about her.
2642494
I was fascinated with the content and the journal from the gold miner. I like the characters, and after reading the first book in this series I looked forward to getting to know them better. But I was disappointed with the murder plot and found it too convoluted.
2128347
I've enjoyed the Louise Penny murder mysteries.  They're full of the character of Quebec and, usually, the wonderfully interesting characters of Three Pines.  This one deviates from that significantly.  Also, by the time you finish, you will realize you've been had by one of the oldest murder mystery lines in the book.  This is not one of my favorites.
3643102
I liked some of this book. Murder mysteries are my favorite genre, so I was looking forward to reading a book by a well known author, expecting it to be an exciting and puzzling mystery.

This was not the case. The beginning was interesting, though Diamond is certainly not a likable character. His distrust of any modern technology is the only thing that I can find to convince himself so thoroughly that he is truly the last detective. His methods are far from superior, and when he is convinced someone is the murderer, he goes to great lengths to get them to admit it- even when there is a severe lack of evidence. That is not great police work, and has gotten him into trouble before.

I enjoyed the section of the book when the ex-husband gave his narrative. He seemed a likable person, and told his story well.

The rest of the book was just okay for me. I like Lovesey's storytelling. He does drag on now and then, but his style is interesting. However, the courtroom scene was a comedy of errors, and very unrealistic. How the guilty party could confess in such an awkward manner was totally ridiculous. The mystery was not so much a mystery that we were left guessing until all was revealed. The book could have been told in a much shorter volume.

With Diamond being such an unlikeable protagonist, and with the very unsatisfactory way the mystery was unraveled, I will not be looking for other books in the series.
617391
I picked up the Free Kindle edition of Father Brown and for the most part I like it.  Father Brown is one of the most cleverest investigators I've seen, on par with Sherlock Holmes.  The stories are quite amusing, often intriguing, and some times funny.  So why did I give it 4 stars?  Because Father Brown let's everyone go.  For example, Flambeau who is Father Browns close friend and associate, has murdered at least twice, and yet he is buddy buddy with Father Brown.

Others in the stories that Father Brown corners(because he never captures them) that have killed are all let go.  This is the part I don't like.  Yes, Father Brown is a priest, but in my opinion that shouldn't matter.  But I suppose to the author, a priest has no business determining the morals of a character.  I just don't get that part.

Other than that, I'm still reading it, and I'm still enjoying the stories.  They're quick and entertaining, but only if you can ignore the fact that everyone gets away with murder when it comes to Father Brown.
2251959
I liked Abe best of all the characters in this novel- and I liked the concept of telling the story from a variety of viewpoints. I didn't however, really enjoy the plot, which seemed heavy on old fashioned (I know but 1999 is not THAT long ago) attitudes. I understand there are earlier books featuring Leah, who I found a little annoying but that wasn't a problem for this book, which I think might have benefited from a distanced editor. Thanks to netgalley for the Arc.
1439061
As an independent title, this is a solidly written mystery with believable characters, a well-thought out plot, and a satisfying resolution, which also sparkles with witty feminism and love and resentment in equal measures for Chicago and families. 5 stars.

Whoops. This is book 17 in a series. NOW we're stumbling.  The author messes with the backstory (again. Darn.).  If you are a fan of the series, you know that Boom Boom, whom we never met until he was murdered in 1984 in Deadlock, is the liveliest character Paretsky ever created. It makes sense that she'd bring back her greatest creation.

In order to make the plot of Brush Back work, Boom Boom needed to be alive in 1998 to be the godfather (godfather? Boom Boom?????) to the daughter of his best friend (whose last name the author has carelessly changed by one letter from Bouchard to Fouchard).  The reason this is a great big problem is that in good murder mysteries, the reader gets to sort out the details while reading, to maybe guess the ending before it is revealed and be satisfied when it is. A regular reader of Paretsky, knowing she's messed with the timeline, now is left with the uncomfortable feeling that the author can't be trusted. If THIS fact changed from book to book, does this other important one change from chapter to chapter?

Paretsky also relies on a few plot devices that really should be used only once in a career. (SPOILER ALERT) E.G. For at least the third time, a grateful client writes a huge check that covers the replacement cost of whatever got trashed halfway through the book (car, apartment).  That impressed me the first time, and made sense with the characters. But I felt the foreshadowing in this story, and as I felt the foreshadowing, the sentence, "Oh, no, not AGAIN!" formed articulately in my head. I  skipped a few pages, and --dang! There it was. If that were really the way the investigation biz worked, there would be no need for billable hours.

