Olivier Brulé lowered his gaze, no longer able to look into the troubled, lunatic eyes across from him. He’d lived with this story for so long, and kept telling himself it wasn’t real. It was a myth, a story told and repeated and embellished over and over and over. Around fires just like theirs.
Chaos and murder come to the village of Three Pines once more in The Brutal Telling, the fifth installment of the Chief Inspector Gamache series. All the villagers are stunned when a body of an unknown man is found inside the popular bistro owned by Gabriel and Olivier.
Suspicions and accusations run high and some want to cast blame on the newcomers to the village who are opening a spa and hotel, but Gamache is wondering what exactly Olivier did to earn so much hate. As in all previous books, I find that author Penny does a wonderful job of presenting flawed characters who you can still like but more importantly raising the question of just how much you can truly know another person.
Aside from the mystery the familiar cast is back and their problems or lives continue to expand. One of my favorite character, Clara, an artist who is finally getting her own show, will face a difficult task: speak her mind and ruin her chances of success or keep the peace and going forward with the show.
I’ve been a fan of this series because of the descriptive writing and unique setting but this book didn’t live up to my expectations. I’ve always felt that this is a cozy with a bit more of an edge but now I felt that some of the characters were simply too mean. There is a lot of focus on some elements that in the end you wonder what the point of those were aside from providing too many red herrings, and the worst part is that the resolution of the mystery was immensely anti-climatic.
Perhaps if this had been my first book I’d read I wouldn’t judge it as harshly but I’ve come to expect a lot in this series and I didn’t enjoy this one. Would I read another? Well, as I said, it has been a favorite so yes I would read another but I don’t think I’ll be rushing to get it.
Oh and I know I mentioned that I read this for a book group discussion. In my book group we give books a rating from either 1 -5, with 5 being excellent. This book got a 3.
Sorry this book was a disappointment, Iliana. That’s how I felt when I read some of the series books and was disappointed with them and not sure if I want to continue with the rest of the instalments. I suppose time will tell… ;P
Sorry to hear that it disappoint you. It happens quite often with a series. Not all of the books in a series are as good as the first one. That’s why I actually don’t read series.
Sorry to hear it wasn’t as good as the rest of the series. That can be so disappointing when you have loved the rest of the books.
Unfortunately, I have a hard time finding series that live up to my expectations these days. They are all OK, entertaining, but don’t stand out. I’ve not read many of these, the characters are really interesting!
I don’t like anti-climatic mysteries but it does seem this happens with series more often than not. The first few are really great and then things just get a bit too formulaic, the author gets lazy, or whatever.
I really want to try this series, though I would start with the first book. Too bad this one didn’t live up to your expectations. I suppose when an author is writing a series it can be hard to keep the momentum going.
Melody – I usually end up caving in just because I’m so curious as to what happens next and the fact that I’ve invested so much time in them but there have been some series I totally give up on. I think Penny’s writing is wonderful so that’s why I’m willing to check out another of her books – I just hope I like the next one!
Andreea – Some series really should probably only last so long don’t you think? While I love seeing a familiar cast of characters some just really can’t go on that long. Well, especially if nothing interesting is happening. Here I think there is definitely the potential for better stories ahead.
vivienne – It is isn’t it? I was really looking forward to this one too but hopefully the next one will be better!
Sandy – Do you think you need to give the genre a break? I typically always have a mystery going on but I realize I tend to start a lot of new series so that probably helps to keep things more fresh!
Kathleen – That was actually my biggest complaint. I just couldn’t believe the ending. We actually debated that at book group and wondered if something could still change in the next book!
Danielle – The first book is excellent and I highly recommend it. Actually, I’ve really loved book 1-3. Four was good too but not as stellar and sadly this one really bummed me out but I’m hoping the next one will get the series back on track!
sorry it dissapointed illiana, maybe the next one will be better.