With the cheesy plot devices and the careless timeline, it is almost as if she is writing her own fanfic.  My heart ached for the underused characters of Mr. Contreras and Sal Berthele, and I found the new character of Bernie not very compelling (but then, I could not believe in her existence because of the timeline). So as a part of a series, 3 stars.

End result?  4 stars, because I really enjoy the writing. I love Vic's monologues as she sorts things out. I love her comebacks when people diss her. I love the author's takes on Chicago and politics and her little asides about music and all kinds of affection, whether it be for family members, art, sports, or your dog. I like that (this time) her lover is someone that makes sense to me as a person who shares some of Vic's interests.

Now I'm gonna go curl up with Deadlock.
869696
I am a big fan of Louise Penny's, murder mystery writing and did enjoy this novel.  I always like to revisit Three Pines and the cast of quirky characters there.  At last, in this book, we find out more about the family of Peter, the artist married to Clara, another artist who both find their inspiration in the hidden valley of Eastern Quebec.

In this book, Ms. Penny explores the endless subject of "one never knows why someone is what they are, until one meets the family that brought them into the world and took them to adulthood, good, bad or indifferent to the world around them".  Families are a package deal and in this novel, we find out the complicated background of one of the featured characters, in Ms. Penny's work.  Later, Louise Penny develops this character, in a different way but, from this novel, we understand why that person pursues life as they do.

The story begins in a remote exclusive inn, where the Gamaches are celebrating their wedding anniversary.  As usual, Armand is caught up in a murder investigation, even though he had promised himself and Reine-Marie that he would just relax and enjoy the country air, the lake and the cuisine of the lodge.  A new cast of characters come to holiday and soon one of them is dead, supposedly flattened by a newly-erected monument to that upper class family's patriarch, long dead.  Also mixed up in the murderous fray are the young and old staff of the auberge, all lorded over by its long-standing owner and hostess, plus the older butler (really!) and the mature head chef.

The plot develops and the reader soon learns that the errant son is none other than the Gamaches new friends in Three Pines, Peter and Clara.  Then the plot really thickens and no one is beyond suspicion, neither the guests or the workers at the lodge.  As usual, Chief Inspector Gamache is aided by his erstwhile underlings, Jean-Guy and Isabelle.

The climax is a teetering, literally, display of having to save a pawn of the murderer.  Of course, Gamache must overcome some of his fears to save the day, if not one of the wronged family.  What's also interesting in this book, is that Madame Gamache's character is further developed, as she  proves useful in the quest to catch the murderer and prevent further deaths.

I'm not exactly sure how the murder was accomplished, since the evidence was taken to a slightly unresolved conclusion.  Some side plots' conclusions are also not revealed, which was a bit frustrating and odd.  In my mind, some loose plot ends were left dangling.

But, at the end, Ms. Penny produced a wonderful cast of characters; a complex plot; and a deeper understanding of why some residents of Three Pines, or the lodge in the woods, had chosen those sanctuaries to pursue their muses and live a simpler, more reclusive life.

I was not disappointed with this book but did want some more literary devices and facts used to more fully explain the outcome of all the plot lines.

I am, always, an avid fan of Louise Penny and love revisiting Three Pines and my new "friends" there.
4233836
Yes, Mosely's an excellent writer, and he kept the plot moving.  His sparse, clean writing style is perfect for this genre. However, the only character I found remotely sympathetic was Easy, and I even had trouble relating to him.  I found the ending rather pat -- all the loose ends tied up a little too neatly to get Easy off the hook.  Everyone else in the book was violent, promiscuous, or downright depraved, and a whole bunch of them did Easy's dirty work for him.  Maybe the time and place Moseley's writing about really was that bad and I'm too naive to know it, but I'll opt for less brutal fare for my next mystery.
1631412
A Fatal Grace is only the third in the Inspector Gamache series, so although the writing is very good, it's not as great as the later works.  That being said, the setting in Three Pines is idyllic, the characters are endearing, and the plot offers enough surprises to propel you through to the end. I so loved The Beautiful Mystery (#8, I believe), that I decided to read all of the works in the series in order.  The characters of Inspector Gamache and Jean-Guy are so well created, that I wanted to go back to the beginning and follow the development of their back stories. I really enjoy your style, Louise Penny!
1417625
This is the first Aurelio Zen mystery I have read.  The ingredients for an excellent novel are there--interesting characters, richly-described Italian village setting, a plot with twists and turns--but it felt as though the chef had a hangover while he was putting the meal together and was a bit sloppy.  Perhaps I was disappointed because the high potential just wasn't met.

Other reviewers have outlined the story more than adequately, so I will simply say why I found The Long Finish disappointing.  It's primarily that Aurelio Zen's behavior goes well beyond quirky and unpredictable and flirts with the bizarre, his treatment both of suspects and colleagues spiking into the non-credible.  Reviews had warned that he was interesting but not always likable, but my unhappiness was different--I couldn't quite believe in the character.  The reader is given a lovely portrait of the ingrown and suspicious nature of a small village, but poor Aurelio Zen blunders about like an American tourist on his first vacation--he seems never to have heard that language, and even an Italian city boy would have a better appreciation than Zen demonstrates.  And the fate of the murderer, I can say without giving anything away, was more glib than clever--far too pat for such a complex story.

Perhaps the best bottom line is that I will probably give the author a second chance, but won't race out to buy another in the Aurelio Zen series.
755124
Aim&eacute;e Leduc is an archetypal French woman: breezy, stylish, skillful, thrifty, sexy, and she has a curly-haired lapdog that never needs a walk. She also has a dwarf and an apartment in an ancient unheated Parisian building. If this sounds unbelievable, it is, but as we give the French as a whole a pass on this kind of stuff, we should certainly should allow Aim&eacute;e to entertain us.

Aim&eacute;e is a trained detective who specializes in industrial espionage. She and her colleague, the dwarf Ren&eacute;, are computer hackers who never ever do field work after some earlier exploits that are never fully explained but which left Aim&eacute;e wounded. One day, though, an elderly Jewish gentleman arrives at Aim&eacute;e's office and asks her to deliver an envelope to an elderly Jewish woman who lives in the Marais. (I never quite figured out why he could not just mail it.) Aim&eacute;e thinks that while this job is outside her new operating parameters, the bank account is empty, the rent is due, and the taxman is calling, so she agrees to run this simple errand. When she arrives, the old woman is dead and then the old man is murdered. Aim&eacute;e uses her prodigious skill set and an assortment of disguises (including posing as a neo-Nazi) to solve the murder. The murderer's identity is implausible and, like the hyper-successful continuation of the underground Nazi political cell "Werwolf" ("Werewolf" in English), completely unneeded. Simplicity would have been better.

"Murder in the Marais" was published in 1998 but it is set in 1993. This date is somewhat arbitrary as Ms Black needed to find a time modern enough so Aim&eacute;e could be a computer hacker but early enough that the characters in the story who were thrown together by WW2, were still young enough to be professionally active. This did not work very well, I thought, but I tend to forget how young soldiers were in WW2. Here we are told that one of the soldiers was responsible the roundup of Jews in Paris at the age of 18. Maybe, but it did not feel right.

All in all "Murder in the Marias" is a first book and is a little rough. But it is amusing and I enjoyed it even though I rolled my eyes a bit.

I received a review copy of "Murder in the Marais" by Cara Black (SoHo Press) through NetGalley.com.
3444202
Scotland Yard's Inspector Alleyn cannot take a holiday without falling into a murder investigation. While vacationing in New Zealand Alleyn finds himself investigating the death of a theater company magnate. During a birthday celebration for his leading-lady wife Alfred Meyer is killed by a hurtling magnum of champagne, falling from the eaves of the theater. Finding the killer seems impossible; many had motive, but no one seems to have had the opportunity. Alleyn steps in to help the local police investigate.

While I generally enjoy this sort of murder mystery, this one was rather ponderous. So much of the investigation relies on highly technical measurements: exactly how was the bottle rigged, where was the ladder placed, and so on. The book also features a large cast of characters, most of whom are entirely uninteresting. I had a hard time keeping track of all of the characters, and I didn't particularly care about most of them. There's also the issue of Marsh's somewhat racist treatment of native New Zealanders. I will likely try another Inspector Alleyn mystery, but I will look for one outside of a theatrical setting.
4484617
I was born in Outremont (where Inspector Gamache lives), grew up in the Eastern Townships (where "Three Pines"is located), and enjoy seeing the familiar places in print.  I also very much like the plot of this and Ms. Penny's other novels.  Her humor is another plus.

I have to say it though... the use of French terms in this and the other novels seems contrived, and I find it irritating.  I, like many English Quebecers, am fluent in French, but nobody I know uses French terms while speaking or writing in English.